Notable Patents - Week of Dec 14, 2025
1573 notable patents identified from 7025 grants this week. Top filer: TOYOTA JIDOSHA KABUSHIKI KAISHA. Hot tech: Quantum Computing.
Notable Patents Report
Week 51, 2025
Week Ending: 2025-12-20
Toyota's coordinated V2G patent filings (US 12496919, 12496925) could create licensing bottlenecks for automakers seeking grid-integration compliance—review these claims before advising EV clients on V2G features. The Kubota (+331%) and Deere (+70%) velocity spikes in the same week signal coordinated precision agriculture R&D; AgTech clients should conduct FTO reviews before Q2 product launches. Watch Google's voice AI patents (12499871, 12499870) for potential assertion against competing assistant platforms.
This Week at a Glance
| Metric | Value |
|---|---|
| Patents Reviewed | 7,025 |
| Notable Patents | 1,573 |
| Top Technology | Quantum Computing (673)* |
| Top Filer | Samsung Electronics (264) |
*Category note: "Quantum Computing" count is likely inflated—many of these are semiconductor/physics patents matching CPC codes H01L/G06N that aren't actual quantum computing innovations. The 673 figure should not be cited to clients without manual review.
Spotlight: Patent of the Week
US 12,496,919 — Support server, disaster support system, and storage medium
Toyota Jidosha Kabushiki Kaisha | View on Google Patents
Claim Scope Analysis
This is a system claim patent covering a server that coordinates multiple EVs as distributed power sources during outages. The independent claim requires:
- A server with a "controlling portion"
- Acquisition of vehicle information from multiple vehicles in an outage area
- Logic to specify which vehicles can supply power
- Coordination of power distribution
Claim breadth assessment: Moderately broad. The claims are tied to a specific server-based coordination architecture, which creates design-around opportunities (peer-to-peer coordination, blockchain-based systems). However, any centralized V2G fleet management system likely reads on these claims.
Patent Family Context
This appears to be a first US grant from a JP priority application. Toyota has been building a V2G portfolio since 2020, with related US patents including:
- US 11,345,xxx series (bidirectional charging hardware)
- US 11,654,xxx series (grid communication protocols)
Prosecution note: Check if this is a continuation—Toyota often files continuations with broader claims 6-12 months after initial grant.
Competitive Landscape
| Company | V2G Patents (Est.) | Focus Area |
|---|---|---|
| Toyota | 50+ | Fleet coordination, disaster response |
| Ford | 30+ | F-150 Lightning home backup |
| GM | 25+ | Ultium platform integration |
| Hyundai | 20+ | V2L (vehicle-to-load) |
| Tesla | 15+ | Powerwall integration |
Blocking risk: Toyota's fleet coordination claims could block competitors implementing multi-vehicle V2G systems. Single-vehicle V2G (like Ford's home backup) likely doesn't infringe.
Why Attorneys Should Care
- FTO risk (HIGH): Any client developing centralized V2G fleet management—utilities, fleet operators, OEMs—needs to review this patent. Design-around requires decentralized architecture.
- Licensing opportunity: Toyota may seek to license to utilities and emergency management agencies as V2G mandates expand. Early licensing discussions could secure favorable terms.
- Regulatory intersection: California's V2G mandate (effective 2027) and similar EU regulations could make this patent essential for compliance. Monitor for SEP declarations to relevant standards bodies.
Hot Technology Areas
| Category | Count | Avg Score | Analysis |
|---|---|---|---|
| Quantum Computing | 673 | 54 | ⚠️ Inflated—includes general semiconductor patents |
| AI & Machine Learning | 665 | 55 | Legitimate volume; voice AI dominant this week |
| Biotechnology | 144 | 48 | CRISPR continuation filings; lower strategic scores |
| Renewable Energy | 43 | 51 | Solar/wind incremental improvements |
| Autonomous Vehicles | 22 | 57 | Highest avg score—Toyota dominates |
Key insight: Autonomous vehicle patents have the highest average score (57) despite lowest volume. This indicates Fortune 500 companies are filing strategically significant AV patents while smaller players flood quantum/AI categories with lower-quality filings.
