Transforming Ideas into Patents and Patents into Solutions

As a patent attorney, Andreas Baloghy plays a key role in transforming ideas into marketable solutions. Innovation is not left to chance at Dematic, but is achieved through a structured and target-oriented process: Baloghy and his team review the potential, the technical feasibility, and the market relevance of each proposal, ensuring that promising concepts are converted into marketable innovations.

Andreas Baloghy, patent attorney at KION subsidiary Dematic, sits at his uncluttered office desk in the German town of Heusenstamm. He has before him a pile of documents that have just arrived from the innovation department headed up by Dr. Joachim Tödter. The patent attorney focuses intently on the documents as he reads through them, becoming engrossed in the proposals with every page. Barely perceptible nodding is the only indication of his growing appreciation for his colleagues’ work. Andreas Baloghy picks up a highlighter and starts picking out key passages.

After a few minutes, he leans back, still holding the documents. The first strategies are already coming together in his head: How can he help to bring the ideas in front of him onto the market and ensure that they are protected effectively? “By keeping in mind the bigger picture,” says Andreas Baloghy, “but at the same time not losing sight of the details.” Good patent work is needed to ensure that groundbreaking ideas and innovations are protected by law.

The journey from idea to patent is a complex one. “The process has multiple steps,” explains Andreas Baloghy. “Each step is planned precisely—from the initial invention report to the review by the Global Patent Committee and the patent application.” Ideas not only need to be developed, they also need to be thoroughly assessed and validated before they can become reality. If any details are missing or anything is unclear, for example, with regard to the drawings required, the report is sent back to its creative mastermind for further work. The process culminates in a face-to-face meeting, where the inventor has the opportunity to explain their idea in detail. This helps to ensure that Andreas Baloghy and his team fully understand and correctly interpret every detail of the invention.

In the next step, Andreas Baloghy carries out initial research to determine the “state of the art.” This involves looking for existing patents, patent applications, and articles or other publications that might call into question the actual degree of innovation of the new invention. If he doesn’t find anything, he then consults the relevant product manager to determine the invention’s economic potential. If this assessment is positive, Andreas Baloghy presents the invention, first in a preliminary meeting and then in a detailed discussion before the Global Patent Committee. A patent is only filed for an invention once it has passed all the checks and has been shown to provide recognizable added value. “This careful and comprehensive process guarantees that we at Dematic continue to have an impact within the industry,” says Andreas Baloghy.

One remarkable example of a Dematic innovation is the patent that significantly improved storage system efficiency: the robot with two gripper arms. “These gripper arms can extend and place parcels directly in the nearest aisle,” explains Andreas Baloghy. The impact of this innovation is significant. “It has created a huge time saving,” says Andreas Baloghy. “We are talking about tenths of a second, which make a huge difference in logistics.” It may be a small improvement but it is one that has a long-term effect and makes the whole process more sustainable.

Innovations are not always clearly visible. Often it is the small, inconspicuous improvements that have the biggest impact. Andreas Baloghy remembers one of his earlier experiences: “We were able to reinforce a small component with a simple metal pin, doubling its service life. The change involved was minor but it made a big difference.” The approach adopted by Shin Yamashita , one of Dematic’s most accomplished inventors, is evident here. In his work, the Director of Consulting Engineering looks for the deeper causes of problems, because often the solution lies in hidden details that only become clear when you analyze the problem more closely. If these details are hidden, it’s Andreas Baloghy’s job to ensure that they are protected by law, helping Dematic to get ahead of the competition. .

Patents are not just used at Dematic to protect innovations—they are also a strategic tool. “Through our patents, we are actively driving development in previously untapped areas,” says Andreas Baloghy, referring to the areas known as “white spots.” These are market areas that are not yet occupied by patents or innovations. They are gaps in the technology field that offer potential for new developments. By strategically occupying these white spots with its own patents, Dematic secures a clear competitive advantage for the company. “This is an absolutely essential part of our work,” says Andreas Baloghy.

This doesn’t happen in a vacuum: Andreas Baloghy meets with engineers from the KION subsidiary in “engineering sessions” to discuss potential areas where there may be white spots. The patent attorney also contributes important ideas to these sessions: “The patent monitoring work I carry out, which involves keeping an eye on the competition, means that I know what’s happening on the market. I then discuss these findings with my engineer colleagues.” This helps to reveal trends among competitors, making it easier to identify the white spots. “The difficulty here is the fact that patents are not published until 18 months after the original application,” explains Baloghy. “So with each new patent application you read from your competitors, you are already looking a considerable way back in their development.”

As the intralogistics sector is constantly evolving, there is also a constant need for new solutions. However, it is not easy to maintain an overview. Andreas Baloghy sums it up as follows: “Sometimes you need to take a step back to see the bigger picture. Then you begin to realize how you can make the process easier.” This idea—of not just understanding the symptoms of a problem but its causes too—is deeply embedded in Dematic’s innovation culture.