AnalogiePatentFinder

概要

本プロジェクトは、ユーザが解決したいと考えている問題に対して、それに役立つかもしれないアイデアをアナロジーとして提示することを目的としたWebアプリケーションです。 このアプリは、特許技術の根本的なアイデアを抽象化し、異なる分野から類似する解決策を見つけ出すための新しいアプローチを提供します。

プロジェクトの背景と目的

特許は、技術的進展や問題解決を目指して記述されますが、その背後には、他分野でも適用可能な根本的なアイデアが存在します。本プロジェクトでは、特許の技術や目的を抽象クラスと向上パラメータの観点から統一的に表現し、これに基づいて特許を分類します。このアプローチにより、異なる分野間でも似たような問題を解決しようとする特許を効率的に探索し、ユーザの抱える問題に対する有用なアイデアを提示します。

主な機能

1. 抽象的な技術分類と検索 自然言語処理技術を用いて、特許を45の抽象クラスとTRIZ[3]で定義される39の向上パラメータで整理し、ユーザがクエリとして入力した「対象」と「向上させたいパラメータ」に基づいて、類似する特許を検索します。 これにより、ユーザの課題に対して異分野の特許が提供する根本的なアイデアを発見します。

2. 動的な特許説明の生成 各特許の持つ技術的問題、解決アイデア、そしてそのアイデアが他の分野でどのように応用可能かを、LLM（大規模言語モデル）を活用して自動生成します。こ れにより、専門外の分野でのアイデアも理解しやすくなり、アナロジーを通じて新たな技術解決策を見出すサポートを行います。

技術的意義

本プロジェクトは、特許を単に技術の集積としてではなく、共通の抽象的な問題解決の基盤として捉えなおす新しい視点を提供します。特許の技術分類とAIを活用した動的な解析を組み合わせることで、異分野の技術アナロジーを通じたイノベーションを促進し、ユーザが持つ課題に対して革新的な解決策を見つけるための手助けをします。

現在、Readmeは整備中です。

Demo Video

low_demo_analogical_patent.mp4

Quick Start

DockerがPCにインストールされているなら、このプロジェクトを試すことができます。以下の手順に従ってください。

1. リポジトリのクローン

まず、このリポジトリをクローンします。

git clone <リポジトリURL>
cd <リポジトリディレクトリ>

2. 設定ファイルの編集

次に、server/config/ディレクトリにあるconfig_example.jsonファイルを編集して、config.jsonという名前に変更します。

config_example.json を config.json にリネーム

mv server/config/config_example.json server/config/config.json

config.json の編集

以下のようにファイルを編集してください。

• "GEMINI_API_KEY"：Google AI Studio (https://ai.google.dev/aistudio?hl=ja) にアクセスして取得したAPIキーを設定します。必ず値を " " で囲ってください。
• "USE_GEMINI_MODEL"：使用したいGEMINIモデルを設定します。特にこだわりがなければ、"gemini-1.5-pro" を設定します。

例：

{
    "GEMINI_API_KEY": "YOUR_GEMINI_API_KEY_HERE",
    "USE_GEMINI_MODEL": "gemini-1.5-pro",
    ...
}

注意：

• 試すだけなら、"GEMINI_API_KEY" と "USE_GEMINI_MODEL" を設定するだけで十分です。
• 無料で使えることを想定しています。請求が発生しないように、Google Cloudプロジェクトの課金設定はオフにしてください。

3. Docker Composeを使用してプロジェクトをビルドおよび起動

次に、このプロジェクトのルートディレクトリで以下のコマンドを実行します。

docker-compose up --build

このコマンドは、プロジェクトをビルドし、必要なすべてのコンテナを起動します。

4. アプリケーションへのアクセス

ビルドおよび起動が完了したら、以下のURLにアクセスしてアプリケーションを開きます。

http://localhost:5173/

これで、アプリケーションが動作するはずです。何か問題が発生した場合は教えて下さい。 プロトタイプで2000特許しかアノテーションされていないので、クエリによっては検索結果が0件の可能性もあります。

experimental data

• [8]より、GPT-4は専門的なデータでもアノテーションできることが示されているので、特許分野も同様にアノテーションできると考えた。したがって、GPT-4oを用いてクラス分けを行っている。
• どちらも、各クラスの頻度が一様で無いことは明らかである。
• これは、使用した分類の真の分布が一様でないのか、GPTの持つバイアスによるものなのかはわからない。
  しかし、よりアナロジーへの貢献が見込まれる結果を表示するためには、どちらにしろ確率の高いクラスは細分化する必要があると感じている。
  
