Innovative Method of Patent Design Around Guided by Technological Evolution

Abstract

Patent design around can avoid infringement disputes, but it is hard for enterprises to use this method in the development of innovative products. This paper proposes an innovative method for the patent design around guided by laws of the technological system evolution. Functions of the product is firstly determined using a constructed function-need matrix of patents related to the target product. The potential state of technologies is then predicted according to laws of technological system evolution through analyzing the target function model. The patent design around is then conducted to search patents for relative functions. The solution is finally formed to circumvent any potential infringement. Feasibility of the proposed method is verified in the design of a mosquito catcher.