Note: Descriptions are shown in the official language in which they were submitted.
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Patent-Related Tools and Methodology for Use in Research
and Development Projects
Background of the Invention
Field of the Invention
The invention is generally directed to methodologies related to research
and development projects, and more particularly directed to patent-related
tools
and methodologies involving those tools for assisting in all stages of
research and
development projects.
Related Art
Research and Development (R&D) projects typically go through a variety
of stages before an idea can be commercialized or launched as a final product.
A
funnel map, as shown in FIG. 1, is the classic way to look at R&D projects.
FIG.
1 illustrates that an R&D project may have, but is not limited to, five (5)
stages.
The first stage is the Idea Stage. Here, the idea is expanded and is prepared
for
consideration as a formal project/program.
The second stage is the project definition and preliminary assessment stage
(hereafter "Preliminary Assessment Stage"). This stage immediately follows the
Idea Stage and comprises project definition and preliminary assessment of the
feasibility of the technology and business surrounding the idea or project.
The
basic questions asked at this stage includes: "Will mother nature let it
happen on
the technical side?" and "Will consumers be interested on the buy side?"
The purpose of preliminary assessment is to explore new ideas and
concepts and set in motion as many promising "seed" ideas or proj ects as
possible.
The cost of research and investigation is small at this stage. A single worker
may
have a project or even work on several projects simultaneously. At this stage,
there are typically many avenues being explored and no valid idea is
neglected.
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The main consideration is whether the idea is strategically appropriate, and
whether the expertise available to address the idea is adequate and part of
the
company's core competencies. The output of this stage is the validation of
ideas,
physical principles and market features. Metrics for this process address the
possibility of a market and whether or not basic scientific principles are
established.
The next stage relates to the feasibility of technology and business relating
to the idea (hereafter "Feasibility Stage"). At this stage the company has
tentatively agreed on a particular R&D project. We believe that Mother Nature
will let it happen, but in this stage the purpose is to show that Mother
Nature will
allow it to happen. Thus, this stage tests whether a concept is validated in
the
laboratory by making a prototype any way that it can be done. The emphasis is
on
the proof-of-principle for real business applications.
The Feasibility Stage is also concerned with validating that at least one
lead customer might be interested in the technology or idea. Here, business
considerations such as market window and competitive reaction begin to be
important, although there will still be exploration of options and possible
spin-offs
of the technology or idea. The "filtration" function at this stage (to go on
to the
next stage) is fairly strong, since although the cost of research in the
Feasibility
Stage is still not great, there typically are many more candidate ideas than
there
are resources to explore them.
The following stage addresses the product development prototyping and
market development (hereafter "Development Stage"). Development projects are
carned out for the ideas that are highly promising for commercialization and
meet
all of the requirements for profitable business products. Here, we are
concerned
with whether a set of key lead customers will be interested, and not just one
lead
customer (as in the Feasibility Stage). In addition, candidate technologies in
this
stage have forecast long-term corporate benefit, and meet all the strategic
requirements of fit, alignment, and attractiveness for the business. Emphasis
shifts
in this stage to harder-edge issues, such as timing and execution to assure
that
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market windows are met and product needs are satisfied. There is also emphasis
on maintaining and extending technologies to keep a competitive edge in the
marketplace. Milestones are important due to cycle time issues. Project
funding
must be managed more carefully due to budgets which are typically millions of
dollars rather than the 100 times lower investment that may be typical of the
Feasibility and Preliminary Assessment Stages.
The final stage involves scale-up and commercial introduction of the
product or service that resulted from the initial idea (hereafter "Scale-up
Stage").
The Scale-up Stage is the last stage prior to full product launch. Here, the
question asked is whether the company will be able to deliver the product with
quality and service. Concerns for entering full commercialization are about
whether all major manufacturing and distribution hurdles are cleared, and
whether
commercialization costs allow for profitable entry into the marketplace. Some
strategic questions must still be addressed, including market need and timing.
Metrics here address both the strategic and tactical issues. Scale-up is
obviously
market and manufacturing oriented. Careful management of commercialization
and product costs, timing, and execution are the key issues. Since budgets up
to
tens to hundreds of millions of dollars may be at stake, program and resource
management are paramount.
Once a business goes through the R&D process for multiple products
and/or services a R&D portfolio is created. Typically, a R&D project consists
of
a written description. This written description has similar elements, such as
the
purpose of developing the technology, the particular way it will be done, the
types
of things it may be useful for, and so forth. It is important for a business
with
such a portfolio to be able to improve upon its R&D portfolio. One example of
how to improve the R&D portfolio has been called Third Generation R&D and
the goal is to select and improve upon an R&D portfolio (hereafter "Portfolio
Stage"). In order to improve upon an R&D portfolio, it would be helpful to
compare a R&D project in the portfolio with existing markets and technologies.
How much time is spent at each of the stages above depends partly on the
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idea itself. For example, an idea can just be a small deviation from what
already
exists (e.g., red pens exist and the idea is to make a blue pen), or an idea
can be
completely on the other side of the spectrum and be a breakthrough idea (e.g.,
a
flying car). For ideas that are small deviations from what already exists, the
stages of R&D process are passed through so quickly that one may not even
realize they are touching every stage. For breakthrough ideas, one stage may
last
many years. Here, one loses track of which stage he or she is in because each
stage is so drawn out.
It is possible to facilitate, expedite, and enhance R&D projects by building
upon work that has been performed in the past. However, there are little if
any
automated tools for assisting in this process. There are even less automated
tools
that utilize patent-related tools for assisting in research and development
projects.
Summary of the Invention
The present invention is related to patent-related tools, and methodologies
involving those tools, for assisting in all stages of R&D projects (see FIGS.
1-3).
In the present invention, IPAM server may be used in conjunction with the
tools
and methodology to aid in R&D projects. The IPAM server can also be used as
a support tool for independent inventors. These tools or methods include, but
are
not limited to, a topographic map, a top company table, a top inventor table,
a
inventors by company table, a features grouping, a technology classification,
a
Standard Industrial Codes (SIC) classification, a patent count per year chart,
a
patent count per year chart, an application count per year chart, a technology
by
company map, a patent citation tree, a nested patent citation tree, a
product/patent/revenue table, a patentlmonths to issue chart, and a
documentJannotation chart.
Further features and advantages of the invention, as well as the structure
and operation of various embodiments of the invention, are described in detail
below with reference to the accompanying drawings. The drawing in which an
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element first appears is typically indicated by the leftmost characters)
and/or
digits) in the corresponding reference number.
Brief Description of the Figures
The present invention will be described with reference to the
accompanying drawings, wherein:
FIG. 1 illustrates a funnel map relating to Research and Development
projects according to an embodiment of the present invention;
FIG. 2 is an overview of the Research and Development Tools of the
present invention that map to each stage in the Research and Development
process according to an embodiment of the present invention;
FIG. 3 illustrates the topographic map facilitating the Idea Stage according
to an embodiment of the present invention;
FIG. 4 is a flowchart illustrating how the IPAM server works in
conjunction with the topographic map to aid in the Idea Stage according to an
embodiment of the present invention;
FIG. 5 illustrates the topographic map facilitating the Preliminary
Assessment Stage according to an embodiment of the present invention;
FIG. 6 illustrates the topographic map facilitating the Feasibility Stage
according to an embodiment of the present invention;
FIG. 7 illustrates the topographic map facilitating the Development Stage
according to an embodiment of the present invention;
FIG. 8 illustrates the topographic map facilitating the Portfolio Stage
according to an embodiment of the present invention;
FIG. 9 illustrates the top company table facilitating the Idea Stage
according to an embodiment of the present invention;
FIG. 10 is a flowchart illustrating how the IPAM server works in
conjunction with the top company table to aid in the Idea Stage according to
an
embodiment of the present invention;
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FIG. 11 illustrates the top inventor table facilitating the Idea Stage
according to an embodiment of the present invention;
FIG. 12 is a flowchart illustrating how the IPAM server works in
conjunction with the top inventor table to aid in the Idea Stage according to
an
embodiment of the present invention;
FIG. 13 illustrates the inventors by company table facilitating the
Preliminary Assessment Stage according to an embodiment of the present
invention;
FIG. 14 is a flowchart illustrating how the IPAM server works in
conjunction with the inventors by company table to aid in the Preliminary
Assessment Stage according to an embodiment of the present invention;
FIG. 15 illustrates the inventors by company table facilitating the
Feasibility Stage according to an embodiment of the present invention;
FIG. 16 illustrates the features grouping facilitating the Preliminary
Assessment Stage according to an embodiment of the present invention;
FIG. 17 is a flowchart illustrating how the IPAM server works in
conjunction with the features grouping to aid in the Preliminary Assessment
Stage
according to an embodiment of the present invention;
FIG. 18 illustrates the features grouping facilitating the Feasibility Stage
according to an embodiment of the present invention;
FIG. 19 illustrates the features grouping facilitating the Development
Stage according to an embodiment of the present invention;
FIG. 20 illustrates the technology classification facilitating the Idea Stage
according to an embodiment of the present invention;
FIG. 21 is a flowchart illustrating how the IPAM server works in
conjunction with the technology classification to aid in the Idea Stage
according
to an embodiment of the present invention;
FIG. 22 illustrates the technology classification facilitating the Preliminary
Assessment Stage according to an embodiment of the present invention;
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FIG. 23 illustrates the technology classification facilitating the Feasibility
Stage according to an embodiment of the present invention;
FIG. 24 illustrates the technology classification facilitating the
Development Stage according to an embodiment of the present invention;
FIG. 25 illustrates the technology classification facilitating the Scale-up
Stage according to an embodiment of the present invention;
FIG. 26 illustrates the SIC classification facilitating the Preliminary
Assessment Stage according to an embodiment of the present invention;
FIG. 27 is a flowchart illustrating how the IPAM server works in
conjunction with the SIC classification to aid in the Preliminary Assessment
Stage
according to an embodiment of the present invention;
FIG. 28 illustrates the SIC classification facilitating the Feasibility Stage
according to an embodiment of the present invention;
FIG. 29 illustrates the SIC classification facilitating the Development Stage
according to an embodiment of the present invention;
FIG. 30 illustrates the patent count per year facilitating the Idea Stage
according to an embodiment of the present invention;
FIG. 31 is a flowchart illustrating how the IPAM server works in
conjunction with the patent count per year to aid in the Idea Stage according
to
an embodiment of the present invention;
FIG. 32 illustrates the patent count per year facilitating the Preliminary
Assessment Stage according to an embodiment of the present invention;
FIG. 33 is a flowchart illustrating how the IPAM server works in
conjunction with the patent count per year to aid in the Preliminary
Assessment
Stage according to an embodiment of the present invention;
FIG. 34 illustrates the patent count per year facilitating the Feasibility
Stage according to an embodiment of the present invention;
FIG. 35 illustrates the patent count per year facilitating the Development
Stage according to an embodiment of the present invention;
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FIG. 36 illustrates the patent count per year facilitating the Scale-up Stage
according to an embodiment of the present invention;
FIG. 37 illustrates the map of company patent activity facilitating the
Scale-up Stage according to an embodiment of the present invention;
FIG. 38 illustrates the application count per year facilitating the
Preliminary Assessment Stage according to an embodiment of the present
invention;
FIG. 39 is a flowchart illustrating how the IPAM server works in
conjunction with the application count per year to aid in the Preliminary
Assessment Stage according to an embodiment of the present invention;
FIG. 40 illustrates the application count per year facilitating the
Feasibility
Stage according to an embodiment of the present invention;
FIG. 41 illustrates the application count per year facilitating the
Development Stage according to an embodiment of the present invention;
FIG. 42 illustrates the application count per year facilitating the Scale-up
Stage according to an embodiment of the present invention;
FIG. 43 illustrates the technology by company map facilitating the Idea
Stage according to an embodiment of the present invention;
FIG. 44 is a flowchart illustrating how the IPAM server works in
conjunction with the technology by company map to aid in the Idea Stage
according to an embodiment of the present invention;
FIG. 45 illustrates the technology by company map facilitating the
Preliminary Assessment Stage according to an embodiment of the present
invention;
FIG. 46 illustrates the technology by company map facilitating the
Feasibility Stage according to an embodiment of the present invention;
FIG. 47 illustrates the technology by company map facilitating the
Development Stage according to an embodiment of the present invention;
FIG. 48 illustrates the technology by company map facilitating the Scale-
up Stage according to an embodiment of the present invention;
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FIG. 49 illustrates the patent citation tree facilitating the Idea Stage
according to an embodiment of the present invention;
FIG. 50 is a flowchart illustrating how the IPAM server works in
conjunction with the patent citation tree to aid in the Idea Stage according
to an
embodiment of the present invention;
FIG. 51 illustrates the patent citation tree facilitating the Preliminary
Assessment Stage according to an embodiment of the present invention;
FIG. 52 illustrates the patent citation tree facilitating the Feasibility
Stage
according to an embodiment of the present invention;
FIG. 53 illustrates the patent citation tree facilitating the Development
Stage according to an embodiment of the present invention;
FIG. 54 illustrates the nested patent citation tree facilitating the Idea
Stage
according to an embodiment of the present invention;
FIG. 55 is a flowchart illustrating how the IPAM server works in
conjunction with the nested patent citation tree to aid in the Idea Stage
according
to an embodiment of the present invention;
FIG. 56 illustrates the nested patent citation tree facilitating the
Preliminary Assessment Stage according to an embodiment of the present
mvenrion;
FIG. 57 illustrates the nested patent citation tree facilitating the
Feasibility
Stage according to an embodiment of the present invention;
FIG. 58 illustrates the nested patent citation tree facilitating the
Development Stage according to an embodiment of the present invention;
FIG. 59 illustrates the nested patent citation tree facilitating the Scale-up
Stage according to an embodiment of the present invention;
FIG. 60 illustrates the product/patent/revenue table facilitating the
Portfolio Stage according to an embodiment of the present invention;
FIG. 61 is a flowchart illustrating how the IPAM server works in
conjunction with the product/patent/revenue table to issue to aid in the
Portfolio
Stage according to an embodiment of the present invention;
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FIG. 62 illustrates the patent/months to issue facilitating the Feasibility
Stage according to an embodiment of the present invention;
FIG. 63 is a flowchart illustrating how the IPAM server works in
conjunction with the patent/months to issue to aid in the Feasibility Stage
according to an embodiment of the present invention;
FIG. 64 illustrates the patent/months to issue facilitating the Development
Stage according to an embodiment of the present invention;
FIG. 65 illustrates the patent/months to issue facilitating the Scale-up
Stage according to an embodiment of the present invention;
FIG. 66 illustrates the patent/months to issue facilitating the Portfolio
Stage according to an embodiment of the present invention;
FIG. 67 illustrates the document/annotation facilitating the Idea Stage
according to an embodiment of the present invention;
FIG. 68 is a flowchart illustrating how the IPAM server works in
conjunction with the document/annotation to aid in the Idea Stage according to
an embodiment of the present invention;
FIG. 69 illustrates the document/annotation facilitating the Preliminary
Assessment Stage according to an embodiment of the present invention;
FIG. 70 illustrates the documentlannotation facilitating the Feasibility
Stage according to an embodiment of the present invention;
FIG. 71 illustrates the document/annotation facilitating the Development
Stage according to an embodiment of the present invention;
FIG. 72 illustrates the document/annotation facilitating the Scale-up Stage
according to an embodiment of the present invention;
FIG. 73 illustrates the document/annotation facilitating the Portfolio Stage
according to an embodiment of the present invention; and
FIGs. 74 and 75 illustrate two exemplary sheet shots of the user interface
of the present invention according to an embodiment of the present invention.
