Utility Patent Image Search

This skill guides you on how to perform patent image similarity search via the patent database for utility model patents only (type U). Given a single image URL, it finds visually similar patents in the utility model patent database, supporting multiple search models and extensive filtering options.

This skill supports utility model patents only. For design patents, use ecommerce.zhihuiya-patent-image-search.

Core Concepts

Patent Image Search uses visual AI models to compare a given product or design image against a global patent image database. It returns a ranked list of similar patents, enabling users to evaluate infringement risks or conduct prior-art research.

Patent type for this skill:

Type	Code	Description
Utility Model Patent	U	Protects the functional shape/structure of a product

Search models for utility model patents:

Model ID	Strategy	Recommendation
3	Match Shape	Shape-only comparison
4	Match Shape/Pattern/Color	Recommended for utility model patents (default)

Scoring logic: A higher score value means greater visual similarity. When presenting results, sort by score in descending order (highest similarity first) so users can prioritize the most relevant patents for review.

Parameter Guide

Required Parameters

Parameter	Description	Example
url	The image URL to search against	https://example.com/product.jpg
patentType	Patent type, fixed to U (utility model) by this skill	U
model	Search model ID: 3 (shape only) or 4 (recommended)	4

Common Optional Parameters

Parameter	Description	Default
country	Patent authority country codes, comma-separated (e.g., CN,US,JP)	All countries
legalStatus	Legal status codes, comma-separated	None
simpleLegalStatus	Simple legal status: 0 (expired), 1 (active), 2 (pending)	None
assignees	Applicant / patent holder name	None
applyStartTime	Application start date (yyyyMMdd)	None
applyEndTime	Application end date (yyyyMMdd)	None
publicStartTime	Publication start date (yyyyMMdd)	None
publicEndTime	Publication end date (yyyyMMdd)	None
limit	Number of results to return (1-100)	10
offset	Pagination offset (0-1000)	0
field	Sort field: SCORE, APD, PBD, ISD	SCORE
order	Sort order: desc or asc (for APD/PBD/ISD)	desc
lang	Title language preference: original, cn, en	original
preFilter	Enable country pre-filtering: 1 (on) / 0 (off)	1
stemming	Enable stemming: 1 (on) / 0 (off)	0
mainField	Search within title, abstract, claims, description, publication number, application number, applicant, inventor, IPC/UPC/LOC	None
includeMachineTranslation	Include machine-translated content in search	None
scoreExpansion	Enable score expansion	None
isHttps	Return HTTPS image URLs: 1 (yes) / 0 (no)	0
returnImgId	Return image IDs in results	false

Note: The loc (Locarno classification) parameter applies to design patents only and is not relevant for utility model searches.

Commonly Used Country Codes

Code	Country/Region
CN	China
US	United States
JP	Japan
KR	South Korea
EP	European Patent Office
WO	WIPO
DE	Germany
GB	United Kingdom
FR	France
AU	Australia

Usage

• API Endpoint: POST /zhihuiya/patentImageSearch (see references/api.md for full parameters, responses, and error codes)
• Python Script: python scripts/zhihuiya_utility_patent_image_search.py '<JSON parameters>'

Output strategy (script default behavior):

• Prints the full JSON response to stdout

Data reading tip: Use jq or ConvertFrom-Json to extract specific fields from the response as needed.

Usage Examples

1. Basic utility model patent search (recommended starting point) Search for utility model patents similar to a product image, matching shape/pattern/color across all countries:

{
  "url": "https://example.com/my-product.jpg",
  "patentType": "U",
  "model": 4,
  "limit": 20
}

2. Utility model patent search limited to specific countries Search only in China and the United States:

{
  "url": "https://example.com/my-product.jpg",
  "patentType": "U",
  "model": 4,
  "country": "CN,US",
  "limit": 20
}

3. Shape-only utility model patent search Compare by shape only (ignore pattern/color):

{
  "url": "https://example.com/my-product.jpg",
  "patentType": "U",
  "model": 3,
  "country": "CN",
  "limit": 20
}

4. Search only active patents within a date range Find active utility model patents filed after 2020:

{
  "url": "https://example.com/my-product.jpg",
  "patentType": "U",
  "model": 4,
  "simpleLegalStatus": "1",
  "applyStartTime": "20200101",
  "limit": 30
}

5. Search by specific assignee Find patents held by a particular company:

{
  "url": "https://example.com/my-product.jpg",
  "patentType": "U",
  "model": 4,
  "assignees": "Apple Inc.",
  "limit": 20
}

6. Get results with Chinese-translated titles

{
  "url": "https://example.com/my-product.jpg",
  "patentType": "U",
  "model": 4,
  "lang": "cn",
  "limit": 20
}

Display Rules

1. Sort by score: Always sort results by score in descending order (highest similarity first) to help users quickly identify the most relevant infringement risks.

2. Show complete details: When summarizing results or generating reports, include ALL of the following for each patent -- do NOT omit or abbreviate:

   • Application number (apno)
   • Patent title in Chinese (use lang: cn or provide translation)
   • Inventor (inventor)
   • Patent drawing (the matched url image)
   • Every patent image in the image list
   • Patent abstract
   • Patent description
   • IPC/UPC classification information
   • Radar result (radarResult) if available
   • Patent specification

3. Legal disclaimer: Always append: "This search result was generated by Nexscope. It is recommended to consult a professional patent attorney for legal advice."

4. Score explanation: Remind users that the score represents visual similarity -- a higher score indicates a closer match, but does not constitute a legal determination of infringement.

5. Pagination guidance: When the total count exceeds the returned results, inform users about the total number of matching patents and guide them to use offset and limit for additional pages.

6. Error handling: When a query fails, explain the reason and suggest adjustments (e.g., verify the image URL is publicly accessible, check country codes, adjust date formats).

User Expression & Scenario Quick Reference

Applicable -- Image-based utility model patent similarity searches:

User Says	Scenario
"Check if my product structure infringes any utility patents"	Utility model patent infringement check
"Search for similar utility model patents"	Utility model patent similarity search
"Find utility patents that look like this image"	Visual utility model patent lookup
"Are there any utility patents similar to my product structure"	Utility model risk assessment
"Utility model patent search by image"	Utility model search
"Check utility patent risks for this product in China and US"	Multi-country utility patent check
"Find active utility model patents"	Filtered utility patent search
"Who holds utility patents similar to this design"	Competitor patent discovery

Not applicable -- Needs beyond utility model patent image search:

• Text-based patent search (keyword/abstract/claim search)
• Design patent image search (use ecommerce.Nexscope-patent-image-search)
• Patent legal status monitoring or annuity management
• Patent valuation or licensing negotiation
• Freedom-to-operate (FTO) legal opinions
• Patent family or citation analysis

Authentication

Set NEXSCOPE_API_KEY. Visit https://www.nexscope.ai/help/skills-external-access?co-from=skillNS to manage credits.