%% NOTE: This is based on the efforts of Erik Chmelar (echmelar@yahoo.com) %% %% Second author: Scott Coppen (scoppen@swc-systems.com) %%

OVERVIEW:

This repository is explicitly designed to be used a submodule - please refer to information below for intructions on how to perform the initial setup. These files are specifially modified to conform to the USPTO's patent specification, drawings, and claims guidelines. They are simple modifications to the article class.

REQUIREMENTS

Command line interface with the following programs/utilities available

• LaTeX with the 'graphicx', 'subfig', 'psfrag', and 'fancyhdr' packages
• GNU make
• awk

INITIAL SETUP:

1. Initialize the local directory as a Git repository:

    $ git init
   

2. Add the 'Patent-Template-for-LaTeX' submodule as the 'config' directory:

    $ git submodule add git://github.com/scoppen/Patent-Template-for-LaTeX.git config
   

   NOTE: The submodule must be located within a sub-directory named 'config'!

3. Build the default LaTeX file 'stubs':

    $ make -f config/Makefile provisional
   

   This command will create a local Makefile as well as all the necessary LaTeX file stubs for the patent. NOTE: The template also supports 'utility' or 'design' patent templates.

4. Commit your work:

    $ git commit -m 'Initial commit'
   

   NOTE: You should add the generated files (inventors.def, etc.) to your Git repo but it is probably not advisable to use a publicly accessible remote host for these files. I would recommend using a local repository that is backed up or use Gitolite within a firewall protected LAN.

COMPILING:

Type 'make' at the command line. The patent will be compiled as 'patent.pdf'. The files in the 'config' sub-directory are not intended to be modified.

FILES:

Filename	Purpose
Makefile	GNU make compatible makefile
README.md	This file
commands.def	Applicable environment/commands
config.tex	Document package configuration
patent.bst	Formatting of \cite{} references
design.def	LaTeX file stubs for design patents
design.tex	Formatting for design patents
provisional.def	LaTeX file stubs for provisional patents
provisional.tex	Formatting for provisional patents
utility.def	LaTeX file stubs for utility patents
utility.tex	Formatting for utility patents

DRAWINGS:

Drawings for non-design patents are quite easy to do - just follow the guidelines in the USPTO's `Guide to Filing A Non-Provisional (Utility) Patent Application'. Basically, drawing with black ink or computer, use only that ink for all shading (no grey, use dots or lines for shading), use zebra stripes for cross sections, make all numbers and letters legibly large, and make the line going from each number or letter to the feature clear and unambiguous.

For design patents, the drawings can be much more difficult to generate properly. Make sure to consult the assistance of an experienced professional if you are unsure!

##SUPPORT/WARRANTY:

There is no support or warranty provided for the use of this template. The authors wrote it because using LaTeX for filing patent applications is a natural fit - and providing it to the public is a nice thing to do.