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Detailed Description of the Preferred Embodiments
The present invention is related to patent-related tools, and methodologies
involving those tools, for assisting in all stages of research and development
projects. FIGS. 1-75 illustrate features of embodiments of the present
invention.
The pending U.S. applications cited above describe system and methods for
achieving the functions, functionality, reports, etc., represented in FIGS. 1-
75.
Understanding of other methodologies represented in FIGS. 1-75 (and variations
and extensions thereof) will be apparent to persons skilled in the relevant
arts)
based on the teachings contained herein, and the teachings contained in the
patents
and pending U.S. applications cited above.
The present invention provides patent-related tools and methodologies for
R&D. This may be accomplished through an Intellectual Property Asset
Management (IPAM) server. The functionality of the present invention that is
described herein as being performed by IPAM server, is not limited to being
performed by IPAM server. For example tools such as Excel spreadsheets, the
IBM patent server, the USPTO public server, and Manning and Napier's search
tools can all be used to perform some or most of the steps of the described
methodologies. It is important to note that the exact platform used to perform
the
methodologies herein is not critical.
IPAM server may be used in conjunction with the tools to aid in R&D.
For convenience, IPAM server will briefly be discussed herein, although the
invention is not limited to this brief description.
Briefly stated, IPAM server deals with context data processing. IPAM
server may be used to define and select one or more contexts. Each context
includes one or more attributes, and a plurality of data objects that satisfy
the
attributes. A list of data objects contained in the selected contexts may be
displayed. At least some of the data objects in the selected contexts may be
processed. Such processing may involve generating hierarchical and/or directed
acyclic graph data structures to represent relationships among the data
objects.
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These data structures can then be displayed in a variety of well-known
techniques
including but not limited to hyperbolic trees. Examples of such hierarchical
or
directed acyclic graph structures include claim trees, citation trees, and
data object
families, which may be displayed using hyperbolic trees.
In an embodiment, the contexts are groups. In another embodiment, the
contexts are each associated with a data object type. In this latter
embodiment,
the contexts include data objects of their respective data object types.
IPAM server also supports the generation of annotations. IPAM server
supports a plurality of annotation types, including document annotations,
group
annotations, data object type annotations, case annotations, and enterprise
annotations. IPAM server also supports form-based annotations.
In an embodiment, IPAM server has a plug-in manager coupled thereto.
Also included may be at least one plug-in coupled to the plug-in manager, and
at
least one external data processing component coupled to the plug-in. In an
embodiment, the external data processing component displays data using at
least
graphs. In another embodiment, the external data processing component displays
data using at least maps. The plug-in manager has a first application
programming
interface (API), and each external data processing component has a second API.
The plug-in translates messages from the plug-in manager to the external data
processing component to a format conforming to the second API, and translates
messages from the external data processing component to the plug-in manager to
a format conforming to the first API.
Embodiments of IPAM server can process, display, and otherwise operate
with patent equivalent text files (EQV) (or other types of files or data) to
aid in
R&D, although the invention is not limited to this embodiment. Patent
equivalent
text files are described in U.S. Patent No. 5,623,681, which is herein
incorporated
by reference in its entirety. A patent equivalent text file includes
equivalency
information that establishes an equivalency relationship between the text in
the
patent equivalent text file and the image in the patent image file. For
example, this
equivalency information may include pagination information that enables the
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patent equivalent text file to be displayed having the same pagination (line
breaks,
column breaks, page breaks) as the patent image file. In an embodiment, a
pagination module generates the patent equivalent text file by comparing the
patent text in the patent text file with the patent image file to detect
equivalency
information. This equivalency information is then embedded in the patent
equivalent text file, along with the patent text. While the pagination module
is
capable of performing the pagination operation automatically, in some cases
some
manual intervention is required. In accordance, an operator is sometimes
involved
with the pagination process performed by the pagination module.
In the present invention, IPAM server may be used in conjunction with the
tools and methodology to aid in R&D projects. The IPAM server can also be
used as a support tool for independent inventors. FIG. 2 is an example
overview
of the R&D tools that map to each stage in the R&D process (FIG. 1) and in the
R& D Portfolio Stage. The mapping provided in FIG. 2 is presented for
illustrate
purposes only. Other uses and applications of the invention will be apparent
based
on the teachings contained herein. These tools or methods include (when they
are
incorporated with IPAM server), but are not limited to, a topographic map 202,
a top company table 204, a top inventor table 206, a inventors by company
table
208, a features grouping 210, a technology classification 212, a Standard
Industrial Codes (SIC) classification 214, a patent count per year chart 216,
a
patent count per year chart 218, an application count per year chart 220, a
technology by company map 222, a patent citation tree 224, a nested patent
citation tree 226, a product/patent/revenue table 228, a patent/months to
issue
chart 230, and a document/annotation chart 232. The following describes each
tool or method and how it may be combined with IPAM server to aid in the R&D
stages of a product, in addition to the R&D Portfolio Stage. As each of these
tools or methods are described below, an exemplary graphical presentation is
used. It should be noted that the particular exemplary graphical presentation
used
is for convenience purposes only and the invention is not limited to that
particular
graphical presentation. For example, a bar chart can be also implemented as a
pie
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chart, radar or spider charts, two or three dimensional graphs, etc., and vice
versa.
The same tool may be used in different ways to facilitate different stages
in R&D. For example, the topographic map 202 (in conjunction with IPAM
server) is Tool 1 in the Idea Stage, Tool 10 in the Preliminary Stage, Tool 21
in
the Feasibility Stage, Tool 33 in the Development Stage, and Tool 51 in the
Portfolio Stage. Other uses of tools will be apparent to persons skilled in
the
relevant arts) based on the teachings contained herein.
L IPAM Server and the Topographic Map
A. The Idea Stage
Refernng to FIG. 2, IPAM server incorporates the topographic map 202
to facilitate the Idea Stage (as Tool 1 ), the Preliminary Assessment Stage
(as Tool
10), the Feasibility Stage (as Tool 21), the Development Stage (as Tool 33),
and
the Portfolio Stage (as Tool 51) in the R&D process. How IPAM server and
topographic maps are incorporated together to produce contour maps is
described
in detail in the commonly owned patent application, Intellectual Property
Asset
Manager (IPAM) for Context Processing of Data Objects, invented by Rivette et
al., Appl. No. 09/260,079, Filed: March 2, 1999, now pending (incorporated by
reference in its entirety). IPAM server and the topographic map 202 are used
in
a slightly different way to facilitate each of these stages. FIG. 3
illustrates the
topographic map 202 facilitating the Idea Stage as Tool 1, entitled "A Map of
Similar Ideas, Art and Markets." As stated above, in the Idea Stage, the idea
is
expanded and is prepared for consideration as a formal project/product.
In FIG. 3, topographic map 202 as Tool 1 is shown. The purpose of Tool
1 in the Idea Stage is to display a map of preferably patent abstracts that
identifies
related materials, processes, and uses to consider when expanding and refining
the
idea. An addition purpose for using Tool 1 at this stage is to provide
information
relating to whether other individuals or companies are doing similar things
and
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selling them. If so, this demonstrates that the idea is reasonable for a
technical and
market standpoint. In addition, the topographical map 202 shows sub-groupings
for further exploration of the idea. How the IPAM server works in conjunction
with the topographic map 202 to aid in the R&D Idea Stage is described with
reference to FIG. 4.
In FIG. 4, a flowchart 400 begins at step 402. In step 402, in an
embodiment of the present invention a user performs a search on the group of
U.S. patents. Here, because the user is just pointing at a broad field, the
abstract
of each U.S. patent is typically the section that is searched, but is not
limited to
this. The present invention is not limited to doing the search on U.S. patents
(this
is also true for all of the searches discussed herein). Here, the search
performed
is typically, but is not limited to, a Boolean and/or natural language search
on the
idea/subject to produce a group of patents. For illustration of IPAM server's
interface, FIGs. 74 and 75 each show a screen shot of IPAM server's user
interface relating to the Boolean and/or natural language search described
herein.
For illustration purposes, assume that the idea involves inkjet printing for
cardboard boxes. A Boolean and/or natural language search on the keywords
"cardboard" and/or "inkjet printing" on the group of all U.S. patents is
likely to
produce a large number of patents in the idea/subject group of patents. Here,
if
Tool 1 is not used in conjunction with the IPAM server, the user would
typically
have to narrow the search to a more manageable number of patents by date, by
adding more keywords, and so forth. The goal would be to reduce the number of
patents down to a number of patents that the user can study in depth. With the
present invention there is no need for the user to further define his or her
search.
This is illustrated in the following step 404.
In step 404, IPAM server is used to produce a topographic map 202
having a map with contours and labels indicating areas related to the
idea//subject
searched in step 402. Here, the group of patents produced in step 402 are
further
subdivided into subgroups, with each subgroup relating to a different area.
Typically, this is done by the user selecting a topographic map function on
the
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computer screen. The topographic map 202 produced by Tool 1 (FIG. 3) shows
the pattern of subjects of all of the patents produced in step 402 (e.g, shows
areas
related to the user's idea). Labels on the topographic map 202 indicate the
idealsubject, and the contours indicate how may U.S. patents exist for each
subgroup area. The topographic map 202 shows areas people are focusing on.
