Updating TRIZ 1985-2002 Patent Research Findings

A large part of the strength and power of TRIZ exists because the methodology was constructed on the foundations provided by the analysis of a substantial number of patents. Around 1985, however, this analysis was for the most part halted and the research focus was shifted to other important areas. In using some of the TRIZ tools on today’s problems – in a world, for example, that has become much more electrical and software based in its outlook – it is evident that they are not providing users with as much assistance as they could. With this in mind, a large programme of patent analysis was instigated in 2000 with the aim of extending TRIZ to accommodate the changes brought about by the advances that have taken place in business and technology since 1985. To date, around 150,000 patents from this period have been analysed and added to the TRIZ knowledge base. The paper describes the form, focus and findings of some of the research.