User-Requested Features on Patent Workbench®: Claim Tree Export

During development of Patent Workbench®, patent attorneys requested certain features to make reviewing the patent file history an easier, more efficient process.  Last week, we looked at the “Select Papers” tab, which is a user-requested feature for creating a customized view of information on selected papers in the “File History” module.  Today we’ll focus on the Claim Tree Export option, another tool  added to Patent Workbench® based on user input.

Using the “Claims Tools” module in the Patent Workbench® Reader, you use the “Chain of Dependency” option to view a Claim Tree and to access to other reporting and export options.

Select the "Chain of Dependency" option to generate a Claim Tree.

Selecting the “Chain of Dependency” option will automatically generate a Claim Tree for the patent, which the user can expand or collapse by selecting the arrows beside claim numbers.  Within the Claim Tree, the number in parentheses is the patent claim on which the primary claim number is dependent. For example, in the Claim Tree below, “4(1)” indicates that patent claim 4 is dependent on patent claim 1, and “5(4)” indicates that patent claim 5 is dependent on patent claim 4. The dependency relationship is also illustrated through the indented (and collapsible) formatting of dependent claims below the patent claims which they are dependent on.

Select "Export" to export the Claim Tree to a Word document.

You can select specific claim numbers within the Claim Tree to generate a Claims Matrix with the selected claim’s dependency only.  You can also select the “Export” option to export the entire Claim Tree into a Word document.

The Claim Tree in .DOC format.

The Word document displays an expanded version of the Claim Tree, including all dependency relationships clearly illustrated through hierarchical formatting.

Benefits of the Claim Tree Export option:

•  Quickly generate a simple display of all claim dependency relationships.
• Export the Claim Tree into a format that can be easily shared with colleagues.
• Create a Claims Matrix with a selected claim’s dependency only.

Do you want to test the Claim Tree Export option? Request a free sample file to try the Patent Workbench® Reader today!