Control then passes to step 406.
In step 406, the user studies the topographic map 202 produced by Tool
1 and determines whether the exact area of the user's idea/subject is included
in
the topographic map 202. If the outcome to step 406 is positive, then control
passes to step 410. Alternatively, control passes to step 408.
In step 408, an area related to the user's idea/subject was not included in
the topographic map 202. Here, the user can determine if another area that is
shown in the topographic map 202 is worth further exploration. Using same
example as in step 402 above, assume that the topographic map 202 does not
show an area relating to inkjet printing for cardboard boxes, but does show an
area related to printing on heavy paper stock. Another example is if the
cardboard
that the user is interested in printing on has a coating on it, as many
recycled
boxes do, then the user may want to look at the area of printing on plastics
or
films. The user may be interested in exploring further one or more of these
different areas. The present invention also allows the user to explore one or
more
different areas even if the area relating exactly to the user's idea/subject
is
displayed. Control then passes to step 410.
In step 410, the user selects the contour (or label) of interest in the
topographic map 202. This is typically done by the user "clicking" on the
contour
of interest. Control then passes to step 412.
In step 412, the IPAM server processes the sub-group of U.S. patents that
are included in the contour of interest indicated by the user in step 410.
Again,
topographic map 202 is displayed with contours, but this time the topographic
map 202 is more specific to exactly the user's contour (or area) of interest.
Now,
the topographic map 202 shows the different types of technologies that are in
the
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contour of interest. In addition, the topographic map 202 may show the
different
uses of the idea or area of interest. This indicates to the user whether the
initial
idea is reasonable from a technical and/or market standpoint.
B. The Preliminary Assessment Stage
The topographic map 202, in conjunction with IPAM server, is also useful
in the Preliminary Assessment Stage of the R&D process. This is shown in FIG.
5 as Tool 10, and is entitled "A Map of Similar Technology and Uses." The
Preliminary Assessment Stage comprises project definition and preliminary
assessment of the feasibility of the technology and business surrounding the
idea
or project. The purpose of Tool 10 is to provide the project team with a high
level map of the scope of the project. This includes showing the range of
materials, and the processes and uses to consider on the project.
How the IPAM server works in conjunction with the topographic map 202
to aid in the R&D Preliminary Assessment Stage is similar to how it works in
the
Idea Stage as described with reference to FIG. 4 above. One exception is the
initial search in step 402. Instead of searching just the group of U.S.
patents as
in the Idea Stage, here the search consists of the group of U.S., European,
Japanese (and other available) patents and applications. As with Tool 1 (FIG.
3)
because the user is still looking at a fairly broad field, the abstract of
each patent
and application is typically the section that is searched, but is not limited
to this.
The search itself may also slightly different in that the search is created by
a
Boolean andlor natural language search on project concept (and not just an
idea
as in step 402), but is not limited to this.
C. The Feasibility Stage
As shown in FIG. 2, the topographic map 202, in conjunction with IPAM
server, is also useful in the Feasibility Stage of the R&D process. In general
, the
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Feasibility Stage tests whether a concept is validated in the laboratory and
with at
least one lead customer. The topographic map 202 used in conjunction with
IPAM server is shown in FIG. 6 as Tool 21, entitled "A Map of Technology and
Uses the Project Team is Focused on Refining." The purpose of Tool 21 is to
provide the project team and management with a high level map of technologies
and markets which are feasible to explore. A map of full patent text
identifies art
and uses to consider when assessing the feasibility of market and technical
alternatives. How the IPAM server works in conjunction with the topographic
map 202 to aid in the R&D Feasibility Stage is similar to how it works in the
Idea
Stage as described with reference to FIG. 4 above. One exception is the
initial
search in step 402. Instead of searching just the group of U.S. patents as in
the
Idea Stage, here the search consists of the group of U.S., European, Japanese
(and
other available) patents and applications. Here, because the desired search is
starting to narrow as compared to Tools 1 and 10 (where only the abstract was
searched), the entire patent is typically searched. The search itself may also
slightly different in that the search is created by a Boolean and/or natural
language
search on project concept (and not just an idea as in step 402), but is not
limited
to this.
D. The Development Stage
As shown in FIG. 2, the topographic map 202, in conjunction with IPAM
server, is also useful in the Development Stage of the R&D process. In
general,
in the Development Stage candidate technologies determined from the
Feasibility
Stage have forecast long-term corporate benefit, and meet all the strategic
requirements of fit, alignment, and/or attractiveness for the business. The
topographic map 202 used in conjunction with IPAM server is shown in FIG. 7
as Tool 33, entitled "Map of Competitive Technology and Uses." The purpose
of Tool 33 is to provide the project team and management with a high level map
of technologies and markets which are: ( 1 ) under development and/or (2)
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potentially competitive. A map of patent claims identifies related
technologies and
companies to work around and block out in the Scale-up Stage. In addition,
Tool
33 helps to indicate to a company who the competitors are in a particular
area.
This map also allows you to do time slices indicating who has entered the
market
and in which years or time slices. This indicates those companies on which
competitive intelligence should be performed.
How the IPAM server works in conjunction with the topographic map 202
to aid in the R&D Development Stage is similar to how it works in the Idea
Stage
as described with reference to FIG. 4 above. One exception is the initial
search
in step 402. Instead of searching just the group of U.S., European, Japanese
(and other available) patents and applications, as in the Idea Stage, here the
search
consists of the group of all patents, applications and documents narrowed to
reflect the project concept under development. Here, because the desired
search
is more narrow than the search with Tool 21, the entire patent is typically
searched. For example, in the Development Stage, if the user was concerned
about infringing patents, the search may focus on only the claims of each
patent.
The search itself is also slightly different in that the search is created by
a boolean
and/or natural language search on project elements (and not just an idea as in
step
402), but is not limited to this.
E. Scale-up Stage
The topographic map 202, in conjunction with IPAM server, is also useful
in the Scale-up Stage (not indicated in FIG. 2) by providing analysis that
will not
only increase the strength of any patent applications that are filed on the
idea, but
also increase the probability of an earlier, successful patent prosecution.
The
topographic map 202, in conjunction with IPAM server, helps to identify
technical
fields that the U.S. Patent and Trademark Office and other competitors will
search
for prior art to be used against the patent application during prosecution.
How
the IPAM server works in conjunction with the topographic map 202 to aid in
the
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R&D Scale-up Stage is similar to how it works in the Idea Stage as described
with
reference to FIG. 4 above. The one exception is that the group searched in
step
402 is all patents and applications narrowed to reflect the developing
product, but
is not limited to this.
F. Portfolio Stage
As shown in FIG. 2, the topographic map 202, in conjunction with IPAM
server, is also useful in the Portfolio Stage, which occurs after the R&D
process.
Once a business goes through the R&D process for multiple products and/or
services a R&D portfolio is created. Typically, a R&D project consists of a
written description. This written description has similar elements as a
patent, such
as the propose of developing the technology, the particular way it will be
done,
the types of things it may be useful for, and so forth. It is important for a
business
with such a portfolio to be able to improve upon its R&D portfolio. In order
to
improve upon a R&D portfolio, the present invention allows a company to
compare a R&D project in the portfolio with existing markets and technologies.
The topographic map 202 used in conjunction with IPAM server is shown in FIG.
8 as Tool 51, entitled "Map of Company Competency & New Projects." The
purpose of Tool 51 is to provide the management of a company visual image of
core competencies and future directions. In addition, it maps core
competencies
of the company and allows the user to also map new projects under
consideration
for R&D portfolio to the core competencies of the company.
How the IPAM server works in conjunction with the topographic map 202
to aid in the Portfolio Stage is similar to how it works in the Idea Stage as
described with reference to FIG. 4 above. One exception is the initial search
in
step 402. Instead of searching the group of all U.S., European, Japanese (and
other available) patents and applications as in the Idea Stage, here the
search
consists of a more limited group of patents that include the company's
patents,
product descriptions and suggested project ideas. The search consists of
assignee
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searches on the company (which is different from the search performed in step
402).
Refernng to FIG. 8, Tool 51 allows the user to add R&D project
information to a group of patents to determine where on the topographic map
202
its R&D projects fall. This indicates such things as: is the R&D project going
to
be competing with an active or crowed area (and thus more competition), or
will
the R&D project going to be competing in an explored area, and so forth. This
is a very powerful tool for portfolio reviewers which typically includes the
top
management of a company. This is very powerful when a company is making a
portfolio decision about which R&D project to push forward on and which to
drop. Many times it depends on the strategy of the company. One strategy is to
capture explored areas. If the topographic map 202 indicates that a R&D
project
will be headed to a crowded area, at least it will be a deliberate and
expected
outcome when competition is tough. Tool 51 allows a strategic planning team
to,
at a glance, make a rational decision without having to look at -- in the case
of our
inkjet printers on cardboard, example thousands of patents.
IL IPAM Server and the Top Company Table
Refernng to FIG. 2, IPAM server works in conjunction with the top
company table 204 to facilitate the Idea Stage in the R&D process. FIG. 9
illustrates an example top company table 204 facilitating the Idea Stage as
Tool
2, entitled "A Table of Assignees." A similar chart is shown in FIG. 37 as
Tool
53 (in three dimensional). As stated above, in the Idea Stage, the idea is
expanded
and is prepared for consideration as a formal project/product.
In FIG. 9, top company table 204 as Tool 2 is shown. The purpose of
Tool 2 in the Idea Stage is to display a table that provides a patent count
report
of the assignees or companies that are somehow involved in areas related to
the
idea. This helps to provide information relating to the quality and variety of
top
companies who are also active in areas surrounding the idea. The table of
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assignees gives new ideas on technology and markets to consider when expanding
and refining the idea. How the IPAM server works in conjunction with the top
company table 204 to aid in the R&D Idea Stage is described with reference to
FIG. 10.
In FIG. 10, a flowchart 1000 begins at step 1002. In step 1002, in an
embodiment of the present invention a user performs a search on the group of
all
U.S. patents. Here, because the user is just pointing at a broad field, the
abstract
of each U.S. patent is typically the section that is searched, but is not
limited to
this. The present invention is not limited to doing the search on U.S.
patents, but
may include European, Japanese (and other available) patents and/or
applications.
Here, the search performed is typically a Boolean and/or natural language
search
on the idea/subject to produce a group of patents. Control passes to step
1004.
In step 1004, IPAM server generates a top company table 204 that
indicates the top assignees/companies in a related area to the idea/subject
searched
in step 1002. Here, the group of patents produced in step 402 are further
subdivided into subgroups, with each subgroup having the same
assignee/company. IPAM server may store the assignee information of patents in
a meta-data field that will also need to be searched to determine the
assignee/company information, but is not limited to this.
Typically, step 1004 is initiated by the user selecting a top company
function on the computer screen. The top company table 204, produced in
conjunction with IPAM server and Tool 2 (FIG. 9), shows the quality and
variety
of top companies who are also active in areas surrounding the idea. At this
point
flowchart 1000 ends.
Note that in the Idea Stage, a user may decide to combine or integrate one
or more tools to facilitate the stage. For example, once the group of patents
(from
the search in step 1002) is divided into subgroups (in step 1004), the user
may use
Tool 1 to produce the topographic map 202 and/or Tool 2 to produce the top
company table 204. The integration and combination of tools discussed herein
to
facilitate the R&D stages is limitless and particular combinations useful to
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particular applications will be apparent to persons skilled in the relevant
arts based
on the techniques contained herein. Following is a general discussion
describing
how a company would use Tool 2 (FIG. 9) to facilitate the Idea Stage.
Refernng to FIG. 9, the example idea involves "microwave food heating."
What FIG. 9 shows is the ranking of companies in terms of frequency of
patents,
from the largest (in this example, Mitsushita Electric Industrial Co., Ltd.,
Raytheon Company, and General Electric Company are the top companies) to the
smallest (companies/individuals who only have one patent). Assuming the user
has an understanding of what different companies do, the user can go down the
list of companies in the top company table 204 and get a feeling for how the
company is involved in areas related to the idea.
For example, due to the nature of Matsushita Electrical Industrial Co.,
Ltd., Raytheon Company and General Electric Company, one can assume that
these companies are making microwave ovens. The James River Corporation is
a packaging company, and thus it is likely to be making the packages for
microwave ovens. As the user goes through the list, it gives him or her a
feeling
for the companies who are working in the area of microwave food heating.
