US Litigation Search, How to easily find US patents for which lawsuits have been filed

 

 As domestic companies actively advance into the highly competitive global market, they are increasingly becoming embroiled in international patent disputes with foreign companies. In particular, patent disputes are intensifying in the US market, where companies around the world are competing. The United States is the most central country for patents, and it is no exaggeration to say that all lawsuits around the world are centered around the United States. The United States realized the importance of taking the lead in patented technology in market competition, the government has secured patent rights for key original technologies from an early stage and systematically prepared aggressive strategies using them, and has a perfect patent attack system at the individual company level.

 Patents in the process of patent infringement or invalidation lawsuits, which are increasing in the U.S. market, are often important patents, and the outcome of these lawsuits will have a significant impact on the rights of the patents and the businesses of related companies. In addition, not only parties involved in patent litigation but also companies in related industries cannot help but be sensitive to this information.

 WIPS Global provides a US litigation search that allows to search for patent lawsuits and patents in which lawsuits have been filed in the United States. You can find detailed information on related patents along with U.S. patent litigation information. Let's take a look now.

wipsglobal.com> US Litigation Search

 You can use the search field to search for patent litigation cases that occurred in U.S. courts. And also, search by selecting the jurisdiction or integrated search is possible.

*Jurisdiction: Federal District, ITC (International Trade Commission), CAFC (Court of Appeal for Federal Circuit), Supreme Court

wipsglobal.com> US Litigation Search

 

When you run a search, a list of litigation cases that match your search query will be provided as a result. Click on the case number or title to check the details of the lawsuit.

Search result filter: You can check litigation information corresponding to the selected item by using statistical information on major items – court of jurisdiction, plaintiff, defendant, applicant representative name, registration number, IPC, etc.

Grouping of Litigation unit: By grouping cases related to the original case, cases that occurred in each jurisdiction can be collected and reviewed as a single case unit.

wipsglobal.com> US Litigation Search

 

 You can view search results based on patents that meet the search conditions, and check detailed dispute information for each patent.

wipsglobal.com> US Litigation Search

 You can check detailed information on cases from the U.S. Federal District Court, PTAB, ITC, CAFC, and the Supreme Court. WIPS Global provides overall content of the lawsuit, including the trial of the case, names of plaintiff/defendent, case history etc.

wipsglobal.com> US Litigation Search

 It provides a list of case progress in the original text of the case and summary information of each document.

wipsglobal.com> US Litigation Search

 If there is an original trial and an appeal for the case, you can see a chart showing the flow of the case, and a list of cases in other jurisdictions related to the patent in question.

You can also view a list of patents related to the lawsuit, which are extracted from the patent documents listed in the complaint.

wipsglobal.com> View Details

 Litigation information is also checked through the ‘Litigation’ tab in the ‘View Details’ connected to Field Search, Number Search, Step Search and Drawing Search.

 So far, we have looked at WIPS Global’s U.S. Litigation Search.

With the WIPS Global’s ‘U.S. Litigation Search using various detailed information, get more accurate information and progress details of the patent disputes.

Webtoon’s patented technology, meet the colorful world of cartoons

 

 Various patented technologies are being applied to webtoons, which have become part of popular culture. In this issue, we will look at patents related to webtoons that have become more sensuous and convenient through new technologies.

AI’s song selection that make webtoons more enjoyable.

 The first technology is a patent of Naver Webtoon in Korea. Naver Webtoon has filed and been granted a patent last year that uses artificial intelligence (AI) to play appropriate background music (BGM) for webtoons. This is an artificial intelligence technology that plays music that matches the cartoon you’re currently watching considering the webtoons’ attribute information and readers’ feedback. It automatically selects the BGM according to the author's intention and the user's needs.

clipartkorea.co.kr

 Looking at the patent for this technology, the process of artificial intelligence playing background music includes the following three steps:

1. Step of registering property information about the webtoon in connection with at least one of the entire contents, a specific page, a specific scene, and a specific object.

