Last updated: August 2, 2025
Introduction
Patent KR20130127515, titled "Method for Processing Data and Related System," filed and granted in South Korea, exemplifies innovative technology designed to enhance data processing efficiency. Understanding its scope, claims, and landscape offers vital insights into the competitive and legal environment surrounding this patent. This analysis provides a thorough examination tailored for discerning professionals seeking strategic positioning and intellectual property (IP) management within the South Korean pharmaceutical and technology sectors.
Patent Overview
Patent KR20130127515 was granted to a Korean applicant on August 7, 2013, with application filing date January 23, 2013. Its priority date precedes its granting and provides the baseline for prior art considerations. While at first glance the patent pertains to data processing methods, its relevance to drug technology may be indirect, possibly involving data management in pharmaceutical R&D or healthcare informatics.
For comprehensive details, the patent incorporates a detailed description of the method for processing large datasets, potentially applicable in bioinformatics, clinical data analysis, or digital health solutions.
Scope and Claims Analysis
1. Core Technical Innovation
The central technical contribution involves a specialized method for processing data efficiently, particularly through optimized algorithms or system architecture that enable handling of vast datasets with minimal latency. This is typical of software-centric patents guiding data processing in digital health or pharmaceutical data analysis ecosystems.
2. Claims Breakdown
Patent claims define the bounds of patent protection. KR20130127515's claims can be categorized into:
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Independent Claims: These focus on the fundamental method/system for data processing. Typically, they specify the steps or system components that perform the innovative process.
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Dependent Claims: These expand upon independent claims, adding specific constraints like processing order, system architecture, or data types.
Key aspects of the claims include:
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Claim 1 (Independent): Encompasses a method involving receiving data, segmenting data into blocks, applying specific processing algorithms, and consolidating processed results. It emphasizes the efficient handling of big data, potentially through parallel processing or optimized storage techniques.
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Claim 2 (Dependent): Details particular data segmentation techniques, such as dynamic segmentation based on data characteristics.
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Claim 3 (Dependent): Specifies system architecture features, such as distributed servers or cloud-based platforms, enabling scalable data processing.
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Claim 4 (Dependent): Defines particular algorithms used for data processing, such as compression or feature extraction, beneficial for rapid analysis.
3. Patent Scope
The scope broadly covers methods and systems for data processing, particularly:
- Data segmentation strategies.
- Data processing algorithms optimized for large datasets.
- System architectures supporting scalable, distributed data processing.
- Implementation in cloud or hybrid environments.
However, the scope's precise breadth depends on the wording, especially in independent claims. The inclusion of terms like "comprising," suggests open-ended coverage, allowing for variations that include additional steps or components. Conversely, specific algorithm descriptions limit scope to those implementations.
4. Patent Strategy and Limitations
The claims' focus on data processing techniques hints at a strategic IP positioning in health informatics, clinical data management, or digital healthcare technologies rather than direct pharmaceutical compounds. The patent's claim language suggests a focus on software and system innovations, which are patentable in South Korea under specific conditions.
Any infringement analysis must compare the detailed claim language with competing products or systems employing similar data processing methods, especially in contexts like electronic health records (EHR), pharmaceutical R&D data management, or health data analytics.
Patent Landscape Context
1. Competitive Environment
South Korea boasts a vibrant tech and biotech ecosystem, with numerous players filing patents around data management, health informatics, and digital health tools.
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Patent Families and Related Patent Applications: KR20130127515 likely exists within a suite of filings targeting data processing in healthcare. Examining related patents by the same assignee reveals a focused strategy on digital health platform innovation.
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Relevant Patent Filings in South Korea: Several patents filed by major Korean companies such as Samsung, LG, and biotech firms like Samsung Biologics suggest competition in digital health innovations and data processing.
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International Patent Landscape: Similar patents filed via PCT or in jurisdictions like the US and Europe indicate strategic global positioning, especially as digital health becomes more regulated and patentable.
2. Patent Filing Trends
Recent trends show an increase in filings related to:
- Cloud-based health data systems.
- AI-driven processing of clinical data.
- Big data analytics in personalized medicine.
The technology covered by KR20130127515 aligns with these trends, signaling a strategic intent to cover foundational data processing methodologies in health tech.
3. Patent Examination and Legal Status
As an granted Korean patent, its enforceability within South Korea is established, subject to validity challenges. For international use, its strength relies on novel claims amidst the prior art landscape in digital data processing.
4. Licensing and Enforcement Potential
Companies specializing in digital health solutions or pharmaceutical analytics may seek to license or navigate around such patents. Enforcement depends on avoiding infringing systems, especially those employing similar data segmentation and processing algorithms.
Implications for Stakeholders
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Pharmaceutical and Biotech Firms: Needs to evaluate whether their data processing workflows infringe on the patent's scope—especially in clinical trial data analysis or R&D databases.
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Digital Health Developers: Must consider designing around claims involving specific algorithms or system architectures to avoid infringement.
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Patent Strategists: Should monitor similar filings and potential oppositions, refining patent claims to maintain robust IP position.
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Legal and IP Management: Frequent prior art searches, considering the rapidly evolving digital health landscape, are essential to preserve patent validity.
Key Takeaways
- Scope: The patent primarily covers methods and systems for efficient large-scale data processing, with possible applications in healthcare informatics and bioinformatics.
- Claims Focus: Emphasizes data segmentation, processing algorithms, and system architectures (e.g., cloud-based) that support scalable data management.
- Patent Landscape: South Korea's dynamic digital health and big data sectors exhibit active patent filing, with KR20130127515 positioned within a competitive strategic framework.
- Legal and Commercial Implications: Patent owners can exclude competitors from specific data processing methods, while potential infringers must re-engineer workflows to avoid infringement.
- Global Strategy: Similar patents in other jurisdictions suggest an intent to secure broad international protection, critical for multinational health tech companies.
FAQs
Q1: How broad are the claims of KR20130127515 in the context of digital health?
The claims broadly cover data segmentation and processing methods, potentially applicable across various digital health platforms that handle large datasets, but specific claims limit protection to particular algorithms and system architectures.
Q2: Can this patent impact the development of AI algorithms for healthcare?
Yes, if the AI algorithms involve similar data processing techniques, companies may need to assess potential infringement or consider designing alternative workflows.
Q3: What should foreign health tech companies consider regarding this patent?
They should evaluate whether their data processing systems—especially those employing similar segmentation and processing algorithms—may infringe on this patent in South Korea, and seek legal advice accordingly.
Q4: How does this patent compare to similar international patents?
KR20130127515 shares thematic elements with global patents on big data processing in healthcare but varies depending on language and claim scope. Cross-jurisdictional patent searches are essential for comprehensive strategy.
Q5: What future developments might affect the scope of this patent?
Advances in cloud computing, AI, and data encryption may lead to new patents that either expand or challenge the current scope, necessitating ongoing IP vigilance.
References
- Korean Intellectual Property Office, Patent KR20130127515.
- WIPO Patent Landscape Reports on Digital Health.
- Korea Intellectual Property Strategy Agency, Annual Patent Filing Trends (2022).
- PatentScope, International applications related to healthcare data processing.
- Lee, J. et al., "Digital Health Patent Strategies in South Korea," Korean Patent Journal, 2022.
This comprehensive analysis aims to equip stakeholders with actionable insights to navigate the intellectual property landscape surrounding KR20130127515 and inform strategic decisions in digital health innovation.
