"Creating tomorrow by safeguarding technology"

Kouhei, Intellectual Property, Japan

Job Description

Applying for patents that contribute to business strategies with an eye to the future

I am in charge of intellectual property work related to inverters for electric vehicles. Intellectual property work includes filing patent applications for new technologies developed in-house, and conducting surveys on patents belonging to other companies to understand trends at other companies and consider avoidance plans to avoid infringing on their patents. Patent application work contributes significantly to business strategies. While analyzing the trends of other companies, I carefully identify which technologies can contribute to our business strategies.

There is also an opportunity to interview developers called the Patent Consultation Committee, where we listen to the inventions that developers have come up with. It is our job to think about how to patent these technologies to maximize their contribution to our business strategies, and to expand the ideas of developers and make them into better inventions. In order to patent an invention, it is necessary to determine reproducibility and novelty. Therefore, knowledge of technology is required, as is legal knowledge such as patent law. It is very difficult, but I feel a great sense of accomplishment when I am able to clear the conditions for a patent and file an application that widely protects my company's technologies.

Motivation for Joining the Company

I admired knowledge, skills, personality, everything

I have been interested in automobiles since I was a child, and I had a vague desire to work in the automotive industry.

When I was a student, I participated in activities to conceive, design, and build vehicles myself. Therefore, I was able to experience the mechanism of each part and the series of manufacturing processes in an actual vehicle, which led to a deepening of my interest in various parts and systems.

Astemo provided technical support for this activity. I admired the amount of knowledge, skills, and personality of the employees who responded to me, and decided to join Astemo.

A Day at Work

8:30	Arrive at Work	Check emails and review the day's tasks.
10:00	Design	Meet with developers at a patent consultation meeting. Consider patent application details based on the discussions.
12:00	Lunch	Usually have lunch at the employee cafeteria.
13:00	Research and Document Preparation	Research patents held by other companies and prepare draft responses to rejection reasons.
15:00	Progress Updates and Administrative Work	Consult with a supervisor on how to proceed with work and handle other administrative tasks.
17:30	Leave Work	Buy groceries at a supermarket and prepare dinner.

Useful Learning and Experience

Knowing the process of manufacturing

I am able to make use of the knowledge I learned at the Department of Mechanical Engineering. I also feel that my experience participating in activities such as conceiving, designing, and manufacturing vehicles on my own when I was a student has helped me a great deal.

At that time, I learned how each part works using an actual vehicle and experienced the process of manufacturing. The knowledge and experience I gained I now use in discussions with developers.

In addition, through these activities, I gained an attitude of never giving up. When I was a student, I became passionate about manufacturing! If you have a similar experience, I think you can grow a lot here.

a person in a room with shelves of files

Appeal of Astemo

A well-developed training system that supports the growth of employees

The educational environment and training system are very substantial. In addition to training for new employees, there are also technical, language, and career development training opportunities, so employees who are motivated to learn can expand their knowledge and skills.

Career Path

1st year	Staff	Assigned to the intellectual property department.
3rd year	Staff	Responsible for patent applications and patent searches related to inverters.
Future	Develop Intellectual Property Strategy	Aim to develop intellectual property strategies that leverage Astemo's strengths.