A system and method to prune and optimize a portfolio

Abstract

A system and method for pruning of the portfolio and optimization of the pruned set of assets to facilitate profit-oriented pathway for divestiture or abandonment of such assets. As a result of prunin

Description

FIELD OF THE INVENTION

[0001] The subject matter of the present invention relates generally to the field of machine learning. Particularly and not exclusively, the subject matter of the present invention is related to an effective and reliable system and method for pruning the portfolio and allowing optimization of the pruned assets dataset. BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION

[0002] Business innovation is a continuous cycle to innovate over the existing technology to persist in the competitive market. Innovation generates intellectual property (IP) assets and these assets need to be identified as profit driving assets or cost- drivers. Some of the assets from the portfolio can be cost-drivers to the company since, the technology for which the IP was obtained becomes obsolete as the time passes by. IP valuation and IP management techniques can align the intellectual property portfolios with business objectives.

[0003] A comprehensive portfolio pruning is a continuous process which need to be practiced periodically by the business entity to make informed decisions regarding which IP assets to be abandoned and which technology areas to be strengthen. Analyzing IP portfolio to determine key value drivers and identify those items that may fall outside the goals of the business increases the potential value of the business and can save resources.

[0004] From a literature review, “Brand Pruning-A Powerful Weapon for Corporate Success". it can be deduced that a corporate should be in alignment with its core competence in order to reduce vulnerability of failure. Brand pruning shall enable evolving brands (niche or mass) to define clear customer segments, positioning, end customer value, brand promise delivery and brand relevance, also minimizing the complexity and cost in managing a portfolio in the process. From this literature review, two models of portfolio pruning can be deduced wherein, in the first model, companies can choose to keep only those brands that conform to certain broad parameters. A committee of senior executives and company directors can be set up to draw up these parameters. A high -level committee is also necessary because the process inevitably becomes an opportunity to check if the company should exit some markets or countries where all its brands perform poorly. In the second model companies can identify the brands they need in order to cater to all the consumer segments in each market. By identifying distinct consumer segments and assuming only one brand will be sold in each segment, executives can infer the right size of the portfolio for a particular category. In a case study, the company Electrolux rationalized its portfolio of brands in the professional foodservice equipment in Western Europe by replacing 15 small brands in the professional market with a few big brands. Due to this action, Electrolux was also able to design more appropriate products for the brands because it better understood the needs of the customers.

[0005] The pruning can be achieved through objective and subjective analysis. The objective analysis can be accomplished by prebuilt systems which can be automated and subjective analysis require thorough scrutiny and expertise review of each IP asset before it is discarded or sold. The conventional systems achieve objective analysis and still dependable on expertise to accomplish subjective analysis of the pruned portfolio. SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION

[0006] One or more implementations of the present specification provides a unified transaction system, method, and an electronic device. To achieve the objective above, one or more implementations of the present specification provide the following technical solutions:

[0007] The first aspect of the one or more implementations of the present specification is to provide an effective and reliable system and method for pruning a portfolio of intellectual property assets. The pruning tool will analyze (and value) the entity’s current portfolio of intellectual property with reference to relevant external data sources. The outcome of the pruning will be graphical and textual reports identifying duplications, overlaps, gaps and optimum opportunities that support investment / di vestment decisions.

[0008] In accordance with the first aspect of the present specification, the pruning tool facilitate contextual IP valuation based on the business contexts and strategies. The pruning tool analyze the portfolio with respect to the business strategy and determine the quality ranking of each asset. The pruning tool is flexible to adopt to the changing realities of the business and facilitates dynamic management of portfolio.

[0009] In accordance with the first aspect of the present specification, the pruning tool implement unique metrics to visualize the technical characteristics of portfolio based on the industry-standard classification and identify the technology clusters within the portfolio to determine the core assets and interactive assets with respect to business innovation and strategies.

[0010] In accordance with the first aspect of the present specification, the pruning tool quantifies and qualifies IP assets, which are segmented into three decision classes like high, low, medium ranking and can further provide insights for marketing, R&D strategies and sell, keep, or license decisions.

