When to Trigger

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

1. 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.
2. 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.
3. 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).
4. Claim analysis - Parse claims into elements. Identify independent vs. dependent claims. Map claim elements to technical features. For FTO: compare each element of relevant claims against the proposed product/method.
5. Novelty and non-obviousness assessment - Compare invention against closest prior art references. Identify elements that are novel (not found in any single reference) and non-obvious (not a trivial combination of references to a person of ordinary skill in the art).
6. IP strategy recommendation - Advise on filing strategy: provisional vs. utility, domestic vs. PCT, continuation and divisional applications. Consider timing (grace periods, priority dates). Evaluate trade secret vs. patent protection trade-offs.
7. Documentation - Prepare invention disclosure with: title, inventors, technical field, background, description of embodiments, and claims outline. Note that legal patent drafting requires a registered patent attorney.

Key Databases and Tools

• Google Patents - Free full-text patent search
• USPTO PatFT / AppFT - US Patent and Trademark Office
• Espacenet - European Patent Office database
• WIPO PatentScope - International PCT applications
• Lens.org - Open patent and scholarly search
• CPC / IPC classification - Technology classification systems

Output Format

• Prior art results as a table: patent number, title, filing date, assignee, relevance summary.
• Claim charts: claim element in left column, prior art reference in right column.
• Patent landscape as a technology map or filing trend chart.
• FTO opinion summary: clear / potential risk / likely infringement (with caveats).
• Invention disclosure following standard institutional templates.

Quality Checklist

• [ ] Multiple patent databases searched (not just one)
• [ ] Both patent and non-patent prior art considered
• [ ] Classification codes (CPC/IPC) used to ensure comprehensive search
• [ ] Claims parsed element by element for accurate analysis
• [ ] Filing dates and priority dates correctly identified
• [ ] Patent family relationships traced (equivalents in other jurisdictions)
• [ ] Disclaimer: analysis is informational, not legal advice
• [ ] Recommendation to consult registered patent attorney for legal opinions
• [ ] Geographic scope of patent rights identified