Blog Post

Patent Application for "Innovative Pez Dispenser"

Lawrence Lerner • May 9, 2023

The value of AI and the difference between it and other enabling technologies, such as blockchain, is that I can easily demonstrate the technology's results.

The objective is to demonstrate the art of the possible. AI or Large Language Models (LLM) can respond to prompts in a specific style. Let’s explore how an LLM responds to the request for a patent application. Patents are a specialized legal area and a sub-set of Intellectual Property law. Many are in the audience, and their feedback will be insightful.


Patent attorneys must pass the bar exam in at least one state or territory in the U.S. specializing in patents. Unlike IP attorneys, PA broadly specializes in patents, not other forms of intellectual property.


Anyone can file a patent, but it's best to have professional support due to the precise and complex nature of laws, regulations, policies, and procedures. The goal of this exercise is not to see if we can have fewer lawyers and less cost but to see if the model can generate a submittable response “out of the box.” Can we use an LLM to test the patent application(s) and provide a better overall submission?


  1. Two different LLMs were used to generate the documents. Let’s call them Model 1 and Model 2.
  2. Each model was given access to a prompt and the output from the other model.
  3. Neither were given access to specialized legal content or information about patent law.
  4. There was no setup, only the prompt given to each. I purposely used broad terms and requests. With limited input, the goal was to see what level of technical proficiency each model would provide.
  5. “M1, write a hypothetical patent submission for a Pez dispenser.
  6. Write it in legal terms.
  7. Be professional.”
  8. Output was provided.
  9. “M2, write a legal critique of the patent submission.
  10. Be professional.
  11. Write it in legal terms.”
  12. Output was provided.
  13. “M1, review the critique and rewrite the patent submission.”
  14. A new submission was provided.


The full text of each is below.


Reviews from the lawyers, particularly patent and IP lawyers in the audience, will be insightful. Please comment on the technical merits of each output. Write as much or as little as you like 😉 .


Summary points.

  1. Each model addressed the patent as if it were a submission and wrote it as a letter.
  2. M2 did not know the source of the original patent submission and wrote its response as a letter.
  3. M1 provided image (Figure) descriptions, and M2 critiqued them. There were no images created.
  4. M1 retitled the patent application as “Subject: Revised Patent Application for "Advanced Pez Dispenser."
  5. I made it ambiguous whether Pez dispensers existed in my hypothetical universe. M1’s response was the creation of an “Advanced Pez Dispenser.”


Had I provided a more specific prompt, as explained here https://www.linkedin.com/pulse/ai-interaction-five-proven-steps-writing-question-prompts-lerner, the response from the LLM might have been more detailed?

With additional technical and nuanced information and a more detailed and specific prompt, the opportunity to improve productivity is there. The skill will lay in excellent [prompt] writing and providing complete, unbiased, and thorough input data.


What are your thoughts? Would you benefit from a deeper explanation of the models and prompt writing? Later this week, I’ll explore a more nuanced output set from LLMs.


Onward.

  • Patent Application for "Innovative Pez Dispenser"

    [Your Name and/or Company Name]

    [Your Address]

    [City, State, Zip Code]

    [Country]


    United States Patent and Trademark Office

    Commissioner for Patents

    P.O. Box 1450

    Alexandria, VA 22313-1450

    Subject: Patent Application for "Innovative Pez Dispenser"


    Dear Sir/Madam,


    I, [Your Name], hereby submit this application, including the required documentation and fees, to seek a utility patent for a new and innovative Pez dispenser.


    Title of the Invention: "Innovative Pez Dispenser"

    Field of the Invention: The present invention relates to candy dispensers, specifically to an improved design for dispensing Pez candies.


    Background of the Invention: Pez dispensers are widely known and popular devices for dispensing Pez candies. Traditional Pez dispensers involve a spring-loaded mechanism within a character-shaped or themed design. However, existing designs may be limited in functionality and user experience.


    Summary of the Invention: The present invention aims to provide an improved Pez dispenser design that enhances functionality and user experience. This is achieved through a more efficient dispensing mechanism and additional features not found in conventional Pez dispensers.


    Brief Description of the Drawings:

    FIG. 1: A perspective view of the innovative Pez dispenser in a closed state.