2. Step of searching audio content using attribute information of the cartoon

3. Step of providing audio content in conjunction with cartoon

wipsglobal.com
KR10-2478394, Method, system and recording medium for providing sound of internet cartoon content

 If you enjoy music that fits the user's tastes along with webtoon images, empathy and enjoyment of the content will likely increase significantly. In this technology, when AI selects customized music, it takes into account not only the user's personality but also environmental information such as time, season, weather, and location. The goal is to provide optimal BGM that reflects the content and situation of the reader without being uniform or typical.

More precise coloring with artificial neural networks

 The second, also patented by Naver Webtoon, is a technology for correcting colored images using artificial neural networks. With the advancement of artificial intelligence technology, an image coloring model that automatically colorizes black-and-white photos into colorful photos has already been developed. However, the method of coloring images using artificial neural networks worked similarly to the paint tool, and had the problem of color bleeding occurring when the boundaries of the image were unclear.

Naver AI Painter for coloring characters

<source: Naver webtoon, AI Painter homepage, https://ai.webtoons.com/ko/painter/howto >

The patent uses the following three processes to create sophisticated coloring without blurring through an artificial neural network.

1. Step of acquiring a colored image by inputting the sketch image into the first artificial neural network

2. Receiving user input data about the targeted area in the colored image

3. Inputting the sketch image and user input data into a second artificial neural network to obtain a corrected image with the coloring state of the targeted area changed.

wipsglobal.com
KR10-2022-0152864, Method and apparatus for correcting a colored image using an artificial neural network

 This technology generates virtual user input data to train an automatic colorization model that mitigates color bleeding. Additionally, among multiple colored images, it detects the boundary of the image with color bleeding and the boundary of the image without color bleeding. Then, virtual user input data is created by comparing the boundaries between the smudged and non-smudged boundaries, and this is used as learning data. Here, color bleeding is evaluated more objectively by learning to minimize the difference in border information between the two images.

Change your sentences (texts) into webtoons (image).

 The last technology is the invention of Toon Square, a company that studies the relationship between AI and contents. This technology, called Tooning, is an AI webtoon service that turns written sentences into comics. It automatically creates characters and backgrounds that fit the story expressed in the sentence into a webtoon.

Toon Square's 'Tooning'
<source: AVING, Global news network, CHOI, Yewon>

 This technology, currently under patent examination, automatically creates a webtoon including the following steps.

1.    Recognizing a sentence and identifying at least one word included in the recognized sentence 

2.     Identifying the type of punctuation mark located at least one of the start and end points of the recognized sentence.

3.     A step of determining whether the sentence is one of a general sentence, a dialogue sentence, and an emotional sentence based on the type of identified punctuation mark. 

4.    If the sentence is a general sentence, a step of automatically generating a cartoon image based on the words included in the general sentence. 

5.   If the sentence is a dialogue sentence or an emotion sentence, the step of identifying the subject of the dialogue sentence or emotion sentence

6.     Step of inserting dialogue or emotional sentences into the character in the form of a speech bubble.

wipsglobal.com
KR10-2023-0018027, Apparatus and method for automatically generating cartoon images based on inputted sentences

 As this technology automatically creates cartoon images according to the sentences entered by the user, it has the effect of allowing even people without drawing skills to easily obtain the cartoon image they desire. In addition, this invention has the effect of making the movement of the character's joints or connection parts natural by creating a bridge in the blank area at the joint or connection part of the character.

 So far, we have looked into patented technologies for webtoons. Webtoons continue to advance with music that matches the story, 2D images becoming 3D, and pictures moving like videos. We are entering an era where non-experts can easily create webtoons as they wish, as not only the expression method but also the production method has evolved. I look forward to more sophisticated and enriched webtoon content to come in the future.

‘Mickey Mouse’, whose 95-year copyright has expired, can anyone use it freely?

