AUA Files Its First International Utility Patent Application
YEREVAN, Armenia — The Office of Sponsored Programs and Technology Transfer (OSP&TT) at the American University of Armenia (AUA) is pleased to announce a major milestone achieved within its first year of operation: the filing of AUA’s inaugural utility patent application. Submitted on June 6, 2025 through the International Bureau of WIPO, the application is based on an invention disclosure by Dr. Tadamasa Sawada, faculty member at AUA’s Zaven P. and Sonia Akian College of Science and Engineering. This milestone underscores the University’s growing commitment to fostering innovation and supporting faculty in translating research into real-world impact.
Dr. Sawada’s invention, titled “Optimization of Depth Perception in a Region of a 3D Scene”, introduces a novel technology designed to enhance depth perception in three-dimensional environments. “This method improves how depth is perceived from head-mounted displays by applying principles from vision science,” he explained. “It can significantly enhance the human factors of using XR (VR/AR/MR) head-mounted displays and human-machine interaction. The technology holds promise across a range of XR applications — from remote operation of robots and drones to immersive 3D movies and imagery.”
Reflecting on the patenting process, Dr. Sawada shared his appreciation for the collaborative experience: “The process of writing and filing the application was very smooth, thanks to the expert support of AUA’s Technology Transfer office. For my part, it was essential to articulate my ideas clearly throughout, and my background in academic writing proved invaluable.”
Throughout its 34 years of history marked by excellence in academic education and growing research activities and outputs, AUA has built a solid foundation to transform academic discoveries into real-world solutions, bringing university research to the market and generating societal impact, and contributing to Armenia’s socioeconomic development.
In Fall 2024, AUA became the first university in Armenia to establish a fully operational, institutionalized, and policy-driven OSP&TT. In this short time, the Office developed and launched a secure Invention Disclosure portal and introduced key institutional frameworks, including the AUA Intellectual Property (IP) and Commercialization policy, IP assignment agreement, and a comprehensive IP and Commercialization Roadmap.
AUA President Dr. Bruce Boghosian lauded this milestone, noting, “We are delighted that, in its first year of existence, AUA’s Office of Sponsored Programs and Technology Transfer, under the leadership of Professor Knar Khachatryan, has managed to educate our faculty, staff, and students about the importance of IP protection, institute new policies and employment contracts toward that end, and develop and deploy our Invention Disclosure Portal so that our university community members can share in the benefit of the IP they generate. We have understood all along that this was a long-term project, so we are surprised and delighted that the effort resulted in a patent application in its first year of existence. My hearty congratulations go to the inventor, Dr. Sawada, as well as to OSP&TT Director Dr. Khachatryan for her leadership and Dr. Naira Campbell-Kyureghyan for her guidance and advice throughout the process.”
The OSP&TT collaborates closely with AUA’s Master of Laws program and the Armenian Bar Association, headquartered in Los Angeles, CA, to advance academic and policy-related initiatives. The Office continues to expand and refine its services for the AUA community through close engagement with academic units and University leadership.
The figure below offers a concise overview of TT and IIP activities carried out between September 2024 and June 2025.
The AUA OSP&TT maintains close ties with IP/Patent Attorney Karen Tonoyan, principal attorney at TONO Law Group LLC (USA), to support IP protection and commercialization efforts.
On July 25, 2025 the Office hosted an informal roundtable discussion on “Ideas, Inventions, and Ownership: An Open Dialogue With an IP Lawyer” for AUA faculty and staff. The session provided an accessible introduction to key IP concepts, including patents, trademarks, and copyrights, as well as licensing and spinning off strategies. Participants had the opportunity to engage directly with Attorney Tonoyan, discussing the IP and commercialization aspects of their research and grant activities. The dialogue offered practical guidance on safeguarding innovative ideas, navigating legal frameworks, and strategically leveraging IP.
Founded in 1991, the American University of Armenia (AUA) is a private, independent university located in Yerevan, Armenia, affiliated with the University of California, and accredited by the WASC Senior College and University Commission in the United States. AUA provides local and international students with Western-style education through top-quality undergraduate and graduate degree and certificate programs, promotes research and innovation, encourages civic engagement and community service, and fosters democratic values.
