Search patent databases and academic literature for prior art relevant to an invention. Use when user says "现有技术检索", "prior art search", "专利检索", "check patents", or wants to find relevant prior art.

Prior Art Search Search patents and literature for prior art relevant to: $ARGUMENTS Adapted from /research lit for patent specific searching. Constants MAX PATENT RESULTS = 20 — Maximum patent documents to analyze in detail MAX PAPER RESULTS = 15 — Maximum academic papers to analyze in detail SEARCH YEARS = 10 — How many years back to search PATENT DATABASES = "google patents, espacenet" — Patent databases to search Inputs Read the invention description from: 1. $ARGUMENTS if it contains technical details 2. patent/INVENTION BRIEF.md if it exists 3. INVENTION BRIEF.md if it exists at project root Shared References Load ../shared references/prior art databases.md for search strategy templates and IPC/CPC classification guidance. Workflow Step 1: Extract Search Concepts From the invention description, identify: 1. Core inventive concept : The primary technical contribution (1 2 sentences) 2. Technical problem : What problem it solves 3. Key technical features : 4 6 specific technical elements that define the invention 4. IPC/CPC classes : Predict relevant classification codes (e.g., G06N, G06F) Step 2: Patent Search For EACH search concept, search via: Google Patents (via WebSearch): Try primary keywords + technical problem keywords Search in English regardless of target jurisdiction For CN inventions, also search Chinese keywords via WebSearch Espacenet (via WebFetch): WebFetch worldwide.espacenet.com/search results for key queries Search by predicted IPC/CPC classes Assignee/Inventor Search : If known companies/universities work in this area, search their patent portfolios WebSearch: "[assignee name] patent [technical area]" For each potentially relevant patent found: WebFetch the patent page to extract: title, abstract, representative claims, filing date, assignee, current status Record IPC/CPC classification codes Step 3: Academic Literature Search Search the same concepts in academic databases: 1. Google Scholar (via WebSearch): WebSearch "[keywords] site:scholar.google.com" 2. arXiv (via /arxiv if available, or WebSearch): Search for preprints 3. Semantic Scholar (via /semantic scholar if API key set, or WebSearch) For each relevant paper found: Extract title, authors, venue, year, key contribution Step 4: Classification and Analysis For each reference found, assess: 1. Relevance : How closely does it relate to the invention? 2. Overlap Risk : Does it disclose the same or similar technical solution? HIGH: Anticipates one or more claim elements MEDIUM: Discloses a related but different approach LOW: Same general field, different approach 3. Relationship : Is it anticipating, relevant, or merely background? Organize results by IPC/CPC classification to see the technical landscape. Step 5: Freedom to Operate Assessment (Preliminary) Based on the search results: Identify patents with claims that potentially cover the invention Note any expired patents (public domain) Flag areas where claim scope overlap is significant Disclaimer : This is a preliminary assessment only. A professional freedom to operate analysis by a patent attorney is recommended before filing. Step 6: Output Write patent/PRIOR ART REPORT.md with: Key Rules Never fabricate patent numbers or citations. Mark uncertain references with [VERIFY] . Search in English AND the target jurisdiction language (Chinese for CN). Patent prior art includes everything published before the priority date, not just patents. Academic papers are valid prior art for both novelty and inventive step. Include expired patents they are public domain but still relevant for novelty.

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