SRL Radar Thermal Imaging

Assessment workshop 1
21 April 2023

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Agenda
• Overview of solar radar thermal imaging strategy
• Patent protection
• Design protection strategy
• Trademark protection

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Radar Thermal Imaging IP Strategy
In order of importance
• Patent protection of the radar thermal imaging (the
function)
• Trademark (the brand)
• Design (the look)

• Unfortunately, there is no Utility Patent (to protect minor

improvements) in the UK. Importantly, Utility Patents are
not eligible for the Patent Box.
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Radar Thermal Imaging Patent protection
• Patent protection
• protect the function of the invention.
• Because it protects the function rather than the look, the
scope of protection tends to be greater than Design
protection
• More difficult to get due to existing prior art
• Qualifies for Patent box (very attractive)

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Technical features
• A radar thermal imaging apparatus
• a kit comprising of radar thermal imaging for retrofitting
portable traffic system
• A traffic management system with a box embedded with
radar detector, thermal imaging camera

However…

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See Patent analysis platform

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Name Type of search Description No. patent
families
32
Search 1 keywords traffic management radar detec* thermal imag* 

30
Search 2 keywords radar detec* thermal imag* Camera traffic management
Search 3 25
  IPC:(G08G/100 OR G08G1/00 OR G08G1/01 OR G08G1/04 OR G08G1/054 OR
Classification and G08G1/07 OR G08G1/095 OR G08G1/0955) AND TAC:(thermal detect*
keywords camera radar) 
Search 4 Classification and IPC:(G08G/100 OR G08G1/00 OR G08G1/01 OR G08G1/04 OR 15
keywords G08G1/054 OR G08G1/07 OR G08G1/095 OR G08G1/0955) AND TAC:
(ALL: (radar)) AND ((thermal) AND (imaging))

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US9076332B2 (Granted)

201. local traffic light 202. traffic signal controller 203. Local
microprocessor 204. video processing module 205. optional
single camera inputs 206. Step 207. traffic light optimization unit
208. central server 209. two-level network traffic light
optimization 211. vehicle traffic navigation unit-databases 212.
roadside traffic monitors 213. traffic advisory display systems 214.
receiver

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US6486473B2 (Expired)
10. camera100. camera core 110. heat sink 120. remote
transmitter 130. Antenna 20. Housing 200a. support
members 200b. support members 200c. support member 30.
Opening 300. Display 35. sealing surface 40. Opening 400.
clear polycarbonate window 410. intermediate gasket 420.
cover lens 430. resilient bumper 500. germanium window
510. Plate 520. intermediate gasket 530. resilient bumper
600. handle assembly 610. Handle 620. second handle 700.
battery compartment 710. Preferably, battery unit 712.
Batteries 714. Batteries 715. Groove 720. Bracket 730.
resilient bumper

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Patent drafting Strategy
Challenges – may need to establish persuasive arguments for potential objections against the lack of
inventive steps of the solar lid
- May need to go beyond a box with embedded radar thermal imaging
- Need to emphasize the novelty and differentiator from the existing radar thermal imaging
system
- Need to differentiate from the existing portable radar thermal imaging system
- Need to differentiate from portable devices with embedded radar thermal imaging system

Filing strategy
1. A box with radar detector, thermal imaging camera embedded in traffic system.
• Functional advantage: a secured box containing radar detector and thermal imaging camera for
portable traffic light.
• What about electrical communication?
• box with radar thermal imaging fitted in portable traffic light (not novel)

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Ex. Electrical communication US20180324390A1
Perimeter optical security
system e-fence (POSSE)
with integrated closed circuit
television (CCTV) system

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Radar Thermal Imaging defensive IP
Strategy
In order of importance
• Patent protection of the solar lid
• Trademark (brand)
• Design (the look ): Registered or unregistered

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 Design rights
    Unregistered design Registered design
Automatic upon creation of the relevant
How GB Arises upon registration with IP office
design
Automatic when the design is deemed to have Arises upon registration with EU IP office (one year
  EU been made available to the public within grace period from the date made available to the
European community public)
Up to 15 years from the year the design was Up to 25 years, subject to it being renewed every 5
Duration GB
first recorded (recordal in design document) years
3 years from the date the design is deemed to Up to 25 years, subject to it being renewed every 5
  EU have been made available to the public within
the European community years

Protection GB Covers only 3D articles Covers both 2D and 3D articles

  EU Covers both 2D and 3D articles Covers both 2D and 3D articles
Protect only against a direct copy of the Protect against direct copy and something similar
  Both
design, not against something similar (design freedom)
Onus is on the inventor to prove ownership of
Do not have to prove deliberate copying in
Enforcement Both the design and deliberate copying has taken
place infringement actions
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Design rights – complimentary protection to
Patent
• Novel and must have individual character and design freedom

• Cheap and multiple applications possible

• The appearance of the whole or a part of a product resulting from the features of, in particular, the
lines, contours, colours, shape, texture or materials of the product

• In the UK, the registration itself is a certification of priority, which is self-certified by making a
declaration on the form.

• No substantive examination, so very easy to obtain as it only meets the formality requirement

Multiple application (UK) Online format:

Single application (UK) £50 for 1 design; online £70 for up to 10 designs
format (up to 12 £90 for up to 20 designs
representations) £110 for up to 30 designs
£60 for 1 design; paper £130 for up to 40 designs
format £150 for up to 50 designs

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Design protection Strategy
• The traffic system has been in the public domain for a number of years. It may still have some
unregistered design rights.
• However, the solar lid with a novel design element and locking mechanism may be possible.
• Where does the business need to go in 5, 10, 20 years. Country specific.
• File UK first, than have 6 months to decide if need to file a Community application.
• UK has a 12 month grace period when disclosed to the public.
• Must be mindful if choosing to proceed with patent protection. Need to delay publication of
registered design so it does not act as prior art against the patent.

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