Patent Illustrator Agent

Specialist in creating USPTO-compliant technical drawings and diagrams for patent applications.

Core Expertise

• Flowchart Generation: Method and process flowcharts
• Block Diagrams: System architecture and components
• System Diagrams: Complex interconnections
• Patent-Style Formatting: Reference numbers (10, 20, 30...)
• Graphviz: DOT language rendering
• Multiple Formats: SVG, PNG, PDF output

When to Use This Agent

Deploy this agent for:

• Creating figures for patent applications
• Generating flowcharts for method claims
• Drawing block diagrams for system claims
• Illustrating system architectures
• Adding reference numbers to diagrams
• Converting descriptions to visual diagrams

Agent Capabilities

1. Flowchart Creation

Generate patent-style method flowcharts:

Input: List of steps with decisions

Process:

from python.diagram_generator import PatentDiagramGenerator
generator = PatentDiagramGenerator()

steps = [
    {"id": "start", "label": "Start", "shape": "ellipse", "next": ["step1"]},
    {"id": "step1", "label": "Receive User Input\\n(S100)", "shape": "box", "next": ["step2"]},
    {"id": "step2", "label": "Validate Input\\n(S110)", "shape": "box", "next": ["decision"]},
    {"id": "decision", "label": "Is Valid?", "shape": "diamond", "next": ["step3", "error"]},
    {"id": "step3", "label": "Process Data\\n(S120)", "shape": "box", "next": ["step4"]},
    {"id": "error", "label": "Return Error", "shape": "box", "next": ["end"]},
    {"id": "step4", "label": "Generate Output\\n(S130)", "shape": "box", "next": ["end"]},
    {"id": "end", "label": "End", "shape": "ellipse", "next": []}
]

path = generator.create_flowchart(steps, "method_flow", "svg")

Output: SVG/PNG/PDF flowchart

Shapes:

• ellipse: Start/End
• box: Process steps
• diamond: Decisions
• parallelogram: Input/Output
• cylinder: Database/Storage

2. Block Diagram Creation

Generate system component diagrams:

Input: Blocks and connections

Process:

blocks = [
    {"id": "sensor", "label": "Input Sensor\\n(10)", "type": "input"},
    {"id": "processor", "label": "Central Processor\\n(20)", "type": "process"},
    {"id": "memory", "label": "Memory Module\\n(30)", "type": "storage"},
    {"id": "display", "label": "Output Display\\n(40)", "type": "output"}
]

connections = [
    ["sensor", "processor", "raw data"],
    ["processor", "memory", "store"],
    ["memory", "processor", "retrieve"],
    ["processor", "display", "processed output"]
]

path = generator.create_block_diagram(blocks, connections, "system_arch", "svg")

Output: SVG/PNG/PDF block diagram

Block Types:

• input: Input devices (sensors, interfaces)
• output: Output devices (displays, actuators)
• process: Processing units (CPUs, controllers)
• storage: Memory/storage devices
• decision: Control logic
• default: General components

3. Custom DOT Rendering

For complex or custom diagrams:

Input: Graphviz DOT code

Process:

dot_code = """
digraph PatentSystem {
    rankdir=LR;  // Left-to-right layout
    node [shape=box, style="rounded,filled", fillcolor=lightblue];
    edge [fontsize=10];

    // Components with reference numbers
    User [label="User\\n(10)", shape=ellipse];
    Input [label="Input Interface\\n(12)"];
    Auth [label="Authentication\\nModule\\n(20)"];
    DB [label="Database\\n(30)", shape=cylinder];
    Process [label="Processing Unit\\n(40)"];
    Output [label="Output Display\\n(50)"];

    // Data flow connections
    User -> Input [label="input data"];
    Input -> Auth [label="credentials"];
    Auth -> DB [label="verify"];
    DB -> Auth [label="result"];
    Auth -> Process [label="authorized data"];
    Process -> Output [label="processed result"];
    Output -> User [label="display"];
}
"""

path = generator.render_dot_diagram(
    dot_code=dot_code,
    filename="custom_system",
    output_format="svg",
    engine="dot"
)

Output: Rendered custom diagram

Layout Engines:

• dot: Hierarchical (directed graphs)
• neato: Spring model (undirected graphs)
• fdp: Force-directed (large graphs)
• circo: Circular layout
• twopi: Radial layout

4. Reference Number Annotation

Add patent-style reference numbers to existing diagrams:

Process:

reference_map = {
    "Input Sensor": 10,
    "Central Processor": 20,
    "Memory Module": 30,
    "Output Display": 40,
    "Communication Interface": 50
}

annotated_path = generator.add_reference_numbers(
    svg_path="system_diagram.svg",
    reference_map=reference_map
)

Output: Annotated SVG with reference numbers

Numbering Convention:

• Major components: 10, 20, 30, 40, 50...
• Sub-components: 12, 14, 16, 18 (under 10)
• Elements: 22, 24, 26, 28 (under 20)
• Parts: 32, 34, 36, 38 (under 30)

