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Anthropic, known for Claude, is now one of the world’s leading AI companies. You might think that a...
“Just write a prompt, and a program is created”—with the spread of generative AI, an era is approaching where even people who can’t write code can create software. And this very technology has been patented in Japan.In this article, a patent attorney specializing in AI intellectual property analyzes “Patent No. 7564601,” a registered patent obtained by the Japanese startup NEUROBASE, INC.
In our recent article, “Claude Fable 5 Arrives | How to Patent Inventions Developed at Lightning Speed with AI,” we explained that “inventions created by AI can also be patented,” and this patent is a concrete example of that. Let’s take a closer look at how “AI-generated code”—one of the hottest technologies right now—was successfully patented.
💡 Key Point: This article is part of the AI Agents and Generative AI Patent Series (In-Depth Analysis of Japanese Patents). For international cases, please also see “Patent Cases and Examination Practices in Japan, the U.S., and Europe.”
Table of Contents
- 30-Second Summary | Patent for “Creating Programs with Prompts” Technology
- Basic Patent Information
- What Is the Invention? | Two-Step Prompt + Editable Preview
- Analyzing Claim 1
- A Patent Attorney’s Perspective | Why Was This Granted a Patent?
- Why “AI-Powered Code Generation” Is Patented in Japan
- Lessons for Startups and Developers
- Real-World Examples from the Fable 5 Era | Securing Intellectual Property Rights for AI-Generated Technology
- Note: This Is a Registered Patent (Another Company’s Intellectual Property)
- Frequently Asked Questions (FAQ)
- Source
30-Second Summary | Patent for “Creating Programs with Prompts” Technology
● What the patent covers: Technology that enables development without software design or development skills.
● Key Points: A two-step process: ① Enter an “overview prompt” into an LLM to generate a “detailed prompt (specifications)”; ② Display this in an editable preview pane for the user to modify; ③ Generate program code from the edited detailed prompt.
● Patent Holder: NEUROBASE, INC. (a Japanese startup)
● Status: Registered Japanese patent (registered October 9, 2024; 13 claims in total).
● Key Points: A two-step process: ① Enter an “overview prompt” into an LLM to generate a “detailed prompt (specifications)”; ② Display this in an editable preview pane for the user to modify; ③ Generate program code from the edited detailed prompt.
● Patent Holder: NEUROBASE, INC. (a Japanese startup)
● Status: Registered Japanese patent (registered October 9, 2024; 13 claims in total).
Basic Patent Information
| Item | Content |
|---|---|
| Patent Number | Patent No. 7564601 (JP 7564601 B1) |
| Title of the Invention | Program, Information Processing Method, and Information Processing Device |
| Patreee (Applicant) | NEUROBASE, INC. |
| Inventor | Yasuhiro Inuma |
| Priority Date | April 21, 2023 |
| Filing Date | October 26, 2023 |
| Registration Date | October 9, 2024 |
| Number of Claims | 13 |
| Technical Field | Software Development Support and User Interface (Utilizing Generative AI) |
What Is the Invention? | Two-Step Prompt + Editable Preview
According to the abstract, this invention is a technology that “enables the design and development of software without requiring software design or development skills.” The core processing steps are as follows.
[Process Flow (Claim 1)] ① Receiving an Overview Prompt ・The user enters an “overview” of the program they wish to generate ▼ ② Generating a Detailed Prompt (Specifications) ・The overview prompt is input into a natural language processing model (LLM) ・→ A “detailed prompt” specifying the detailed specifications is obtained ▼ ③ Output to and Edit in the Preview Panel ・Display the detailed prompt in the preview panel ・The user can review and edit the content ★This is the ingenious part ▼ ④ Generation of Program Code ・Input the edited detailed prompt into the LLM ・→ Obtain the program code
💡 Key Point: Rather than simply “having the AI generate code,” the ingenious aspect of this invention lies in the extra step of displaying the intermediate “detailed prompt (specifications)” in a preview pane where the user can edit it. This results in a practical and concrete process where, instead of using the AI’s output as-is, a human verifies and revises the specifications before the final generation takes place.
