NTT DOCOMO, INC. (Tokyo, JP)

A management system includes an storage unit that can store information about plans for a variety of tasks that will be completed by the same vehicle. The schedule information contains the type and dates for the many and the locations where the tasks will be completed. The integration unit integrates schedules for the plurality of tasks in the event that the types, dates/times as well as the locations, that are stored in the storage device satisfy an integration condition. The output unit generates integrated schedule information that indicates the schedules for the integrated tasks.

In the area of agriculture, there is a technique for assisting shared use of a device that is utilized in the course of tasks. For example, JP 2016-218809A describes an agricultural device share lease execution method that uses the device used for agriculture used to lease, is provided by a leasing company to a single farmer who is part of a share team composed of multiple farmers and a share lease contract. When the work of the farmer has been completed the agricultural device is delivered to the next farmer, and then the farmers are charged for the lease amount.

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What is a patent?

Granted by the government to safeguard an invention, patents give the inventor exclusive rights to develop, utilize, market and promote the invention?society gains when a new technology is brought into the marketplace. These benefits could be realized directly when people can perform feats previously thought impossible and indirectly by the opportunities for business growth which innovation can bring (business growth, jobs).

Patent protection is sought by a variety of universities and pharmaceutical companies for their research and development. Patents can be granted to the creation of a product, process or method of creating new materials. To be granted patent protection, an invention must be useful, new and not apparent to other people in the same subject.

Patents give inventors a chance to be recognized for commercially viable inventions. They serve as a motivator for inventors to invent. Small-scale businesses and inventors can rest assured that they will get an income from their investment in technology development through patents. They could earn a decent income from their work.

Companies that are able to:

Protect new products and services that are innovative;

Improve the visibility and the value of your product’s presence on the market

Make your brand stand out from others.

Find out about business and technical information.

Beware of the possibility of accidentally using third-party proprietary content, or losing your important information, creative outputs, or other creative output.

Patents can transform an inventor’s information into a tradeable asset which opens new opportunities for job creation and business growth through joint ventures or licensing.

Small companies that have patent protection are more attractive to investors involved in the development and commercialization of technology.

Patenting could lead to the development of new ideas and inventions. This information can promote creativity and could be eligible for protection under patents.

Patents can be used to stop untrustworthy third-party companies from earning from the invention’s efforts.

The profits from technology patents that are successful and commercially viable can be used to finance research and development (R&D), which will increase the chance of better technology in the near future.

Intellectual property ownership can be used to convince investors and lenders that there are real opportunities to market your product. Sometimes, a single patent could open the door to multiple financing options. You can use patents and other IP assets as collateral or security to secure financing. Investors can also see your patent assets to boost the value of your company. Forbes and other publications have pointed out that each patent could increase the value of a company by anything between $500,000 and $1 million.

A solid business plan is essential for new businesses. It must be founded on IP and show the way your product or service is distinctive. Investors will also be impressed when you show that your IP rights are secured or are in the process of becoming secure, and that they align with your business strategy.

It is important to keep your invention secret until you file for patent protection. It is crucial to keep the invention private prior to making a patent application. The public disclosure of an invention can make an invention and make it unpatentable. Thus, prior filing disclosures (e.g. for test-marketing investors, investors, or for other business partners) should only be made after signing a confidentiality agreement.

There are many kinds of patents. Understanding them is essential to protecting your invention. Utility patents cover new processes and machine creations. Design patents cover ornamental designs. Utility patents are the best because they shield the owner from copycats as well as other competitors. In most cases, utility patents are issued to improve or modify existing inventions. Utility patents can also be used to enhance or modify existing inventions. For instance, a process patent will cover acts or methods of doing an action, while a chemical composition will include a mixture of components.

How long does a patent last? While utility patents are valid up to 20 years from their earliest filing, they may be extended by delays at the Patent Office.

Are you looking to protect your idea? Patents are only granted to applicants who are the first to file, which is why you must file as quickly as possible. Call PatentPC today to file your patent application submitted!

