Meaning
Evaluation systems grade the inventive quality of a technical proposal by comparing its features to existing patents and products. A technical solution score provides a numerical value that represents the novelty and the height of the inventive step. It is used by internal review boards to decide which engineering projects deserve the investment of a patent filing.
Innovation Rating
High marks are given to solutions that solve a long standing problem in a way that is not obvious to an expert in the field. The technical solution score considers the complexity of the design and the distance from the prior art. This rating helps the company prioritize its research budget toward the most promising developments.
Merit Grade
Factors such as the reduction in manufacturing cost or the improvement in machine efficiency influence the final result. The technical solution score indicates the competitive advantage the invention might provide in the marketplace. It operates as a filter that removes incremental improvements that lack sufficient legal strength to be defended in court.
Scoring Matrix
Quantitative analysis combines several technical categories to reach a final percentage. The technical solution score is often weighted by the strategic importance of the product line it supports. It allows for a comparison between different technical departments using a unified scale.
Companies use this data to track the productivity of their innovation pipeline over several years. This systematic approach reduces the influence of personal bias in the patenting process.