Therefore, because of what a user knows, the user gets an idea about the
technology each company is likely to apply, which market segments they are
likely
to be going into, and so forth. This facilitates the Idea Stage because it
gives the
user new ideas and markets.
Another way to use Tool 2 is as follows. Again, top company table 204
shows the quality and variety of top companies who are also active in areas
surrounding the idea. If the most active companies are large companies, it
gives
the user the indication that if the user wants to develop the idea himself or
herself,
then he or she may have a struggle in breaking into related or the same area.
If
this is the case, the user may decide to approach one or more of the top
companies
and sell the idea, suggest a partnership, license a patent that relates to the
idea,
and so forth. At the bottom of the top company table 202 are companies or
individuals who own one patent in the area. This indicates to the user that
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although the company/individual expended enough energy to get a patent,
chances
are the patent was never pursued. This presents a good source of
companies/individuals to approach to either buy their patent or license their
patent.
IIL IPAM Server and the Top Inventor Table
Refernng to FIG. 2, IPAM server works in conjunction with the top
inventor table 206 to facilitate the Idea Stage in the R&D process. FIG. 11
illustrates an example top inventor table 206 facilitating the Idea Stage as
Tool
3, entitled "A Table of Inventors." In general, the top inventor table 206
identifies
leading inventors, allows companies to compare their own inventors to other
inventors in the same market, and tracks inventor movement between companies.
In FIG. 11, top inventor table 206 as Tool 3 is shown. As stated above,
in the Idea Stage, the idea is expanded and is prepared for consideration as a
formal project/product. The purpose of Tool 3 in the Idea Stage is to display
a
table that provides a patent count report of the inventors that are somehow
involved in areas related to the idea. This helps to provide information
relating to
the quality and variety of top inventors who are also active in areas
surrounding
the idea. The top inventor table 206 identifies people who have worked in the
area and therefore provides suggestions as to other types of searches to
perform
(e.g., literature searches on the top inventors). How the IPAM server works in
conjunction with the top inventor table 206 to aid in the R&D Idea Stage is
described with reference to FIG. 12.
In FIG. 12, a flowchart 1200 begins at step 1202. In step 1202, in an
embodiment of the present invention a user performs a search on the group of
all
U.S. patents. Here, because the user is just pointing at a broad field, the
abstract
of each U.S. patent is typically the section that is searched, but is not
limited to
this. The present invention is not limited to doing the search on U.S.
patents, but
may include European, Japanese (and other available) patents and/or
applications.
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Here, the search performed is typically a Boolean and/or natural language
search
on the idea/subject to produce a group of patents. Control passes to step
1204.
In step 1204, IPAM server generates a top inventor table 206 that
indicates the top inventors in a related area to the idea/subject searched in
step
1202. Here, the group of patents produced in step 1202 are further subdivided
into subgroups, with each subgroup having the same inventor. As with assignee
information, IPAM server may store the inventor information of patents in a
meta-
data field that will also need to be searched to determine the inventor
information,
but is not limited to this.
Typically, step 1204 is initiated by the user selecting a top inventor
function on the computer screen. The top inventor table 206, produced in
conjunction with IPAM server and Tool 3 (FIG. 11 ), shows the quality and
variety
of top inventors who are also active in areas surrounding the idea. At this
point
flowchart 1200 ends.
As noted above, once the group of patents (from the search in step 1202)
is divided into subgroups (in step 1204), the user may also use Tool 1 to
produce
the topographic map 202 and/or Tool 2 to produce the top company table 204 (to
indicate the companies each inventor has worked for).
A general discussion describing how a company would use Tool 3 (FIG.
11) to facilitate the Idea Stage will now be described. Refernng to FIG. 11,
the
example idea involves "microwave food heating." What FIG. 11 shows is the
ranking of inventors in terms of frequency of patents, from the most (in this
example, Melvin L. Levinson) to the least. Looking at the top inventor table,
the
user notices there are multiple inventors with over thirteen (13) patents.
This
indicates that these inventors have been practicing the art for some time. If
the
top inventor table 206 shows that no inventor has more than three (3) patents,
this
indicates nobody has really been in the field enough to build up a patent
portfolio
related to the idea. And then there's some cases where you'll find a persons)
with
fifty (50) patents in an area, indicating potential experts in the field.
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What is important is that people who tend to patent a lot also tend to
publish. And so this table identifies people who've worked in the area, and
you
should run literature searches on them, that is, non-patent searches. These
are
people on which to perform competitive intelligence. Which societies are they
members of? Why are they interested in that? And which kinds of other journal
articles have they written? Depending upon the quality of the journal (an
example
well regarded journal being the Journal of the American Chemical Society), the
user gets an idea on how solid the inventor's technical work is. If the
inventor's
work is solid, then the inventor is likely to have a good understanding of
that field.
Whereas if the user runs a literature search and the user finds out that the
inventor
is publishing mostly in the trade magazines, the user knows that although the
inventor is patenting a lot, there is perhaps not as much depth and
understanding
of the idea in that person.
The depth and understanding of inventors in areas related to the user's
idea is helpful to know for a number of reasons, such as the following. Say
the
user has come up with a really unique way of doing a particular job. The user
wants to be able to predict what the chances are that one of these inventors
listed
in the top inventor table 206 (FIG. 11) is going to stumble on the same unique
way. It there is little chance that one of the inventors will stumble on the
same
unique way, it's reasonable for the inventor to pursue the project. Or on the
other
hand, if the user finds an inventor who is really studying the field, and is a
good,
scientific, and rigorous thinker, the user might want to consider who might be
in
that area, and what might blindside the user's project. One question the user
is
asking in the Idea Stage includes: Is my idea solid and thus worth pursuing?
IV IPAM Server and the Inventors By Company Table
Referring to FIG. 2, IPAM server works in conjunction with the inventors
by company table 208 to facilitate the Preliminary Assessment Stage (as Tool
11 )
and the Feasibility Stage (as Tool 22) in the R&D process. As will be apparent
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from the description below, inventors by company table 208 is an
integration/combination of the top company table 204 and the top inventor
table
206.
A. Preliminary Assessment Stage
The inventors by company table 208, in conjunction with IPAM server, is
useful in the Preliminary Assessment Stage of the R&D process. This is shown
in FIG. 13 as Tool 11 and is called "A Table of Inventors by Assignee." The
Preliminary Assessment Stage comprises project definition and preliminary
assessment of the feasibility of the technology and business surrounding the
idea
or project. The purpose of Tool 11 is to show which top individuals, at what
companies, may be resources for the project team. Tool 11 identifies people
who
have worked in the idea area, and therefore who to run literature searches on
and
potentially establish partnership contracts with. How the IPAM server works in
conjunction with the inventors by company table 206 to aid in the R&D
Preliminary Assessment Stage is described with reference to FIG. 14.
In FIG. 14, a flowchart 1400 begins at step 1402. In step 1402, in an
embodiment of the present invention a user performs a search on the groups of
all U.S. and European patents. Here, because the user is just pointing at a
broad
field, the abstract of each U.S. patent is typically the section that is
searched, but
is not limited to this. The present invention is not limited to doing the
search on
U.S. patents, but may include Japanese (and other available) patents and/or
applications. Here, the search performed is typically a Boolean and/or natural
language search on the idealsubject to produce a group of patents. Control
passes
to step 1404.
In step 1404, the group of patents produced in step 1402 are further
divided into subgroups, with each subgroup having the same inventor. IPAM
server may store the inventor information of patents in a meta-data field that
will
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also need to be searched to determine the inventor information, but is not
limited
to this. Control then passes to step 1406.
In step 1406, each subgroup produced in step 1404 is further divided into
subgroups by assignee/company. IPAM server may store the assignee information
of patents in a meta-data field that will also need to be searched to
determine the
assignee information, but is not limited to this. The flowchart 1400 ends at
this
point. Following is a general discussion describing how a company would use
Tool 11 (FIG. 13) to facilitate the Preliminary Assessment Stage.
Referring to FIG. 13, the example idea involves "microwave food
heating." What FIG. 13 shows is the ranking of inventors, by company, in terms
of frequency of patents. The types of information the user can derive from
viewing FIG. 13 includes, not only knowing which companies you may want to
create a partnership with, but which individuals in the companies you would
want
to work with.
The other information that Tool 11 provides to the user is an indication of
partnerships between the different companies that is not public information.
Some
inventors will show up as working for more than one assignee (company). In
other words, they've done work, and they'll show up as having filed with
several
different companies. In this case two things may have happened. Either the
inventor has switched jobs; or the two companies have a partnership working in
the area. If one or two inventors have the same set of companies listed
together,
the inventor probably just switched jobs. On the other hand, if the inventors
by
company table 208 shows 3, 10, or 15 people that have the same pairings of
companies, this indicates that there has been an inter-company partnership
formed
to work in that area.
The key point about the business process to make here, is that when the
user sees this, he or she knows that there is a partnership between the
companies.
This can be valuable competitive intelligence information, because many times
there will be partnerships formed that show up in these patents that are not
publically announced. The types of companies that team up together in a
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particular area may be an indication of the types of products the user will
have to
compete with in the future.
B. Feasibility Stage
As shown in FIG. 2, the inventors by company table 208, in conjunction
with IPAM server, is also useful in the Feasibility Stage of the R&D process.
In
general, the Feasibility Stage tests whether a concept is validated in the
laboratory
and with at least one lead customer. The inventors by company table 208, used
in conjunction with IPAM server, is shown in FIG. 15 as Tool 22, entitled "A
Table of Inventors by Assignee." The purpose of Tool 22 is to show which
individuals may be resources for the project team, and which to commence
competitive intelligence on.
How the IPAM server works in conjunction with the inventors by
company table 208 to aid in the R&D Feasibility Stage is similar to how it
works
in the Preliminary Assessment Stage as described with reference to FIG.13
above.
One exception is the initial search in step 1402 (FIG. 14). Instead of
searching
just the groups of U.S. and European patents as in the Preliminary Assessment
Stage, here the search consists of the group of U.S. patents, European patents
and
European applications, but is not limited to this.
V IPAM Server and Features Grouping
Referring to FIG. 2, IPAM server works in conjunction with the features
grouping chart 210 to facilitate the Preliminary Assessment Stage (as Tool
12),
the Feasibility Stage (as Tool 23) and the Development Stage (as Tool 34) in
the
R&D process.
A. Preliminary Assessment Stage
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The features grouping chart 210, in conjunction with IPAM server, is
useful in the Preliminary Assessment Stage of the R&D process. This is shown
in FIG. 16 as Tool 12 and is called "Groupings of Proposed Product Features."
The Preliminary Assessment Stage comprises project definition and preliminary
assessment of the feasibility of the technology and business surrounding the
idea
or project. The purpose of Tool 12 is to uncover distinctive and sometimes
known product feature sets early in a project. Tool 12 expands possible
alternative customer features to be considered by the project team. How the
IPAM server works in conjunction with the features grouping chart 210 to aid
in
the R&D Preliminary Assessment Stage is described with reference to FIG. 17.
In FIG. 17, a flowchart 1700 begins at step 1702. In step 1702, in an
embodiment of the present invention a user performs a search on the groups of
corporate and patent documents. The present invention is not limited to doing
the
search on corporate and patent document, but may include other available
documents. Here, the search performed is typically a boolean and/or natural
language search on product attributes which are sorted and grouped. Control
passes to step 1704.
In step 1704, IPAM server is used in conjunction with the features
grouping 210 to create a chart showing groupings of proposed product features.
The chart in FIG. 16 expands possible alternative customer features to be
considered by the project team.
B. Feasibility Stage
The features grouping chart 210, in conjunction with IPAM server, is also
useful in the Feasibility Stage of the R&D process. This is shown in FIG. 18
as
Tool 23 and is called "Map of Which Proposed Product Features Are Feasible."
The purpose of Tool 23 is to find product feature sets early in the project
via
previous internal research and partner's research. Tool 23 also highlights
distinctive features needed by customers in a way that they can be prioritized
and
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traded-off. How the IPAM server works in conjunction with the features
grouping chart 210 to aid in the R&D Feasibility Stage is similar to how it
works
in the Preliminary Assessment Stage as described with reference to FIG.17
above.
