How will you build a patent system?

Firstly, I would like to clarify the ask. 

Clarifying questions: 

1. Today we have a government-based app that allows us to search for existing patents as well as create new patents. The new patent system must be connected with the government somehow?

Interviewer: The goal is to provide a user-friendly patent system. 

2. Will this be a Mobile app or Desktop app? 

Interviewer: up to you.

3. Is this a product that Google wants to expand into or did you mean to ask for a general product?

Interviewer: Not a Google product.

Interviewee:

Sounds Good. I think I have enough information to dive into further details.

Explaining my framework: I am going to walk you through the existing scenario of the patents in the current world and make some assumptions. Will that be ok with you?

Interviewer: Please proceed.

Currently, there is a government-based patent tracking system with a lot of file codes assigned to different types of patents, which provides the ability to search for any existing patents prior to submitting a patent. It also appears to have some legal constraints - meaning if a petitioner files a patent that has been previously submitted then the petitioner may have to provide additional documentation for how his/her patent is different from existing ones. If needed, there can be lawyers involved.

Did I understand the current scenario correctly?

Assumptions:

• Assuming that there is a need for a more user-friendly application which is not existing today.
• This product will be designed only for US-based (potentially scaled to other parts of the world)
• Will consider only Desktop for now as typing a lengthy description of the patent can be a cumbersome task on the mobile device. 
• There may be a need to connect the patent system with government resources and lawyers. (this can be a feature tabled for the future)

User segmentation:

The following categories of users will be potentially using the system:

1. Petitioners (common users)

2. general public to support the petition (vote the ideas)

3. lawyers (support the petitioner incase there are any legal related issues to solve)

Needs of each user:

1. Petitioners: 

Persona: Jack Meyer is an upcoming research scientist in the Physical sciences space. He conducted research on the new ultrasound waves and how it helps ultrasound machines being used in hospitals. Jack now wants to ensure that his research can be taken to the public but first, he wants to patent the idea. 

Needs: 

• Conduct a search by category / subject areas
• creates a patent by filling in all necessary details. 
• Ability to upload any supporting documentation, evidences etc and then submit the idea.
• Connect with right resources such as seeking help from lawyers or connecting with the government officials.
• Read only access to other materials available in the patent system based on the type of researcher/petitioner's profile.

2. General public:

Kathy is always into new technologies and wants to see if there is an upcoming new idea. This will help her analyse with her team or build on top of an existing idea / patent.

• Needs of this user group:
• Learn about current trends.
• Search for various categories
• Watch any video submissions
• Read the excerpt provided by each submission.
• request for the entire documentation 
• contact the initial submitter

3. lawyers:

Stephen is a lawyer who protects the rights of the petitioner.  Any petitioner can choose Stephen based on his credentials to support in case of patent disputes.

Needs:

• Easy navigation to the system with less number of clicks.
• Access inbox kind of layout to find people who reach out to him.
• Stephen needs access to petitioners' patent details.
• the background of the petitioner and where he/she stands.

Interviewer: Just choose one for the purposes of this exercise.

Based on the user categorization and their needs, I would like to focus on the key user group here which is the actual patent petitioner since this is the user group that can provide content for the patents and keeps the system active. Is that fair or do you have any preference?

Solutions for the Petitioner:

• Create a powerful search feature within the system that can search a single word or phrase or any match of the description provided. (High)
• A form to be completed by the Patent petitioner must include some mandatory fields like names, addresses, email, background, description of the work, category /subject area, etc however protect the petitioner's details from the general population who may see the excerpt of the description while searching. (High)
• upon submitting the request, this should right away trigger the search in the database by conducting an AI-based search by using the description of the search or any keyword based on the category. The system should display possible existing patents that have been submitted already. (High)
• If no matches are existing in the system, a patent can be successfully submitted and acknowledgment of the receipt can be sent back to the petitioner with any details.

Evaluating Metrics:

• # of petitioners who signed up for free
• # of petitioners taking paid services (such as connecting lawyers or other government bodies)
• # of Active patents from the year 2022
• # of Archived patents
• Revenue is probably not a big concern at this point but can be addressed as one of the metrics.