Patent-Surfing How patent mapping can help you predict the future

James CulyHead of Informed Innovation

Introduction to your speaker

IntroductionPatents are a useful way of finding out research trends and ideasThey can be used to find fast followers or unexpected competitorsAnalysis of them can be used for:

• Freedom to operate• State of the art• Inventing beyond • Ideas generation • Competitor mapping • White space mapping • Partner identification • Headhunting• Due Diligence

SignpostsUse different tools and techniques to show some of the types of information that can be found

Most of our analysis are confidential so these are independent examinations performed in preparation for today

Haven’t performed a deep examination looking at freedom to operate or white space – this is surfing on the top of the data

Medical Ultrasound• First used in 1940 as a medical tool by H Gohr and

Th. Wedekind at the Medical University of Koln • First proper commercial system in the 1960s• Many of the idea have been known theoretically

many years before they can be applied practically due to material limitations

Ultrasound – based on 13118 patents

Acuson Acquired by Siemens in 2000 for $700M

$4.9B market in 2009 – consolidation phase

A-scan – 725 patents

Milux Holdings Siemens

Acuson Omnisonics

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Oil Sand Extraction • Since there are a number of companies involved in

the oil and gas sector, the following few slides contains a quick overview of oil sand extraction

IPC codesC000 00/000: Section C Chemistry

2382

C10G 01/000: Production Of Liquid Hydrocarbon Mixtures From Oil Shale, Oil-sand, Or Non-melting Solid Carbonaceous Or Similar Materials, E.g. Wood, Coal

1317

B000 00/000: Section B Performing Operations632

B09C 01/000: Reclamation Of Contaminated Soil78

B03B 09/000: General Arrangement Of Separating Plant, E.g. Flow Sheets

74

B01D 11/000: Solvent Extraction64

A000 00/000: Section A Human Necessities522

A23L 01/000: Foods Or Foodstuffs100

A61K 08/000: Cosmetics Or Similar Toilet Preparations

56

F000 00/000: Section F Mechanical Engineering254

F04B 47/000: Pumps Or Pumping Installations Specially Adapted For Raising Fluids From Great Depths, E.g. Well Pumps

95

G000 00/000: Section G Physics131

B01D 11/000: Solvent Extraction

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7Bertelsmann, Philips, Magna, Mobil

HMT, David Whitlock

Universities

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Salt Reduction in Food• High salt intake can:

• Cause damage to the kidneys – particularly in children• Increase blood pressure resulting in an increased risk

of stroke or heart attack• Government legislation to reduce levels of salt in

food

Keywords

Conclusions• Patents are an incredibly useful source of information• They can allow you to see trends, opportunities and

develop a competitive advantage• However they can also waste a lot of time and

energy unless you know how to interpret the information effectively