When you are writing an application for patents, you should do an internet search for patents, since the search will give you an insight into the other applicants’ thoughts. This allows you to restrict the scope of your invention. Also, you can discover the current state of the art within your area of invention. This will help you to know the extent of your invention and prepare for the filing of your patent application.

How to Search for Patents

A patent search is the first step towards obtaining your patent. You can do a google patent search or do a USPTO search. Patent-pending is the name used to describe the product protected by the patent application. You can use for the public pair to locate the patent application. After the patent office has approved the application, you will be able to do a patent number search to locate the issued patent, and your product is now patented. You can also utilize the USPTO search engine. Read on for more details. You can get help from an attorney for patents. In the US, patents are issued through the US patent and trademark office as well as the United States patent and trademark office, which is also responsible for examining trademark applications.

Interested in finding more similar patents? These are the steps you should follow:

1. Brainstorm terms to describe your invention, based on its purpose, composition, or use.

Start by writing down a concise detailed description of your idea. Do not use generic terms such as “device,” “process,” and “system.” Instead, consider synonyms to the terms you chose initially. Also, keep track of crucial technical terms, as well as key words.

To help you recognize terms and keywords, you can use the following questions.

  • What is the objective of the invention? Is it a utilitarian device or an ornamental design?
  • Does the invention consist of a method of creating something or executing some function? Are you referring to an object?
  • What is the basis of the invention? What is the invention’s physical composition?
  • What is the goal of the invention
  • What are the terms used in technical terminology and key words that define the nature of an invention? To help you find the right terms, refer to a technical dictionary.

2. Utilize these terms to locate pertinent Cooperative Patent Classifications for your invention at the Classification Text Search Tool. If you’re unable to find the right classification to describe your invention, scan through the classification’s Schemas of classes (class schedules). If you don’t see any results using the Classification Text Search, you may want to consider replacing the words for describing your invention with synonyms.

3. Examine the CPC Classification Definition for confirmation of the CPC classification you have found. If the selected classification title is a blue box that has the letter “D” to its left, clicking on the link will lead you to the CPC classification definition. CPC classification definitions can be used to identify the specific classification’s scope, so you are sure to select the most pertinent. They may also provide search tips or other suggestions which could prove useful in further study.

4. The Patents Full-Text Database and the Image Database allow you to retrieve patent documents that include the CPC classification. You can review and find the most relevant patent publications focussing first on abstract and representative drawings.

5. Utilize this selection of most pertinent patent documents to examine each one thoroughly for any the similarities to your idea. Pay attention to the claims and specification. Consult the applicant and patent examiner to obtain additional patents.

6. It is possible to find published patent applications that fit the CPC classification you selected in Step 3. You can use the same search strategy as Step 4, narrowing your results down to the relevant patent applications by examining the abstract and representative illustrations on every page. After that, take a close look at the published patent applications and pay particular attention to the claims and the additional drawings.

7. You can find additional US patent publications using keywords searching in AppFT or PatFT databases, as well as classification searching of patents that aren’t from the United States as per below. You can also utilize web search engines to search non-patent documents that describe inventions in the literature. Here are a few examples:

  • Add keywords to your search. Keyword searches may turn up documents that are not well-categorized or have missed classifications during Step 2. For example, US patent examiners often supplement their classification searches with keyword searches. Think about the use of technical engineering terminology rather than everyday words.
  • Search for foreign patents using the CPC classification. Then, re-run the search using international patent office search engines such as Espacenet, the European Patent Office’s worldwide patent publication database of over 130 million patent publications. Other national databases include:
  • Search non-patent literature. Inventions can be made public in many non-patent publications. It is recommended that you search journals, books, websites, technical catalogs, conference proceedings, and other print and electronic publications.

To review your search, you can hire a registered patent attorney to assist. A preliminary search will help one better prepare to talk about their invention and other related inventions with a professional patent attorney. In addition, the attorney will not spend too much time or money on patenting basics.