특허 정보를 활용한 스마트 젖병 제품디자인 연구

Background: This study aims to gain a comprehensive understanding of infant product design development, focusing on the case of smart baby bottle design. Furthermore it explores the process of resolving potential patent issues during the product design and developing new ideas by utilizing patent data. Method: Research is conducted based on the IP convergence process and patent investigations for product design development. As the first step of the research, a competitive product analysis was researched to identify the needs for new functionalities. The research then progressed towards developing new ideas that ensured originality and advancement without potential patent issues, based on the investigation in heterogeneous patent fields. Research result: The structure that combines the measuring part with the container and applies a weight sensor to the bottom of the product is a differentiated idea from similar patents. It generates a force pressing upwards due to the weight of the product, causing the weight sensor to be pressed and measure the overall weight of the baby bottle. The proposed idea was reified through the design process, using patent data as a reference for inspiration. This approach successfully achieved the target functionality while avoiding infringement of similar patents. Conclusion: This study presents a process that utilizes patent data and product design processes to avoid infringing on the rights of prior patents and to solve similar patent issues. Research should continue to utilize patent data in product design development, transforming patents from a risk element into an opportunity for creating new ideas.