    FIG. 2: A perspective view of the innovative Pez dispenser in an open state with the dispensing mechanism activated.


    FIG. 3: A cross-sectional view of the innovative Pez dispenser, illustrating the improved dispensing mechanism.


    FIG. 4: A top view of the innovative Pez dispenser, showcasing additional features.


    Detailed Description of the Invention:

    The innovative Pez dispenser comprises a hollow body (1) that houses an improved spring-loaded mechanism (2) for dispensing Pez candies. The body (1) features a hinged head (3) that can be opened and closed to access the internal storage chamber (4) for loading Pez candies.


    The improved spring-loaded mechanism (2) comprises a slidable tray (5) for holding and dispensing Pez candies one at a time. The slidable tray (5) is designed to provide a smoother and more efficient dispensing experience.


    The innovative Pez dispenser includes additional features, such as a built-in candy counter (6) that displays the number of candies remaining in the storage chamber (4). The dispenser also incorporates an ergonomic grip (7) at the base of the body (1) for enhanced user comfort.


    Claims:

    1. An improved Pez dispenser comprising a hollow body (1) with an internal storage chamber (4) for housing Pez candies, a hinged head (3) for accessing the storage chamber (4), and an improved spring-loaded mechanism (2) that includes a slidable tray (5) for dispensing Pez candies.


    2. The Pez dispenser of claim 1, further comprising a built-in candy counter (6) that displays the number of candies remaining in the storage chamber (4).


    3. The Pez dispenser of claim 1, further comprising an ergonomic grip (7) at the base of the body (1) for enhanced user comfort.

    I declare that I am the inventor of the "Innovative Pez Dispenser" and that, to the best of my knowledge, the above specification, drawings, and claims fully disclose my invention.


    Sincerely,

    [Your Name]

    [Your Signature]


  • Critique of Patent Application for "Advanced Pez Dispenser

    [Your Name] [Your Address] [City, State, Zip Code] [Country]


    United States Patent and Trademark Office Commissioner for Patents P.O. Box 1450 Alexandria, VA 22313-1450


    Subject: Critique of Patent Application for "Advanced Pez Dispenser"


    Dear Sir/Madam,

    I have reviewed the patent application submitted by [Your Name] for the invention titled "Advanced Pez Dispenser." Please find below my critique and observations regarding the application.


    1. Description of the Invention: The description provided in the application offers a clear and concise explanation of the advanced Pez dispenser and its features. However, it lacks sufficient detail regarding the novelty and inventiveness of the claimed invention. Further elaboration on how the improved spring-loaded mechanism, slidable tray, built-in candy counter, and ergonomic grip differ from existing Pez dispensers would strengthen the application.


    2. Drawings: The drawings accompanying the application adequately illustrate the advanced Pez dispenser from various angles, facilitating an understanding of the invention's physical attributes. However, certain elements, such as the improved spring-loaded mechanism and slidable tray, could benefit from more detailed illustrations to better showcase their unique design.


    3. Claims: The claims presented in the application appear to appropriately capture the essential elements of the advanced Pez dispenser. However, the claims lack specificity and fail to define the distinguishing features of the invention with precision. It is advisable to revise the claims to explicitly describe the novel aspects of the dispenser and clearly differentiate them from prior art.


    4. Inventorship Declaration: The inventorship declaration included in the application meets the necessary requirements and confirms the inventorship of the "Advanced Pez Dispenser."

    In conclusion, while the patent application provides a basic understanding of the advanced Pez dispenser and its components, it would greatly benefit from addressing the following areas of improvement:


    a) Provide a more thorough and detailed description of the invention, emphasizing its novelty and inventiveness. b) Enhance the drawings to better illustrate the unique features of the improved spring-loaded mechanism and slidable tray. c) Refine the claims to precisely define the distinctive aspects of the advanced Pez dispenser in comparison to prior art.


    Should you require any further information or assistance, please do not hesitate to contact me. Thank you for your attention to this matter.


