Jack HippleMark Reeves Idea ConnectionsInventive Solutions Urbana, ILSt. Paul, MN

©2001 Idea Connection Systems, Inc.OH;Template;10/97; 10/12/98 ;PP

THE USE OF TRIZ TO INCREASE THE THE USE OF TRIZ TO INCREASE THE VALUE OF INTELLECTUAL PROPERTYVALUE OF INTELLECTUAL PROPERTY

LICENSING EXECUTIVE SOCIETYLICENSING EXECUTIVE SOCIETYATLANTA, GAATLANTA, GA

2/21/012/21/01Jack HippleJack Hipple Mark ReevesMark Reeves

Idea ConnectionsIdea Connections Inventive Inventive SolutionsSolutions

Urbana, ILUrbana, IL St. Paul, MNSt. Paul, MN

www.innovation-triz.comwww.innovation-triz.com


TOPICSTOPICS

• Patterns of inventionPatterns of invention• Lines of evolutionLines of evolution• Applying TRIZ to increase Applying TRIZ to increase

the value of intellectual the value of intellectual propertyproperty


1945: Patent for processing peppers. Force air inside of the peppers. Suddenly reduce the pressure. Seeds and stems separate from pepper body.


• Removing stems from bell peppersRemoving stems from bell peppers

• Removing shells form sunflower seedsRemoving shells form sunflower seeds

• Cleaning filtersCleaning filters

• Unpacking parts wrapped in protective Unpacking parts wrapped in protective paperpaper

• Splitting diamonds along micro-cracksSplitting diamonds along micro-cracks

(+27 years after pepper patent)(+27 years after pepper patent)

• Producing sugar powder from sugar crystalsProducing sugar powder from sugar crystals

• And 200 more!!!And 200 more!!!

PATTERNS OF PATTERNS OF INVENTIONINVENTION


WHAT IS “TRIZ” ?WHAT IS “TRIZ” ?

A Russian acronym:A Russian acronym:

TTheoria heoria RResheneyva esheneyva IIsobretatelskehuh sobretatelskehuh ZZadachadach

((Theory of Solving Problems Theory of Solving Problems Inventively)Inventively)


WHAT IS “TRIZ” ?WHAT IS “TRIZ” ?

A set of problem solving and A set of problem solving and forecasting tools based on forecasting tools based on

the study of the world’s the study of the world’s most inventive patents and most inventive patents and

the inventive principles the inventive principles used in themused in them

There are only so many and There are only so many and we keep reusing!we keep reusing!


AN OPERATORAN OPERATOR

THE fundamental THE fundamental concept underlying concept underlying

TRIZTRIZ



Operator ExampleOperator Example

Specific problemSpecific problem Specialized Specialized solutionsolution

3x3x22+5x+2 = 0+5x+2 = 0 x = ????x = ????



Operator ExampleOperator Example

Specific problemSpecific problem Specialized Specialized solutionsolution

3x3x22+5x+2 = 0+5x+2 = 0 x= -1, -2/3 x= -1, -2/3



Operator Example in MathOperator Example in Math

Abstract problemAbstract problem Abstract solution Abstract solution

axax22+bx+c = 0 x=(-b+/-/b+bx+c = 0 x=(-b+/-/b224ac)/2a4ac)/2a

Specific problemSpecific problem Specialized solutionSpecialized solution

3x3x22+5x+2 = 0+5x+2 = 0 x= -1, -2/3 x= -1, -2/3Trial and errorTrial and error

THINK ABOUT THE REVERSE OF THIS!!THINK ABOUT THE REVERSE OF THIS!!


WHAT IS AN OPERATOR?WHAT IS AN OPERATOR?

““Slowly raise pressure and Slowly raise pressure and suddenly reduce it”suddenly reduce it”

• A path to a solutionA path to a solution• An approach to solving a problemAn approach to solving a problem• A direction towards an answerA direction towards an answer• A recommendation on how to A recommendation on how to

change a systemchange a system• Derived from patterns of invention Derived from patterns of invention

and patterns of product evolutionand patterns of product evolution


• Altshuller recognized that the same Altshuller recognized that the same fundamental problem (contradiction) had fundamental problem (contradiction) had been addressed by a number of inventions been addressed by a number of inventions in different areas of technologyin different areas of technology

• He also observed that the same He also observed that the same fundamental solutions were used over and fundamental solutions were used over and over again, often separated by many yearsover again, often separated by many years

• He reasoned that if the latter inventor had He reasoned that if the latter inventor had had knowledge of the earlier solution, their had knowledge of the earlier solution, their task would have been straightforwardtask would have been straightforward

• He sought to extract, compile, and organize He sought to extract, compile, and organize such informationsuch information

PATTERNS OF PATTERNS OF INVENTIONINVENTION


200,000

40,000

Key Findings•Definition of inventive problems•Levels of invention•Patterns of evolution•Patterns of invention

Patents *(Worldwide)

* Today over 2,000,000 patents have been investigated.

