Quality Alchemist (品質煉金術師): Patent Analysis and Corporate Development Series 2016

2016年4月16日星期六

Patent Analysis and Corporate Development Series 2016 - Extenics (可拓學)

The training program on “Patent Analysis and Corporate Development Series 2016” (專利分析導航企業發展) was organized by Shenzhen Intellectual Property Society (深圳市知識產權研究會 ) from March to August 2016. It aims to enhance the scientific management on IP skill and quality of R&D with IP protection. I attended the 2^nd series named “Extenics (可拓學)”. The training was held in Shenzhen Science Museum from 15 to 16 April 2016. I took a photo in front of the venue.

Before the seminar, I took a photo with Prof. Cai Wen (蔡文) (middle) and Dr. Michael Li (Founding President, Institute of Systematic Innovation, Hong Kong (ISIHK)) (left). Extenics (可拓學) is original developed by Prof. Cai Wen (蔡文) through his 30 years research (The first paper published since 1983). Extenics includes three steps and they are “Extension”, “Transfer” and “Evaluation”. Moreover, I got Prof. Cai’s signature for his books.

Day 1 (15 Apr 2016)

Prof. Cai Wen (蔡文) (The Director of International Academy of Extenics (HK), The National Distinguished Experts of China) was the first speaker. He introduced the theory of Extenics and how it generated creative thinking. He said that Extenics is used to create many idea for solving contradiction problem. A story of measure elephant (曹沖稱象) was one of examples.

Prof. Cai said the first step was Modeling. It based on the Basic-element theory utilized Matter-element (基元), Affair-element (物元) and Relationships-element (關係元). He explained each element and using the Jet engine sample for describing the Relationships-element.

Then Prof. Cai explained how creative idea generated of (基元) through Thing Element (物元) (fundamental elements of things such as name, characteristics and measures), Function Element (事元) (Product function which satisfy people needs), Relationship Element (關係元) (started from relevant things to create new product).

Prof. Cai summarized the Basic-element theory (基元) that included Matter-element (基元), Affair-element (物元) and Relationships-element (關係元). Each element can be expressed as dimensional form of Objects (物/動作/關係詞), Features / Characters (特徵) and Values (量值).

Each element, whatever it belongs to Matter, Affair or Relationship, could extend to many different items. For instance, it could be One Character Many Objects (一徵多對象), One Character Many Values (一徵多值), One Object Many Characters (一對象多徵), One Object Many Values (一對象多值), One Value Many Characters (一值多徵) and One Value Many Objects (一值多對象). It is the Tree of Divergence (發散樹).

Prof. Cai concluded four Extension directions include Divergence (發散), Correlative (相關), Implication (蘊含) and Opening-up (分合).

Prof. Cai said the first two parts of Extenics had been introduced and his partners (included Prof. Yang Chunyan) would mention the remaining two parts on 16 Mar 2016.

Then we had a lunch together and exchanging ideas.

(Left: XX, 黃盼 (Technical Director, Industrial Robot Patent Alliance), I, Dr. Michael Li, Mr. Yin Hanfan (鄞漢藩) (General Secretary, SZIPS), Prof. Cai Wen (蔡文), Mr. Shao Bo (劭波) (Shenzhen Thrive-god Technology Development Co. Ltd.), 付東 (主任, 民間發明人的高交會. 發起人), YY)

Afternoon session, Mr. Aki Ryuka (Patent Attorney.Japan, RYUKA IP LAW FIRM) was the second speaker and his topic named “Electronic Technology˙Software Invention Patent Strategy”. Firstly, he briefed some observation from Japan about Patent Strategy. He said the early applied Patent before others could generate a huge profit/value. He quoted some cases such as CD player, Gambling slot machine.

Then Mr. Ryuka explained some application problem of patent in Japan. Before most engineers applied the technology for existing usage which was not able to create much benefit, moreover, it could be IP infringement easily.

So Mr. Ryuka proposed IP visualization. He told us how to extract the potential knowledge from inventor to be solid knowledge and then to apply patent.

Then Mr. Ryuka said the thinking method on invention could be standardization such as Technology extension, Problem Searching and Solving.

The process of IP visualization steps were explained in sequence: Discussion, Set topic, Brainstorming, Review Meeting, Draft the patent statement and submission of application.

