Unveiling Apple's Environmental Vision. A Patent Exploration. Part 1 : Finding the Patents
"While some see them as the crazy ones, we see genius. Because the people who are crazy enough to think they can change the world, are the ones who do." - Steve Jobs
In today's world, environmental responsibility has become a critical aspect of corporate ethos, and Apple Inc. is no exception. As we embark on this investigative blog post, our focus turns towards a lesser-explored aspect of Apple's environmental vision - their patents. Beyond the glossy presentations and public statements, these patents offer a unique window into the tech giant's efforts to address sustainability challenges and pave the way towards a greener future.
With a discerning eye, we'll delve into Apple's patent repository, seeking tangible evidence of their commitment to environmental preservation. We aim to uncover the innovations and solutions that underscore their dedication to minimizing their ecological impact and how they plan to play a part in fostering a more sustainable world. Through a rigorous examination of these patents, we'll endeavor to separate the genuine strides from mere greenwashing, shedding light on the true extent of Apple Inc.'s environmental vision. So, join us in this quest as we unveil the real story behind Apple's efforts towards a more eco-friendly tomorrow.
Espacenet
Espacenet is a valuable resource for innovators, researchers, and anyone interested in the world of patents. As one of the largest and most comprehensive patent databases globally, Espacenet provides free access to millions of patent documents from around the world. Developed and maintained by the European Patent Office (EPO), the Espacenet patent search website offers an intuitive and user-friendly interface that allows users to explore a vast collection of patents, patent applications, and related technical information. Whether you're seeking to conduct in-depth research, analyze prior art, or simply stay up-to-date with the latest technological developments, Espacenet empowers users with a powerful tool for uncovering valuable insights from the world of intellectual property.
Espacenet utilizes a comprehensive system of classification symbols to organize and categorize patent documents efficiently. The classification symbols are internationally recognized standards for classifying patents according to their respective technical fields and subjects.
Let's explore Espacenet.com!
First, we'll search all patents related to mitigation or adaptation against climate change. These patents are classified with the Y02 symbol.
Secondly, we'll adapt our search to by liming to those patents where the applicant contains "Apple". This can be done by enabling Advanced search, and creating a new Applicants field.
After an initial review of the results, we note some unrelated Chinese companies with "apple" in their name. So we adapt the Applicants field of our query so that we only get the patents of Apple INC.
Whats next?
In Part 2 of this series, with an extensive list of hundreds of patents in hand, through data analysis, we'll aim to shed light on the tech giant's commitment to sustainability.