    Sincerely,

    [Your Name] [Your Signature]


  • Revised Patent Application for "Advanced Pez Dispenser"

    \[Your Name and/or Company Name]\

    \[Your Address]\

    \[City, State, Zip Code]\

    \[Country]


    United States Patent and Trademark Office\

    Commissioner for Patents\

    P.O. Box 1450\

    Alexandria, VA 22313-1450


    Subject: Revised Patent Application for "Advanced Pez Dispenser"


    Dear Sir/Madam,


    In response to the critique and observations regarding the patent application for the invention titled "Advanced Pez Dispenser," I, \[Your Name], hereby present the revised application, including the required documentation and fees, to seek a utility patent for the said invention.


    Title of the Invention: "Advanced Pez Dispenser"


    Field of the Invention: The present invention relates to candy dispensers, specifically to an enhanced design for dispensing Pez candies, incorporating novel features that distinguish it from existing Pez dispensers.


    Background of the Invention: Pez dispensers are widely known and popular devices for dispensing Pez candies. Traditional Pez dispensers involve a spring-loaded mechanism within a character-shaped or themed design. However, existing designs may be limited in functionality and user experience. The present invention addresses these limitations by introducing novel features and improvements.


    Summary of the Invention: The present invention aims to provide an advanced Pez dispenser design that enhances functionality and user experience. This is achieved through a uniquely designed spring-loaded mechanism, an innovative slidable tray for dispensing candies, a built-in candy counter with a digital display, and an ergonomic grip for user comfort.


    Brief Description of the Drawings:


    FIG. 1: A perspective view of the advanced Pez dispenser in a closed state.\


    FIG. 2: A perspective view of the advanced Pez dispenser in an open state with the dispensing mechanism activated.\


    FIG. 3: A cross-sectional view of the advanced Pez dispenser, illustrating the novel spring-loaded mechanism and slidable tray in greater detail.\


    FIG. 4: A top view of the advanced Pez dispenser, showcasing the built-in candy counter and ergonomic grip.


    Detailed Description of the Invention:


    The advanced Pez dispenser comprises a hollow body (1) that houses a uniquely designed spring-loaded mechanism (2) for dispensing Pez candies. The body (1) features a hinged head (3) that can be opened and closed to access the internal storage chamber (4) for loading Pez candies.


    The novel spring-loaded mechanism (2) comprises a slidable tray (5) with a textured surface for holding and dispensing Pez candies one at a time. The innovative design of the slidable tray (5) allows for smoother and more efficient dispensing, reducing the chances of candies becoming stuck or misaligned during use.


    The advanced Pez dispenser includes a built-in candy counter (6) featuring a digital display that shows the number of candies remaining in the storage chamber (4), enhancing user convenience by eliminating the need for manual counting.


    The dispenser also incorporates an ergonomic grip (7) at the base of the body (1) for enhanced user comfort. The grip (7) is designed with a non-slip surface and contoured shape, providing a secure and comfortable hold during use.


    Claims:


    1.  An advanced Pez dispenser comprising a hollow body (1) with an internal storage chamber (4) for housing Pez candies, a hinged head (3) for accessing the storage chamber (4), a uniquely designed spring-loaded mechanism (2) featuring a slidable tray (5) with a textured surface for dispensing Pez candies, a built-in candy counter (6) with a digital display, and an ergonomic grip (7) with a non-slip surface and contoured shape for enhanced user comfort.

    2.  The Pez dispenser of claim 1, wherein the slidable tray (5) provides a smoother and more efficient dispensing experience, reducing the chances of candies becoming stuck or misaligned during use.

    3.  The Pez dispenser of claim 1, wherein the built-in candy counter (6) enhances user convenience by eliminating the need for manual counting of remaining candies in the storage chamber (4).


    I declare that I am the inventor of the "Advanced Pez Dispenser" and that, to the best of my knowledge, the above revised specification, drawings, and claims fully disclose my invention.


    Sincerely,


    \[Your Name]\

    \[Your Signature]


ABOUT THE AUTHOR

Lawrence


I translate the CEO, Owner, or Board vision and goals into market-making products that generate $100M in new revenue by expanding into geographies, industries, and verticals while adding customers.


As their trusted advisor, leaders engage me to crush their goals and grow, fix, or transition their businesses with a cumulative impact of $1B. 


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