Finally, Mr. Ryuka summarized IP visualization with three input items and three output items. The input items included “Select the strategy topic”, “Potential knowledge of technical people” and “Pre-investigation and Invention development”. The output items involved “Create and protect new business”, “Enhance the R&D” and “Improve technical people’s invention competence”.

During the break, Dr. Aaron Tong had come and we took a photo for memory.

I also took a photo with Mr. Aki Ryuka.

After the break, Ms. Guo (高橋華野) explained the patent sales and its strategy to apply patent. She is Japanese but presented in Chinese.

She demonstrated the diagram and explained in different situations using different strategies. The diagram x-axis is profit from other company (Left) to profit from own company (Right). The y-axis is the strength of patent from other company (Down) to own company (Up). After the patent market analysis, we could apply different strategy included Benefit, Exclusive and Cross-approval.

During Q&A session, Dr. Aaron shared his opinions on today training.

Day 2 (16 Apr 2016)

Prof. Yang Chunyan (楊春燕) (Director, Institute of Extenics and Innovation Methods, Guangdong University of Technology) was the third speaker in Day 2 and her topic entitled “Extension Transformation Method (可拓變換方法)”.

Prof. Yang used the story of measure elephant (曹沖稱象) again to explain the transformation of one of characteristics which was “weight”. The case transformation was Object from elephant to stone. For product, she used fire resistant plate. One of transformation used for same functionality. Then a new product would be created.

Therefore, Prof. Yang summarized the following transformation methods based on Three key elements included Matter-element (物元), Affair-element (事元) and Relationships-element (關係元). Apart from the above elements, rule and region could also be transferred. So we could employ this method to solve contradiction problems and to develop new products.

Prof. Yang explained seven transformation methods in the Basic Transformation Table. Methods included: Replacement (置換), Increase or Decrease (增減), Delete (删減), Expand (擴大), Reduce (縮小), Break Down (分解) and Copy (複制). The key items were Objective, Condition, Rule and Scope.

During the break, Dr. Aaron Tong and I took a photo with Yang Chunyan (楊春燕) and Mr. Yin Hanfan (鄞漢藩). I also asked Prof. Yang to sign her book (co-author with Prof. Cai).

After break, Prof. Yang introduced four basic transformation logics to us. They are TIMES (sequence), AND, OR and NOT (Inverter).

Prof. Yang concluded the Extension Transformation included Basic Transformation, Transformation Logic, Transmission Transformation and Conjugate Transformation. In order to solve contradiction problem, we needed to use this tools to transform Object, Elements, Rule and Scope, etc.

The last part was Evaluation and Selection. There were Four Principles and Seven Steps. Four Principles included Objective, Holistic, Practical and Stability. Seven steps were shown as follows:

1. Select the measurement condition

2. Define weighing

3. First assessment

4. Establish relationship function and calculate the level of relationship

5. Calculate relationship criteria

6. Calculate the optimal score

7. Select based on the priority of optimized result

The Extenics four steps were reviewed. They were 1) Building the model, 2) Extension, 3) Transformation and 4) Selection.

One example for cup design was discussed using Extension Table.

Dr. Aaron Tong and I had lunch with Prof. Yang and Extenics members.

The last speaker was Mr. Chen (陳亮) and his topic was discussed the Extenics application in Patent. The last part of Extenics for conjugate transformation would be also discussed.

Firstly, Mr. Chen briefed different ideas of Creativity (e.g. James Webb Young said Creativity was re-assembly the old things to be new things.) Then he introduced he father of Innovation Theory who is Joseph Alois Schumpeter (1883-1950) who was economist. He is the first one to raise Innovation Theory in 1912.

Then Mr. Chen introduced the Conjugate Transformation Method which would generate creative ideas through the follow four conjugations.

1. Material: Real vs Virtual

2. System: Hardware vs Software

3. Dynamics: Obvious vs Hiding

4. Opposite: Plus (+) vs Minus (-)

The process flow of Extenics Three Steps Method was discussed.

Mr. Chen also employed the Conjugate Transformation Method for business. For example, the core is market value. They separated asset capital and non-asset capital (e.g. IP).

He also used a table to explain the usage of Extenics through different question included “Who”, “When”, “Where”, “Why”, “What” and “How” about IP protection.

Finally, Mr. Chen summarized the Patent Protection rule based on the IP elements. If your new items had just increased one element on other’s IP, you still needed to pay the patent fee. If you could reduce one element of original IP or and then add one new element after reduction, you could apply the new IP.