What activities constitute patent infringement?

Patent infringement occurs when an unauthorized party makes, uses, sells, offers for sale, or imports into protected jurisdictions a method containing all essential elements described in at least one granted claim. Infringement can be direct (performing the method yourself), indirect (enabling others to perform it), or contributory (supplying components specifically intended for use in practicing the method).

Are there enhanced penalties for knowing infringement?

Yes. Willful infringement involves knowingly using patented technology commercially without authorization despite awareness of its existence. Induced infringement involves actively encouraging or facilitating another party’s infringement. Both constellations can result in significantly enhanced damages if established legally.

Can the patent be circumvented?

To legally circumvent this patent, an alternative method must avoid at least one essential element of the core claim — for example, by not using drone-generated airflow as the cleaning mechanism. Practically speaking, circumventing this patent requires adopting significantly less efficient or fundamentally different operational approaches, as the combination of sensor-based alignment and airflow cleaning is precisely what defines the method’s commercial advantage.

If a drone is flown manually, does that bypass the patent?

Manual control alone does not guarantee circumvention. Most modern drones — even when manually operated — utilize built-in flight controller subroutines (such as altitude hold or optical flow stabilization) that autonomously align the drone relative to surfaces using sensor data. If these subroutines are engaged while the drone’s airflow is used for commercial cleaning purposes, the essential elements of the patented method are still being practiced in jurisdictions where the patent is granted.

How do flight controller subroutines factor into infringement?

Modern flight controllers include subroutines that continuously align drones toward surfaces using sensor data fused with altitude control and stabilization features. If these subroutines autonomously align drones based on surface geometry before or during the use of airflow for commercial cleaning, this directly infringes upon the essential elements described in the granted claims.

Does extraterritorial infringement apply to method patents?

Generally, a method must be performed within a granted jurisdiction to constitute direct infringement. However, indirect or contributory infringement can occur if components — such as software or hardware enabling autonomous sensor-based alignment — are manufactured or developed abroad but are specifically intended for commercial deployment within protected territories. Once imported or utilized commercially in a granted jurisdiction, they may trigger indirect infringement liability.

How does this patent apply to water-spraying drones?

If drone-generated airflow actively contributes to the surface cleaning or debris removal process — including alongside or after water application (e.g., using downwash to distribute liquid, assist drying, or clear residual debris) — it may fall within the scope of protection. Purely water-based spraying at altitudes where rotor wash does not materially interact with the surface generally does not infringe.

What if someone claims they are inspecting surfaces rather than cleaning them?

Inspection typically differs from cleaning in altitude, sensor usage precision, airflow intensity, and operational frequency. However, if an inspection protocol involves close autonomous alignment combined with airflow exposure sufficient to remove or displace debris — even unintentionally — this may constitute infringement in jurisdictions where the patent is valid. Genuine inspections conducted at altitudes where rotor wash does not materially interact with surface debris generally do not infringe.

Can the technology be used for research without a license?

Certain jurisdictions permit limited exceptions for purely academic research conducted without commercial intent. However, any commercial use — including corporate R&D or research aimed at future commercialization — typically requires explicit licensing permission from the patent holder.

Is using drone airflow for cleaning too obvious to have been patented?

Drone airflow cleaning was not considered obvious when the patent was filed in 2014. At that time, drones rarely featured sensor systems capable of precise autonomous surface alignment. The patent protects the specific, innovative combination of sensor-based autonomous alignment and airflow cleaning — a method that had not been previously described or anticipated. The independent granting, and subsequent withdrawal following third-party observations citing this patent’s priority, of a similar main claim filed by a team of eight Silicon Valley engineers (EP3183170) independently confirms both the method’s novelty and the strength of its prior art position.