G Development Stage
The features grouping chart 210, in conjunction with IPAM server, is also
useful in the Development Stage of the R&D process. This is shown in FIG. 19
as Tool 34, entitled "Map of achievable Product and Service Features." The
purpose of Tool 34 is to visualize and present product feature sets to the
review
team in a dynamic form. How the IPAM server works in conjunction with the
features grouping chart 210 to aid in the R&D Feasibility Stage is similar to
how
it works in the Preliminary Assessment and Feasibility Stages as described
with
reference to FIG. 17 above.
VI. IPAM Server and Technology Classification
Referring to FIG. 2, IPAM server works in conjunction with the
technology classification 212 to facilitate the Idea Stage (as Tool 4), the
Preliminary Assessment Stage (as Tool 13), the Feasibility Stage (as Tool 24),
the
Development Stage (as Tool 35) and the Scale-up Stage (as Tool 44) in the R&D
process.
A. Idea Stage
FIG. 20 illustrates the technology classification 212 facilitating the Idea
Stage as Tool 4, entitled "A Chart of Similar Technologies." As stated above,
in
the Idea Stage, the idea is expanded and is prepared for consideration as a
formal
project/product.
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In FIG. 20, technology classification 212 as Tool 4 is shown. The
purpose of Tool 4 in the Idea Stage is to provide the necessary information to
the
user (e.g., inventor of the idea) as to what other technologies might be used
to
build upon the initial concept. In addition, Tool 4 identifies technical
fields that
possibly impinge on the idea. How the IPAM server works in conjunction with
the technology classification 212 to aid in the R&D Idea Stage is described
with
reference to FIG. 21.
In FIG. 21, a flowchart 2100 begins at step 2102. In step 2102, in an
embodiment of the present invention a user performs a search on the group of
all
U.S. patents. Here, because the user is just pointing at a broad field, the
abstract
of each U.S. patent is typically the section that is searched, but is not
limited to
this. The present invention is not limited to doing the search on U.S.
patents, but
may include European, Japanese (and other available) patents and/or
applications.
Here, the search performed is typically a Boolean and/or natural language
search
on the idea/subject to produce a group of patents. Control passes to step
2104.
In step 2104, IPAM server takes the group of patents produced in step
2102 and further divides it into subgroups, with each subgroup having the same
technology classification. When the search in step 2102 is on the group of
U.S.
patents, the classification used is the U.S. Patent Classification designated
by the
U.S. Patent and Trademark Office. In a similar manner, if the search in step
2102
is on the group of International patents, then the classification used would
be the
IPC classification. IPAM server may store the U.S. Patent Classification (or
IPC
classification) a meta-data field that will also need to be searched to
determine the
technology classification, but is not limited to this. Control then passes to
step
2106.
In step 2106, IPAM server is used in conjunction with a technology
classification 212 to create a graphical representation of similar
technologies.
Typically, this is done by the user selecting a technology classification
function on
the computer screen. The technology classification 212 produced by Tool 4
(FIG.
20) shows the diverse technologies (via U.S. Patent Classifications) that
might be
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used to build upon the initial idea. The graphical representation in FIG. 20
is a pie
chart. The present invention is not limited to using a pie chart, but could
also use
radar or spider charts, two or three dimensional graphs, etc.
Referring to FIG. 20, the U.S. Patent Classification 395 represents the
most common type of technology that can be used to implement the idea. The
most common type of technology is typically the lowest cost. The most unique
technologies that can be used to implement the idea are shown by the smallest
slivers in the pie chart of FIG. 20. The most unique technologies generally
indicate technologies that the user may not have thought of without the
present
invention. It is important to keep in mind that Tool 4 is used in the Idea
Stage and
the user is concerned with whether his or her idea makes any initial sense to
pursue.
B. Preliminary Assessment Stage
FIG. 22 illustrates the technology classification 212 facilitating the
Preliminary Assessment Stage as Tool 13, entitled "A Chart of Similar
Technologies." The purpose of Tool 13 in the Preliminary Assessment Stage is
to
provide the necessary information to the project team as to what other
technologies should be considered for the idea. In addition, what technologies
are
being used by other competitors. In addition, Tool 13 identifies technical
fields
that produce similar feature sets. How the IPAM server works in conjunction
with
the technology classification 212 to aid in the R&D Preliminary Assessment
Stage
is similar to how it works in the Idea Stage as described with reference to
FIG. 21
above. The one exception is that the group searched in step 2102 also includes
European and Japanese (or any other) Patents and Applications, in addition to
U.S. Patents, but is not limited to this.
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C. Feasibility Stage
FIG. 23 illustrates the technology classification 212 facilitating the
Feasibility Stage as Tool 24, entitled "A Chart of Similar Technologies." The
purpose of Tool 24 in the Feasibility Stage is to define what other
technologies
might be feasible and considered by technical and market teams. In addition,
Tool
24 identifies technical fields that produce similar feature sets, which the
project
team must evaluate for trade-offs. How the IPAM server works in conjunction
with the technology classification 212 to aid in the R&D Feasibility Stage is
similar to how it works in the Idea Stage as described with reference to FIG.
21
above. The one exception is that the group searched in step 2102 also includes
European and Japanese (or any other) Patents and Applications, in addition to
U.S. Patents, but is not limited to this.
D. Development Stage
FIG. 24 illustrates the technology classification 212 facilitating the
Development Stage as Tool 35, entitled "Map of Similar Technologies." The
purpose of Tool 35 in the Development Stage is to make the project team aware
of strengths and weaknesses of not only its approach, but also competitive
approaches. In addition, Tool 35 identifies technical fields that produce
similar
feature sets, which the project team must evaluate for its final solution and
possible competitive approaches. How the IPAM server works in conjunction with
the technology classification 212 to aid in the R&D Development Stage is
similar
to how it works in the Idea Stage as described with reference to FIG. 21
above.
The one exception is that the group searched in step 2102 is all patents and
applications narrowed to reflect project concept under development, but is not
limited to this.
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E. Scale-up Stage
FIG. 25 illustrates the technology classification 212 facilitating the Scale-
up Stage as Tool 44, entitled "A Chart of Similar Technologies." The purpose
of
Tool 44 in the Scale-up Stage is to allow for analysis that will not only
increase
the strength of any patent applications that are filed on the idea, but also
increase
the probability of earlier, successful patent prosecution. In addition, Tool
44
identifies technical fields that the U.S. Patent and Trademark Office and
other
competitors may search for prior art to be used against the patent application
during prosecution or thereafter. How the IPAM server works in conjunction
with the technology classification 212 to aid in the R&D Scale-up Stage is
similar
to how it works in the Idea Stage as described with reference to FIG. 21
above.
The one exception is that the group searched in step 2102 is all patents and
applications narrowed to reflect the developing product, but is not limited to
this.
VIZ IPAM Server and Standard Industrial Codes (SIC) Classification
Referring to FIG. 2, IPAM server works in conjunction with the SIC
classification 214 to facilitate the Preliminary Assessment Stage (as Tool
14), the
Feasibility Stage (as Tool 25) and the Development Stage (as Tool 36).
A. Preliminary Assessment Stage
FIG. 26 illustrates the SIC classification 214 facilitating the Preliminary
Assessment Stage as Tool 14, entitled "A Chart of Related Markets." The
purpose of Tool 14 in the Preliminary Assessment Stage is to provide the
necessary information to the project team to find other markets (or
industries)
which should be assessed by team members. In addition, Tool 14 identifies
market (or industry) segments that could possibly use the product or service.
The
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following Tools described in this section (Section VII) can easily be modified
to
allow the user to define the industry by companies by plotting the U.S. patent
classification for that industry (e.g., SIC classification). How the IPAM
server
works in conjunction with the SIC classification 214 to aid in the R&D
Preliminary Assessment Stage is described with reference to FIG. 27.
In FIG. 27, a flowchart 2700 begins at step 2702. In step 2702, in an
embodiment of the present invention a user performs a search on the group of
all
U.S. patents, European patents, and European applications (and other available
patents and/or applications). Here, because the user is just pointing at a
broad
field, the abstract of each patent and/or application is typically the section
that is
searched, but is not limited to this. Here, the search performed is typically
a
Boolean and/or natural language search on the idea/subject to produce a group
of
patents and applications. Control passes to step 2704.
In step 2704, IPAM server takes the group of patents produced in step
2702 and further divides it into subgroups, with each subgroup having the same
technology classification. When the search in step 2102 is on the group of
U.S.
patents, the classification used is the U.S. Patent Classification designated
by the
U.S. Patent and Trademark Office. In a similar manner, if the search in step
2102
is on the group of International patents and applications, then the
classification
used would be the IPC classification. IPAM server may store the U.S. Patent
Classification and IPC classification each as a meta-data field that will also
need
to be searched to determine the technology classification, but is not limited
to this.
Control then passes to step 2706.
In step 2706, each U.S. and IPC classification determined by step 2704 is
mapped to its related SIC classification. Control then passes to step 2708.
In step 2708, IPAM server is used in conjunction with a SIC classification
214 to create a graphical representation of similar industrial markets.
Typically,
this is done by the user selecting a SIC classification function on the
computer
screen. The SIC classification 214 produced by Tool 14 (FIG. 26) shows the
diverse markets (via SIC Classifications) that apply to the idea. The
graphical
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representation in FIG. 26 is a pie chart. The present invention is not limited
to
using a pie chart.
Referring to FIG. 26, the SIC Classification 178 represents the most
common market or industry that the idea is related to. SIC classification
codes
are provided by the U.S. Department of Commerce.
B. Feasibility Stage
FIG. 28 illustrates the SIC classification 214 facilitating the Feasibility
Stage as Tool 25, entitled "A Chart of Related Markets." The purpose of Tool
25
in the Feasibility Stage is to provide the necessary information to the
project team
as to what markets to check for lead customers to use the product or service
(resulting from the initial idea). In addition, Tool 25 identifies market
segments
and lead customers that would first use the product or service. How the IPAM
server works in conjunction with the SIC classification 214 to aid in the R&D
Feasibility Stage is similar to how it works in the Preliminary Assessment
Stage
as described with reference to FIG. 27 above.
C. Development Stage
FIG. 29 illustrates the SIC classification 214 facilitating the Development
Stage as Tool 36, entitled "A Chart of Related Markets." The purpose of Tool
36
in the Development Stage is to provide the necessary information to the
project
team as to what markets are targets for sales growth after commercialization
of
the initial product. In addition, Tool 36 identifies market segments and
customers
that would later use the product or service. How the IPAM server works in
conjunction with the SIC classification 214 to aid in the R&D Feasibility
Stage is
similar to how it works in the Preliminary Assessment Stage as described with
reference to FIG. 27 above. The one exception is that the group searched in
step
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2702 is all patents and applications narrowed to reflect project concept under
development, but is not limited to this.
VIIL IPAM Server and Patent Count Per Year
Referring to FIG. 2, IPAM server works in conjunction with the patent
count per year 216 to facilitate the Idea Stage (as Tool 5). FIG. 30
illustrates the
count per year 216 facilitating the Idea Stage as Tool 5, entitled "Patent
Activity
Chart." As stated above, in the Idea Stage, the idea is expanded and is
prepared
for consideration as a formal project/product.
In FIG. 30, patent count per year 216 as Tool 5 is shown. The purpose
of Tool 5 in the Idea Stage is to provide such information to the
user/inventor so
that he or she can time his or her efforts to match the general activity in
the area
of the idea. In addition, Tool 5 identifies speed of change in the environment
surrounding the idea (i.e., the velocity and intensity of activity in the
market).
How the IPAM server works in conjunction with the patent count per year 216
to aid in the R&D Idea Stage is described with reference to FIG. 31.
In FIG. 31, a flowchart 3100 begins at step 3102. In step 3102, in an
embodiment of the present invention a user performs a search on the group of
all
U.S. patents. Here, because the user is just pointing at a broad field, the
abstract
of each U.S. patent is typically the section that is searched, but is not
limited to
this. The present invention is not limited to doing the search on U.S.
patents, but
may include European, Japanese (and other available) patents and/or
applications.
Here, the search performed is typically a Boolean and/or natural language
search
on the idea/subject to produce a group of patents. Control passes to step
3104.
In step 3104, IPAM server is used in conjunction with patent count per
year 216 to create a chart that indicates the top assignees/companies in a
related
area to the idea/subject searched in step 3102. Here, the group of patents
produced in step 3102 are further divided into subgroups, with each subgroup
having patents that were issued in the same year and relate to the idea.