Interpreting Claim 1
The scope actually protected by this patent is defined in the “Claims.” I will quote the most important Claim 1 (the program invention) from the original text.
Breaking down the configuration of Claim 1
| Components | Description | Role |
|---|---|---|
| Receiving the summary prompt | Receives an “overview” of what the user wants to create | Input (User Input) |
| Obtaining Detailed Prompt | Expand the summary into “detailed specifications” using an LLM | Conversion from Abstract to Concrete |
| Output to the preview pane | Display intermediate detailed specifications on the screen | Visualization |
| Accepting Edits | User Modifies Detailed Specifications | Human-in-the-loop |
| Code Retrieval | Code generation from the edited specifications | Output (Deliverables) |
Since the title of the invention is “Program, Information Processing Method, and Information Processing Apparatus,” all 13 claims are considered to be composed of the categories of program, method, and apparatus. This is a standard practice for software patents, aimed at capturing different infringers.
A Patent Attorney’s Perspective | Why Was This Granted a Patent?
You might think, “Isn’t generating code with AI a commonplace idea?” However, the key to this patent’s registration lies in its specific technical configuration.
① It is described in terms of a “processing flow” rather than an abstract idea. Instead of simply stating “AI generates code,” it breaks the process down into specific steps: reception → generation of detailed specifications → preview output → editing → code generation.
② A unique innovation: “editable intermediate specifications (preview field).” Rather than using the AI’s output as-is, the system is designed so that humans can review and modify the intermediate output (detailed prompt = specifications), which serves as a key technical feature and point of differentiation.
③ The problem to be solved is clearly defined. The technical challenge—“enabling software creation without design or development skills”—is directly linked to the specific means of solving it.
💡 Key Point: The mere fact of “using AI” is not sufficient to qualify for a patent. How the AI is integrated and what unique processing flows and UI were designed—it is this level of specificity that determines whether a patent is granted. The “editable intermediate specification” in this patent is a prime example of this.
Why “AI-powered code generation” is patentable in Japan
Under Japanese examination standards, an invention is eligible for a software-related patent if “information processing is specifically implemented by software using hardware resources.”
This patent is described as a specific data processing process in which a computer accepts a prompt, processes it using a natural language processing model, displays the output in a preview pane, accepts edits, and generates code. This satisfies the requirements for patent eligibility, and it is believed that the “editable intermediate specification” was recognized as an inventive step.
The approach to examining AI and software inventions in Japan is explained in detail in “Can AI Agent Technologies Be Patented? Examination Standards and Key Points for Obtaining Patents.”
Lessons for Startups and Developers
This patent was obtained by a Japanese startup. The lessons that AI and software developers can learn from this are clear.
① Services that “do X using AI” can also be patented. Even for tools and services that utilize generative AI, you can aim for patent protection if they feature a unique processing flow and UI.
② Use your unique “extra step” as a technical hook. Incorporate the differentiating features of your service—such as “the ability to edit intermediate specifications”—into the claims as specific configurations.
③ Startups, in particular, should file early. It is a golden rule to complete the patent application before publicly launching or releasing the service. Once the service is publicly disclosed, it loses novelty and can no longer be patented.
④ Cover all three categories: programs, methods, and devices. This captures different types of infringers and strengthens your protection.
Real-World Examples from the Fable 5 Era | Securing Intellectual Property Rights for AI-Generated Technologies
With the evolution of generative AI, tools like Claude Fable 5—which “compress several months of development into a few days”—have emerged. As AI accelerates development, unique technologies are created one after another and, at the same time, are immediately made public or released.
💡 Key Point: This patent (NEUROBASE) is a prime example of properly securing intellectual property rights for “technology that uses AI to create software” before public disclosure or service launch.Precisely because we are in an era where AI accelerates development, treating “building quickly” and “protecting quickly (through patenting)” as a single package is what determines a startup’s competitiveness.