TRIZ IS BASED ON PATTERNS IN TRIZ IS BASED ON PATTERNS IN THE PATENT DATABASE THE PATENT DATABASE


PATTERNS OF EVOLUTIONPATTERNS OF EVOLUTION

DIRECTED EVOLUTIONDIRECTED EVOLUTION


1. 1. Stages of EvolutionStages of Evolution

2. Evolution Toward Increased Ideality2. Evolution Toward Increased Ideality

3. Non-Uniform Development of Systems Elements3. Non-Uniform Development of Systems Elements

4. Evolution Toward Increased Dynamism and 4. Evolution Toward Increased Dynamism and ControllabilityControllability

5. Increased Complexity then Simplification 5. Increased Complexity then Simplification (Reduction)(Reduction)

6. Evolution with Matching and Mismatching 6. Evolution with Matching and Mismatching ComponentsComponents

7. Evolution Toward Micro-level and Increased Use of 7. Evolution Toward Micro-level and Increased Use of FieldsFields

8. Evolution Toward Decreased Human Involvement8. Evolution Toward Decreased Human Involvement

PATTERNS OF EVOLUTION OF PATTERNS OF EVOLUTION OF TECHNICAL SYSTEMSTECHNICAL SYSTEMS


• Each system component has its own Each system component has its own S-curveS-curve

• Different components usually evolve Different components usually evolve according to their own schedule according to their own schedule (airplane)(airplane)

• Different system components reach Different system components reach their inherent limits at different their inherent limits at different times, resulting in contradictions times, resulting in contradictions (think about the auto!)(think about the auto!)

• The component that reaches its limit The component that reaches its limit first is “holding back” the overall first is “holding back” the overall systemsystem

• Elimination of contradictions allows Elimination of contradictions allows the system to continue to improvethe system to continue to improve

NON-UNIFORM DEVELOPMENT OF NON-UNIFORM DEVELOPMENT OF SYSTEM ELEMENTSSYSTEM ELEMENTS


INVENTIONS DRIVE NEW INVENTIONS DRIVE NEW IDEAS!IDEAS!


WHEN WERE THESE WHEN WERE THESE TECHNOLOGIES DEVELOPED?TECHNOLOGIES DEVELOPED?

• Aircraft with 12 wingsAircraft with 12 wings• HelicopterHelicopter• Combustion engineCombustion engine• Jet engineJet engine• PropellersPropellers• Gyroscopic auto-pilotGyroscopic auto-pilot


•Eyeglasses and Eyeglasses and sunglassessunglasses

•TiresTires

Mono-systemMono-system Poly-system Improved (Simplified) Mono-system

INCREASED COMPLEXITY AND INCREASED COMPLEXITY AND THEN SIMPLIFICATIONTHEN SIMPLIFICATION


THE TRANSITIONTHE TRANSITION

MeThChMeThChEMEM(Mechanical, Thermal, Chemical, (Mechanical, Thermal, Chemical,

Electronic, Magnetic, Electronic, Magnetic, EElectrolectrommagnetic)agnetic)

Ex: Polymer ProcessingEx: Polymer Processing

ToothbrushesToothbrushes


PROBLEM FORMULATOR™PROBLEM FORMULATOR™INNOVATION INNOVATION

WORKBENCH™WORKBENCH™


PROBLEM FORMULATOR ™PROBLEM FORMULATOR ™

• Graphically defines the Graphically defines the problemproblem

• Creates a nearly exhaustive Creates a nearly exhaustive list of ways to solve or at list of ways to solve or at least improve the situationleast improve the situation

• Links to database of Links to database of previously solved problems previously solved problems and patentsand patents


+ =+ =

Undesired mix

CHEMICAL PRODUCTION

+ =

Undesired mixDesired mix

A B


Chemical ProductionChemical ProductionProblem Formulator DiagramProblem Formulator Diagram


Chemical ProductionChemical Production REFINED Problem Statements for a Selected Box REFINED Problem Statements for a Selected Box

1. Change the undesired action of [the] (Drops of liquid A meet).

2. Consider easy and timely detection of the action of [the] (Drops of liquid A meet) or its undesired results.

3. Provide a counteraction to the undesired action of [the] (Drops of liquid A meet). 4. Introduce isolation of the undesired action of [the] (Drops

of liquid A meet). 5. Exclude the source of the undesired action of [the]

(Drops of liquid A meet).


