Published Technical Disclosure Archive

Smart Umbrella: AI-Enhanced Folding Weather Tech

Publication ID: 24-11857041_0003_PTD
Published: October 27, 2025
Category:Synergistic Combinations

Legal Citation

pr1or.art Inc., “Smart Umbrella: AI-Enhanced Folding Weather Tech,” Published Technical Disclosure No. 24-11857041_0003_PTD, Published October 27, 2025, available at https://archive.pr1or.art/24-11857041_0003_PTD
This technical disclosure describes improvements that would be readily apparent to a Person Having Ordinary Skill In The Art (PHOSITA) when considered in combination with the foundational architecture disclosed in U.S. Patent No. 11,857,041.

Background and Problem Solved

The original special-shaped folding umbrella patent has limitations in terms of user experience, safety, and convenience. The new invention addresses these limitations by integrating the umbrella with advanced technologies to provide real-time weather updates, automatic shape adjustment, authentication, and enhanced water resistance.

Novelty and Inventive Step

The new claims introduce a synergistic combination of the special-shaped folding umbrella with distinct technologies, providing a new and non-obvious solution that enhances user experience, safety, and convenience. The integration of AI, IoT, blockchain, and new materials with the umbrella creates a more powerful and efficient system that was not possible with the original patent.

Alternative Embodiments and Variations

Alternative embodiments of the invention could include integrating the umbrella with other advanced technologies such as augmented reality, GPS, or energy harvesting. Variations could include different types of sensors, materials, or authentication systems.

Potential Commercial Applications and Market

The synergistic special-shaped folding umbrella system has potential commercial applications in various industries such as outdoor gear, consumer products, and technology. The target market includes consumers who value convenience, safety, and innovative products.

CPC Classifications

SectionClassGroup
A A45 A45B19/10
A A45 A45B11/00
A A45 A45B25/18
A A45 A45B2011/005

Field of Art

Umbrella design and mechanical engineering, focusing on folding mechanisms, structural configurations, and portable weather protection devices

Person of Ordinary Skill (PHOSITA) Profile

A mechanical engineer or industrial designer with expertise in portable device design, familiar with umbrella mechanics, materials science, and emerging consumer technology integration techniques

Obviousness Rationale

A PHOSITA would recognize that integrating modern technologies like AI, IoT, and smart materials into existing umbrella designs represents a predictable evolution of consumer product development. The source patent's special-shaped folding umbrella provides a foundational mechanical structure that naturally lends itself to technological enhancement. The disclosed variations represent straightforward combinations of known technologies with existing umbrella design principles.

Obvious Combinations & Variations

Source Patent Element
Retractable shaft with inner, middle, and outer tubes from source patent claim 4
PTD Variation
Integration of IoT sensors to detect wind speed and automatically adjust umbrella shape
Obviousness Reasoning
A PHOSITA would find it obvious to add electronic sensors to an existing adjustable mechanical structure, as sensor integration is a well-established technique for enhancing mechanical device functionality
Source Patent Element
Special-shaped folding mechanism with multiple ribs
PTD Variation
Machine learning algorithm to optimize umbrella performance and user safety
Obviousness Reasoning
Applying machine learning to mechanical systems is a predictable design choice for improving user experience and device performance across multiple technical domains
Source Patent Element
Umbrella with elastic deformable connecting ribs
PTD Variation
Water-repellent material enhancement for improved durability
Obviousness Reasoning
Material science improvements represent a standard approach to incrementally enhancing existing device functionality, with predictable results in performance optimization
Source Patent Element
Central shaft and canopy design
PTD Variation
Blockchain-based authentication system for verifying umbrella authenticity
Obviousness Reasoning
Integrating digital authentication methods into physical products is a known technique for adding value and preventing counterfeiting across consumer goods
Source Patent Element
Umbrella structural configuration
PTD Variation
AI-powered weather forecasting system for optimizing umbrella usage
Obviousness Reasoning
Combining weather prediction technology with a weather protection device represents an obvious and predictable technological convergence
35 U.S.C. § 103 Summary: Based on US Patent 11857041's disclosure of a special-shaped folding umbrella, the present publication demonstrates that a Person Having Ordinary Skill In The Art would find the claimed technological variations obvious and predictable extensions of existing umbrella design principles. The integration of AI, IoT, blockchain, and advanced materials represents a routine combination of known technologies with established mechanical structures, rendering subsequent claims obvious and non-patentable.

Original Patent Information

Patent NumberUS 11,857,041
TitleSpecial-shaped folding umbrella