 

 Have you heard that Disney's Mickey Mouse, a character loved by people all over the world, can be used for free from this year? In the United States, January 1st every year is Public Domain Day*, when content that was protected by copyright is converted into the public domain. The copyright on Mickey Mouse, which has been protected as Disney's representative mascot for the past 95 years, expires in 2023, making it a public property that everyone can use commercially.

 *Public Domain Day: Public Domain refers to a state in which copyright or other property rights have been given up by the owner or donated to the public, allowing anyone to use them freely. The United States has designated January 1st of each year as Public Property Day, when copyright expires and becomes public domain.

How long is copyright protected?

 Let’s first learn about copyright and copyright protection period. Copyright is the exclusive right that an author has to their own work, and it arises at the time of creation. Not only famous people's artwork and corporate characters, but even drawings made by children at home are copyrighted as soon as they are created.

clipartkorea.co.kr

 In South Korea, an individual's copyright can be protected for the life of the author and up to 70 years after death. Additionally, anonymous or pseudonymous (unknown) works last for 70 years from the time of publication. However, in the case of anonymous and pseudonymous works, copyright is deemed to have expired when 70 years have passed since the author's death.

 Copyright for business-related works is also recognized for 70 years from the time of publication. If the work has not been published within 50 years from the time of completion of creation, a protection period of 70 years from the time of creation is recognized.

Copyright protection period in the United States

 In the United States, individual copyrights are said to be valid for the life of the author and up to 70 years after death. However, if it is an anonymous, pseudonymous, or corporate work, the copyright lasts longer than in Korea. Copyright is said to be protected for 95 years from the first publication or 120 years from the year of creation, whichever comes first. Disney's Mickey Mouse made his name known when he first appeared in the 1928 animated film Steamboat Willie. 95 years have passed and it has become a creation that anyone can use starting January 1, 2024.

Are all Mickey Mouse characters public property?

 The answer is ‘No’. A notable characteristic of Mickey Mouse in 1928, when he debuted as Steamboat Willie, is that he does not wear white gloves. The eyes are black and the body size is small, making it quite different from the current Mickey Mouse. The Mickey Mouse that has become a public work this time is the Mickey Mouse of the past, first revealed to the public in 1928.

Mickey Mouse debuted as 'Steamboat Willie' in 1928
<source: Wikipedia>

 Since then, Mickey Mouse's form has changed little by little based on his past appearances. Through the changes, the current Mickey was born, wearing white gloves and having a stockier body than before and white eyes. New Mickey Mouse characters introduced after 1928 are still protected by copyright.

Mickey Mouse character evolution <source: News one>

Then can we freely use the 1928 version of Mickey Mouse?

 There is a meme that satirizes Disney’s strong copyright protection: ‘‘If you are unfortunate enough to be stranded on a desert island, don’t write SOS Survival, Draw a big Mickey Mouse on the ground’’, meaning that Disney’s legal counsel will come faster. In fact, there is a case where, under pressure from Walt Disney, the U.S. Congress extended the copyright term from 50 to 70 years after the author's death. Since the public knows that Disney is putting all its effort into protecting its copyrights, questions are raised as to whether they can really freely use the 1928 version of Mickey Mouse.

Expired copyright

 Since the 1928 version of Mickey Mouse's copyright expired, the character can be freely used in various creative works such as movies, broadcasts, cartoons, and games. Examples of famous characters becoming public property include Winnie the Pooh and Bambi the Little Deer, which showed various appearances in advertisements and movies after their copyrights expired. The cute Winnie the Pooh and Bambi also became the main characters of a horror movie. Mickey Mouse was no exception. Recently, a game distribution platform released a trailer for a horror game that transformed Mickey Mouse into a horror character.