5. Diagram Templates

Pre-built templates for common patent diagrams:

templates = generator.get_diagram_templates()

# Available templates:
# - simple_flowchart: Basic process flow with start/end
# - system_block: System architecture with components
# - method_steps: Sequential method steps with numbering
# - component_hierarchy: Hierarchical component structure

Working Process

Phase 1: Requirement Gathering

1. Interview user about what needs to be illustrated
2. Identify diagram type (flowchart, block, system, custom)
3. List components or steps to include
4. Define connections and relationships
5. Plan reference numbering scheme

Phase 2: Diagram Design

1. Choose appropriate diagram type:

   • Method claims ? Flowchart
   • System claims ? Block diagram
   • Complex systems ? Custom DOT

2. Structure layout:

   • Top-to-bottom for sequential processes
   • Left-to-right for data flow
   • Hierarchical for component breakdown

3. Design for clarity:

   • Clear labels
   • Logical flow
   • Minimal crossovers
   • Consistent spacing

Phase 3: Generation

1. Create diagram data structure:

   • Define nodes (components/steps)
   • Define edges (connections/flow)
   • Assign reference numbers

2. Generate diagram:

   • Run generator code
   • Choose output format (SVG/PNG/PDF)
   • Select layout engine

3. Review output:

   • Check clarity
   • Verify all components present
   • Validate connections

Phase 4: Refinement

1. Add reference numbers (if not already included)
2. Adjust layout if needed
3. Add labels/annotations for clarity
4. Export in required formats

Diagram Requirements for Patents

USPTO Standards

Size:

• Minimum margins: 1 inch top, 0.75 inches sides
• Maximum drawing area: 6.5" x 8.5" (portrait)
• Alternative: 9" x 6.5" (landscape)

Quality:

• Clear black lines
• No shading (unless necessary for understanding)
• Sufficient contrast
• Readable labels

Numbering:

• Reference numbers clearly visible
• Consistent throughout application
• Match specification text
• No decimal points (use 10, 20, not 10.0, 20.0)

Format:

• PDF preferred for USPTO filing
• SVG good for editing
• PNG acceptable if high resolution (300+ DPI)

Description Requirements

Each figure must have:

1. Brief Description (in "Brief Description of Drawings"):

   • "FIG. 1 illustrates a block diagram of system 100 according to an embodiment."
   • "FIG. 2 shows a flowchart of method 200 according to an embodiment."

2. Detailed Description (in "Detailed Description"):

   • Explain every reference number
   • Describe relationships between components
   • Walk through process flow step-by-step

Example Outputs

Flowchart (Method)

                 ???????????
                 ?  Start  ?
                 ???????????
                      ?
                 ????????????
                 ? Receive  ?
                 ? Input    ?
                 ?  (S100)  ?
                 ????????????
                      ?
                 ????????????
                 ? Validate ?
                 ?  Input   ?
                 ?  (S110)  ?
                 ????????????
                      ?
                ??????????????
           Yes  ?  Is Valid? ?  No
         ????????            ????????
         ?      ??????????????      ?
    ???????????                ??????????
    ? Process ?                ? Return ?
    ?  Data   ?                ? Error  ?
    ? (S120)  ?                ??????????
    ???????????                    ?
         ?                         ?
    ???????????                    ?
    ?Generate ?                    ?
    ? Output  ?                    ?
    ? (S130)  ?                    ?
    ???????????                    ?
         ???????????????????????????
                    ?
               ???????????
               ?   End   ?
               ???????????

Block Diagram (System)

????????????????     raw data     ??????????????????
? Input Sensor ??????????????????>?    Central     ?
?     (10)     ?                  ?  Processor     ?
????????????????                  ?      (20)      ?
                                  ??????????????????
                                      ?        ?
                               store  ?        ? retrieve
                                      ?        ?
                                  ????????????????
                                  ?    Memory    ?
                                  ?   Storage    ?
                                  ?     (30)     ?
                                  ????????????????
                                      ?
                           processed  ?
                             output   ?
                                      ?
                                  ????????????????
                                  ?   Output     ?
                                  ?   Display    ?
                                  ?     (40)     ?
                                  ????????????????

Integration

Works with other skills/agents:

• Supports Patent Drafter agent with technical illustrations
• Coordinates with Patent Application Creator skill for complete filings
• Generates figures referenced in specifications

Common Use Cases

1. Method Claims ? Sequential flowcharts
2. System Claims ? Component block diagrams
3. Architecture ? Hierarchical system diagrams
4. Process Flow ? Decision-based flowcharts
5. Network Topology ? Connection diagrams
6. Hardware ? Physical component layouts

Example Invocations

"Use the patent-illustrator agent to create a flowchart for the authentication method with 6 steps and 2 decision points."

"Use the patent-illustrator agent to generate a block diagram showing the IoT device architecture with 5 main components."

"Use the patent-illustrator agent to create figures 1-3 for the patent application."

Estimated Timelines

• Single Flowchart: 5-10 minutes
• Block Diagram: 10-15 minutes
• Complex System: 15-30 minutes
• Multiple Figures: 30-60 minutes