[0011] In accordance with the first aspect of the present specification, the pruning tool identifies set of underperforming IP assets from the portfolio and determined profit oriented strategy for divestiture or abandonment of such assets to reduce annuity expenses incurred through maintenance of the assets. The pruning tool determines portfolio management risk by elaborating the risks involved with low quality ranked assets.

[0012] In accordance with the first aspect of the present specification, the pruning tool generates an integrated knowledge dataset comprises technology related resources which can facilitate decision making on maintenance of IP assets which are ranked as high (core), medium (interactive or core) quality and low (non-core) quality.

[0013] In accordance with the first aspect of the present specification, the pruning tool incorporates both objective and subjective analysis for portfolio management. The pruning tool comprises a learning module which allows training on the data set of the feedback and review data module wherein a pruning candidate and the business entity review and provide feedback on the objective analysis data set forth by the pruning tool. The pruning tool trains and learn from the feedback data to predict and subjectively analyze the pruned data sets of the portfolio.

[0014] In accordance with the first aspect of the present specification, the pruning tool monitors the budget criteria to determine the portfolio content in relevance to R&D requirements and business strategies.

[0015] The second aspect of the present specification is to facilitate the optimization of the pruned data set. The optimization tool facilitate divestiture of IP assets and know-how between business entities.

[0016] In accordance with the second aspect of the present specification, the optimization tool can facilitate exclusive access to IP assets from other corporate entities and right holders trading in similar technology. The system can provide customized data set comprising surplus data on the available assets by applying filter attributes like technology, low value assets, jurisdiction.

[0017] In accordance with the second aspect of the present specification, the optimization tool can elevate innovation of an entity by allowing trading of assets through viable pathways like licensing or buying or selling.

[0018] In accordance with the second aspect of the present specification, the optimization tool can generate surplus intellectual capital flow from inactive and underperforming IP assets.

[0019] Other objects, aspects, features and goals of the present invention will be better understood from the following detailed description. The following description is illustrative in nature and is not intended to be in any way limiting. In addition to the illustrative aspects, embodiments, and features described above, further aspects, embodiments, and features will become apparent by reference to the following detailed description. BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE ACCOMPANYING DRAWINGS

[0020] The accompanying drawings illustrate the best mode for carrying out the invention as presently contemplated and set forth herein after. The present invention may be more clearly understood from a consideration of the following detailed description of the preferred embodiments taken in conjunction with the accompanying drawings wherein like reference letters and numerals indicate the corresponding parts in various figures in the accompanying drawings, and in which:

[0021] Fig-1 illustrates a graphical representation of aspects of portfolio management with the preferred embodiment of the present specification.

[0022] Fig-2 illustrates a structural representation of aspects of portfolio management in accordance with the preferred embodiment of the present specification.

[0023] Fig-3 illustrates a structural representation of pruning tool when applied in portfolio management in accordance with the preferred embodiment of the present specification.

[0024] Fig-4 illustrates a structural representation of optimization tool in accordance with the preferred embodiment of the present specification.

[0025] Fig-5 illustrates a method of pruning of portfolio in accordance with the preferred embodiment of the present specification.

[0026] Fig-6 illustrate a method of optimization of assets in accordance with the preferred embodiment of the present specification.

[0027] Fig-7 illustrates database structure of the pruning tool in accordance with the preferred embodiment of the present specification.

[0028] Fig-8 illustrates the integration of the portfolio management module with the external servers and databases in accordance with the preferred embodiment of the present specification. DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE PREFERRED AND ILLUSTRATED EMBODIMENTS OF THE PRESENT INVENTION

[0029] Example implementations are described in detail here, and examples of the example implementations are presented in the accompanying drawings. When the following description relates to the accompanying drawings, unless specified otherwise, same numbers in different accompanying drawings represent same or similar elements. The implementations described in the following example implementations do not represent all implementations that are consistent with one or more implementations of the present specification. On the contrary, the implementations are only examples of apparatuses and methods that are described in the appended claims in detail and consistent with some aspects of one or more implementations of the present specification.