'Winnie the Pooh', the killer horror movie protagonist, and Mickey Mouse transformed into a horror game character <source: Chosun.com/ gametoc>

Perpetual trademark rights

 Unlike copyright, which expires after the legal period, trademark rights can be renewed every 10 years, so Mickey Mouse's trademark rights are permanent. Therefore, if you want to use Mickey Mouse's name, logo, or character on a product or service, you must obtain permission from Walt Disney. In other words, the use of Mickey Mouse in copyrighted works such as movies, videos, novels, etc. is free, but when sold as a product or service, using the character without permission from the trademark holder is unauthorized use and is subject to legal action.

an example of virtual image using a character in a product (not an actual product for sale) <source: freepik>

 So far we’ve looked into how Mickey Mouse, one of the most famous characters on the planet, became public domain starting this year. I look forward to seeing Mickey Mouse more often in various forms in the future. Furthermore, we are also curious about Disney's future steps strengthening its trademark rights and discovering new characters after the expiration of the copyright for the 1928 version of Mickey Mouse. I hope that this case will be an opportunity for everyone to think about the various ripple effects that will occur due to the expiration of character copyright.

[International IP Briefing] US, CN

 

US

USPTO announces ‘IP Champions’

 ∙ On March 20, 2024, the United States Patent and Trademark Office (USPTO) announced the launch of the Community Outreach Campaign: Intellectual Property (IP) Champions. This program connects USPTO employees- trained in providing IP awareness and educational resources to diverse audiences- with high schools and local community centers.

As a part of an initiative promoted by the Council for Inclusive Innovation1), IP Champions program was proceeded with a mission to expand innovation across the country by leveraging the strength of America’s diversity and increasing opportunities for citizens to participate in innovation.

 IP Champions program in details;

∙ Purpose: To educate high school classes and local communities specifically about the importance of protecting IP, such as patents, trademarks, copyrights, and trade secrets, and to increase overall IP awareness.

∙ Contents: USPTO employees designated as IP Champions are trained to provide IP awareness and educational resources to diverse audiences and educate IP-related content in high schools and other community centers.

∙ Support: Support America's next generation of innovators and entrepreneurs, as well as support local educators, discuss important IP concepts, and share free online resources.

 “I am excited about being an IP Champion and giving back to my community,” said Brandi Thomas, a patent examiner and member of the first cohort of IP Champions. “I want the young people in my neighborhood to see that I was them and that I can relate to them. I want to show them the opportunities out there in engineering, math, and the sciences, especially as a woman.”

 

The Council for Inclusive Innovation is tasked with strategizing new ways to expand innovation in America by leveraging the strength of America's diversity and increasing opportunities for all Americans to participate in innovation. For further information, please refer to the following link, https://www.uspto.gov/initiatives/equity/ci2/about

< source of this post >

https://www.uspto.gov/about-us/news-updates/ip-champions-expanding-innovation-ecosystem-bringing-essential-intellectual

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CN

Hurun Research announce 2024 global unicorn company rankings

 On April 9, 2024, China's Hurun Research Institute (胡润研究院) announced the '2024 Global Unicorns' list, which selected unlisted companies around the world that were established after 2000 and have a corporate value of more than $1 billion. 1)

Hurun Research Institute, known as China's version of 'Forbes', is a research institute that annually surveys the world's wealthiest people. It has been tracking and recording unicorn companies since 2017, and this is the 6th time it has published a global unicorn list.

The Details;

 . There are a total of 1,460 unicorn companies around the world, distributed in approx. 50 countries and regions.

 ∙ By country: The United States ranked 1st (701 companies), China ranked 2nd (57 companies), and India ranked 3rd (74 companies).

∙ By industry: Fintech, software services, and e-commerce accounted for the three major industries of unicorn companies. American unicorn companies made many inroads into the Fintech, software services, and artificial intelligence (AI) industries, while China made inroads into the AI, semiconductor, and new energy industries.

