"Detect Visits and Automatically Record Sales Meetings" — UPWARD Secures Patent for Technology That Digitizes In-Person Sales Meetings

UPWARD Inc. (Headquarters: Chiyoda-ku, Tokyo; CEO: Ryusuke Kaneki; hereinafter “UPWARD”) has obtained a patent for a new technology that utilizes its proprietary presence detection technology to enable automatic recording of in-person business meetings. With this technology, when a field sales representative arrives at a client’s location, a notification suggesting that the meeting be recorded is sent to their smartphone. Tapping the notification starts the recording, preventing the representative from forgetting to do so.The system also detects when the representative leaves the client’s premises and automatically stops recording. The recorded data is analyzed by AI, which generates a summary for entry into the CRM system.

This patent is the core technology behind our AI meeting minutes service, "UPWARD AI Speech," and establishes our technological leadership in the field of in-person business meetings.

Overview of the Patent

Patent Number: Patent No. 7861247
Registration Date: May 11, 2026
Title of Invention: Information Terminal, Program, and Summary Generation System
Patent Information: https://www.j-platpat.inpit.go.jp/c1801/PU/JP-7861247/15/ja

Background of the Technology Development—Why Is It Difficult to Digitize "Face-to-Face Sales Meetings"?

While the number of companies implementing CRM/SFA systems continues to grow, we constantly hear complaints that they are “not being fully utilized.” This is particularly true for field sales representatives, who routinely handle numerous face-to-face meetings each day and then rely on their memory to enter data into daily reports while commuting or at the end of the day.This “memory-to-input” process inherently contains structural challenges such as missing information, subjective interpretation, and inconsistencies between staff members. However, the first-hand information that can only be obtained on the front lines of field sales holds the key to understanding customers and making strategic decisions. UPWARD is leveraging AI to digitize face-to-face meetings and is building a foundation to improve the accuracy of decision-making and boost sales.

Overview of This Technology

UPWARD specializes in location-based technology and has already obtained a patent for technology that automatically records a user’s stay by setting an expandable geofence (a virtual geographic boundary) around the location being visited.This patent applies this unique stay detection technology to voice analysis.
When a user enters a pre-registered geofence around a destination—that is, when they arrive at the destination—the smartphone automatically detects this and prompts the user to start recording. Additionally, it detects when the user exits the geofence—that is, when they leave the destination—and automatically stops recording. This prevents users from forgetting to start recording, ensuring that face-to-face business meetings are reliably documented while also helping to conserve battery life.

Workflow for Using "UPWARD AI Speech," Which Utilizes Patented Technology

• When you arrive at your destination, a notification prompting you to start recording will automatically appear on your smartphone.
• Start recording with a single tap—no need to use the app during business meetings
• When you leave the location, the system detects your departure and automatically stops recording.
• AI analyzes and summarizes conversations to automatically generate daily report templates
• After the assigned staff member reviews the content, it is entered into the CRM (final verification of the information is performed by a human).

For more information on "UPWARD AI Speech," click here :
https://upward.jp/downloads/ai-speech/

UPWARD: Transforming the Last Mile for Field Workers

"UPWARD" is an AI-powered sales support service designed specifically for field sales and customer visits. It utilizes proprietary "advanced geofencing technology" to automatically record customer interactions and offers a variety of AI features tailored to field sales. The service has been adopted by approximately 450 companies—primarily major corporations such as Kubota, Rinnai, and Shizuoka Bank, where face-to-face interactions with customers serve as the primary sales channel—and is being utilized as a next-generation sales digital transformation (DX) platform.

"UPWARD" Introduction Materials: https://upward.jp/downloads/allservicematerials/