[0030] It is worthwhile to further note that the term “include”, “contain”, or their any other variant is intended to cover a non-exclusive inclusion, so that a process, a method, merchandise, or a device that includes a list of elements not only includes those elements but also includes other elements which are not expressly listed, or further includes elements inherent to such process, method, merchandise, or device. An element preceded by “includes a . . .” does not, without more constraints, preclude the existence of additional identical elements in the process, method, merchandise, or device that includes the element.

[0031] The terms used in the one or more implementations of the present specification are merely used for the purpose of describing specific implementations and are not intended to limit the one or more of the implementations of the present specification. The terms “a”, “said”, and “the” of singular forms used in the present specification and the appended claims are also intended to include plural forms, unless otherwise specified in the context clearly. It should also be understood that the term “and / or” used in the present specification indicates and includes any or all possible combinations of one or more associated listed items.

[0032] The present specification is related to an effective and reliable system and method for pruning of the portfolio and optimization of the pruned set of assets to facilitate profit oriented pathway for divestiture or abandonment of such assets. As a result of pruning and optimization tools, investment strategies will be developed in relation to gaps and growth opportunities. These results can facilitate the entities to consider trading pathways like acquisition, joint ventures, licensing and to generate external cashflow into the business.

[0033] In the preferred embodiment of the present system administers pruning of the IP portfolio periodically and adopts itself to the changing objectives of the business entity and IP budget constraints. The business objectives are the preliminary attributes which must be considered while analyzing each IP asset as profitable or cost making to the business. With time, some IP assets may become non-core or non-essential or less valuable since the technology which is protected by such IP assets becomes obsolete to the business. The present pruning tool maintains the IP portfolio that is aligned to the core business strategy, recommend abandoning of those assets that are not relevant to the business thereby saving on the maintenance and annuity fees for such assets. The IP portfolio optimization and portfolio pruning facilitate monitoring of IP budgets that are fixed and recommend the possible divestiture and abandonment activities to save costs which can be further used for R&D activities, new IP filings, enhancing marketing strategies and innovation activities.

[0034] In accordance with the preferred embodiment, the pruning tool analyze current active IP assets in a portfolio with the aim of classifying them with respect to quality. Mapping of IP asset in relation to the current products and key research areas in relation to the business innovation and strategies will help in understanding which IP assets are the core or high valued. By leveraging the predetermined qualitative ranking attributes provided by knowledge databases comprising of trained data sets, the pruning tool can generate the objective and subjective analysis on the pruned data sets.

[0035] In accordance with the preferred embodiment, the optimization tool facilitates divestiture of IP assets and know-how between business entities. It can also facilitate exclusive access to IP assets from other corporate entities and right holders trading in similar technology. The system can provide customized data set comprising surplus data on the available assets by applying filter attributes like technology, low value assets, jurisdiction. The optimization tool can elevate innovation of an entity by allowing trading of assets through viable pathways like licensing or buying or selling, can generate surplus intellectual capital flow from inactive and underperforming IP assets.

[0036] Referring to Fig 1 illustrates a graphical representation of aspects of portfolio management comprising the pruning tool and optimization tool. Pruning tool administers pruning of the assets by determining the quality in relation to the business strategy and other external factors like legal status, age factor (ageing analysis), family patents coverage, international classification standards, market quality, and technology mapping. Further the pruning tool determines results through quality ranking from the core or high valued assets to non- core or low value assets. The optimization tool further analyses the pruned assets by providing a pathway to divestiture and abandonment activities. The optimization tool can also generate surplus intellectual capital flow from inactive and underperforming IP assets.

[0037] Referring to Fig-2 is a structural representation of aspects of portfolio management 10 which comprises technology mapping module 11, pruning tool 15, and optimization tool 17. The technology mapping module 11 engage in: monitoring the business strategies and innovation activities 12; collecting and providing access to most valued IP assets of the business entity and other competitive entities 13; and determining the market scope for the assets by generating comparative and subjective analysis on the related technology aspects 14. The pruning tool 15 administers pruning of the assets by determining the quality in relation to the business strategy and other external factors. Further the pruning tool 15 determines results through quality ranking from the core or high valued assets to non- core or low value assets and recommend divestiture or abandonment 16 activities. The optimization tool 17 analyze the pruned assets to generate results that can facilitate the entities to consider trading pathways 18 like acquisition, joint ventures, licensing and to generate external cashflow into the business.

