Graph Of Patent Concept Map

There are innumerable strategies for graphing an invention space. The trick is to visualize the space at an appropriate level of abstraction. Patent drafters often prepare figures that show the interrelation of claims in a patent or application along the lines of that set forth below. In this particular example claims 2, 5, and 6 are directly dependent on claim 1. Claims 3 and 4 are indirectly dependent on claim 1, and directly dependent on claim 2. Claim 9 is multiply dependent on claims 5 and 8.

Figure 59 — Graphic Representation Of Claim Dependency

It is also possible to graph individual elements in a set of claims, although such graphing can become unwieldy on paper for more than five or ten elements.

Figure 60 — Graphic Representation Of Elements In Multiple Claims

For more complicated spaces one can use a branched tree structure space, which can conveniently graph hierarchies of information sets. Thus, the center the center could represent the core technology of an invention, and the various trunks and branches represent collections of prior art patents and other references.

Figure 61 — Branched Tree Structure For Graphing Information

Fascinating examples of moving concept maps can be found at Network Analysis And Visualization web site. Some of these maps allow allows users to expand and contract any portion of the structure merely by "pulling" on elements with a mouse. See also the topic maps website.