Mauriel Patents
Understanding and Protecting Innovation
Mauriel Patents

Technologies

Quantum computing is still in its infancy from a commercial standpoint.  But from a patenting perspective, quantum computing is full speed ahead. According to data published in February 2026 by the European Quantum Industry Consortium, the number of new quantum computing patent families initiated in 2023 was 18x the number of families initiated in 2017.  The average annual growth over this period in quantum computing patent family filings was 43%. By comparison, across all technologies, new patent family growth was in the range of only about 2-3% during the same period.  Simply put, patenting in quantum computing is growing at a MUCH faster rate than patenting overall. Companies in or entering the quantum computing space need to be highly focused on building strong foundational patent portfolios. 

Mike Mauriel has spent much of his time in the last two years writing patents related to quantum computing technology. He has thoroughly enjoyed getting up to speed on relevant aspects of technology and he welcomes the interdisciplinary nature of the field. He has worked on quantum chip patent applications including applications related to: Quantum chip architecture including layout, routing, and signal management; the photonic circuits and devices needed to effectively connect qubits, perform entanglement, and encode multi-dimensional states; and QPU thermal management. He has also prepared applications related to hybrid classical- quantum algorithms including quantum machine learning and system energy simulation.

If you are building a company in the quantum computing space, we would love to hear from you.     

Mike has worked on IC-related patent matters throughout his career. He has drafted and prosecuted IC patents, worked on IC patent litigations and helped resolve IC patent disputes. Selected examples of technologies Mike’s projects include:

  • FPGA chip-wide architectures including routing and redundancy aspects
  • Analog sensing circuity
  • Drive circuitry
  • Logic elements
  • Logic array blocks
  • SDRAM circuity and memory management systems
  • Multi-protocol transceivers
  • Scramblers
  • Level shifters
  • Clock circuitry
  • Wireless charging
  • NAND flash memory

Mauriel Patents welcomes patent analysis, litigation, preparation, and prosecution projects related to integrated circuit technology. We can represent you with particular confidence in this area.

Mike has been preparing and prosecuting machine learning patents since 2014. His cases have involved various learning models and contexts including:  

  • CNNs
  • RNNs
  • Transformers, especially Vision Transformers
  • Self-Supervised Learning
  • Machine Vision
  • Medical Image Analysis
  • Automated PCR analysis
  • Sequencing
  • Quantum Machine Learning

The challenges involved in preparing and prosecuting AI-related patents go well beyond the complexities of the technology. Machine learning / AI inventions pose specific challenges in the patent law areas of subject matter eligibility, enablement, written description, and claim interpretation (especially as it relates to inadvertently invoking means-plus-function interpretation). Effectively protecting inventions related to machine learning / AI, perhaps more so than many other technology areas, requires a patent attorney with a high level of legal skill and patent experience.

Mike loves the interdisciplinary nature of scientific instrument technology, particularly in the context of capillary electrophoresis (CE), qPCR, and dPCR. The hardware and software for these systems involve optics, microfluidics, signal processing, bioinformatics, and, more recently, machine learning.  Some of the technologies Mike has done patent work on in this field include:

  • Real time dye calibration for CE instruments
  • Optical systems for CE instruments
  • Optical systems for dPCR instruments
  • Signal analysis for qPCR instruments
  • Microfluidics for CE and for dPCR
  • Machine learning for CE
  • Machine learning for qPCR and dPCR
  • Bioinformatics for various microarray assays, for sequencing, and for forensic identification

Patent work related to diagnostic and other scientific instruments benefits from familiarity with a broad base of underlying technologies.  If your company is in this space, Mike looks forward to leveraging his years of patent experience in the area to help protect your inventions.   

Photonics and optics are woven into much of modern technology from communications and computing to imaging, robotics, diagnostics, and quantum technologies. Mike has worked on patents involving displays, optical engines, photonic devices, lasers, LiDAR systems and photonic networks for quantum computing. We welcome working with inventors and companies in any area of optical and photonic technology.   

Mike is passionate about alternative energy. He has helped two different alternative energy startup companies build small patent portfolios:  One involving free flow hydropower and the other involving a renewable energy system for generating hydrogen. Mike is eager to take on more projects in the alternative energy space and is willing to spend considerable “up-to-speed” time without added cost to the client. In Mauriel Patents, alternative energy inventors and companies will find an enthusiastic and dedicated professional protecting their inventions.