  

Explanation of the 39 Improvement Parameters [12]

A. Moving objects
Objects which can easily change position in space, either on theirown, or as a result of external forces.Vehicles and objectsdesigned to be portable are the basic members of this class.
B. Stationary objects
Objects which do not change position in space, either on theirown, or as a result of external forces.Consider the conditionsunder which the object is being used.

1. Weight of moving object
   The mass of the object, in a gravitational field. The force that the body exerts on its support or suspension.
2. Weight of stationary object
   The mass of the object, in a gravitational field. The force that the body exerts on its support or suspension, or on the surface on which it rests.
3. Length of moving object
   Any one linear dimension, not necessarily the longest, is considered a length.
4. Length of stationary object
   Any one linear dimension, not necessarily the longest, is considered a length.
5. Area of moving object
   A geometrical characteristic described by the part of a plane enclosed by a line. The part of a surface occupied by the object. OR the square measure of the surface, either internal or external, of an object.
6. Area of stationary object
   A geometrical characteristic described by the part of a plane enclosed by a line. The part of a surface occupied by the object. OR the square measure of the surface, either internal or external, of an object.
7. Volume of moving object
   The cubic measure of space occupied by the object. Length x width x height for a rectangular object, height x area for a cylinder, etc.
8. Volume of stationary object
   The cubic measure of space occupied by the object. Length x width x height for a rectangular object, height x area for a cylinder, etc.
9. Speed
   The velocity of an object; the rate of a process or action in time.
10. Force
    Force measures the interaction between systems. In Newtonian physics, force = mass x acceleration. In TRIZ, force is any interaction that is intended to change an object’s condition.
11. Stress or pressure
    Force per unit area. Also, tension.
12. Shape
    The external contours, appearance of a system.
13. Stability of the object’s composition
    The wholeness or integrity of the system; the relationship of the system’s constituent elements. Wear, chemical decomposition, and disassembly are all decreases in stability. Increasing entropy is decreasing stability.
14. Strength
    The extent to which the object is able to resist changing in response to force. Resistance to breaking.
15. Duration of action by a moving object
    The time that the object can perform the action. Service life. Mean time between failure is a measure of the duration of action. Also, durability.
16. Duration of action by a stationary object
    The time that the object can perform the action. Service life. Mean time between failure is a measure of the duration of action. Also, durability.
17. Temperature
    The thermal condition of the object or system. Loosely includes other thermal parameters, such as heat capacity, that affect the rate of change of temperature.
18. Illumination intensity
    Light flux per unit area, also any other illumination characteristics of the system such as brightness, light quality, etc.
19. Use of energy by moving object
    The measure of the object’s capacity for doing work. In classical mechanics, Energy is the product of force x distance. This includes the use of energy provided by the super-system (such as electrical energy or heat). Energy required to do a particular job.
20. Use of energy by stationary object
    The measure of the object’s capacity for doing work. In classical mechanics, Energy is the product of force x distance. This includes the use of energy provided by the super-system (such as electrical energy or heat). Energy required to do a particular job.
21. Power
    The time rate at which work is performed. The rate of use of energy.
22. Loss of Energy
    Use of energy that does not contribute to the job being done. See 19. Reducing the loss of energy sometimes requires different techniques from improving the use of energy, which is why this is a separate category.
23. Loss of substance
    Partial or complete, permanent or temporary, loss of some of a system’s materials, substances, parts or subsystems.
24. Loss of Information
    Partial or complete, permanent or temporary, loss of data or access to data in or by a system. Frequently includes sensory data such as aroma, texture, etc.
25. Loss of Time
    Time is the duration of an activity. Improving the loss of time means reducing the time taken for the activity. ‘Cycle time reduction’ is a common term.
26. Quantity of substance/the matter
    The number or amount of a system’s materials, substances, parts or subsystems which might be changed fully or partially, permanently or temporarily.
27. Reliability
    A system’s ability to perform its intended functions in predictable ways and conditions.
28. Measurement accuracy
    The closeness of the measured value to the actual value of a property of a system. Reducing the error in a measurement increases the accuracy of the measurement.
29. Manufacturing precision
    The extent to which the actual characteristics of the system or object match the specified or required characteristics.
30. External harm affects the object
    Susceptibility of a system to externally generated (harmful) effects.
31. Object-generated harmful factors
    A harmful effect is one that reduces the efficiency or quality of the functioning of the object or system. These harmful effects are generated by the object or system, as part of its operation.
32. Ease of manufacture
    The degree of facility, comfort or effortlessness in manufacturing or fabricating the object/system.
33. Ease of operation
    Simplicity: The process is not easy if it requires a large number of people, large number of steps in the operation, needs special tools, etc. ‘Hard’ processes have low yield and ‘easy’ processes have high yield; they are easy to do right.
34. Ease of repair
    Quality characteristics such as convenience, comfort, simplicity, and time to repair faults, failures or defects in a system.
35. Adaptability or versatility
    The extent to which a system/object positively responds to external changes. Also, a system that can be used in multiple ways for under a variety of circumstances.
36. Device complexity
    The number and diversity of elements and element interrelationships within a system. The user may be an element of the system that increases the complexity. The difficulty of mastering the system is a measure of its complexity.
37. Difficulty of detecting and measuring
    Measuring or monitoring systems that are complex, costly, require much time and labor to set up and use, or that have complex relationships between components or components that interfere with each other all demonstrate ‘difficulty of detecting and measuring.’ Increasing cost of measuring to a satisfactory error is also a sign of increased difficulty of measuring.
38. Extent of automation
    The extent to which a system or object performs its functions without human interface. The lowest level of automation is the use of a manually operated tool. For intermediate levels, humans program the tool, observe its operation, and interrupt or re-program as needed. For the highest level, the machine senses the operation needed, programs itself and monitors its own operations.
39. Productivity
    The number of functions or operations performed by a system per unit time. The time for a unit function or operation. The output per unit time, or the cost per unit output.

