Automated Patent Claim Matching and Visual Comparison
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Solution Overview
Problem
Analyzing patent-related documents is inefficient and prone to human error due to the lack of automated tools for accurately comparing and identifying similarities and differences between claims, leading to time-consuming and potentially inaccurate results.
Innovation Solution
A computer program product and method that automatically compares and displays matching claims between two or more documents using a graphical user interface, employing claim matching algorithms to indicate exact and close matches, and providing features for visualizing claim hierarchies and differences.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Measurement precision
If manual review of entire documents is performed to determine changes, then analysis can be conducted, but the process is time-consuming and prone to human error
Solution Approach 1:
The patent replaces the manual mechanical review process with an automated computer-based system that uses software tools to perform document comparison, claim matching, and change identification, thereby eliminating human error and significantly reducing analysis time
Solution Approach 2:
The system enables self-service analysis by automatically performing document comparison, claim matching, and generating visual reports without requiring manual intervention, allowing users to simply input documents and receive automated analysis results
2Ease of operation
If existing document comparison tools are used, then some analysis capability is provided, but little or no visual guidance is given regarding similarities or differences
Solution Approach 1:
The patent employs color-coded visual indicators in the graphical user interface to highlight matching claims, differences, and similarities between patent documents, making it easy for users to quickly identify key relationships without manually searching through text
Solution Approach 2:
The system transforms the one-dimensional text comparison into a two-dimensional visual representation in the GUI, displaying claims side-by-side with visual markers that indicate matching relationships, thereby adding a spatial dimension to the analysis
3Adaptability or versatility
If multiple patent applications with slightly varying claims are filed, then multiple claim construction scenarios are covered, but analyzing the differences becomes arduous and time-consuming
Solution Approach 1:
The patent creates a universal analysis system that can handle multiple patent applications and claim sets simultaneously, providing a single tool that performs claim matching, difference analysis, and visual comparison across numerous documents, thereby maintaining versatility while improving efficiency
Solution Approach 2:
The system performs preliminary automated analysis of claims before formal review, pre-identifying matching claims and differences between multiple applications, which prepares the data in advance and significantly reduces the time required for detailed analysis
Data Source
AI summary
Disclosed methods and computer program products provide tools for analyzing documents. For example, a computer program product that is stored on a computer-readable storage medium includes instructions that, when executed, cause a computer system to perform certain steps. The steps include, for example, receiving a selection of two or more documents for comparison, the documents including numbered sections, and automatically determining matching numbered sections between the two or more documents. In one embodiment, the steps further include, in response to the determining, displaying in a graphical user interface a representation of a first set of numbered sections from a first of the documents and a representation of a second set of numbered sections from a second of the documents, and indicating, in the graphical user interface, matching numbered sections between the first set of numbered sections and the second set of numbered sections.