Welcome to SynapseIP, an advanced data and analytics platform directed to artificial intelligence (AI) and machine learning (ML) intellectual property (IP). This help center includes documentation describing the platform's various features and terminology, as well as guides to the user interfaces and workflows on the platform.
SynapseIP is an IP platform specific to AI/ML data and analytics. The platform combines hybrid semantic search, trend analysis, and IP overview information to provide an integrated and in-depth understanding of the IP landscape as it relates to AI/ML innovations and investments and the entities active in this space. The platform is built on a relational database system that includes 57,000+ AI/ML-related patents and publications dating back to 2023.
Each entry (i.e., patent or publication) in the database is enriched with metadata and context; specifically, each entry corresponds to a patent or publication with multiple associated AI embeddings. The multiple AI embeddings enable accurate and robust semantic searching over multiple fields and combinations of fields.
Metadata and context for each entry further include the assignee name (i.e., owner). The SynapseIP platform normalizes each assignee name to ensure that the AI/ML IP assets held by different entities are accurately and comprehensively represented.
SynapseIP is designed with a streamlined user interface divided between three primary web service pages:
Hybrid search, trend visualization, and proactive alerts
The Search & Trends page is the primary interface for discovering and monitoring granted patents and published applications. It combines powerful search capabilities with visual trend analytics to provide an easily comprehensible view of the AI/ML IP landscape. The intuitive interface allows users to construct complex queries using both keywords and semantic natural language, filter results by various metadata fields, and visualize filing trends over time, by CPC code1 classification, or by assignee.
The Search & Trends page further includes the option to save a particular search configuration as an alert. SynapseIP updates its database on a weekly basis, following the USPTO schedule. Saved searches are automatically run when new data becomes available, and users are notified of new matches.
Example Use Cases: Ongoing competitive monitoring, prior art searches, freedom-to-operate and clearance analysis, and staying current with AI/ML IP as it relates to specific technology areas. Graphs provide visual guides on trends across the AI/ML IP domain.
Insights on how crowded specific technology areas are and where opportunities may exist
The IP Overview page provides a quantitative view of patent and publication activity within a defined scope. This page includes analysis and insights for subject matter saturation, activity rates, and momentum measurements, as well as identifying CPC codes under which patent and publications are concentrated. The interface presents four primary metrics (subject matter saturation, patent and publication activity rate, patent grant and publication momentum, and top CPC codes) supported by a monthly trend line, CPC distribution chart, and sortable results table with direct links to the underlying patents and publications.
An optional “Group by Assignee” toggle enables the KNN Sigma graph visualization with confidence-scored signals highlighting potential gaps, bridging opportunities2, focus convergence, and crowd-out patterns.
Example Use Cases: AI/ML investment decisions, R&D opportunity identification, competitive threat assessment, and understanding where R&D focus is shifting in and around specific technology areas in the context of AI/ML.
Portfolio-aware forward citations, dependencies, risk radar, and encroachment insights
The Citation Tracker page adds a competitive analytics layer to the SynapseIP platform. Enter a source assignee, patents/publications from an IP portfolio, or focus keyword(s)/CPC(s) to find citation patterns, assignee relationships, and data points for infringement risks/potential via four widgets: (1) Forward-citation impact, (2) Cross-assignee dependencies, (3) Risk radar, and (4) Assignee encroachment. The widgets are refreshed in parallel via the search criteria.
Example Use Cases: View other assignees' recent activity, identify cross-assignee dependencies, assess competitor risk, and monitor encroachment trends.
Claim-level semantic comparison for preliminary FTO and infringement assessment
The Scope Analysis page supplements AI/ML IP search, trends, and IP overview by providing freedom-to-operate (FTO) and infringement-risk screening. Input a natural language description of subject matter of interest (e.g., product features, invention disclosures, draft claims, etc.) to run a semantic comparison against independent claims across patents in the SynapseIP database. The closest matches are returned with context-rich analysis.
Results are graphically represented in an interactive node map that positions the user input at the center with claim nodes radially arranged by similarity. A synchronized results table lists the associated patents, assignees, grant dates, and full claim language.
Example Use Cases: pre-FTO review, infringement-risk screening, due diligence, clearance opinions.
SynapseIP uses Auth0 for secure authentication. Log in or sign up using the button in the top navigation bar. All features require authentication for security and subscription verification. To log out, click on the account name in the upper right corner of the Navigation Bar, and click 'Logout' from the dropdown menu.
SynapseIP uses requires an active subscription to access and use the platform features. Payment information is securely handled through Stripe. To access the billing page, click on the account name in the upper right corner of the Navigation Bar, and click 'Billing' from the dropdown menu.
Search & Trends provides direct and easy access to the AI/ML patent and publication data set available through SynapseIP. Semantic queries, keyword input, and CPC filters are available to narrow results. Trend groupings may assist in understanding filing patterns.
Relevant or important searches can be saved as alerts to avoid repeated manual runs. With search criteria of interest input, click 'Save as Alert' to receive notifications when new patents or publications match that criteria. The SynapseIP database is updated on a weekly basis, following the USPTO schedule, and alerts are sent accordingly. Alerts can be managed through the navigation bar (click on account name to view the dropdown menu).
Input a product description, invention disclosure, or draft claims into the Scope Analysis page to generate a semantic comparison against independent claims. Use the similarity graph and results table to identify relevant patents and assess infringement risks.
View relationships between IP portfolios and assignees through the Citation Tracker page. Identify licensing opportunities according to the citations from patents/publications in the SynapseIP database.
Navigate to the IP Overview page to view how busy a technology area is. Enter focus keyword(s), CPC codes, and/or other filters to view the saturation, activity rate, and momentum around that search criteria. Timeline and CPC bars provide visual indicators, while the results table shows representative patents and publications.
Tables on each page can be exported as PDF files for offline research and review. Additionally, patent and publication numbers link to the full corresponding reference via Google Patents. (Note: Google Patents does not update at the same frequency as SynapseIP, and therefore the most recent filings may not be available there. Visit the USPTO website for the most current data.)
CPC (Cooperative Patent Classification) codes categorize patents and applications by technology area. For reference, the USPTO generally assigns AI and machine learning subject matter under one of the following CPC section (letter) + class (number) + subclass (letter) classifications: A61B, B60W, G05D, G06N, G06V, and G10L. More specific AI/ML-related subject matter is often assigned to a group, indicated by a number appended to the subclass: G06F17, G06F18, G06F40, G06K9, G06T7. A further subgroup indicates subject matter at an even more granular level, indicated by a third number, preceded by a backslash. For AI/ML-related subject matter, this is most commonly encountered in CPC classification G06F16/90.
A “bridging” patent/publication is one in which the invention is directed to one technology area but the scope of protection can be broadened to cover other areas. Example: a patent claiming an improvement to internal combustion engines in automobiles, and the improvement can also be used in aviation, marine, and other internal combustion engine applications. Bridging patents have been shown to be especially commercially valuable. See, e.g., Choi & Yoon, Measuring Knowledge Exploration Distance at the Patent Level, 16 J. Informetr. 101286 (2002) (linked here). See also Moehrle & Frischkorn, Bridge Strongly or Focus — An Analysis of Bridging Patents [...], 15 J. Informetr. 101138 (2001).
Review the SynapseIP platform Terms of Service, Privacy Policy, and Data Processing Agreement.
SynapseIP is a service provided by Phaethon Order LLC. For assistance with technical issues, account inquiries, or general questions, please contact us via phone at (949) 326-0878 or email at support@phaethon.llc.