fig1: 向上パラメータでクラス分けしたときの、各クラスのfrequency

Explanation of the 45 abstract classes [9]

A. Branch To cause a flow (material, energy, signal) to no longer be joined or mixed.

1. Separate
   To isolate a flow (material, energy, signal) into distinct components. The separated components are distinct from the flow before separation, as well as each other. Example: A glass prism separates light into different wavelength components to produce a rainbow.

2. Divide
   To separate a flow. Example: A vending machine divides the solid form of coins into appropriate denominations.

3. Extract
   To draw, or forcibly pull out, a flow. Example: A vacuum cleaner extracts debris from the imported mixture and exports clean air to the environment.

4. Remove
   To take away a part of a flow from its prefixed place. Example: A sander removes small pieces of the wood surface to smooth the wood.

5. Distribute
   To cause a flow (material, energy, signal) to break up. The individual bits are similar to each other and the undistributed flow. Example: An atomizer distributes (or sprays) hair-styling liquids over the head to hold the hair in the desired style.

B. Channel To cause a flow (material, energy, signal) to move from one location to another location.

6. Import
   To bring in a flow (material, energy, signal) from outside the system boundary. Example: A physical opening at the top of a blender pitcher imports a solid (food) into the system. Also, a handle on the blender pitcher imports a human hand.

7. Export
   To send a flow (material, energy, signal) outside the system boundary. Example: Pouring blended food out of a standard blender pitcher exports liquid from the system. The opening at the top of the blender is a solution to the export sub-function.

8. Transfer
   To shift, or convey, a flow (material, energy, signal) from one place to another.

9. Transport
   To move a material from one place to another. Example: A coffee maker transports liquid (water) from its reservoir through its heating chamber and then to the filter basket.

10. Transmit
    To move energy from one place to another. Example: In a hand-held power sander, the housing of the sander transmits human force to the object being sanded.