[0038] Referring to Fig-3 illustrates a structural representation of pruning tool when applied in portfolio management in accordance with the preferred embodiment of the present specification. The pruning tool 15 which employs valuation of assets 21 that implements unique metrics to visualize the technical characteristics of portfolio based on the industry-standard classification and identify the technology clusters within the portfolio to determine the quality ranking 22 and generate the pruned data set 23 classified as core assets, interactive assets and non-core assets with respect to business innovation and strategies. Some of the contributing parameters for quality analysis are legal status, age factor (ageing analysis), family patents coverage, international classification standards, market quality, and technology mapping. The generated quality metrics data and the other quantifying and qualifying metrics generated through both objective and subjective analysis is stored as knowledge data set 24 which can be further used as training set data for the learning module 27.

[0039] The pruned data set 23 is reviewed by a pruning candidate 25 and the entity for subjective analysis and the generated feedback 26 which is further used as training set data for the learning module 27. The learning module 27 can further employ subjective analysis on the pruned data set to make the present system completely automated by generating accurate pruned data set. The results generated from the learning module 27 and pruned data set 23 can determine trading activities like selling, licensing, acquisition, maintenance, or abandonment.

[0040] In an exemplary embodiment the pruning tool and optimization tool can determine the trading strategies on the pruned asset data set wherein the IP assets not belonging to the core of the business and also ranking lower on the quality metrics can be further subjectively analysed before deciding to abandon them. Some of the parameters which can be considered for subjective analysis of the assets are scope of protection of such asset, current and future market size of the technology in which the asset falls into, whether the claimed technology is being used by third-party products; whether the technology field is in demand, and adequate research is carried in such technology. The further evaluated results can pave way for monetization by way of licensing, enforcement, or sale, and for non-core, lower in quality ranking assets abandonment is recommended.

[0041] Fig-4 illustrates a structural representation of optimization tool in accordance with the preferred embodiment of the present specification. The optimization tool 17 analyses the pruned data set 31 comprising set of assets categorized with respect to quality ranking from core or high valued assets, interactive or medium valued assets and non-core or low valued assets. The optimization tool can facilitate decision making 32 on trading strategies wherein the core or high valued assets, and interactive or medium valued assets can be considered for selling, licensing and maintaining to generate positive cashflow 33 into the business; and non-core or low valued assets can be considered for selling at low market value 34 or abandonment to cut off maintenance and annuity fees.

[0042] The optimization tool 17 can provide exclusive access to knowledge data set 35 including IP assets from other corporate entities and right holders trading in similar technology. It can provide customized data set comprising surplus data on the available assets by applying filter attributes like technology, low value assets, jurisdiction. The optimization tool can elevate innovation of an entity by allowing trading of assets through viable pathways like licensing or buying or selling, can generate surplus intellectual capital flow from inactive and underperforming IP assets.

[0043] Fig-5 illustrates a method of pruning of portfolio in accordance with the preferred embodiment of the present specification. The pruning method comprising steps of conducting the technology mapping 40 by monitoring the business strategies and innovation activities 41 and collecting and providing access to most valued IP assets of the business entity and other competitive entities 42; pruning 44 the collected IP assets data 43 in relation to technology mapping 40; reviewing the objective analyzed pruned data set by a pruning candidate 45; communicating the feedback from the pruning candidate to the entity for further reviewing and feedback 47; analyzing the feedback data from the entity 48 and feedback data from the pruning candidate 49 by the learning module 50; conducting quality metric analysis 51; determining trading strategies 52 in relation to the fixed budget 53; and generating the pruned data set 54 along with recommendation on the trading strategies like sell, license, maintain or abandon 55.

