Patent Claims Analyzer Skill

Automated analysis of patent claims for USPTO compliance with 35 USC 112(b) requirements.

When to Use

Invoke this skill when users ask to:

• Review patent claims for definiteness
• Check antecedent basis in claims
• Analyze claim structure
• Find claim drafting issues
• Validate claims before filing
• Fix USPTO office action issues related to claims

What This Skill Does

Performs comprehensive automated analysis:

1. Antecedent Basis Checking:

   • Finds terms used without prior introduction
   • Detects missing "a/an" before first use
   • Identifies improper "said/the" before first use
   • Tracks term references across claims

2. Definiteness Analysis (35 USC 112(b)):

   • Identifies subjective/indefinite terms
   • Detects relative terms without reference
   • Finds ambiguous claim language
   • Checks for clear claim boundaries

3. Claim Structure Validation:

   • Parses independent vs. dependent claims
   • Validates claim dependencies
   • Checks claim numbering
   • Identifies claim type (method, system, etc.)

4. Issue Categorization:

   • Critical: Must fix before filing
   • Important: May cause rejection
   • Minor: Best practice improvements

Required Data

This skill uses the automated claims analyzer from: Location: ${CLAUDE_PLUGIN_ROOT}/python\claims_analyzer.py

How to Use

When this skill is invoked:

1. Load the claims analyzer:

   import sys
   sys.path.insert(0, os.path.join(os.environ.get('CLAUDE_PLUGIN_ROOT', '.'), 'python'))
   from python.claims_analyzer import ClaimsAnalyzer
   
   analyzer = ClaimsAnalyzer()
   

2. Analyze claims:

   claims_text = """
   1. A system comprising:
       a processor;
       a memory; and
       said processor configured to...
   """
   
   results = analyzer.analyze_claims(claims_text)
   

3. Present analysis:

   • Show compliance score (0-100)
   • List issues by severity (critical, important, minor)
   • Provide MPEP citations for each issue
   • Suggest specific fixes

Analysis Output Structure

{
    "claim_count": 20,
    "independent_count": 3,
    "dependent_count": 17,
    "compliance_score": 85,  # 0-100
    "total_issues": 12,
    "critical_issues": 2,
    "important_issues": 7,
    "minor_issues": 3,
    "issues": [
        {
            "category": "antecedent_basis",
            "severity": "critical",
            "claim_number": 1,
            "term": "said processor",
            "description": "Term 'processor' used with 'said' before first introduction",
            "mpep_cite": "MPEP 2173.05(e)",
            "suggestion": "Change 'said processor' to 'the processor' or introduce with 'a processor' first"
        },
        # ... more issues
    ]
}

Common Issues Detected

1. Antecedent Basis Errors:

   • Using "said/the" before "a/an" introduction
   • Terms appearing in dependent claims not in parent
   • Missing antecedent in claim body

2. Definiteness Issues:

   • Subjective terms: "substantially", "about", "approximately"
   • Relative terms: "large", "small", "thin"
   • Ambiguous language: "and/or", "optionally"

3. Structure Issues:

   • Means-plus-function without adequate structure
   • Improper claim dependencies
   • Missing preamble or transition

Presentation Format

Present analysis as:

CLAIMS ANALYSIS REPORT
======================

Summary:
- Total Claims: 20 (3 independent, 17 dependent)
- Compliance Score: 85/100
- Issues Found: 12 (2 critical, 7 important, 3 minor)

CRITICAL ISSUES (Must Fix):

[Claim 1] Antecedent Basis Error
  Issue: Term 'processor' used with 'said' before introduction
  Location: "said processor configured to..."
  MPEP: 2173.05(e)
  Fix: Change to 'the processor' or introduce with 'a processor' first

[Claim 5] Indefinite Term
  Issue: Subjective term 'substantially' without definition
  Location: "substantially similar to..."
  MPEP: 2173.05(b)
  Fix: Define 'substantially' in specification or use objective criteria

IMPORTANT ISSUES:
...

MINOR ISSUES:
...

Integration with MPEP

For each issue, the skill can:

1. Search MPEP for relevant guidance
2. Provide specific MPEP section citations
3. Show examiner guidance on similar issues
4. Suggest fixes based on USPTO practice

Tools Available

• Read: To load claims from files
• Bash: To run Python analyzer
• Write: To save analysis reports