WORKING WITH KNOWLEDGE BASEWORKING WITH KNOWLEDGE BASE


Working with Knowledge BaseWorking with Knowledge Base



+ + + - =

CHEMICAL PRODUCTION WITH ELECTRICAL CONTROL

+ +No undesired mix No undesired mixDesired mix

+ -A B


HOW DO WE USE THESE HOW DO WE USE THESE PRINCIPLES TO INCREASE PRINCIPLES TO INCREASE

THE VALUE OF THE VALUE OF INTELLECTUAL INTELLECTUAL

PROPERTY?PROPERTY?


COFFEE CUP HOLDER PATENTCOFFEE CUP HOLDER PATENT


CUP OF COFFEECUP OF COFFEE








DIRECTIONS - HARMFUL FUNCTIONSDIRECTIONS - HARMFUL FUNCTIONS

Stop the source

Stop the action

Reduce the consequences

Develop a degradable

foam

Make the cups less visible

Start a recycling program





Enhance the results

Find a different way of achieving

result

Get the result without

intermediate step


DIRECTIONS--USEFUL FUNCTIONDIRECTIONS--USEFUL FUNCTION

Enhance the results


result


intermediate step

Heat or cool blade

MeThChEM


MechanicalEffects &

Technology

Electrical &Magnetic Effects

& Technology

Chemical Effects& Technology

Thermo-Dynamics

P roblem

S olution

THE SOLUTION THE SOLUTION SPACESPACE


DIRECTIONS--USEFUL FUNCTIONDIRECTIONS--USEFUL FUNCTION

Enhance the results


result


intermediate step

Heat or cool blade

MeThChEMPrescore base material




CONTRADICTIONSCONTRADICTIONS

• Resolve not compromiseResolve not compromise• Separate requirements:Separate requirements:

•SpaceSpace•TimeTime




SECONDARY PROBLEMSSECONDARY PROBLEMS

• State as new primary State as new primary problem to be solvedproblem to be solved

• Identify what is needed to Identify what is needed to solve this and monitor solve this and monitor patents and literaturepatents and literature


SYSTEMS APPROACHSYSTEMS APPROACH

Insulating Containers:Thermos JugSleeping Bag

Molten Steel LadleCatalytic Converter

Plastic Enclosures:Rocket Nose Cone

DishpansPipes

Paper Containers:Plates, Bowls

BoxesParts Bins

Coffee Cup



Can you get the feeling of well being by an alternative means?


LINES OF EVOLUTIONLINES OF EVOLUTION


OPERATORS/LINES OF EVOLUTIONOPERATORS/LINES OF EVOLUTION




This suggests a cup with a part that moves. Perhaps a sleeve that is attached to the cup but is flat against it in shipping and storage but is moved to give it separation from the cup wall either manually or by stimulus from the heat of the coffee.





SUMMARY OF SUMMARY OF TECHNIQUESTECHNIQUES


TECHNIQUES--ITECHNIQUES--I

• Useful FunctionsUseful Functions•Better, Different, or WithoutBetter, Different, or Without

• Harmful FunctionsHarmful Functions•Stop the source, action, or Stop the source, action, or

consequencesconsequences

• Resolve ContradictionsResolve Contradictions

Problem Formulator™


TECHNIQUES--IITECHNIQUES--II

• Forecasting Future Forecasting Future DevelopmentsDevelopments•in patent filingsin patent filings•in next generation R&Din next generation R&D

• Discovering Past StepsDiscovering Past Steps•Niche marketsNiche markets•Lower tech solutionsLower tech solutions

Lines of Evolution


TECHNIQUES-IIITECHNIQUES-III

• Address Secondary ProblemsAddress Secondary Problems•Solve as primary problemSolve as primary problem•Identify and watch for needed Identify and watch for needed

developmentsdevelopments

Overcome Roadblocks


TECHNIQUES-IVTECHNIQUES-IV

• Find solutions in other Find solutions in other industriesindustries

• Broaden claimsBroaden claims

Apply Systems Approach


ADDITIONAL TRIZ APPLICATIONSADDITIONAL TRIZ APPLICATIONS

• Engineering problem solvingEngineering problem solving• Product/process developmentProduct/process development• Cost reductionsCost reductions

• Failure analysis and Failure analysis and preventionprevention• Hidden source of failuresHidden source of failures• Predict failures before they Predict failures before they

occuroccur• Non-technical problem solvingNon-technical problem solving


IN CONCLUSION…..IN CONCLUSION…..

• Is a powerful problem solving Is a powerful problem solving methodologymethodology

• Can be applied to increase the Can be applied to increase the value of intellectual propertyvalue of intellectual property•Strengthen patent applicationsStrengthen patent applications•Circumvent competitive patentsCircumvent competitive patents

TRIZ:

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Jack HippleMark Reeves Idea ConnectionsInventive Solutions Urbana, ILSt. Paul, MN