IP-Docs - trainpack104/

P104 Understanding and Preparing 3D-2D Utility Patent graphics

3D-2D Vector-Raster Utility Patent Illustration Toolbar

IP-Docs Tools

Opens a VB window that lets the user choose their initial view, one of six standard orthographic projections, or one of eight oblique views, once a view is chosen the window is closed and that view is presented in the MVIEW window in the document. The operator is prompted to adjust the view using the ORBIT option or press return to confirm the view. The system does a 3D to 2D conversion and prompts the user to begin choosing options that are not grayed out on the Utility toolbar. Choosing the option again offers the user the opportunity to create additional sheets and select new views in those sheets as well. The process continues until all required views are created. Unresolved: In some cases two or more views can be places on a page, do we create separate templates and have the view selector only act on the current DVIEW window? Can we have a 2-and 3 view option in the selection window an if the operator selects/highlights two or more views a view option VB window will open as well?

Selection of this icon opens the modified BHATCH options window that offers the user a selection of custom, specific Utility Patent shaders as specified by the USPTO. They can be applied and interactively scaled and reviewed before application Some custom programming will be required here as AutoCAD has no graduated tone fill and this must offer it as an option, at least a fine stipple effect that is island sensitive. Transparent symbol lines (3-5 short lines set at 45 degrees of the horizontal as well as parallel horizontal and vertical lines will be required also, see USPTO spec sheet.

This icon starts a review process, it opens the AutoCAD standard PLOT window which allows the current country version of the Design Patent to be reviewed and remains open until the CANCEL or a plot option is chosen. Time and resources permitting: The review could show all possible printable sheets, graphic and text documents, in "slide mode". The operator can pick a specific slide and have a full screen preview of that slide. A facility to switch between slide and full screen review mode would be nice). Hard copy can be chosen from a plot style that will print the images (all sheets) as well as call-up and print the corresponding documents from MSWord.

A Utility Patent plot style will become current in the plot window. It can be chosen and it will author both the images and text together (hopefully after it has been corrected and approved by a patent attorney, and will send it to the USPTO in Electronic Submission Format (in the case of a Utility Patent). The drawing(s) will be saved and date stamped along with the text document(s), the then-current document will be saved to the same name, different rev. letter (b,c,d, etc) If the copy is unregistered then all hard copies will have UNREGISTERED or BOOTLEG printed across them diagonally in bold print. If an attempt is made to submit electronically, the software will send a notice to our website, (with user information collected from the machine), so we can bill the user.

This icon will open the VB window that offers a list of countries, thirteen will be offered as "most frequently accessed" and the remainder of the countries' patent formats will be available to users off the web site to add-in, on-demand through an automatic (.exe) file upgrade, one country at a time. Once the first set of documents is complete, additional countries can be chosen. Txt in the drawings as well as text in the text documents will be translated to the language of that country. Graphics will be reformatted for those countries chosen in addition to the primary country (first completed). These will be generated using a set of algorithms that will resize, re-scale and turn on and off various country specific details including but not limited to image size, hatch patterns and shaders, and outlines. Each country will have to be made current, one at a time, and reviewed/plotted and/or electronically filed as required.

This icon is selected after all other lines and shaders have been applied. Selecting one item at a time a number is assigned to each item to be named or specified (disclosed). The number has a hot zone, double clicking in this hot zone will open the text document Bill of Materials Template at the point where the hot linked number is located. Additional annotation can then be added i.e item name, quantity, etc. The number assigned is hot linked to the corresponding number in the connected text document. The hot link is bi-directional such that double clicking the item in the text will open and highlight (possibly zoom a window around) the referenced object.

This icon opens a VB window that offers a limited set of QLEADER commands with the SPLINE option turned on. Line type of the leader line and boxed text rather than plain are offered as closing options. All other leader and dimension options are shut down (blocked) while in this command. A tool tip on the box will warn the operator that those leaders offered are he only ones acceptable to the USPTO and should not be overwritten.

This icon opens a box that offers a limited selection of three type styles offered to the user that are acceptable to the USPTO for the Utility patent.

This icon offers the user the opportunity to add highlighted (heavier weight) lines to the objects. USPTO limits the light source to be from the upper left, therefore creating heavy or shadow lines on all edges encountered traveling diagonally across the picture plain from lower right to upper left. Once the software algorithm has selected (marquee selected and highlighted) all the lines it thinks are appropriate, the command prompt will read "select additional lines?" additional lines can be added by picking (automatic start of the "add" selection set option", window or crossing select, "r" will allow removal of improperly selected lines. Once the selection set is complete, RETURN will OFFSET the selected lines half the chosen line width and apply the WIDTH option of PEDIT to all the chosen lines. Accumulation of multiple line segments that are formed in the 2D to 3D translation process is desirable, SPLINE or ELLIPSE/CIRCLE fitting algorithms are desirable but can be added later.)

This icon will offer a limited selection of LINETYPES that are acceptable to the USPTO, layers for each have been created, selection of one sets the appropriate layer current.

This icon opens a VB window that assists the operator in picking the proper pen width or line weight. This option sets the layer that represents that line weight, after selecting a line weight all new work will be on that layer and therefore inherit that line weight. A tooltip note should point out to the operator that the copy properties "brush" can be used to correct improperly weighted lines. The selection should be limited to those line weights approved by the USPTO. Use the publication for reference to these line weight specifications.

This icon should open the AutoCAD Design Center and give access to a file filled with USPTO approved set of symbols (in block format) that the user can choose from.

Selecting this icon will allow the user to choose items that will be shown for clarification but are not included in the patent being applied for. These items will be treated in a special manner, they will be changed to a hidden layer where the LINETYPE of all elements will be changed to HIDDEN. Those objects which are behind the claimed portion, will be hidden in a normal manner. Those items that are to be presented over-top-of the claimed item will be "hidden" themselves but superimposed over the claimed item(s) and not hide those items behind them. This may have to be created in several separate operations and superimposed in layers.

This icon is for use to create perspective (foreshortened "camera") views from oblique views.

Output vector to raster images and insertion into Adobe Acrobat, MS Word (XML) or Wordperfect files.

Vector graphics - refers to a line with a given direction obtained from two points.
Raster graphics - consists of row after row of tiny phosphor spots.

Help specific to Utility Patents.

These toolbars assist with automating and formatting views.

Table of Contents

Patent Information

Utility Patent Drawing Example

P105 Understanding and preparing Utility Patent text documents for the patent attorney