Evaluating claim conflicts between patents is a crucial issue in patent applications and validity allegations. Existing patent informatics tools do not relate well to the legal requirements of identifying claim conflicts; innovation theory does not address patent evaluations; and the current legal approach has weaknesses in the repeatability between cases. Therefore, a need emerges to design a scientific method for evaluating conflicts between patent claims. This thesis presents research on the topic of identifying, evaluating, and visualising patent conflicts. ‘Conflict’ is used to have the same meaning as obviousness, which is an essential legal term under the UK Patents Act 1977. Building on existing methods, this research provides a novel method called Criteria-Based Patent Mapping, for assessing claim conflicts between patents. ‘Criteria-Based’ means that this assessment uses evaluation criteria that clarify the inventive step of the patent. The source of these criteria is the well-known Theory of Inventive Problem Solving (TRIZ), which is incorporated into a statistical method of 'Patent Mapping' for evaluating and visualising differences between patent claims. The application of the new method to four case studies shows that there are differences in judging standards between the legal authorities; and also shows an average value of 52% agreement in predicting potential conflicts between patent claims. Based upon these results, the original 39 TRIZ parameters can usually be refined to about 12 criteria. The scope of this method is restricted to patents in mechanical engineering due to the relevancy of TRIZ parameters. This research transforms difficult claim-to-claim evaluations into simpler claim-to-criteria comparisons that lead to more efficient and transparent patent evaluations. Such improvements will be useful for better decision-making in patent strategy.

TRIZ is a method that can be applied to analyze and solve engineering problem with contradiction effectively, but design problem does not easy to clarify. Thus, the purpose of the research is to propose a systematic methodology to make clear engineering problem and get just principles to design, designs of transmission system and frame of bicycle are the examples to explain. First, utilizing object tree method transform design question to better parameter, simultaneously the better parameter transformed to worse parameter. According to better and worse parameter suitable principles are selected with Contradiction Matrix and design transmission system of bicycle. Next, Inventive Principles is categorized by characteristic of design, and getting suite attribute. Thus, using asymmetry principle to design frame. Finally the Bottom Bracket be load force that deform magnitude is evaluating, and influence the result of position of tube of frame find out batter frame.

La thèse traite des problèmes d'invention où les solutions des méthodes d'optimisation ne satisfont pas aux objectifs des problèmes à résoudre. Les problèmes ainsi définis exploitent, pour leur résolution, un modèle de problème étendant le modèle de la TRIZ classique sous une forme canonique appelée "système de contradictions généralisées". Cette recherche instrumente un processus de résolution basé sur la boucle simulation-optimisation-invention permettant d'utiliser à la fois des méthodes d'optimisation et d'invention. Plus précisément, elle modélise l'extraction des contractions généralisées à partir des données de simulation sous forme de problèmes d'optimisation combinatoire et propose des algorithmes donnant toutes les solutions à ces problèmes. / The thesis deals with problems of invention where solutions optimization methods do not meet the objectives of problems to solve. The problems previuosly defined exploit for their resolution, a problem extending the model of classical TRIZ in a canonical form called "generalized system of contradictions." This research draws up a resolution process based on the loop simulation-optimization-invention using both solving methods of optimization and invention. More precisely, it models the extraction of generalized contractions from simulation data as combinatorial optimization problems and offers algorithms that offer all the solutions to these problems.

This study compared two groups of students being instructed in various methods of problem solving over a two-week period. The control group was instructed using the standard Career and Technology Education (CTE) Introduction curriculum on using brainstorming to solve problems. The treatment group was instructed using a structured problem solving method developed to help focus problem solving on finding a solution that satisfies the conditions. Students were selected from 7th grade students at a suburban middle school in Utah. The independent variable in this study was the type of problem solving instruction received. The dependent variables of interest were the fluency of producing solutions (S), number of inventive solutions (I) produced while problem solving. Additional variables of interest include student's perceived competence (c) while problem solving and students perceived usefulness (u) of problem solving in their lives. A pre-test and a post-test consisting of open-ended problems were utilized to assess the fluency of solutions (S) and the number of inventive solutions (I). A modified Fennema-Sherman attitude questionnaire was utilized to assess student's perceived competence (c) and perceived usefulness (u). The findings indicated that students who are taught a structured problem solving method produce a statistically significant (p-value of .033) greater number of inventive solutions when compared to students not instructed in this method. These students also appear to focus their problem solving by producing less total solutions (s) but a greater portion of these solutions is inventive. Other findings include data that supports the idea that dedicated problem solving instruction increases students perceptions of their own abilities to problem solving. Both control and treatment groups experience a statistically significant increase in their perceived competence in problem solving (p-value of .430 and .382 respectively).

