Patent application process? More specifically, what is the difference between invention, utility model and design application?

Patent application process: 1. Search before patent application (search the subject of application in China National Intellectual Property Administration to ensure the smooth application); 2. Submit the application documents to the State Patent Office; 3. Acceptance of patent application (you can receive the acceptance notice issued by the State Patent Office about one week after submitting the application documents) 4. Authorization (after the application documents are submitted, it takes about 4-6 months to examine and approve the appearance patent and 6-8 months to examine and approve the utility model patent); 5. Certification (within two months after receiving the authorization notice, and within one month after paying the license fee and the annual fee for the first or second year). Note: The invention patent will be made public about 8 months after the application documents are submitted (when the application is submitted, it will be made public in advance together with the actual examination documents), and then it will enter the actual examination, and the above authorization procedures will be entered after the actual examination is completed (about two years). Appearance refers to: the shape, pattern, color or combination of design and utility model of a product; Improvements and inventions of key technologies related to the prior art; Unprecedented technology or method.