Case Study: PatentFlow
Overview
The Problem:
Patent professionals need a seamless platform for automating patent procedures.
The Goal:
Design a web application that provides automated solutions for a streamlined patent process.
My Role:
UI/UX Designer
Information Architecture
Pain Points
Language Barrier
Translating complex patent documents accurately across languages is challenging and prone to errors.
Time-Consuming
Manual processes for checking compliance and managing deadlines are slow and inefficient.
Fragmented Data
Managing patent portfolios across multiple spreadsheets leads to disorganization and increases risk of missed deadlines.
Personas
Journey Maps
Hypotheses
Wireframes
Mockups
HOME
PATENT TRANSLATION
REVIEW TRANSLATION
PATENT COMPLIANCE
REVIEW COMPLIANCE
PATENT APPLICATION
Prototype
Insights & Conclusion
After conducting pre-design UX research with experts in the patent industry, two personas, Jane and Kai-Wei, were developed to represent the common challenges faced in this field. PatentFlow effectively addresses the routine challenges for both Jane and Kai-Wei by automating key aspects of their workflows, thereby enhancing efficiency and significantly reducing stress.
For Jane, PatentFlow’s advanced features simplify the otherwise arduous process of translating and ensuring compliance for U.S. patent applications. By automating translation and compliance checks, the tool not only reduces the likelihood of errors but also allows Jane to focus more on the quality of her work, ultimately leading to faster, more accurate patent filings.
For Kai-Wei, the transition from a manual, spreadsheet-driven approach to PatentFlow’s centralized patent management system represents a significant improvement in his ability to manage patent portfolios. The automatic fee calculator ensure that fees are accurately docketed without the constant need for manual calculations, thereby minimizing the risk of oversights. This not only reduces Kai-Wei’s workload but also provides peace of mind, knowing that the administrative aspects of patent management are under control.
Looking ahead, the focus will shift to conducting usability studies to further refine the user experience (such as adding an automated reminder system), and exploring the potential for a top-down approach to make features accessible across a wider range of devices. These steps are important for making PatentFlow a more inclusive tool for patent professionals in an increasingly dynamic work environment.
