A decision-making method based on patent analysis at stages between conceptual design, prototyping, and production ramp-up

Abstract

When moving from concept design to prototype and mass production stages in product development, large capital investments are required, and careful decision-making is necessary. To assist in this decision-making, stage-gate methods and real options have been proposed, but they have yet to provide sufficient material for decision-making. Usually, patent searches are conducted to find operating principles that realize functions. However, it is thought that the subject of patent rights and information on related patents may provide materials to determine not only whether a concept being designed can be realized, but also whether it should have proceeded within our own organization. Therefore, we have proposed and verified a method to support concept evaluation in the upstream design stage and decision-making when moving to the mass production stage, using patent information.