name: patent-claims-analyzer
description: Automated analysis of patent claims for USPTO compliance with 35 USC 112(b) requirements - antecedent basis, definiteness, claim structure
tools: Bash, Read, Write
model: sonnet

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:
2. Finds terms used without prior introduction
3. Detects missing "a/an" before first use
4. Identifies improper "said/the" before first use

5. Tracks term references across claims

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

7. Identifies subjective/indefinite terms
8. Detects relative terms without reference
9. Finds ambiguous claim language

10. Checks for clear claim boundaries

11. Claim Structure Validation:

12. Parses independent vs. dependent claims
13. Validates claim dependencies
14. Checks claim numbering

15. Identifies claim type (method, system, etc.)

16. Issue Categorization:

17. Critical: Must fix before filing
18. Important: May cause rejection
19. 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:
   ```python
   import sys
   sys.path.insert(0, os.path.join(os.environ.get('CLAUDE_PLUGIN_ROOT', '.'), 'python'))
   from python.claims_analyzer import ClaimsAnalyzer

analyzer = ClaimsAnalyzer()
```

1. Analyze claims:
   ```python
   claims_text = """
2. A system comprising:
   a processor;
   a memory; and
   said processor configured to...
   """

results = analyzer.analyze_claims(claims_text)
```

1. Present analysis:
2. Show compliance score (0-100)
3. List issues by severity (critical, important, minor)
4. Provide MPEP citations for each issue
5. 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:
2. Using "said/the" before "a/an" introduction
3. Terms appearing in dependent claims not in parent

4. Missing antecedent in claim body

5. Definiteness Issues:

6. Subjective terms: "substantially", "about", "approximately"
7. Relative terms: "large", "small", "thin"

8. Ambiguous language: "and/or", "optionally"

9. Structure Issues:

10. Means-plus-function without adequate structure
11. Improper claim dependencies
12. 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