Typically,
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step 3104 is initiated by the user selecting a patent count per year function
on the
computer screen. At this point flowchart 3100 ends.
Following is a general discussion describing an example thought process
of the user as he or she uses Tool 5 in the Idea Stage. Referring to FIG. 30,
the
idea relates to the microwave heating of food. The user may look at the chart
and
notice that through the mid-1980s there was slow and steady growth of patents
being issued relating to microwave heating of food. This indicates there is a
lot
of art in that time frame. But, it also tells the user that it's an area of
growth and
people are still investing in it so if the user has a good idea, he or she
should
consider participating.
What the user sees in the years 1990 and 1991 is doubling of the activity
from the year or two previous. This indicates that in 1990 and 1991, everyone
jumped into the markets relating to the microwave heating of food. Again,
unless
the user has a very distinctive idea, he or she may decline to get into the
market.
Looking at the late 1990's it appears as if the market is declining. At this
time it
may not be a good business decision to pursue the idea of microwave heating of
food.
IX. IPAM Server and Patent Count Per Year
Referring to FIG. 2, IPAM server works in conjunction with the patent
count per year 218 to facilitate the Preliminary Assessment Stage (as Tool 15
), the
Feasibility Stage (as Tool 26), the Development Stage (as Tool 37) and the
Scale-
up Stage (as Tool 45). What these tools illustrate (in three dimensional form)
what Tool 5 illustrated, as discussed above.
A. Preliminary Assessment Stage
FIG. 32 illustrates the patent count per year 218 facilitating the
Preliminary Assessment Stage as Tool 15, entitled "Recent Patent Activity
Chart."
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The purpose of Tool 15 in the Preliminary Assessment Stage is provide
information to the project team in terms of recent patent activity. Here, if
there
is heavy activity in recent years, the project team must consider whether the
product/idea is distinctive enough to ensure commercial success. In addition,
Tool 15 shows the intensity of recent effort in the project's environment. How
the IPAM server works in conjunction with the patent count per year 218 to aid
in the R&D Preliminary Assessment Stage is described with reference to FIG.
33.
In FIG. 33, a flowchart 3300 begins at step 3302. In step 3302, in an
embodiment of the present invention a user performs a search on the groups of
all U.S., European (and other available) patents. Here, because the user is
just
pointing at a broad field, the abstract of each patent is typically the
section that is
searched, but is not limited to this. Here, the search performed is typically
a
Boolean and/or natural language search on the idea/subject to produce a group
of
patents. Control passes to step 3304.
In step 3304, the group of patents produced in step 3302 are further
divided into subgroups, with each subgroup having the same assignee/company.
IPAM server may store the assignee information of patents in a meta-data field
that will also need to be searched to determine the assignee, but is not
limited to
this. Control then passes to step 3306.
In step 3306, each subgroup produced in step 3304 is further divided into
subgroups by year. IPAM server may store the year information of patents in a
meta-data field that will also need to be searched to determine the year, but
is not
limited to this. The flowchart 3300 ends at this point.
B. Feasibility Stage
As shown in FIG. 2, the patent count per year 218, in conjunction with
IPAM server, is also useful in the Feasibility Stage of the R&D process. In
general, the Feasibility Stage tests whether a concept is validated in the
laboratory
and with at least one lead customer. The patent count per year 218, used in
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conjunction with IPAM server, is shown in FIG. 34 as Tool 26, entitled "Recent
Patent Activity Chart." The purpose of Tool 26 is to inform the project team
of
potential partners and competitors to investigate further. In addition, the
chart
shows intensity of recent effort in the project's environment.
How the IPAM server works in conjunction with the patent count per year
218 to aid in the R&D Feasibility Stage is similar to how it works in the
Preliminary Assessment Stage as described with reference to FIG. 33 above. One
exception is in step 3306. In the Preliminary Assessment Stage, all years we
included in the chart. Here, only the last two years is typically included,
but is not
limited to this.
C. Development Stage
As shown in FIG. 2, the patent count per year 218, in conjunction with
IPAM server, is also useful in the Development Stage of the R&D process. The
patent count per year 218, used in conjunction with IPAM server, is shown in
FIG. 35 as Tool 37, entitled "Recent Patent Activity Chart." The purpose of
Tool
37 is to inform the project team and competitive intelligence of which
companies
to watch or investigate for ongoing activity in the project area. In addition,
the
chart shows who has been active in the general project area.
How the IPAM server works in conjunction with the patent count per year
218 to aid in the R&D Development Stage is similar to how it works in the
Preliminary Assessment Stage as described with reference to FIG. 33 above. One
exception is in step 3306. In the Preliminary Assessment Stage, all years we
included in the chart. Here, only the last year is typically included, but is
not
limited to this.
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D. Scale-up Stage
As shown in FIG. 2, the patent count per year 218, in conjunction with
IPAM server, is also useful in the Scale-up Stage of the R&D process. The
patent
count per year 218, used in conjunction with IPAM server, is shown in FIG. 36
as Tool 45, entitled "Recent Patent Activity Chart." The purpose of Tool 45 is
to inform the project team of which competitors to watch closely. In addition,
the
chart shows the intensity of very recent effort in the project's environment.
How
the IPAM server works in conjunction with the patent count per year 218 to aid
in the R&D Scale-up Stage is similar to how it works in the Preliminary
Assessment Stage as described with reference to FIG. 33 above.
X. IPAM Server and Application Count Per Year
Referring to FIG. 2, IPAM server works in conjunction with the
application count per year 220 to facilitate the Preliminary Assessment Stage
(as
Tool 16), the Feasibility Stage (as Tool 27), the Development Stage (as Tool
38)
and the Scale-up Stage (as Tool 46).
A. Preliminary Assessment Stage
FIG. 38 illustrates the application count per year 218 facilitating the
Preliminary Assessment Stage as Tool 16, entitled "Recent Patent Application
Chart." The purpose of Tool 16 in the Preliminary Assessment Stage is provide
information to the project team as to the potential partners and competitors
to
preliminarily assess. In addition, Tool 16 shows the intensity of recent
effort in
the project's environment. How the IPAM server works in conjunction with the
application count per year 220 to aid in the R&D Preliminary Assessment Stage
is described with reference to FIG. 39.
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In FIG. 39, a flowchart 3900 begins at step 3902. In step 3902, in an
embodiment of the present invention a user performs a search on the group of
all
European applications, but is not limited to this. Here, because the user is
just
pointing at a broad field, the abstract of each patent is typically the
section that is
searched, but is not limited to this. The search performed is typically a
Boolean
and/or natural language search on the idea/subject to produce a group of
applications. Control passes to step 3904.
In step 3904, the group of applications patents produced in step 3902 are
further divided into subgroups, with each subgroup having the same
assignee/company. IPAM server may store the assignee information of
applications in a meta-data field that will also need to be searched to
determine the
assignee, but is not limited to this. Control then passes to step 3906.
In step 3906, each subgroup produced in step 3904 is further divided into
subgroups by year, where year is limited to the last four years. IPAM server
may
store the year information of applications in a meta-data field that will also
need
to be searched to determine the year, but is not limited to this. The
flowchart
3900 ends at this point.
B. Feasibility Stage
As shown in FIG. 2, the application count per year 220, in conjunction
with IPAM server, is also useful in the Feasibility Stage of the R&D process.
In
general, the Feasibility Stage tests whether a concept is validated in the
laboratory
and with at least one lead customer. The application count per year 220, used
in
conjunction with IPAM server, is shown in FIG. 40 as Tool 27, entitled "Recent
Patent Application Chart." The purpose of Tool 27 is to inform the project
team
of potential partners and competitors to watch. In addition, the chart shows
intensity of very recent effort in the project's environment.
How the IPAM server works in conjunction with the application count per
year 220 to aid in the R&D Feasibility Stage is similar to how it works in the
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Preliminary Assessment Stage as described with reference to FIG. 39 above. One
exception is in step 3906. In the Preliminary Assessment Stage, the last four
years
were included in the chart. Here, only the last two years are typically
included,
but it not limited to this.
C. Development Stage
As shown in FIG. 2, the application count per year 220, in conjunction
with IPAM server, is also useful in the Development Stage of the R&D process.
The application count per year 220, used in conjunction with IPAM server, is
shown in FIG. 41 as Tool 38, entitled "Recent Patent Application Chart." The
purpose of Tool 38 is to inform the project team and competitive intelligence
of
which companies to watch for ongoing activity in the project area. In
addition,
the chart shows who has been active in the general project area.
How the IPAM server works in conjunction with the application count per
year 220 to aid in the R&D Development Stage is similar to how it works in the
Preliminary Assessment Stage as described with reference to FIG. 39 above. One
exception is in step 3906. In the Preliminary Assessment Stage, the last four
years
were included in the chart. Here, only the last year is typically included,
but is not
limited to this.
D. Scale-up Stage
As shown in FIG. 2, the application count per year 220, in conjunction
with IPAM server, is also useful in the Scale-up Stage of the R&D process. The
application count per year 220, used in conjunction with IPAM server, is shown
in FIG. 42 as Tool 46, entitled "Recent Patent Application Chart." The purpose
of Tool 46 is to inform the project team of potential partners and competitors
to
watch closely. In addition, the chart shows the intensity of very recent
efforts in
the project's environment.
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How the IPAM server works in conjunction with the application count per
year 220 to aid in the R&D Scale-up Stage is similar to how it works in the
Preliminary Assessment Stage as described with reference to FIG. 39 above. One
exception is in step 3906. In the Preliminary Assessment Stage, the last four
years
were included in the chart. Here, only the last year is typically included,
but is not
limited to this.
XL IPAM Server and Technology by Company Map
Refernng to FIG. 2, IPAM server works in conjunction with the
technology by company map 222 to facilitate the Idea Stage (as Tool 6), the
Preliminary Assessment Stage (as Tool 17), the Feasibility Stage (as Tool 28),
the
Development Stage (as Tool 39) and the Scale-up Stage (as Tool 47).
A. Idea Stage
FIG. 43 illustrates the technology by company map 222 facilitating the
Idea Stage as Tool 6, entitled "Chart Narrowing Areas to Explore." As stated
above, in the Idea Stage, the idea is expanded and is prepared for
consideration
as a formal project/product.
In FIG. 43, technology by company map 222 as Tool 6 is shown. The
purpose of Tool 6 in the Idea Stage is to provide the necessary information to
the
user (e.g., inventor of the idea) as to which competitors have put forth major
effort in areas related to the idea. In addition, Tool 6 focuses on what areas
are
being explored by which companies. This provides more directed information
because it visually displays patent counts of particular companies. How the
IPAM
server works in conjunction with the technology by company map 222 to aid in
the R&D Idea Stage is described with reference to FIG. 44.
In FIG. 44, a flowchart 4400 begins at step 4402. In step 4402, in an
embodiment of the present invention a user performs a search on the group of
all
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U.S. patents. Here, because the user is just pointing at a broad field, the
abstract
of each U.S. patent is typically the section that is searched, but is not
limited to
this. The present invention is not limited to doing the search on U.S.
patents, but
may include European, Japanese (and other available) patents and/or
applications.
Here, the search performed is typically a boolean and/or natural language
search
on the idea/subject to produce a group of patents. Control passes to step
4404.
In step 4404, IPAM server takes the group of patents produced in step
4402 and further divides it into subgroups, with each subgroup having the same
patent classification. When the search in step 4402 is on the group of U.S.
patents, the classification used is the U.S. Patent Classification designated
by the
U.S. Patent and Trademark Office. In a similar manner, if the search in step
4402
is on the group of International patents, then the classification used would
be the
IPC classification. IPAM server may store the U.S. Patent Classification (or
IPC
classification) in a meta-data field that will also need to be searched to
determine
the patent classification, but is not limited to this. Control then passes to
step
4406.
In step 4406, each subgroup produced in step 4404 is further divided by
assignee/company. Thus, IPAM server is used in conjunction with a technology
by company map 222 to create a graphical representation of company and
technical area by frequency. Typically, this is done by the user selecting a
technology by company function on the computer screen. The flowchart 4400
ends at this point.
