It's a smart outlet with a network intrusion detection system built in. When an intrusion is detected it shuts off power to the outlet. That way if a bad actor gets into your network the network will get shut down, locking them out. I admit it doesn't do a whole lot about finding the source of the problem but it at least addresses the immediate threat and it could log information about the threat which might help you locate it. I was thinking maybe I could partner with a security company by having them offer my customers 50% off or something and then if the customer really wants they can have the security company do a pen test and some analysis on the intrusion.

I spent a TON of time and money on this idea. Since I have basically zero money I tried doing everything myself. I managed to design the PCB myself. I designed a case for it. But I spent 90% of the time trying to get a patent and I even filed the patent application but I didn't have the money to pay the filing fee so I'm pretty sure I can't get a patent on it any longer, even if I could afford it, which I can't.

As a side-effect of covid I stopped working on it. That was about a year ago.

I'm afraid that either no one will like my idea or as soon as it gets on anyones radar with the resources (electrical engineers, lawyers, people who know how to make cases) they'll just make a better version of it.

Do you think the idea could take off? Should I pick it up again or move on?