11. Guide
    To direct the course of a flow (material, energy, signal) along a specific path. Example: A domestic HVAC system guides gas (air) around the house to the correct locations via a set of ducts.

12. Translate
    To fix the movement of a flow by a device into one linear direction. Example: In an assembly line, a conveyor belt translates partially completed products from one assembly station to another.

13. Rotate
    To fix the movement of a flow by a device around one axis. Example: A computer disk drive rotates the magnetic disks around an axis so that the head can read data.

14. Allow degree of freedom (DOF)
    To control the movement of a flow by a force external to the device into one or more directions. Example: To provide easy trunk access and close appropriately, trunk lids need to move along a specific degree of freedom. A four-bar linkage allows a rotational DOF for the trunk lid.

C. Connect To bring two or more flows (material, energy, signal) together.

15. Couple
    To join or bring together flows (material, energy, signal) such that the members are still distinguishable from each other. Example: A standard pencil couples an eraser and a writing shaft. The coupling is performed using a metal sleeve that is crimped to the eraser and the shaft.

16. Join
    To couple flows together in a predetermined manner. Example: A ratchet joins a socket on its square shaft interface.

17. Link
    To couple flows together by means of an intermediary flow. Example: A turnbuckle links two ends of a steering cable together.

18. Mix
    To combine two flows (material, energy, signal) into a single, uniform homogeneous mass. Example: A shaker mixes a paint base and its dyes to form a homogeneous liquid.

D. Control magnitude To alter or govern the size or amplitude of a flow (material, energy, signal).

19. Actuate
    To commence the flow of energy, signal, or material in response to an imported control signal. Example: A circuit switch actuates the flow of electrical energy and turns on a light bulb.

20. Regulate
    To adjust the flow of energy, signal, or material in response to a control signal, such as a characteristic of a flow. Example: Turning the valves regulates the flow rate of the liquid flowing from a faucet.

21. Increase
    To enlarge a flow in response to a control signal. Example: Opening the valve of a faucet further increases the flow of water.

22. Decrease
    To reduce a flow in response to a control signal. Example: Closing the valve further decreases the flow of propane to the gas grill.

23. Change
    To adjust the flow of energy, signal, or material in a predetermined and fixed manner. Example: In a hand-held drill, a variable resistor changes the electrical energy flow to the motor, thus changing the speed at which the drill turns.

24. Increment
    To enlarge a flow in a predetermined and fixed manner. Example: A magnifying glass increments the visual signal (i.e., the print) from a paper document.

25. Decrement
    To reduce a flow in a predetermined and fixed manner. Example: The gear train of a power screwdriver decrements the flow of rotational energy.

26. Shape
    To mold or form a flow. Example: In the auto industry, large presses shape sheet metal into contoured surfaces that become fenders, hoods, and trunks.

27. Condition
    To render a flow appropriate for the desired use. Example: To prevent damage to electrical equipment, a surge protector conditions electrical energy by excluding spikes and noise (usually through capacitors) from the energy path.

28. Stop
    To cease, or prevent, the transfer of a flow (material, energy, signal). Example: A reflective coating on a window stops the transmission of UV radiation through a window.

29. Prevent
    To keep a flow from happening. Example: A submerged gate on a dam wall prevents water from flowing to the other side.

30. Inhibit
    To significantly restrain a flow, though a portion of the flow continues to be transferred. Example: The structures of space vehicles inhibit the flow of radiation to protect crew and cargo.

E. Convert To change from one form of a flow (material, energy, signal) to another. For completeness, any type of flow conversion is valid. In practice, conversions such as converting electricity to torque will be more common than converting solid to optical energy. Example: An electrical motor converts electricity to rotational energy.

31. Transformation
    To convert a flow (material, energy, signal) from one form to another. Example: An electrical motor transforms electrical energy into rotational energy.

F. Provision To accumulate or provide a material or energy flow.

32. Store
    To accumulate a flow. Example: A DC electrical battery stores the energy in a flashlight.

33. Contain
    To keep a flow within limits. Example: A vacuum bag contains debris vacuumed from a house.

34. Collect
    To bring a flow together into one place. Example: Solar panels collect UV sun rays to power small mechanisms.

