Actions26
- Stock Actions
- Index Actions
- ETF Actions
- Forex Actions
- Crypto Actions
- Alternative Actions
Overview
This n8n node interacts with the Finnhub.io API, specifically targeting the "Alternative" resource and its "USPTO Patents" operation. It allows users to retrieve information about patents filed with the United States Patent and Trademark Office (USPTO) that are associated with a specific company symbol within a given date range.
Common scenarios:
- Researching recent patent activity for a public company.
- Integrating patent data into business intelligence or competitive analysis workflows.
- Monitoring innovation trends for investment or legal purposes.
Practical example:
A user could automate the retrieval of all patents filed by "GME" between January 1, 2021, and December 31, 2021, and use this data in further analysis or reporting.
Properties
| Name | Type | Meaning |
|---|---|---|
| Symbol | String | Company symbol (e.g., "GME") whose USPTO patent filings you want to fetch. |
| From Date | DateTime | Start date for the search window (inclusive). |
| To Date | DateTime | End date for the search window (inclusive). |
Output
The node outputs a JSON object (or array of objects) containing details about each USPTO patent filing related to the specified company symbol within the provided date range. The exact structure depends on the Finnhub.io API response, but typically includes fields such as:
- Patent title
- Filing date
- Patent number
- Abstract/summary
- Inventors
- Assignee/company
Note: The node does not output binary data.
Dependencies
- External Service: Requires access to the Finnhub.io API.
- API Key: You must provide a valid Finnhub API key via n8n credentials named
finnhub. - n8n Configuration: No special configuration beyond setting up the credential is required.
Troubleshooting
Common issues:
- Invalid or missing API key: If the Finnhub credential is not set up or is incorrect, the node will fail to authenticate.
- Incorrect symbol: Using an invalid or unsupported company symbol may result in empty results or errors.
- Date format errors: Ensure dates are in the correct format; otherwise, the API may reject the request.
- API rate limits: Exceeding Finnhub's rate limits can cause temporary blocks or error responses.
Common error messages:
"401 Unauthorized": Check your Finnhub API key in n8n credentials."400 Bad Request": Verify that the symbol and date parameters are correctly formatted and valid."429 Too Many Requests": Wait before retrying; consider upgrading your Finnhub plan if needed.