 ∙ Top 10: 4 companies are included each from the United States and China, and 1 company each from Australia and Malta. China's ByteDance, which operates TikTok, is ranked first, and SpaceX, an American aerospace company took second place, and OpenAI, an American company that develops conversational AI ChatGPT, took third place.

1) For the original text of this list, refer to,

https://www.hurun.net/zh-cn/rank/hsrankdetails?pagetype=unicorn 

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AI Summary, a quick and easy way to understand patents

 

  A patent summary is a brief description of the applied patent and serves as material for patent searches and drafting. Since the purpose of a brief summary of the invention is to inform the public of the nature of the invention, especially those interested in the specific technology to which the invention pertains, the summary should address the specific claimed invention. This is in contrast to mere generality, which can be applied equally to numerous prior patents. That is, the subject matter of the invention must be explained in one or more clear and concise sentences or paragraphs.

  A brief summary indicating the nature and essence of the invention, which may include a statement of the purpose of the invention, should be preceded the detailed description. Such summary must correspond to the claimed invention as it is described, and all objects cited must be subject to the claimed invention. A properly written brief summary to explain the exact nature, operation, and purpose of the invention is a valuable aid in making the patent easier to understand in future searches. The brief summary must be more than a simple description of the purpose of the invention and must be consistent with the subject matter of the claims.

  WIPS AI Research Lab provides a new ‘AI summary’ that helps users understand these summaries more easily and quickly based on generative AI. By creating a summary in easy, general terms instead of difficult technical terms, users can more easily understand the background technology, technical features, and technical effects of the patent.

The ‘AI Summary’ developed by WIPS AI Lab is found in WIPS Global’s ‘View Details’ and is provided as follows.

- Summarize the description of the invention to include the background technology, characteristics of the technology, and technical effects of the technology.

- Real-time summary takes about 5 to 10 seconds depending on the length of the document.

- Users can input/send simple feedback and opinions

<Reference>

• Summary: Unlike abstract, it is intended to refer to invention. (Independent claim only)

• Abstract: A brief summary of the overall specification (corresponds to claim1 and has no legal effect)

wipsglobal.com > View Details

  The AI summary is provided under the Abstract on the ‘View Details’ page. Users can check the contents by clicking the button. The AI summary extracts key information about the background technology, characteristics of the technology, and effects of the technology from the description of the invention and summarizes them in easy-to-understand content. Since it is converted into general and easy terms rather than technical terms, the content of the invention can be easily understood even if the user is not a technical expert.

wipsglobal.com > View Details

  Under the AI summary, we can see the field where users can write feedback and opinions. WIPS Global plans to listen to the diverse opinions of the users and actively reflect them in the service. Please use the AI summary and feel free to write any comments that you are satisfied with, are uncomfortable with, or would like to see improved.

*AI summary available for US, CN, JP, EP and KR data.

 So far, we have looked at the AI summary WIPS AI Lab has developed. Patent summaries are one of the most basic yet important elements that can be applied to the search and analysis of almost any type of technology. As previously mentioned, a properly written brief summary to explain the exact purpose of the invention is a valuable aid in making the patent easier to understand in future searches. Try WIPS Global’s AI summary that helps users quickly understand.

[International IP Briefing] US, Korea

 

US

U.S. Patent and Trademark Office takes steps toward Patent Center System

  On January 16, 2024, the USTPO announced that, as a step toward Patent Center System of the patent application system, from January 17, 2024, additional fees will be charged when new patent applications are submitted in a file format other than DOCX1).

  The USPTO continues to work to modernize the patent filing system to improve the user experience, provide applicants with a more streamlined process, achieve cross-border harmonization, and enhance its ability to examine applications quickly and effectively.

 For the purpose of this digital transformation, the USPTO intends to take the next step in submitting documents related to patent applications in DOCX format through the Patent Center2).