Referring again to FIG. 43, the chart produced by Tool 6 tells the user
several things. First, it shows that companies like AT&T Bell Laboratories and
International Business Machines Corporation are active in the area of the idea
but
have a broader set of activity (as represented by several patents in several
different
patent classifications). Companies, like Westinghouse Electric Corporation,
appear to be targeting specific areas (as represented by many patents in one
patent classification).
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B. Preliminary Assessment Stage
FIG. 45 illustrates the technology by company map 222 facilitating the
Preliminary Assessment Stage as Tool 17, entitled "A Chart of Other Company's
Work Related to the Project Goal." The purpose of Tooll7 in the Preliminary
Assessment Stage is to provide the necessary information to the user as to
which
areas and what companies to track during the project. In addition, Tool 17
assesses serious competitors and possible partners in a new technology or
market.
How the IPAM server works in conjunction with the technology by company map
222 to aid in the R&D Preliminary Assessment Stage is similar to how it works
in the Idea Stage as described with reference to FIG. 44. One exception is in
step
4402. In the Idea Stage, only U.S. patents were searched in step 4402. In the
Preliminary Assessment Stage all U.S. patents, European patents and European
applications (and other available patents and/or applications) are searched,
but is
not limited to this.
G Feasibility Stage
FIG. 46 illustrates the technology by company map 222 facilitating the
Feasibility Stage as Tool 28, entitled "A Chart Narrowing Areas to Explore."
The purpose of Tool 28 in the Feasibility Stage is to provide the project team
with the companies to approach and avoid for each technical area. In addition,
Tool 28 assesses the feasibility of serious competition and possible partners
for the
project. How the IPAM server works in conjunction with the technology by
company map 222 to aid in the R&D Feasibility Stage is similar to how it works
in the Idea Stage as described with reference to FIG. 44. One exception is in
step
4402. In the Idea Stage, only U.S. patents were searched in step 4402. In the
Feasibility Stage all U.S. patents, European, Japanese, and any other, patents
and
applications are searched, but is not limited to this.
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D. Development Stage
FIG. 47 illustrates the technology by company map 222 facilitating the
Development Stage as Tool 39, entitled "A Chart Showing Areas to Lock-Up or
Lock-Out." The purpose of Tool 39 in the Development Stage is to determine
whether the project has appropriate intellectual property to protect sales
margin.
In addition, Tool 39 helps the project team steer the development of the
product
clear of serious competition and complete research needed for blocking
applications and publications. How the IPAM server works in conjunction with
the technology by company map 222 to aid in the R&D Development Stage is
similar to how it works in the Idea Stage as described with reference to FIG.
44.
One exception is in step 4402. In the Idea Stage, only U.S. patents were
searched
in step 4402. In the Development Stage all U.S., European, Japanese, and any
other, patents and applications searched are narrowed to reflect the project
concept under development, but is not limited to this.
E.. Scale-up Stage
FIG. 48 illustrates the technology by company map 222 facilitating the
Scale-up Stage as Tool 47, entitled "A Chart Narrowing Areas to Explore." The
purpose of Tool 47 in the Scale-up Stage is to show patent attorneys,
inventors,
and patent committees which areas and what companies to watch. In addition,
Tool 47 shows how to steer patent prosecution around serious competition and
file blocking applications. Tool 47 can also be used to highlight who might
file
interference or opposition proceedings on any patent application filed. How
the
IPAM server works in conjunction with the technology by company map 222 to
aid in the R&D Scale-up Stage is similar to how it works in the Idea Stage as
described with reference to FIG. 44. One exception is in step 4402. In the
Idea
Stage, only U.S. patents were searched in step 4402. In the Scale-up Stage all
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U.S., European, Japanese, and other available, patents and applications
searched
are narrowed to reflect the developing product, but is not limited to this.
XIL IPAM Server and Patent Citation Tree
Referring to FIG. 2, IPAM server works in conjunction with the patent
citation tree 224 to facilitate the Idea Stage (as Tool 7), the Preliminary
Assessment Stage (as Tool 18), the Feasibility Stage (as Tool 29) and the
Development Stage (as Tool 40). In general, during an R & D project, the user
can look at the patent citation tree 224 to decide how crowded the area is and
how quickly it is moving (note that the icons can display dates relevant to
the
patents in the tree). The invention automatically displays contour maps that
connect patents having the same dates, assignees, classifications, etc., upon
user
command. In the map, the greatest gradient is the highest change and so you
can
use that as a way to plot the velocity in different directions. Thus, the
contour
lines can show the time line for the subject areas, and how fast they are
developing.
A. Idea Stage
FIG. 49 illustrates the patent citation tree 224, used in the Idea Stage, as
Tool 7, entitled "A Citation Tree Showing Idea's Environment." The purpose of
Tool 7 in the Idea Stage is to provide information to the user (inventor) as
to how
expansive and inter-related the technology is. This shows uniqueness of the
idea
and maturity of the technology. In addition, the user will be able to tell
whether
or not to promote the idea. Further, the patent citation tree 224 focuses on
which
areas are being explored by what companies and identifies which patents would
be prior art for the new idea. How the IPAM server works in conjunction with
the patent citation tree 224 to aid in the R&D Idea Stage is described with
reference to FIG. 50.
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In FIG. 50, a flowchart 5000 begins at step 5002. In step 5002, in an
embodiment of the present invention a user performs a search on the group of
all
U.S. patents. Here, because the user is just pointing at a broad field, the
abstract
of each U.S. patent is typically the section that is searched, but is not
limited to
this. The present invention is not limited to doing the search on U.S.
patents, but
may include European, Japanese (and other available) patents and/or
applications.
Here, the search performed is typically a boolean and/or natural language
search
on the idea/subject to produce a group of patents. Control passes to step
5004.
In step 5004, IPAM server takes the group of patents produced in step
5002 and further performs a forward citation on each of the patents to create
a
patent citation tree 224. The nodes in the patent citation tree 224 may be
color
coded by assignee to allow the user to pick out color patterns easily. The
flowchart 5000 ends at this point.
B. Preliminary Assessment Stage
FIG. 51 illustrates the patent citation tree 224, used in the Preliminary
Assessment Stage, as Tool 18, entitled "A Citation Tree Showing Concept's
History." The purpose of Tool 18 in the Preliminary Assessment Stage is to
provide information to the project team on how expansive and inter-related the
technology and markets are. In addition, the user will be able to tell whether
or
not to promote the idea. Further, the patent citation tree 224 focuses on
other
technical and market areas that are being explored, and by which companies.
The
nodes in the patent citation tree 224 may be color coded by assignee to allow
the
user to pick out color patterns easily. How the IPAM server works in conj
unction
with the patent citation tree 224 to aid in the R&D Preliminary Assessment
Stage
is similar to how it is done in the Idea Stage as described with reference to
FIG.
50.
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C. Feasibility Stage
FIG. 52 illustrates the patent citation tree 224, used in the Feasibility
Stage, as Tool 29, entitled "A Citation Tree Showing Project's Prior Art." The
purpose of Tool 29 in the Feasibility Stage is to provide information to the
project
team on how to work around prior art problems early in the development
process.
Further, the patent citation tree 224 focuses the project team on patents that
must
be respected as feasibility of the project is established. The nodes in the
patent
citation tree 224 may be color coded by assignee and/or by freedom to practice
to allow the user to pick out color patterns easily. How the IPAM server works
in conjunction with the patent citation tree 224 to aid in the R&D Feasibility
Stage
is similar to how it is done in the Idea Stage as described with reference to
FIG.
50.
D. Development Stage
FIG. 53 illustrates the patent citation tree 224, used in the Development
Stage, as Tool 40, entitled "A Citation Tree Showing Project's IP Position."
The
purpose of Tool 40 in the Development Stage is to provide information to the
project team on what key prior art to acquire during the development phase for
freedom to practice and to block competition. Further, the patent citation
tree
224 focuses the project team on patents that must which could be key to
blocking
competitive approaches. The nodes in the patent citation tree 224 may be color
coded by assignee and/or by freedom to practice to allow the user to pick out
color patterns easily. How the IPAM server works in conjunction with the
patent
citation tree 224 to aid in the R&D Feasibility Stage is similar to how it is
done
in the Idea Stage as described with reference to FIG. 50.
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XIIL IPAM Server and Nested Patent Citation Tree
Refernng to FIG. 2, IPAM server works in conjunction with the nested
patent citation tree 226 to facilitate the Idea Stage (as Tool 8), the
Preliminary
Assessment Stage (as Tool 19), the Feasibility Stage (as Tool 30), the
Development Stage (as Tool 41), and the Scale-up Stage (as Tool 48). In
general, during an R & D project, the user can look at the nested patent
citation
tree 226 to promote his idea as distinct from other on-going work. Patents lag
the technology due to the inherent delays in patent prosecution. Thus, if the
user
finds a very recent patent, it may not have any forward citations since any
patents
that might cite it are months or years away from issuing. Thus, it would not
be
possible to see how the technology is developing relative to this patent since
it has
no forward citations.
This tool utilizes a technique that involves going back one or more
generations from a given patent, and then performing forward citations on the
prior generations. This identifies a patent family that is a result of a
unique
combination of backwards and forwards citation processing. The resulting tree
tells you who's playing and in what fields that's probably around the base
patent.
It's an approach to look into the future of a given technology (how the
technology
may develop in the future). Date contours (or contours according to some other
criteria) is also applicable with this tool (and with all hyperbolic trees
generated
by the invention).
A. Idea Stage
FIG. 54 illustrates the nested patent citation tree 226, used in the Idea
Stage, as Tool 8, entitled "A Citation Root-Tree Showing Idea's Environment."
The purpose of Tool 8 in the Idea Stage is to provide information to the user
(inventor) so as to allow the user to promote his idea as distinct from other
on-
going work. The nested patent citation tree 226 predicts related areas that
are
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possibly under exploration by other companies. How the IPAM server works in
conjunction with the nested patent citation tree 226 to aid in the R&D Idea
Stage
is described with reference to FIG. 55.
In FIG. 55, a flowchart 5500 begins at step 5502. In step 5502, in an
embodiment of the present invention a user performs a search on the group of
all
U.S. patents. The present invention is not limited to doing the search on U.S.
patents, but may include European, Japanese (and other available) patents
and/or
applications. The search performed is typically a Boolean and/or natural
language
search on the idea/subject to produce a group of patents. Control passes to
step
5504.
In step 5504, the IPAM server determines the prior generation patent of
each patent produced in step 5502 (e.g., goes back one citation for each
patent).
Control passes to step 5506.
In step 5506, IPAM server takes the group of patents produced in step
5002 and further performs three forward citations on each of the patents to
create
a nested patent citation tree 226. The nodes in the patent citation tree 224
may
be color coded by assignee to allow the user to pick out color patterns
easily. The
flowchart 5500 ends at this point.
B. Preliminary Assessment Stage
FIG. 56 illustrates the nested patent citation tree 226, used in the
Preliminary Assessment Stage, as Tool 19, entitled "A Citation Root-Tree
Showing Concept's Environment." The purpose of Tool 19 in the Preliminary
Assessment Stage is to provide information to the project team so it can
predict
if there are possibly other competing technologies and markets that are under
development. Further, the nested patent citation tree 226 (i.e., citation root-
tree)
focuses on technical and market areas which are being explored by others. The
nodes in the patent citation tree 224 may be color coded by assignee to allow
the
user to pick out color patterns easily. How the IPAM server works in
conjunction
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with the nested patent citation tree 226 to aid in the R&D Preliminary
Assessment
Stage is similar to the Idea Stage as described with reference to FIG. 55.
C. Feasibility Stage
FIG. 57 illustrates the nested patent citation tree 226, used in the
Feasibility Stage, as Tool 30, entitled "A Citation Root-Tree Showing
Competitive Environment." The purpose of Tool 30 in the Feasibility Stage is
to
provide information to the project team so it knows early on possible
competitive
activities that it must address in its project plan. The nested patent
citation tree
226 (i.e., citation root-tree) indicates to the competitive intelligence group
which
companies a preliminary investigation should be conducted on. The nodes in the
patent citation tree 224 may be color coded by assignee and/or by freedom to
practice to allow the user to pick out color patterns easily. How the IPAM
server
works in conjunction with the nested patent citation tree 226 to aid in the
R&D
Feasibility Stage is similar to the Idea Stage as described with reference to
FIG.
55.
