When to Trigger
Activate this skill when the user mentions:
- Patent search, prior art, novelty search
- Patent claims, claim construction, claim interpretation
- Freedom to operate (FTO), infringement analysis
- Patent landscape, technology mapping, IP portfolio
- Provisional patent, utility patent, PCT application
- Licensing, royalties, technology transfer
- Patent classification (CPC, IPC), patent families
Step-by-Step Methodology
- Define the invention - Clearly articulate the novel technical features. Distinguish the invention from the prior art. Identify the technical problem solved and the solution provided.
- Prior art search - Search patent databases systematically: Google Patents, USPTO (PatFT/AppFT), Espacenet, WIPO PatentScope. Use keyword combinations, CPC/IPC classification codes, and citation analysis. Search non-patent literature (publications, conference papers) as well.
- Landscape analysis - Map the patent landscape: identify key players, filing trends over time, geographic distribution, technology clusters. Use patent classification to categorize technologies. Identify white spaces (underpatented areas).