[0044] Fig-6 illustrate a method of optimization of assets in accordance with the preferred embodiment of the present specification. The optimization comprising steps of; collecting the pruned portfolio data set 60; conducting technology mapping 61 by providing exclusive access to IP assets from other corporate entities and right holders trading in similar technology 62 and updating the knowledge data set; allowing to make decisions 63 on trading strategies wherein the non-core or low valued assets can be considered for selling at low market value 64 or abandonment to cut off maintenance and annuity fees; and the core or high valued assets, and interactive or medium valued assets can be considered for selling, licensing and maintaining to generate positive cashflow 65 into the business.

[0045] Fig-7 illustrates database structure of the pruning tool in accordance with the preferred embodiment of the present specification. A cloud server 70 can provide database access like external databases 72 which can comprise structured or unstructured data regarding technology scope and applications and also client databases 71 which can comprise structured or unstructured data 73 of all the company or organization assets which can be fed into the pruning tool of the present system. The pruning tool categorize the structured and unstructured data and the pruning tool employs valuation of assets that implements unique metrics to visualize the technical characteristics of portfolio based on the industry-standard classification and identify the technology clusters within the portfolio to determine the quality ranking and generate the pruned data set 74 which is classified into core assets, interactive assets and non-core assets with respect to business innovation and strategies. Some of the contributing parameters for quality analysis are legal status, age factor (ageing analysis), family patents coverage, international classification standards, market quality, and technology mapping. The generated quality metrics data can be visualized as pruned output data 75 and the other quantifying and qualifying metrics generated through both objective and subjective analysis is stored as knowledge data set which can be further used as training set data for the learning module.

[0046] Fig-8 illustrates the integration of the portfolio management module with the external servers and databases in accordance with the preferred embodiment of the present specification. The portfolio management module 80 can be integrated to an external party service provider 81 which can outsource the data 84 on related technology scope in the market. The portfolio management module 80 can also outsource external services like docketing systems 85 from the external party service provider 81. This integrated portfolio management module 80 implement portfolio pruning and optimization techniques on the organization database 82 by incorporating the collected data 84 which can be further segregated as structured data and can be further analyzed in combination with the organization database 82.

[0047] The pruning tool of portfolio management module 80 administers pruning of the assets by determining the quality in relation to the business strategy and other external factors. Further the pruning tool determines results through quality ranking from the core or high valued assets to non- core or low value assets and recommend divestiture or abandonment activities. The optimization tool analyzes the pruned assets to generate results that can facilitate the entities to consider trading pathways like acquisition, joint ventures, licensing and to generate external cashflow into the business. The generated results can be review by the user 83 (individual like pruning candidate and any organization like startup or corporates) and can further take decision on divestiture of assets.

[0048] The system, apparatus, module, or unit described in the implementations above can be implemented by using a computer chip or an entity can be implemented by using a product having a certain function. A typical implementation device is a computer, and the computer can be a personal computer, a laptop computer, a cellular phone, a camera phone, a smartphone, a personal digital assistant, a tablet computer, or a combination of any of these devices.

[0049] Features described as separate implementations may be implemented, in combination, in a single implementation, while features described as a single implementation may be implemented in multiple implementations, separately, or in any suitable sub-combination. Operations or processes or methods described and claimed in a particular order should not be understood as requiring that the particular order, nor that all illustrated operations must be performed (some operations can be optional). As appropriate, multitasking or parallel-processing (or a combination of multitasking and parallel-processing) can be performed.

[0050] Specific implementations of the present specification are described above. Other implementations fall within the scope of the appended claims. In some situations, the actions or steps described in the claims can be performed in an order different from the order in the implementations and the desired results can still be achieved. In addition, the process described in the accompanying drawings does not necessarily need a particular execution order to achieve the desired results. In some implementations, multitasking and parallel processing can be advantageous.

[0051] The descriptions above are only example implementations of the one or more implementations of the present specification but are not intended to limit one or more implementations of the present specification. Any modification, equivalent replacement, improvement, etc. made without departing from the scope and principle of the one or more implementations of the present specification shall fall within the protection scope of the one or more implementations of the present specification.

