Understanding the Scope and Claims of a U.S. Patent: A Detailed Analysis of United States Patent 10,463,634
Introduction to U.S. Patents
When analyzing a U.S. patent, it is crucial to understand its various components and how they define the scope and protection of the invention. This article will delve into the specifics of United States Patent 10,463,634, using it as a case study to explain the key elements of a patent.
Patent Document Identifier
The patent document identifier is a unique code that identifies the patent. For example, in the case of US 10,463,634 B2, the "US" indicates it is a U.S. patent, "10,463,634" is the unique identifier, and "B2" signifies that this patent has a previously published application[2].
Document Type and Application Details
- Document Type: This section indicates that the document is a utility patent.
- Application Number: The number associated with the patent application.
- Date of Application: The date when the patent application was filed.
- Date of Patent: The date when the patent was granted[1].
Classification
- IPC Classification: The International Patent Classification (IPC) code, which categorizes the invention globally.
- National Classification: The U.S. classification code, which further specifies the invention within the U.S. patent system[1].
Title of the Invention
The title is a brief description of the invention, limited to 500 characters or less. This provides a quick overview of what the patent covers[1].
References
This section lists U.S. and foreign patent documents and other publications cited as related prior art by the inventor and patent examiner. These references help in understanding the background and context of the invention[1].
Specification
The specification is a detailed written description of the invention. It includes:
- Discussion of Related Prior Art: Previously issued patents and other publications relevant to the invention.
- Description of the Drawings: An explanation of the technical details illustrated in the drawings.
- Technical Problem and Solution: How the invention addresses a specific technical problem.
- Preferred Embodiment: The most preferred way the invention can be implemented[1].
Drawings
The drawings section contains black and white illustrations that provide technical details of the invention. These drawings are essential for visualizing the invention and understanding its components[1].
Claims
Importance of Claims
The claims section is the most critical part of the patent as it defines the scope of protection. Claims set the legal boundaries of the invention, similar to how a property deed defines physical boundaries[2].
Types of Claims
- Independent Claims: These introduce a new concept or idea without referencing other claims.
- Dependent Claims: These elaborate on independent claims by adding additional features or limitations without needing to restate the entire claim[2].
Example from US 10,463,634
To illustrate, let's consider a hypothetical claim from US 10,463,634:
1. A portable electronic device, comprising:
a first housing;
a second housing coupled to the first housing and movable relative thereto between a closed position and an open position;
an antenna positioned in the first housing;
a low frequency shield coupled to the antenna and adapted to inhibit changes to the frequency response of the antenna when the portable electronic device is moved between the open position and the closed position;
and a high frequency chassis resonator coupled to the low frequency shield and adapted to increase high frequency sensitivity of the antenna.
This claim defines the scope of protection by specifying the components and their functions, similar to the example provided in the context of another patent[1].
Measuring Patent Scope
The scope of a patent can be measured using metrics such as independent claim length and independent claim count. These metrics help in assessing the breadth and clarity of the patent claims. For instance, narrower claims are often associated with a higher probability of grant and a shorter examination process[3].
Patent Landscape
Understanding the patent landscape involves looking at related patents, prior art, and the classification of the invention. Tools like the Global Dossier and Common Citation Document (CCD) provided by the USPTO help in visualizing the patent family and prior art cited by various patent offices. This is crucial for identifying potential infringement and navigating the intellectual property landscape[4].
Post-Grant Review
After a patent is granted, it can still be subject to post-grant review. This process allows a person who is not the owner of the patent to file a petition to institute a post-grant review, challenging the validity of the patent based on prior art and other grounds[5].
Key Takeaways
- Patent Document Identifier: Unique code identifying the patent.
- Specification: Detailed description of the invention, including prior art, drawings, and the preferred embodiment.
- Claims: Define the scope of protection and are crucial for determining patent infringement.
- Types of Claims: Independent and dependent claims provide a detailed legal boundary of the invention.
- Measuring Patent Scope: Metrics like independent claim length and count help in assessing patent breadth and clarity.
- Patent Landscape: Tools like Global Dossier and CCD help in understanding related patents and prior art.
- Post-Grant Review: A process to challenge the validity of a granted patent.
FAQs
What is the purpose of the claims section in a U.S. patent?
The claims section defines the scope of protection for the invention, setting the legal boundaries of what is protected.
How do independent and dependent claims differ?
Independent claims introduce new concepts without referencing other claims, while dependent claims elaborate on independent claims by adding additional features or limitations.
What tools can be used to understand the patent landscape?
Tools like the Global Dossier and Common Citation Document (CCD) provided by the USPTO help in visualizing the patent family and prior art.
Can a granted patent be challenged?
Yes, a granted patent can be challenged through a post-grant review process, where a person who is not the owner of the patent can file a petition to institute a review.
How is the scope of a patent measured?
The scope of a patent can be measured using metrics such as independent claim length and independent claim count, which help in assessing the breadth and clarity of the patent claims.
Sources
- How to Read a U.S. Patent - Patents and Designs - Research Guides
- Lesson 3: Parts of a Patent | UW-Madison Libraries
- Patent Claims and Patent Scope - Search eLibrary :: SSRN
- Search for patents - USPTO
- 35 USC 321: Post-grant review - United States Code
