Short Description
This assignment introduces students to United States patents and to prior art searching using two free, online databases: Espacenet and Lens.org. Instructional videos are available at: http://guides.lib.campbell.edu/patents .
This assignment is designed to be scalable so that it can be implemented at an introductory level in a first-year design course, and replicated in the senior design course. To scale the assignment, modify the number of resources students are required to analyze and intensify the synthesis/analysis components.
Learning Outcomes
- Students will be able to determine the patentability of their invention based on a nuanced understanding of United States utility patents and intellectual property.
- Students will be able to conduct a sophisticated prior art search using Cooperative Patent Classifications.
Relevant Links
Information Literacy Concepts
Discipline
Participation Type
Ability Level
Course Context (e.g. how it was implemented or integrated):
This assignment was scaled for a first-year Foundations of Engineering Design course. As such, students were only required to analyze 6 patent documents in detail.
The assignment was developed in collaboration with Dr. Lee Rynearson, Assistant Professor of Mechanical Engineering at Campbell University.
Assessment or Criteria for Success
| Attachment | Size |
|---|---|
| Patent Research Log Rubric.pdf | 56.77 KB |