▪The Patent Center allows all users to easily submit specifications, claims, abstracts, and drawings in DOCX format. To provide pre-examination confirmation that can improve the robustness and reliability of patents, the USPTO will work carefully with stakeholders to determine the timing and transition to DOCX.

▪Beginning January 17, 2024, applicants who file new patent containing specification, claims, and abstract in non-DOCX format will incur additional fees. The option to provide applicants with a backup PDF or supplemental PDF along with the DOCX format is still available and there is no fee associated with providing a backup PDF.

▪The USPTO is committed to ensuring a successful and smooth transition for patent applicants to the DOCX format and permits use of materials available on the DOCX information page on the USPTO website.

▪The USPTO will also release a video explaining ‘How to submit a patent application document in DOCX’ and provide free educational webinars in the future.

Clipartkorea.co.kr

1) DOCX is a word processing file format supported by many widely used applications such as Microsoft Word, Google Docs, and LibreOffice. DOCX, which adopts this open standard format, provides a stable foundation for creating and processing intellectual property-related documents.

2) The patent center system is a space where users can electronically submit and manage patent applications. From November 15, 2023, the patent center system will completely replace the existing search tools, EFS-Web and Private PAIR.

 For more information, see Researcher IP News Volume 2023-49:

https://www.kiip.re.kr/board/trend/view.do?bd_gb=trend&bd_cd=1&bd_item=0&po_item_gb=US&currentPage=2&po_no=22483

 

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KOREA

Ministry of Science and ICT promotes AI specialization and routine through ‘Giant AI flagship project’

  On January 19, 2024, the Ministry of Science and ICT (hereinafter referred to as the MSIT) announced that it would pursue a ‘Giant artificial intelligence (AI) flagship project’1) from 2024 to 2027.

clipartkorea.co.kr

  With the emergence of super-large AI, anyone can easily use AI, which has accelerated the everyday use of AI and improved industrial productivity and efficiency. How well AI is utilized has come to determine national AI competitiveness. As a result, the rapid growth of the related market became the background for this project.

▪The 'Giant AI Flagship Project' is a leading project to concretely implement the everydayization and the internalization of AI in industrial sites, and is aimed at five major private professional fields: ① law, ② medicine, ③ psychological counseling, ④ media and culture, and ⑤ academia. The goal is to support the development of large-scale AI application services.

▪The five major private sectors were selected through consultation with experts considering the technological demand, feasibility and convenience of super-large AI convergence, and provide many benefits to the public while minimizing conflicts with stakeholders in each field.

▪Through this project, the MSIT will develop business innovation services that assist the work of professionals in each field by combining domain-specific data held by demand organizations and the creation capabilities of the Giant AI (language, images, video, etc.), as well as private specialized fields. The MSIT plans to increase people's accessibility to AI so that they can directly experience the benefits of AI.

▪ In particular, it is said that all steps from data collection to AI service development and provision will be pursued through a legal process, taking into consideration various issues such as recognition of copyright of creative works and creation of false information that may arise during the process of using AI.

 ‘The Giant AI flagship project’ service (draft)

1) Artificial Intelligence (AI) refers to an AI system that has achieved great advancements in scale, learning ability, and problem-solving ability compared to general AI systems. It refers to a large and powerful AI model that operates based on advanced technologies such as deep learning algorithms and reinforcement learning.(Source: Korea Information and Communication Technology Association)

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The Technologies of Caring

 With the social trends and changes such as population aging, increase in single-person households, and non-face-to-face era, the need for care is increasing in our society. In Korea, the term ‘caring economy’ was selected as one of the top 10 keywords this year. Today, we will learn about ‘caring’ skills that apply to all of our lives.

Movement to prevent lonely deaths

  This is a management system for seniors living alone using door and electric rice cookers invented by software startup VEAT. There is a steady increase in the number of cases where elderly people living alone are left for dead because they are unable to get care missing golden moments. This invention is attracting attention as an effective solution to prevent lonely deaths.

wipsglobal.com
KR10-2578700, 'Management system for the elderly living along using a door'

  The "Management System for the Elderly Living Alone" is an SNS-based patent that attaches sensors to various types of doors installed in rooms, electric rice cookers, furniture, refrigerators, etc., and periodically checks the daily life reactions that occur from movements when the doors are opened and closed. It consists of the four elements below.