35. Supply
    To provide a flow from storage. Example: In a flashlight, the battery supplies energy to the bulb.

G. Signal To provide information on a material, energy, or signal flow as an output signal flow. The information providing flow passes through the function unchanged.

36. Sense
    To perceive, or become aware, of a flow. Example: An audiocassette machine senses if the end of the tape has been reached.

37. Detect
    To discover information about a flow. Example: A gauge on the top of a gas cylinder detects proper pressure ranges.

38. Measure
    To determine the magnitude of a flow. Example: An analog thermostat measures temperature through a bimetallic strip.

39. Indicate
    To make something known to the user about a flow. Example: A small window in the water container of a coffee maker indicates the level of water in the machine.

40. Track
    To observe and record data from a flow. Example: By tracking the performance of batteries, the low efficiency point can be determined.

41. Display
    To reveal something about a flow to the mind or eye. Example: The xyz-coordinate display on a vertical milling machine displays the precise location of the cutting tool.

42. Process
    To submit information to a particular treatment or method having a set number of operations or steps. Example: A computer processes a login request signal before allowing a user access to its facilities.

H. Support To firmly fix a material into a defined location, or secure an energy or signal into a specific course.

43. Stabilize
    To prevent a flow from changing course or location. Example: On a typical canister vacuum, the center of gravity is placed at a low elevation to stabilize the vacuum when it is pulled by the hose.

44. Secure
    To firmly fix a flow path. Example: On a bicycling glove, a Velcro strap secures the human hand in the correct place.

45. Position
    To place a flow (material, energy, signal) into a specific location or orientation. Example: The coin slot on a soda machine positions the coin to begin the coin evaluation and transportation procedure.

fig2: 抽象クラスでクラス分けしたときの、各クラスのfrequency

参考文献

1. L. Liu, Y. Li, Y. Xiong, and D. Cavallucci, “A new function-based patent knowledge retrieval tool for conceptual design of innovative products,” vol. 115, Nov. 2019, doi: 10.1016/j.compind.2019.103154.
2. H. B. Kang, X. Qian, T. Hope, D. Shahaf, J. Chan, and A. Kittur, “Augmenting Scientific Creativity with an Analogical Search Engine,” vol. 29, no. 6, p. 1, Nov. 2022, doi: 10.1145/3530013.
3. “特別企画 TRIZ で問題解決・課題達成！ ！-TRIZ の全体像と活用法.”
4. K. Gilon, J. Chan, F. Y. Ng, H. Liifshitz-Assaf, A. Kittur, and D. Shahaf, “Analogy Mining for Specific Design Needs,” Apr. 2018, doi: 10.1145/3173574.3173695.
5. H. B. Kang et al., “BIOSPARK: An End-to-End Generative System for Biological-Analogical Inspirations and Ideation.”
6. T. Hope, J. Chan, A. Kittur, and D. Shahaf, “Accelerating Innovation Through Analogy Mining,” Aug. 2017, doi: 10.1145/3097983.3098038.
7. L. Yu, R. E. Kraut, and A. Kittur, “Distributed Analogical Idea Generation with Multiple Constraints,” Feb. 2016, doi: 10.1145/2818048.2835201.
8. J. Savelka, K. D. Ashley, M. A. Gray, H. Westermann, and H. Xu, “Can GPT-4 Support Analysis of Textual Data in Tasks Requiring Highly Specialized Domain Expertise?”
9. J. Hirtz, R. B. Stone, D. A. Mcadams, S. Szykman, and K. L. Wood, “A functional basis for engineering design: Reconciling and evolving previous efforts,” vol. 13, no. 2, p. 65, Feb. 2002, doi: 10.1007/s00163-001-0008-3.
10. L. Yu, A. Kittur, and R. E. Kraut, “Searching for analogical ideas with crowds,” Apr. 2014, doi: 10.1145/2556288.2557378.
11. L. Yu, A. Kittur, and R. E. Kraut, “Distributed analogical idea generation,” Apr. 2014, doi: 10.1145/2556288.2557371.
12. Karen Gadd,"TRIZ for Engineers: Enabling Inventive Problem Solving",March 2011,doi: 10.1002/9780470684320