Claims

What is claimed is:

1. A system for portfolio management, such system comprises:a. a pruning tool which employs valuation of assets that implements unique metrics to visualize the technical characteristics of portfolio based on the industry-standard classification and identify the technology clusters within the portfolio to determine the quality ranking and generate the pruned data set which is stored as knowledge data set that can be further used as training set data for learning module; and the pruned data set is reviewed by a pruning candidate and the entity for subjective analysis and the generated feedback which is further used as training set data for the learning module, and the results generated from the learning module and pruned data set can recommend trading activities like selling, licensing, acquisition, maintenance, or abandonment;b. an optimization tool to analyze the pruned data set comprising set of assets categorized with respect to quality ranking from core or high valued assets, interactive or medium valued assets and non-core or low valued assets and further facilitate decision making on trading strategies wherein the core or high valued assets, and interactive or medium valued assets can be considered for selling, licensing and maintaining to generate positive cashflow into the business; and noncore or low valued assets can be considered for selling at low market value or abandonment to cut off maintenance and annuity fees;c. a database that comprise structured or unstructured data of organization assets which can be fed into the pruning tool; andd. an external party service provider which can be integrated with the system to provide data access and external services to aid in portfolio management.

2. The system of claim 1, wherein the contributing parameters for valuation of assets can be legal status, age factor (ageing analysis), family patents coverage, international classification standards, market quality, and technology mapping.

3. The system of claim 1, wherein the pruned data set can be classified as core assets, interactive assets and non-core assets with respect to business innovation and strategiesand the generated quantifying and qualifying metrics through both objective and subjective analysis4. The system of claim 1, wherein the learning module can further employ subj ective analysis on the pruned data set to make the present system completely automated by generating accurate pruned data set.

5. The system of claim 1, wherein the pruning tool monitors the budget criteria to determine the portfolio content in relevance to R&D requirements and business strategies.

6. The system of claim 1, wherein the optimization tool can provide exclusive access to knowledge data set 35 including IP assets from other corporate entities and right holders trading in similar technology.

7. The system of claim 1, wherein the optimization tool can provide customized data set comprising surplus data on the available assets by applying filter attributes like technology, low value assets, jurisdiction.

8. The system of claim 1, can outsource external services like docketing systems from the external party service provider.

9. A method for portfolio management such method comprising steps:a. pruning of the assets which further comprising steps ofconducting the technology mapping by the business strategies and innovation activities and valuating the assets;pruning the collected IP assets data in relation to technology mapping; reviewing the objective analyzed pruned data set by a pruning candidate;communicating the feedback from the pruning candidate to the entity for further reviewing and feedback;analyzing the feedback data from the entity and feedback data from the pruning candidate by the learning module;conducting quality metric analysis;determining trading strategies in relation to the fixed budget; and generating the pruned data set along with recommendation on the trading strategies like sell, license, maintain or abandon;b. optimization of assets which further comprising steps of:collecting the pruned portfolio data set;conducting technology mapping by providing exclusive access to IP assets from other corporate entities and right holders trading in similar technology and updating the knowledge data set;allowing to make decisions on trading strategies wherein the non-core or low valued assets can be considered for selling at low market value or abandonment to cut off maintenance and annuity fees; and the core or high valued assets, and interactive or medium valued assets can be considered for selling, licensing and maintaining to generate positive cashflow into the business.

10. The method of claim 9, wherein the contributing parameters in valuating the assets can be legal status, age factor (ageing analysis), family patents coverage, international classification standards, market quality, and technology mapping.

11. The method of claim 9, wherein the pruning is dynamic process conducted periodically and flexible in adopting to the changed strategies of a business entity.

12. The method of claim 9, wherein the pruned data set can be classified as core assets, interactive assets and non-core assets with respect to business innovation and strategies and the generated quantifying and qualifying metrics through both objective and subjective analysis13. The method of claim 9, wherein the learning module can further employ subjective analysis on the pruned data set to make the present system completely automated by generating accurate pruned data set.

14. The method of claim 9, wherein the optimization can provide exclusive access to knowledge data set including IP assets from other corporate entities and right holders trading in similar technology.

15. The method of claim 9, wherein the optimization can provide customized data set comprising surplus data on the available assets by applying filter attributes like technology, low value assets, jurisdiction.

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