Keep in mind that once you have a patent in hand all you have is a piece of paper and the USPTO will do nothing to enforce it. Enforcing a patent is up to you and/or your attorney and enforcing a patent can be very expensive.
I would also add that the USPTO hosts a number of free seminars around the country. In these seminars they present a whole array of workshops to educate inventors on the mechanics of applying for and enforcing a trademark or patent. I attended one of these seminars at their HQ in Alexandria VA a few years ago when I was in the process of applying for my patent. I urge you to go to
http://www.uspto.gov/ and take some time to look at the vast amount of information on their site.