Applying Natural Language Processing and TRIZ Evolutionary Trends to Patent Recommendations for Product Design

Abstract

Traditional TRIZ theory provides methods and processes for systematic analysis on engineering problems, which can improve the efficiency of solving problems. However, the effect of solving problems is not necessarily guaranteed, and depends on the user’s profession and experience. Therefore, this study proposes a methodology to apply evolutionary benefits in the 37 trend lines developed by TRIZ researchers to assist in intelligently screening relevant patents applicable to the content of the product design. In such a way, the efficiency of problem solving and product design quality may be improved more effectively. First, the patent database is used as the training dataset, words and sentences in the patent documents are analyzed through natural language processing to obtain keywords that may be related to evolutionary benefits. Using word vectors trained by Doc2vec, the semantic similarity can be calculated to obtain the similarity relationship between patent text and evolutionary benefit. Secondly, the goals of the product development project may make be related to the evolutionary benefits, and then applicable patent recommendations can be provided. The proposed methodology may achieve the purpose of intelligent design assistance to enhance the product development process and problem-solving.

Keywords

• natural language processing
• patent analysis
• TRIZ evolutionary trends
• evolutionary benefits