The dissertation is an investigation of the Swedish engineering company AGA’s inventive activity during the years 1904-1959. Inventive activity denotes the company’s efforts in rying to develop innovations. Operations such as patents, experiments, business methods, business co-operations, technical development and other related activities have been studied. Through its lighting system for beacons, which emanated from the international gas industry, AGA had a strong economic base, and could thus go through periods of strong diversification. This led to the growth of more branches on the company’s product tree, and the aim of this dissertation has been to map out and understand how this AGA tree developed. One point of departure for this study has been to investigate how the inventive activity at AGA reacted to changes in the demand side of the economy. According to the American economist Jacob Schmookler the demand determines the development of innovative activity. The American economic historian Nathan Rosenberg has criticised Schmookler, however, arguing that it is the resources of knowledge which dictate the innovative course, since technology transfers are costly to put into economic practice. A third perspective, partly bridging these differences of opinions, is the discussion on the influence of technology procurement, which, among others, the Swedish innovation researcher Charles Edquist has presented. These perspectives frame my study, which maps AGA through two major changes in technology during the first half of the twentieth century. The AGA product tree consists of path dependent shifts in technology; possibilities to develop new technology opened up in the interaction between the company and the market. Among other things, the main innovation, the AGA flasher, originally developed for the lighting in beacons, proved to be functional for railway signalling devices and respirators. Through general market changes outside the company, similar opportunities arose for AGA to develop already existing technique for new markets. During the period of research the inventive activity was characterized by a constant experimenting, where the company’s success to a large extent rested on the engineers’ ingenuity. AGA, being product diversified, had little room to act independently on the market. Thus, to a high degree the company had to adjust its inventive activity to market demand. By cooperating with initiated customers, above all public ones, AGA had the opportunity to continuously develop products in demand, despite limited resources.

大学における知的財産の事業化に関して、バイドール法の施行に伴う日本と米国の影響は異なる結果となった。バイドール法は、日本の大学における研究活動活性化に対して、重要な影響を与えていなかったのに対し、米国では大学における研究活動を活性化させるのに寄与したと判断できる。また、発明を商業化するための特許取得に関する行動でも、影響の小さかった日本に対し、米国では発明からの収益を最大化させるような行動を高めたことが示された。 / Liberalizations of Japan's and America's policies on academics' intellectual property commercialization resulted in different outcomes. Japan's results show no significant change resulting from liberalization, while US results showed both significant improvement in academics' retention of research work after the system changed and that improvement aligned US academics with the level of participation present in Japan both before and after its policy change. This overlapping finding suggests that Japan's academics were already optimally involved in inventive activities when liberalization occurred. / 博士(技術経営) / Doctor of Philosophy in Technology and Innovative Management / 同志社大学 / Doshisha University

Yes / Development of robust diagnostic solutions to monitor the health of systems and components to ensure through life cost effectiveness is often technically difficult, requiring an effective integration of design development with research and innovation. This paper presents a structured application of TRIZ and USIT (Unitied Structured Inventive Thinking) to generate concept solutions fur an in-service diagnostic system for a synchronous belt drive system for an automotive application. The systematic exploration through TRIZ and USIT methods has led to the development of six concept solution ideas directed at the functional requirement to determine the state or condition of the belt. The paper demonstrates that the combined deployment of TRIZ and USIT frameworks is a valuable approach addressing difficult design problems. (C) 2013 The Authors. Published by Elsevier B.V. Open access under CC BY-NC-ND license.

No description available.

Une des caractéristiques les plus frappantes de la conception inventive est le fait qu’évaluer des solutions peut se révéler être plus difficile que de les trouver. Avoir des idées est inutile si celles-ci sont rejetées à un stade précoce. Dans de nombreuses évaluations qualitatives et méthodes sélectives, les critères d’évaluation sont généralement constitués à partir des besoins de conception qui sont fortement influencé par les préférences ou l’expérience des décideurs. Afin de tirer parti de l’inventivité d’une entreprise en octroyant des chances supplémentaires quant à des concepts possibles, cette thèse présente des approches et des outils d’aide à l’évaluation et à la sélection de concepts de solution obtenus dans le cadre de la Méthode de Conception Inventive. Les contributions de cette thèse peuvent servir comme outils d’aide à la conception et à la prise de décision. / One of the most striking characteristics of inventive design is that evaluating solutions may prove to be more difficult than finding them. Having good ideas is useless if they are rejected at an early stage. In many existing qualitative evaluation and selection methods (see design model), evaluation criteria are usually taken from the design requirement, which is strongly influenced by customer preferences or decision makers’ experience. In order to leverage inventiveness of a company through additional chances of feasible concepts. This thesis presents approaches and support tools to evaluate and select Solution Concepts obtained from Inventive Design Method (IDM) framework. The contributions in this thesis can be used as a decision-making aid and tool.

