We are pleased to announce a major update to Design Search on the Patentcloud.
This update brings faster search speed, smarter inference, and stronger resistance to background interference. With these enhancements, users can now achieve more accurate and comprehensive results in design patent searches using images.
Below are the highlights and real cases that demonstrate the power of the new Design.
Key Highlights:
- Smarter inference for significantly improved search accuracy
- Enhanced noise resistance to overcome background interference
- Seamless integration of keyword filtering and image similarity
Smarter Inference for Higher Precision
The new AI model goes beyond simple visual similarity and can accurately identify incomplete or partially occluded images, ensuring the results are highly aligned with the intended product category.
In internal testing, more than 90% of the top 1,000 results were relevant products, significantly reducing irrelevant hits.
For example, when searching for iPhone 16 design patents, you can upload images that include multiple phones, front-and-back shots, or even partial device captures. Previously unsupported, these common real-world formats are now recognized, producing precise matches.
Case 1.1: Demonstrating multi-device image search using iPhone 16 graphics. Source: InQuartik, Apple Official Website
Case 1.2: iPhone 16 front-and-back image search. Source: InQuartik, Apple Official Website
Case 1.3: iPhone 16 partial-device image search. Source: InQuartik, Apple Official Website
It’s not limited to consumer electronics. Even a cropped photo of a table corner from IKEA can lead to the correct corresponding design patent — demonstrating the model’s superior ability to handle incomplete images.
Case 1.4: Searching for a table leg from a furniture website. The system still accurately finds corresponding design patents, showcasing the new model’s exceptional ability to handle incomplete images. Source: InQuartik、IKEA
Enhanced Noise Resistance: Reliable in Any Scene
The new AI model excels at handling complex backgrounds. Shadows, surrounding objects, or reflections are effectively filtered out, keeping the system focused on the main object.
Even with cluttered scenes — like a staged furniture photo from Amazon — the model still identifies the round table and retrieves highly relevant design patents, showing strong robustness against background noise.
Case 2.1: Dining table photo search compared with the original image. Source: InQuartik, amazon.com
For more complex background noise, as long as the target object is sufficiently clear, the new model can overcome it and find similar design patents for you. For example, in staged furniture photos commonly seen on Amazon, images usually do not have the background removed. With the new Design Search, it is easy to identify design patents similar to the round table.
Keywords + Image Similarity: The Perfect Fusion
Beyond visual similarity, the new model dramatically improves the fusion of keywords with image matching, overcoming the old system’s reliance on outlines.
When searching for Apple Watch 10 designs, users can combine an image with the keyword “Apple.” Previously, only 23 results were retrieved due to shape and angle constraints.
Now, the new model continuously retrieves relevant Apple images until hundreds of results are gathered — enabling a comprehensive collection of Apple Watch design patents.
Case 3.1: Apple Watch search combined with applicant “Apple” — comparison of old vs. new versions. Top image: old version; bottom image: new version
This same approach can be applied to competitive analysis. For example, replacing the applicant keyword with Fitbit or Xiaomi instantly surfaces relevant design patents from those companies, helping you map out competitor portfolios.
Case 3.2: Apple Watch search combined with applicants “Fitbit” and “Xiaomi” — top image: Fitbit; bottom image: Xiaomi. Source: InQuartik
Experience the New Design Search Now and Feel the Brand-New Search Accuracy and Efficiency!
We sincerely invite you to personally experience the significant updates to Design Search on the Patentcloud now to begin your search journey! If you have any questions or want to learn more, please feel free to contact us.
