VisPat is an innovative application that allows patent agents and researchers a novel visual search for patent retrieval based on the automatic recognition of image similarities and text-image relations in patent specifications. The image-based search is based on machine learning techniques and is intended to increase the findability and visibility of patents and overcome language and terminology barriers.
The application is a prototype developed as part of the research project ExpResViP, funded by the German Federal Ministry of Education and Research. This prototype focuses on two patent areas: autonomous driving and wind energy. Development was discontinued in mid-2023. The components created for the prototype will be integrated into a proposed follow-up project.