  As the non-face-to-face system began in earnest with the pandemic, deaths of loneliness among the elderly and the underprivileged, as well as among the younger generation, have recently emerged. It is said that this is a time when digital care that can provide care without face-to-face contact is truly needed. I feel reassured that with VEAT's technology, I can look into places that cannot be seen before my eyes and reach out with a caring hand.

Hearty AI that becomes your companion

  The caring is not limited to the body and saving lives. Since humans are social animals, they also need care that can provide psychological stability and a sense of connection. As AI technology has become a mega trend, robots that comfort tired minds and emotional deficiencies are appearing. Representative examples include AI speakers and Ballie, the intelligent pet robot introduced by Samsung Electronics at CES 2024 in January.

  The AI caring technology I’m introducing now is a customized conversation connection service provided by 1thefull Platform Limited, a convergence life care solution platform company that cares for the elderly through robots equipped with artificial intelligence. The robot with this technology is equipped with a chatbot on the server, which takes care of the emotions of elderly people and single-person households who do not have companions and plays a role in relieving depression. This invention connects a conversation brokerage server and a user terminal through the following steps and provide an environment where users of the terminal can communicate with each other.

wipsglobal.com
KR10-2359228, 'Method for customized conversation connection service'

  In other words, the robot conducts the customized conversations based on various conditions such as personal tendencies, living environment, and conscious and unconscious tendencies. As AI companion robot technology develops further, it is expected that smooth communication will be possible on a wider range of topics in the future. I hope this will make single-person households to feel comfortable and happy.

Dasom, 1theful Platform AI Robot 
(source: https://1thefull.com)

Automatic defecation disposal device that delicately cares for patients

  The industry and occupation that is attracting attention in the era of care is the nursing field. Korea has entered an aging society with 18.9% of the elderly population as of 2023. Considering these trends and phenomena, the demand for nursing medical devices for seniors is expected to increase further in the future. The technology I’m introducing is the automatic defecation disposal device technology from Curaco, a company that manufactures medical care robots. This technology, which was invented for the elderly and patients who have difficulty moving their bodies freely, was released as a product called Carebidet and is said to be attracting a lot of attention in Japan.

Automatic toilet disposal device 'Carebidet' set
(source: https://www.curaco.co.kr)

  This invention prevents the foul odor of excrement from being discharged outside the main body and at the same time suppresses the generation of noise through the air outlet. The automatic excrement disposal device consists of (1) the fixture equipped with feces receiving part, and (2) a main body that performs control to vacuum-suction, store, and clean the excrement from the fixture.

wipsglobal.com
KR10-1214454, 'Automatic excrement treating apparatus'

  Here, the fixture is connected to the excrement suction line and cleaning air supply line. The fixture consists of a waste storage part and a filter part to purify the air, a waste suction part to discharge air to the outside, an air inlet through which air flows in from the waste suction part, an air outlet to discharge the inflowed air to the outside, and an air outlet provided to filter the discharged air.

  These excrement disposal devices have air filtration elements installed in the air flow path that are discharged to the outside to remove odors from the discharged air. Additionally, noise from the outlet can also be blocked. With this kind of technology, I think it would be possible to maintain a comfortable indoor environment even after nursing. Furthermore, it is said to have the effect of relieving the patient's shame by immediately processing urine and feces and cleaning and drying through the bidet function.

 

  So far, we have learned about several technologies for caring. Caring is something we all need at some point, so these technology makes us grateful and reassuring. I hope that caring technologies that take care of the human body and mind and solve social problems in various forms and functions will continue to develop in the future.