Case Study | Expert Patentability Search Services

November 16, 2023
- Case Studies

Case Study | Expert Patentability Search Services

Industry: Renewable Energy Technologies

Challenge: Evaluating the patentability of a new solar panel cleaning device

Solution: Innovative AI-Assisted Novelty Checker and Ideacue Ideation for Enhanced Invention

TT Consultants’ commitment to comprehensive IP support is illustrated in this case, demonstrating our innovative use of AI to not only assess patentability but also to enhance the inventive process, thereby setting a new standard in IP consulting.

Assisting a Renewable Energy Startup with Patentability and Invention Enhancement

A German startup in the renewable energy sector approached TT Consultants with a pioneering solar panel cleaning device. This invention promised to improve cleaning efficiency and maintenance of solar panels significantly, a crucial innovation in the rapidly growing solar industry.

The Challenge: Patentability of an Advanced Solar Panel Cleaning Device

The client’s device employed a sensor-driven system to optimize cleaning patterns and water usage, a potential game-changer in the market. The challenge was to determine the patentability of this novel device amidst a landscape of existing solar technologies.

Introducing the Novelty Checker: AI-Powered Patentability Analysis

To address this, TT Consultants utilized our Novelty Checker, an AI-powered search tool adept at:

Identifying Relevant Prior Art: The Novelty Checker conducted a thorough search of global patents and non-patent literature, ensuring no existing invention overlapped with the client’s device.
Multilingual Search Proficiency: Leveraging advanced AI, the Novelty Checker performed searches in multiple languages, crucial for the German market where the device was first introduced.

Ideacue: Generative AI for Inventive Refinement

Furthering our value-added services, TT Consultants deployed Ideacue, our in-house generative AI ideation tool, which suggested:

Innovative Features: Ideacue proposed enhancements, such as adaptive brush technology to improve cleaning efficiency on varying solar panel textures.
Design Improvements: It recommended integrating smart grid compatibility to allow the device to operate optimally during low-demand energy periods, reducing operational costs.

Expert Team for Comprehensive Analysis

Our multilingual team of experts worked alongside AI tools to:

Deep-dive into Search Results: They meticulously analyzed the AI-generated search results to distinguish the client’s device from any similar technologies.
Incorporate AI Suggestions: Experts evaluated Ideacue’s suggestions, integrating the most valuable improvements to strengthen the patent application.

Outcome: A Strong Path Forward for Patent Application

The synergy between our AI tools and expert analysis equipped the startup with a robust understanding of their invention’s novelty and an enhanced invention profile. As a result, the client could make an informed decision to proceed with a patent application, bolstered by significant inventive improvements.

About TTC

At TT Consultants, we're a premier provider of custom intellectual property (IP), technology intelligence, business research, and innovation support. Our approach blends AI and Large Language Model (LLM) tools with human expertise, delivering unmatched solutions.

Our team includes skilled IP experts, tech consultants, former USPTO examiners, European patent attorneys, and more. We cater to Fortune 500 companies, innovators, law firms, universities, and financial institutions.

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