Note: This is a registered patent (a third-party right)
Caution Regarding FTO (Potential Infringement): Patent No. 7564601 is a registered right held by NEUROBASE, INC. The actual scope of the rights is determined by the wording of each claim, the doctrine of equivalents, and historical information.If you are developing or providing services that include AI code generation or “editable specification previews,” we recommend consulting with an expert to assess the potential for infringement (FTO = Freedom to Operate) with respect to this patent. This article is a general explanation based on publicly available patent information and does not guarantee the legality of specific services or the scope of rights.
We assess whether your company’s AI development tools are patentable and whether they infringe on third-party patents.
Patent attorneys with expertise in the IT, software, and AI fields provide comprehensive support, ranging from free assessments of patentability to claim drafting, FTO (infringement) investigations, and determining the optimal timing for filing an application.
Schedule a Free Initial Consultation IT & AI Intellectual Property ServicesFrequently Asked Questions (FAQ)
Q. What is Patent No. 7564601?
A. It is a registered patent held by the Japanese startup NEUROBASE, INC. that protects technology enabling “software design and development even without software design and development skills.”It features a two-step process: a “summary prompt” entered by the user is fed into a natural language processing model (LLM) to generate a “detailed prompt (specification),” which is then displayed in a preview pane where the user can edit it; program code is subsequently generated from the edited detailed prompt.It was registered on October 9, 2024.
Q. Can a patent be obtained simply for “generating code with AI”?
A. In reality, the mere idea of “having AI generate code” is unlikely to be patented.It is believed that this patent was granted because it incorporates: (1) a specific two-step process—overview prompt → detailed prompt (specification) → code; and (2) a specific technical configuration that displays the intermediate detailed prompt in an editable preview pane, allowing users to make revisions.
Q. Are software and AI inventions patentable in Japan as well?
A. Yes, they do. In Japan, software-related inventions are eligible for patents as long as the information processing is specifically implemented using hardware resources such as computers. This patent is a concrete example of software development support technology utilizing AI (generative AI) that has been patented in Japan.
Q. I’m concerned that my company’s AI service might infringe on this patent.
A. This patent is a registered right held by another company, and its actual scope of protection is determined by the wording of the claims, the doctrine of equivalents, and prior art.Determining whether your company’s service infringes on this patent (an FTO—Freedom to Operate—analysis) is a specialized task that requires interpretation of the claims. If you have concerns, please consult a patent attorney well-versed in the IT and software fields to conduct a comparative analysis.
Q. Can our company’s AI development support tool be patented?
A. It is possible. Unlike this patent, which describes an abstract concept such as “using AI to do X,” if you describe specific processing flows (such as generating or editing intermediate specifications) or unique UI and data processing methods, you can aim to obtain a patent. Please consult a patent attorney as soon as possible after development.
Important Notes Regarding This Article: This article provides a general explanation of technology and the patent system based on published patent bulletins (J-PlatPat/Google Patents). Although Patent No. 7564601 is a registered patent, the actual scope of protection is determined by the wording of each claim, the doctrine of equivalents, and historical information.Although the cited claims and abstract are based on published patent application data, for legally significant purposes (FTO, infringement analysis, invalidation, patent applications, etc.), please be sure to verify the official copy on J-PlatPat and the latest prosecution history, and consult a specialist for a case-by-case review.
Source
- Patent No. 7564601 (J-PlatPat Patent/Utility Model Number Search): j-platpat.inpit.go.jp (Patent No. 7564601)
- JP 7564601 B1 (Google Patents): patents.google.com/patent/JP7564601B1/ja
Recommended Reading:
・Claude Fable 5 Is Here | How to Patent Inventions Developed at
Lightning Speed with AI ・Can AI Agent Technology Be Patented? Examination Standards and Key Points for Obtaining Patent Rights ・Can AI
Agents Be Patented? Patent Cases and Examination Practices in Japan, the U.S., and Europe
・Claude Fable 5 Is Here | How to Patent Inventions Developed at
Lightning Speed with AI ・Can AI Agent Technology Be Patented? Examination Standards and Key Points for Obtaining Patent Rights ・Can AI
Agents Be Patented? Patent Cases and Examination Practices in Japan, the U.S., and Europe
