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Figure Description for Patents

Free

Automate drawing descriptions for patent figures.

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Free · Opens the source repo

What Figure Description for Patents does

The Figure Description skill processes user-provided patent figures and generates formal descriptions for each drawing, complete with reference numerals. This skill is particularly useful for patent professionals who need to prepare documentation that includes detailed descriptions of figures, ensuring that each component is accurately referenced in relation to the claims made in the patent application.

To use the skill, users must supply figures in various formats such as PNG, JPG, SVG, or PDF, along with relevant patent documents like the Invention Disclosure and Claims files. The skill automates the process of identifying components within the figures, establishing their relationships, and producing a structured description that adheres to jurisdiction-specific requirements. For example, it generates descriptions in both Chinese and English, catering to different patent offices.

The workflow is methodical: it first discovers figures in the specified directories, analyzes each figure to identify components and their interrelations, assigns reference numerals according to a defined series, and finally generates the drawing descriptions and a reference numeral index. This structured approach helps ensure that all aspects of the figures are covered and that every claim element has a corresponding reference numeral, which is crucial for patent validity.

This skill is ideal for patent attorneys, agents, and inventors who frequently work with technical diagrams and need to produce formal descriptions efficiently. By automating this process, it saves valuable time and reduces the risk of errors in patent documentation.

When to use it

Use this skill when preparing patent applications that include technical figures that need formal descriptions and reference numerals.

When not to use it

This skill may not be suitable for general graphic design tasks or for figures that do not require formal patent descriptions.

What you can build with it

Preparing Patent Applications

Use this skill to generate formal descriptions for patent figures, ensuring compliance with legal requirements.

Automating Documentation Tasks

Streamline the process of creating drawing descriptions and reference numeral indices for patent submissions.

Enhancing Accuracy in Patent Claims

Ensure that all components of your figures are accurately referenced in relation to your patent claims.

How to install Figure Description for Patents

View source

1. Install with the skills CLI

npx skills add wanshuiyin/auto-claude-code-research-in-sleep/figure-description --agent claude-code

2. Or install it manually

Download the skill folder and drop it into ~/.claude/skills/ for all projects, or .claude/skills/ to scope it to one repo. Restart Claude Code so it picks up the new skill.

Anthropic's agentic coding CLI, and the reference implementation of Agent Skills. Drop a skill folder into ~/.claude/skills and Claude Code loads it automatically whenever a task matches the skill's description. Claude Code docs

Inside SKILL.md

Written by wanshuiyin

Figure Description for Patents

Process patent figures and generate drawing descriptions based on: $ARGUMENTS

Unlike /paper-figure which generates data plots, this skill processes user-provided technical diagrams and assigns reference numerals.

Constants

  • FIGURE_DIR = "patent/figures/" — Output directory for figure descriptions
  • REFERENCE_NUMERAL_PREFIX = 100 — Starting numeral for first figure's components
  • NUMERAL_SERIES = 100 — Each figure uses a separate 100-series (Fig 1: 100-199, Fig 2: 200-299, etc.)

Inputs

  1. User-provided figures (PNG, JPG, SVG, PDF) — search for them in the project directory
  2. patent/INVENTION_DISCLOSURE.md — for understanding what components to identify
  3. patent/CLAIMS.md — for mapping numerals to claim elements

Workflow

Step 1: Discover Figures

  1. Search the project directory for figure files:
    • Check patent/figures/, figures/, root directory
    • Look for PNG, JPG, SVG, PDF files
    • Check INVENTION_BRIEF.md or INVENTION_DISCLOSURE.md for figure references
  2. List all discovered figures with their paths
  3. If figures are missing that claims require, note them as [MISSING: description needed]

Step 2: Analyze Each Figure

For each figure found:

  1. Read the image using the Read tool (supports image files)
  2. Identify components: What labeled or visually distinct components are shown?
  3. Identify connections: How do components relate to each other?
  4. Identify flow: If it's a flowchart or sequence, what is the step order?

Step 3: Assign Reference Numerals

For each figure, assign numerals using the series convention:

FigureNumeral Range
FIG. 1100-199
FIG. 2200-299
FIG. 3300-399

For each identified component:

  • Assign the next available numeral in the series
  • Cross-reference to the claim elements it supports
  • Note if a component appears in multiple figures (use same numeral across figures)

Step 4: Generate Drawing Descriptions

Write formal drawing descriptions (附图说明):

For CN jurisdiction (Chinese):

图1是[发明名称]的系统结构示意图;
图2是[发明名称]的方法流程图;
图3是[具体组件]的详细结构示意图;

For US/EP jurisdiction (English):

FIG. 1 is a block diagram illustrating the system architecture according to one embodiment;
FIG. 2 is a flowchart illustrating the method steps according to one embodiment;
FIG. 3 is a detailed view of the processing module of FIG. 1;

Step 5: Generate Reference Numeral Index

Create a complete mapping:

## Reference Numeral Index

| Numeral | Component Name | Figure(s) | Claim Element |
|---------|---------------|-----------|---------------|
| 100 | System | FIG. 1 | Claim X preamble |
| 102 | Processor | FIG. 1 | Claim X, element 1 |
| 104 | Memory | FIG. 1 | Claim X, element 2 |
| 106 | Communication bus | FIG. 1 | Claim X, element 3 |
| 200 | Method | FIG. 2 | Claim 1 preamble |
| 202 | Receiving step | FIG. 2 | Claim 1, step 1 |
| 204 | Processing step | FIG. 2 | Claim 1, step 2 |

Step 6: Cross-Reference to Claims

Verify that every claim element has at least one reference numeral:

Claim ElementFigureNumeralStatus
[element][which fig][numeral]Covered / [MISSING]

If any claim element has no corresponding figure or numeral, flag it:

  • [MISSING FIGURE: Need a diagram showing {element description}]
  • [MISSING NUMERAL: Component {name} in figure {X} needs a numeral]

Step 7: Output

Write patent/figures/figure_descriptions.md:

## Figure Descriptions

### FIG. 1 — [Description]
[Formal one-paragraph description with all reference numerals]

### FIG. 2 — [Description]
[Formal one-paragraph description with all reference numerals]
...

Write patent/figures/numeral_index.md:

## Reference Numeral Index

[Complete table of all numerals, components, figures, and claim mappings]

Key Rules

  • Every component in every figure must have a reference numeral.
  • Every reference numeral must be explained in the specification.
  • Numeral series must be consistent: 100-series for FIG. 1, 200-series for FIG. 2.
  • If the same component appears in multiple figures, use the SAME numeral.
  • Do NOT modify user-provided figures -- only describe them.
  • Flag missing figures that the claims require but the user has not provided.
  • Drawing descriptions are one sentence each, in a consistent format.

Frequently asked questions about Figure Description for Patents

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