System and method for prior art analytics and mapping

摘要

A computer-implemented method and system are provided for monitoring developments in a field of prior art. The method comprises using one or more processors receive a search query including a first patent concept related to the field of prior art; search the Internet as a function of the search query; generate a first set of search results; store the first set of search results in a database; conduct a subsequent search on the Internet as a function of the search query; generate a second set of search results; compare the first and second sets of search results to identify differences in the results; and communicate the differences to a user. An ontology of patent concepts may be stored in a system database. The searches may be conducted automatically on a regular basis thereby notifying the user of any intervening changes in the field of prior art.

主权项

1. A computer-implemented method of reviewing prior art, the method comprising using one or more processors to perform the following operations:
identifying at least a first patent concept related to an area of technology in the prior art, the first patent concept automatically provided from an ontology of patent concepts stored in a database; receiving a search query including the first patent concept; conducting an initial search as a function of the search query; generating a first set of search results, wherein the first set of search results includes information relating to two or more of the following: most-cited prior art owners in the area of technology, the most-cited prior art owners determined by comparing an owner citation frequency of each prior art owner of a set of prior art owners cited within the area of technology; most-cited prior art references in the area of technology, the most-cited prior art references determined by comparing a reference citation frequency of each prior art reference of a set of prior art references cited within the area of technology; and keywords differentiating the first patent concept from the prior art; storing the first set of search results in a database; automatically conducting a subsequent search as a function of the search query, the subsequent search conducted at a predetermined interval after the initial search; generating a second set of search results corresponding to the first set of search results; comparing the first and second sets of search results to identify differences between the first set of search results and the second set of search results; communicating the differences in the search results to a user; and generating a patent activity profile for one or more entities based at least in part on the differences in the search results, wherein the patent activity profile monitors, and flags deviances from, at least of the one or more of the entity's patterns of: type of applications filed; location of applications filed; subject matter abandoned during prosecution; and instances or circumstances of annuity fee non-payment.