Comparing citations between IDS forms

ClaimMaster lets you compare cited patent references (i.e., patent numbers, patent publications, non-patent literature) in two groups of Information Disclosure Statements ("IDS") forms or other documents (i.e., A and B) . The software will identify all references that are present in one group, but not another.  The software will also identify all references common to both groups.  Groups A and B can be comprised of cites pulled from IDS files or files in directories. The tool can also compare citations between individual applications/patents, entire patent families, or configured IDS citation groups.

Getting Started

To compare data between IDS forms, perform the following steps:

• From the ClaimMaster Ribbon, click on the USPTO Office Actions, Shells, and Forms menu, then Explore and Diff IDS References:

Feature Options

Once you select this option, an IDS comparison dialog will show.  Switch to the Compare Citations Between Documents tab. The following options are available from the IDS comparison dialog:

1. This is where you would specify citations for Group A.
2. This is where you would specify citations for Group B.
3. The sources for citations in groups A and B could be lists of references found in files, directories, or US patent/publications/applications, patent families, or pre-configured citation groups.  You can also cut & paste lists of citations for patent publications and NPLs directly into the Patent Pubs (Text) and NPLs (Text) fields in each group A and group B sections.

• Files - files can be in PDF  (e.g., the originally filed B08 forms), Word, or text formats.  
• Directories - you can compare between forms in the specified directories (IDS forms in one directory vs forms in another directory). 
• Patents/Pubs - specify patent or application numbers and the tool will import prior art references from Google Patents/Free Patents Online/EPO.
• Patent Families - specify patent or application numbers and the tool will import prior art references for entire families from Google Patents/Free Patents Online/EPO.
• Citation Group -  lets you select the name and view a list of references configured for a particular IDS citation group.

4. For both groups A and B, you can also directly type or cut & paste lists of citations for patent publications and NPLs into the Patent Pubs (Text) and NPLs (Text) tabs. For NPLs, each citation should begin on a new line.  When listing patent publication numbers, you can separate references with new lines, semicolons, or spaces.

5. Press this button to compare references in the specified groups A and B. The results will be printed in three columns – the first column will show all references in group A, but not B. The second column will show references in both groups A and B. The third column will show references in Group B, but not A
6. Shows a list of patent prior art found in group A, but not in group B.
7. Shows a list of patent prior art found both in groups A and B.
8. Shows a list of patent prior art found in group B, but not in group A.
9. Shows a list of non-patent literature (NPL) found in group A, but not in group B.
10. Shows a list of non-patent literature (NPL) found in both in groups A and B.
11. Shows a list of non-patent literature (NPL) found in group B, but not in group A.
12. Press any of these buttons to create an IDS for references listed in Group A, but not in B. You can also cut & paste directly from the text boxes.
13. Press any of these buttons to create an IDS for references listed in both Groups A and B. You can also cut & paste directly from the text boxes.
14. Press any of these buttons to create an IDS for references listed in group B, but not in group A. You can also cut & paste directly from the text boxes.