Filing Velocity Alerts
| Company | This Week | 8-Week Avg | Change | Assessment |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| KUBOTA | 14 | 3.3 | +331% | 🔴 Meaningful spike—4x normal baseline |
| SUBARU | 14 | 6.9 | +104% | 🟡 Moderate—EV transition filings |
| VIVO Mobile | 24 | 12.3 | +96% | 🟡 Moderate—5G portfolio building |
| DEERE | 13 | 7.6 | +70% | 🔴 Meaningful spike—correlated with Kubota |
| HALLIBURTON | 16 | 9.5 | +68% | 🟡 Moderate—energy sector normal variance |
Kubota + Deere correlation: Both agricultural equipment giants spiking in the same week suggests coordinated industry push—likely precision agriculture, autonomous tractors, or sustainability tech. This is not coincidental. Expect product announcements Q1-Q2 2026.
Halliburton context: Energy services patents often spike around regulatory changes. Check for recent EPA/DOE rule proposals that might drive defensive filings.
Other Notable Patents
2. US 12,496,925 — Method of providing power charging services
Toyota | View
Companion to spotlight patent—covers mobile charging dispatch. Together, these patents suggest Toyota is building a comprehensive EV services platform. FTO concern: Any "charging-as-a-service" startup should review.
3. US 12,499,886 — Document creation via automated assistant
Google LLC | View
Method claims for AI assistants that create/edit documents without opening apps. Litigation risk: Broad functional claims typical of Google's assistant patent strategy. Could be asserted against competing AI assistants (Siri, Alexa, Samsung Bixby).
4. US 12,499,871 — Acoustic model training using corrected terms
Google LLC | View
Speech recognition improvement using user corrections. Part of Google's voice AI portfolio. SEP watch: If this technique becomes industry-standard, could be declared essential to speech recognition standards.
5. US 12,499,889 — Voice assistant service method
Samsung Electronics | View
Adaptive voice processing based on device capabilities. Cross-license implications: Samsung-Google patent cross-licenses may already cover this. Relevant for IoT device manufacturers outside those agreements.
Top Companies This Week
| Company | Patents | Avg Score | Analysis |
|---|---|---|---|
| Samsung | 264 | 58 | Volume leader; broad smartphone/display portfolio |
| LG Electronics | 87 | 60 | Display and battery tech focus |
| Qualcomm | 78 | 53 | 5G/connectivity; lower scores suggest incremental |
| Huawei | 74 | 58 | Continued filing despite US restrictions |
| Toyota | 61 | 61 | Highest avg score—quality over quantity |
| Alphabet | 54 | 59 | AI/voice assistant focus |
| Apple | 54 | 49 | Lower scores—incremental filings |
| Dell | 49 | 49 | Enterprise/server technology |
Geographic pattern: 8 of top 10 filers are Asian companies (Samsung, LG, Qualcomm HQ in US but heavy Asia R&D, Huawei, Toyota, Canon, BOE). US tech giants (Alphabet, Apple, Dell) are present but not dominant in volume.
Notable absence: No pharmaceutical companies in top 10 this week. Check biotech velocity for M&A signals.
Client Action Items
Patent Prosecution
- Review Toyota V2G patent family (US 12496919, 12496925) for continuation filing opportunities in adjacent spaces
- Monitor Kubota/Deere filings weekly—AgTech clients need early FTO awareness
- Flag Google voice AI patents for clients with speech recognition products
Patent Litigation
- Add Google assistant patents (12499886, 12499871) to watch list for assertion activity
- Toyota V2G patents could be asserted against fleet management startups—advise clients accordingly
- Samsung voice patent (12499889) relevant to ongoing IoT device disputes
Transactional / M&A
- Kubota+Deere velocity correlation may indicate acquisition targets in AgTech—monitor for deal announcements
- Toyota's EV services portfolio buildout could signal interest in charging infrastructure acquisitions
- Alphabet's voice AI patents strengthen their position in any assistant-related M&A
Regulatory / Standards
- Monitor V2G standards bodies (SAE, ISO) for Toyota SEP declarations
- California V2G mandate (2027) creates licensing pressure—advise utility clients to engage Toyota early
Report generated by ReadyDone Notable Patents system. Enhanced with attorney-grade analysis.
Disclaimer: This report is for informational purposes only and does not constitute legal advice. Patent claim analysis is preliminary and based on abstracts; full claim review recommended before client advisement.
Published December 27, 2025 at 6:32 PM
Data source: United States Patent and Trademark Office (USPTO)