D. Development Stage
FIG. 58 illustrates the nested patent citation tree 226, used in the
Development Stage, as Tool 41, entitled "A Citation Root-Tree Showing
Project's IP Position." The purpose of Tool 41 in the Development Stage is to
provide information to the project team so it knows whether its development
and
project timing are likely to yield a commercial competitive success. The
continuous updating of the nested patent citation tree 226 (i.e., citation
root-tree)
shows which companies the competitive intelligence group must follow in
detail.
The nodes in the patent citation tree 224 may be color coded by assignee
and/or
by freedom to practice to allow the user to pick out color patterns easily.
How
the IPAM server works in conjunction with the nested patent citation tree 226
to
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aid in the R&D Development Stage is similar to the Idea Stage as described
with
reference to FIG. 55.
E. Scale-up Stage
FIG. 59 illustrates the nested patent citation tree 226, used in the Scale-up
Stage, as Tool 48, entitled "A Citation Root-Tree To Time Project's IP
Filings."
The purpose of Tool 48 in the Scale-up Stage is to provide information to the
project team so it can time scale-up activities and filing of patents to ward
off
competition. The continuous updating of the nested patent citation tree 226
(i.e.,
citation root-tree) shows new work the competitive intelligence group must
immediately check out to protect scale-up activities. The nodes in the patent
citation tree 224 may be color coded by assignee and/or by freedom to practice
to allow the user to pick out color patterns easily. How the IPAM server works
in conjunction with the nested patent citation tree 226 to aid in the R&D
Scale-up
Stage is similar to the Idea Stage as described with reference to FIG. 55.
XIV IPAM Server and ProductlPatentlRevenue Table
In FIG. 60, IPAM server works in conjunction with the
product/patent/revenue table 228 to facilitate the Portfolio Stage (as Tool
52).
FIG. 60 illustrates the product/patent/revenue table 228, used in the
Portfolio
Stage, as Tool 52, entitled "Proposed Features Map in the Context of all
Possibilities." The purpose of Tool 52 is make the proposed projects' new
features stand out from what exists today. Tool 52 highlights distinctive
features
needed by customers. How the IPAM server works in conjunction with the
product/patentlrevenue table 228 to aid in the Portfolio Stage is described
with
reference to FIG. 61.
In FIG. 61, a flowchart 6100 begins at step 6102. In step 6102, in an
embodiment of the present invention a user performs a search on the group of
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company documents and patents, but is not limited to this. This typically
involves
a Boolean and/or natural language search on the idea/subject to produce a
group
of documents and patents. Control passes to step 6104.
In step 6104, the IPAM server sorts the resulting group of documents and
patents from step 6102 by product attributes. The flowchart 6100 ends.
XV. IPAM Server and PatentlMonths to Issue Chart
Referring to FIG. 2, IPAM server works in conjunction with the
patent/months to issue chart 230 to facilitate the Feasibility Stage (as Tool
31),
the Development Stage (as Tool 42), the Scale-up Stage (as Tool 49) and the
Portfolio Stage (as Tool 54). In general, during an R & D project, the user
can
look at the patent/months to issue chart 230 to determine the average time
that
competitor's patents are in prosecution. Patents lag the technology due to the
inherent delays in patent prosecution. Delays in prosecution may be different
for
different technologies. Therefore, the user can also use the patent/months to
issue
chart 230 to get an idea on the prosecution time for different technologies.
This
also can help to predict the pace of certain technologies and what competitors
are
working on in their labs.
A. Feasibility Stage
FIG. 62 illustrates the patent/months to issue chart 230, used in the
Feasibility Stage, as Tool 31, entitled "Cycle Time for Patent Prosecution."
The
purpose of Tool 31 in the Feasibility Stage is to provide information to the
project
team so it knows the timing risks of the project based on the average
prosecution
time for U.S. patents related to a certain technology. The patent/months to
issue
chart 230 shows the average time all potential competitors' submarine patents
remain hidden from the project team's view. How the IPAM server works in
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conjunction with the patent/months to issue chart 230 to aid in the R&D
Feasibility Stage is described next with reference to FIG. 63.
In FIG. 63, a flowchart 6300 begins at step 6302. In step 6302, in an
embodiment of the present invention a user performs a search on the group of
all
U.S. patents. The present invention is not limited to doing the search on U.S.
patents, but may include European, Japanese (and other available) patents
and/or
applications. The search performed is typically a Boolean and/or natural
language
search on the idea/subject to produce a group of patents. Control passes to
step
6304.
In step 6304, IPAM server sorts the patents in the resulting group from
step 6302 by year to create subgroups of patents. Control passes to step 6306.
In step 6306, IPAM server, for each patent in each of the subgroups
created in step 6304, subtracts the patent's issue date from its filing date.
Control
then passes to step 6308.
In step 6308, IPAM server calculates, for each subgroup of patents, the
average prosecution time for its patents and displays the results to the user.
Flowchart 6300 ends at this point.
B. Development Stage
FIG. 64 illustrates the patent/months to issue chart 230, used in the
Development Stage, as Tool 42, entitled "Cycle Time for Patent Prosecution."
The purpose~of Tool 42 in the Development Stage is to provide information to
the
project team so it knows the timing risks of the project based on competitors'
upcoming patents. The patent/months to issue chart 230 also shows the high,
low, and average time a specific competitor's patents remain hidden from the
project team's view. How the IPAM server works in conjunction with the
patent/months to issue chart 230 to aid in the R&D Development Stage is
similar
to the Feasibility Stage, as described above with reference to FIG. 63.
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C. Scale-up Stage
FIG. 65 illustrates the patent/months to issue chart 230, used in the Scale-
up Stage, as Tool 42, entitled "Cycle Time for Patent Prosecution." The
purpose
of Tool 49 in the Scale-up Stage is to provide information to the project team
so
it knows when to file its own U.S. patent applications. The patent/months to
issue
chart 230 also shows the high, low, and average time top competitor's patents
remain hidden from the project team's view. How the IPAM server works in
conjunction with the patent/months to issue chart 230 to aid in the R&D Scale-
up
Stage is similar to the Feasibility Stage, as described above with reference
to FIG.
63.
D. Portfolio Stage
FIG. 66 illustrates the patent/months to issue chart 230, used in the
Portfolio Stage, as Tool 54, entitled "Cycle Time for Patent Prosecution." The
purpose of Tool 54 in the Portfolio Stage is to provide information to R&D
management so it can take steps to bring the timing of their U.S.
patents/applications into sync with European applications. The patent/months
to
issue chart 230 also shows the high, low, and average time the company's
patents
take to issue. How the IPAM server works in conjunction with the patent/months
to issue chart 230 to aid in the R&D Portfolio Stage is similar to the
Feasibility
Stage, as described above with reference to FIG. 63. One exception is that the
search is more focused on the company's U.S. patents, but is not limited to
this.
XVZ IPAM Server and DocumentlAnnotation
Referring to FIG. 2, IPAM server works in conjunction with the
document/annotation 232 to facilitate the Idea Stage (as Tool 9), the
Preliminary
Assessment Stage (as Tool 20), the Feasibility Stage (as Tool 32), the
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Development Stage (as Tool 43), the Scale-up Stage (as Tool 50) and the
Portfolio Stage (as Tool 55). In general, during the different stages of an R
& D
project, the user can utilize the document/annotation 232 to help create a
document trail. For example, in the Idea Stage any notes or annotations create
by
the user/inventor for an idea will help to establish priority dates in the
future as
needed.
A. Idea Stage
FIG. 67 illustrates the document/annotation 232, used in the Idea Stage,
as Tool 9, entitled "Notes to Document Thoughts and Analysis." The purpose of
Tool 9 in the Idea Stage is to start creating a "document trail" of the
invention at
the same time the idea is researched, thus giving as early of a priority date
as
possible. The document/annotation 232 provides recorded, indexed knowledge
for further reference by the creator or by other colleagues. How the IPAM
server
works in conjunction with the document/annotation 232 to aid in the R&D Idea
Stage is described next with reference to FIG. 68.
In FIG. 68, a flowchart 6800 begins at step 6802. In step 6802, in an
embodiment of the present invention a user performs a search on the groups of
patents and corporate documents, but is not limited to this. The search
performed
is typically a Boolean and/or natural language search on the idealsubject to
produce a group of patents and/or corporate documents. Control passes to step
6804.
In step 6804, IPAM server allows the user to make annotations on one or
more of the patents and/or corporate documents in the group produced by step
6802. Flowchart 6800 ends at this point.
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B. Preliminary Assessment Stage
FIG. 69 illustrates the document/annotation 232, used in the Preliminary
Assessment Stage, as Tool 20, entitled "Notes to Document Thoughts and
Analysis." The purpose of Tool 20 in the Preliminary Assessment Stage is to
create the documentation of the continuous effort to reduce the idea to
practice
and to obtain patent protection. The document/annotation 232 provides
recorded, indexed knowledge for further reference by the project team members,
management and patent attorneys. How the IPAM server works in conjunction
with the document/annotation 232 to aid in the R&D Preliminary Assessment
Stage is similar to how it is done in the Idea Stage, as described above with
reference to FIG. 68.
C. Feasibility Stage
FIG. 70 illustrates the document/annotation 232, used in the Feasibility
Stage, as Tool 32, entitled "Notes to Document Thoughts and Analysis." The
purpose of Tool 32 in the Feasibility Stage is to create the documentation of
the
continuous effort to reduce the idea to practice and to obtain patent
protection.
The document/annotation 232 provides recorded, indexed knowledge for further
reference by the project team members, management and patent attorneys. How
the IPAM server works in conjunction with the document/annotation 232 to aid
in the R&D Feasibility Stage is similar to how it is done in the Idea Stage,
as
described above with reference to FIG. 68.
D. Development Stage
FIG. 71 illustrates the document/annotation 232, used in the Development
Stage, as Tool 43, entitled "Notes to Support U.S. Patent Application
Preparation." The purpose of Tool 43 in the Development Stage is to create the
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documentation of the continuous effort to reduce the idea to practice and to
obtain patent protection. The document/annotation 232 provides recorded,
indexed knowledge for further reference by the project team members,
management and patent attorneys. How the IPAM server works in conjunction
with the document/annotation 232 to aid in the R&D Development Stage is
similar to how it is done in the Idea Stage, as described above with reference
to
FIG. 68.
E. Scale-up Stage
FIG. 72 illustrates the document/annotation 232, used in the Scale-up
Stage, as Tool 50, entitled "Notes to Document Thoughts and Support U.S.
Patent Prosecution and Foreign Filings." The purpose of Tool 50 in the Scale-
up
Stage is to use recorded, indexed knowledge to expedite the preparation of
patent
applications, whereby reducing the cost and time The documendannotation 232
provides recorded, indexed knowledge for reference by inventors and patent
attorneys. How the IPAM server works in conjunction with the
document/annotation 232 to aid in the R&D Scale-up Stage is similar to how it
is done in the Idea Stage, as described above with reference to FIG. 68. One
exception is that the groups of patents and applications searched are narrowed
to
only include those that reflect the developing product, but is not limited to
this.
F. Portfolio Stage
FIG. 73 illustrates the documentlannotation 232, used in the Portfolio
Stage, as Tool 55, entitled "Notes to Document Meeting Thoughts and Analysis."
The purpose of Tool 55 in the Portfolio Stage is to improve decision quality
through decision assumptions that are made available for future reviews. The
document/annotation 232 provides recorded, indexed knowledge for future
reference by project and portfolio review teams. How the IPAM server works in
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conjunction with the documentlannotation 232 to aid in the R&D Stage is
similar
to how it is done in the Idea Stage, as described above with reference to FIG.
68.
One exception is that the initial search is conducted only on the group of
corporate documents, but is not limited to this.
XVIL Combination of the Tools or Methods
It is important to note that most, if not all, of the tools or methods
described above may be combined to interactively go back and forth between
different tools. Note that in the Idea Stage, a user may decided to combine or
integrate one or more tools to facilitate the stage. For example, once the
group
of patents (from the search in step 1002 in FIG. 1) is divided into subgroups
(in
step 1004 in FIG. 1), the user may use Tool 1 to produce the topographic map
202 and/or Tool 2 to produce the top company table 204, or vice versa. The
integration of tools discussed herein to facilitate the R&D stages is
limitless.
XVIII. Conclusion
While various application embodiments of the present invention have been
described above, it should be understood that they have been presented by way
of
example only, and not limitation. Thus, the breadth and scope of the present
invention should not be limited by any of the above-described exemplary
embodiments.
