How does an inventor demonstrate that an invention has achieved "actual reduction to practice"?

To demonstrate "actual reduction to practice," an inventor must provide tangible evidence that the invention works as intended. This typically involves constructing a complete and functional prototype of the invention or performing the method in question. The key aspect of actual reduction to practice is that it requires the invention to be realized in its final form and used in a way that proves its operability.

In contrast, submitting sketches would not be sufficient, as sketches alone do not demonstrate that the invention has been constructed and that it functions as claimed. Filing an application with claims is an important step in the patent process, but it does not by itself prove that the invention has been made and tested. Conducting a market analysis, while useful for commercial considerations, is not related to whether the invention has been reduced to practice in a technical sense. Thus, constructing a prototype or performing the method directly establishes that the inventor has successfully moved beyond the conceptual stage of their invention to create a working embodiment, fulfilling the requirement for actual reduction to practice.