If the invention has been published or made public in anyway before the patent is applied for, then the patent right generally cannot be obtained. So, you should apply for a patent before any publication, advertisement, sale, public demonstration or use of the invention occurs. Patents cover all fields of technology. Basically, an invention is something which is new and is not obvious. It must be technical, but it does not need to be complicated or high tech.
Most inventions are new machines, products or industrial processes.
These can generally be patented. Some things, although new, cannot be patented. This is usually because they are not technical or they do not have a use in industry. Co Sdn Bhd. 1999.