Systems and methods for analyzing documents

• US 20080281860A1
• Filed: 05/08/2008
• Published: 11/13/2008
• Est. Priority Date: 05/09/2007
• Status: Active Grant

• Current Assignee: RELX Inc. (RELX PLC)
• Original Assignee: LexisNexis Group Inc. (RELX PLC)
• Inventors: Elias, Brian K., Morrise, Matthew C., Wang, Ningjun, Chauhan, Om
• Granted Patent: US 9,372,923 B2
• Time in Patent Office: Days
• US Class Current: 707/102
• CPC Class Codes: G06F 16/156 Query results presentation
• CPC Class Codes: G06F 16/248 Presentation of query results
• CPC Class Codes: G06F 16/3344 using natural language analysis
• CPC Class Codes: G06F 16/34 Browsing; Visualisation therefor
• CPC Class Codes: G06F 16/345 Summarisation for human users
• CPC Class Codes: G06F 16/353 into predefined classes
• CPC Class Codes: G06F 16/382 using citations hypermedia G06F16/94
• CPC Class Codes: G06F 2216/11 Patent retrieval
• CPC Class Codes: G06Q 10/10 Office automation; Time management
• CPC Class Codes: G06Q 50/184 Intellectual property management
• CPC Class Codes: H04L 67/52 specially adapted for the location of the user terminal
• CPC Class Codes: H04W 4/02 Services making use of location information

Abstract

Systems and methods are provided for analyzing documents. In one implementation, a computer implemented method is provided for analyzing a patent application and providing a visual representation. According to the method, a selection is received from a user to view claims of the patent application in a claim tree hierarchy and a computer displays the claims in the claim tree hierarchy on a display. The claim tree hierarchy visually depicts relationships between the claims. The method identifies one or more words of at least one of the claims that constitutes an element and displays, in the claim tree hierarchy, the words constituting the element in association with the claim.

Claims

1. A computer-implemented method for analyzing a patent application and providing a visual representation, the method comprising:

receiving a selection from a user to view claims of the patent application in a claim tree hierarchy;

displaying, by a computer, the claims in the claim tree hierarchy on a display, wherein the claim tree hierarchy visually depicts relationships between the claims;

identifying one or more words of at least one of the claims that constitutes an element; and

displaying, in the claim tree hierarchy, the words constituting the element in association with the claim.

2. The computer-implemented method of claim 1, further comprising:

receiving a selection from a user to research the element or a plurality of elements.

3. The computer-implemented method of claim 2, further comprising:

loading, into a memory of the computer, a plurality of databases; and

searching the plurality of databases for the element.

4. The computer-implemented method of claim 3, further comprising:

displaying the element with a visual indication representing results of the search.

5. The computer-implemented method of claim 4, wherein the visual indication is a text color, font, or an icon.

6. The computer-implemented method of claim 4, wherein the results of the search indicate that the element has a defined prior usage in documents stored in the plurality of databases.

7. The computer-implemented method of claim 3, further comprising:

storing, in association with the element, results of the search.

8. The computer-implemented method of claim 3, further comprising:

displaying results of the search in association with the claim tree hierarchy.

9. The computer-implemented method of claim 3, further comprising:

generating a report of results of the search.

10. The computer-implemented method of claim 1, further comprising:

displaying, in association with at least one of the claims, a designation indicating whether the claim is independent, dependent, or multiple dependent; and

generating a report of the claims, the reporting comprising a number of the claims and a claim tree, wherein the report further comprises a claim chart summarizing claim relationships.

11. The computer-implemented method of claim 1, further comprising:

providing an option for the user to associate reference data with the element.

12. The computer-implemented method of claim 11, further comprising:

displaying bibliographic data in association with the reference data and the element.

13. The computer-implemented method of claim 12, wherein the bibliographic data is automatically stored in association with the reference data.

14. The computer-implemented method of claim 12, further comprising:

generating a report for at least the element, the reporting including one or more of the reference data and the bibliographic data that is associated with the element.

15. The computer-implemented method of claim 1, further comprising:

displaying a label or icon indicating that reference data is available for the element.

16. The computer-implemented method of claim 15, further comprising:

receiving a selection from the user to view the reference data; and

displaying the reference data to the user.

17. A computer-implemented method for evaluating accuracy of a document, the method comprising:

receiving a selection from a user to check part numbers in a document;

determining words in the document that are associated with part numbers;

determining whether one or more words in the document are missing part numbers;

when one or more words in the document are missing part numbers, displaying one or more suggested part numbers for the one or more words; and

receiving from a user a selection to insert the one or more suggested part numbers into the document.

18. The computer-implemented method of claim 17, wherein the document is a patent application and receiving the selection from the user comprises receiving a selection of one or more of an abstract, claims, detailed description, or drawings section.

19. A computer-implemented method for converting a measurement expressed in a first measurement system in a document, the method comprising:

identifying the measurement in the document;

determining a conversion of the measurement into a second measurement system;

receiving input from a user to insert the conversion of the measurement into the document; and

inserting the conversion and corresponding units into the document.

20. The computer-implemented method of claim 19, further comprising:

identifying in the document one or more measurements expressed in units of the first measurement system having an incorrect conversion to units of the second measurement system.