[...] Le sujet de cette thèse intervient dans le cadre du projet DEFI et vise à caractériser la notion d'Efficience Inventive en Conception afin d'élaborer des moyens de mesure de cette dernière. L’objectif étant à terme d’aboutir à l'adoption d’indicateurs aidant les entreprises à situer leurs capacités inventives en R&D. Par la suite, les entreprises ayant adopté ces indicateurs pourront, le cas échéant, entamer des actions d'évolution de leurs pratiques afin que la valeur de ces indicateurs évolue dans le sens recherché. Aux vues de la diversité des typologies d’entreprises et l’ampleur d’un tel sujet, notre recherche est focalisée sur les projets de conception de produits au sein des départements R&D de l’industrie automobile. Afin de mener cette recherche et définir les indicateurs de l’efficience inventive, nous avons étudié dans un premier temps les critères inhérents à la conception inventive. Selon nos travaux, la mesure de la performance inventive est corrélée à l’efficience inventive et doit considérer son efficacité par des caractéristiques ciblées, l’étude des connaissances impliquées et des ressources consommées. Notre mesure de l’efficience inventive est aussi basée sur l’analyse des flux des connaissances en jeu tout au long du processus d’innovation technologique, et particulièrement dans la phase de pré-développement. Elle analyse la relation entre ce qui est reçu et ce qui est appliqué ou consommé par rapport à l’inventivité. La mesure de l’inventivité est alors basée sur l’évaluation de l’idéalité, la nouveauté et l’utilité de ce qui sort du processus de conception de produit. L’ensemble des méthodes d’évaluation développées dans ce travail pour chaque critère d’inventivité, et l’efficience inventive, sont intégrés dans un système d’évaluation concret nommé IDPMS (Inventive Design Performance Measurement System) destiné à aider les directeurs des projets de la conception de produit et R&D à observer la performance inventive des équipes projet, et tenter d’améliorer les activités inventives. Donc, ce travail se catégorise dans le domain des sciences de l’ingénieur. Depuis plus de deux décennies, notre laboratoire (le LGéCo) travaille à la construction, d’abord théorique, puis déclinée en méthodes et outils, de nouvelles approches destinées à accompagner les mutations industrielles de l’ère de la qualité vers l’ère de l’innovation. A cet égard, cette thèse fournira un chaînon manquant : celui qui concerne l’évaluation, et la mesure de ce qui caractérise l’amont de l'innovation afin d’aider les entreprises à entrer, par rapport à ces dernières, en logique de performance. / [...] This thesis was defined in the DEFI project to characterize the notion of efficiency in Inventive Design, and develop the metrics of inventive-design. The objective of this proposal is to define inventive performance indicators to enhance the creative capacity in the automotive industry. The research is focused on the NPD projects of R&D department, which are known as the responsible of technological evolutions. In this respect, the main elements of design performance, and the main criteria of inventiveness are studied and merged together. The inventive performance of a R&D team is concerned with the efficiency of their activities to create inventive designs when they apply existing knowledge, and/or use creative resources. This analyzes the relationship between what is received and what is applied or consumed to achieve higher inventiveness degree. The measures of inventiveness are based on the evaluation of novelty, resourcefulness, and usefulness of what comes out from design activities. All the evaluation methods developed in this work are integrated into a concrete system as IDPMS (Inventive Design Performance Measurement System), and an initial version of the IDPMS application is developed, by which R&D and project managers can observe the inventive performance of their NPD projects. So this work is categorized in Engineering Science for specifying performance indicators of inventive design activities. In recent years, our laboratory (LGeCo) focused on developing theoretical methods, then appropriate tools to accompany the industrial changes from the era of quality to the era of innovation. In this regard, this thesis provides the missing link of this effort by evaluating the main characteristics of inventions in engineering level to help companies enter into a logic performance along their innovation projects.