Summary
The “Summary of the Invention” section provides a brief overview of the invention, focusing on its unique aspects and advantages over the prior art. Crafting this section requires a blend of clarity, conciseness, and technical accuracy. Although not all jurisdictions require this section, it is commonly included in the specification of U.S. patent applications.
General Guide
Introduce the Invention
- Provide a brief description of the patent application, focusing on the claimed elements, intended purpose, or advantages without delving into excessive technical detail.
- Example: “The present application introduces a method and system for XYZ, comprising [key component/step] and [another key component/step], which enhances ABC and addresses limitations of prior art by 123.”
Highlight Novelty and Uniqueness Related to the Claimed Features
- Explicitly state the unique features or aspects of the invention. Emphasize primary elements, materials, or steps involved, ensuring they align closely with the claimed features.
- Example: “In some embodiments, the method includes [key component/step] and [another key component/step]. Step 1 further involves [step] to achieve [features].”
Add the Benefits or Advantages
- Briefly describe the benefits or advantages the invention offers over existing technologies. This can be placed after specific claimed features or at the beginning or end of the summary.
- Example: “The first component includes [features], providing [specific benefits or advantages], thereby offering a novel solution for XYZ.”
Consider Legal and Technical Language
- Use language that aligns with patent law requirements and avoid limiting terms. Ensure all technical details are accurate and consistent with other sections of the application.
- Avoid referring to “the invention” such as “in the invention,” “the invention is,” “the invention relates to,” etc.
- Prefer terms like “in some embodiments,” “according to some embodiments,” “in accordance with some embodiments,” “the present application discloses,” and “the disclosure relates to.”
Integration with Other Sections
- Maintain consistency in terminology and descriptions throughout the specification. Ensure that the features of the invention described in the Summary are included in the subsequent section titled “Detailed Description” with more detailed elaboration.
Avoid Over Promising
- Be cautious not to overstate the invention’s capabilities. Keep the summary factual, concise, and closely tied to the actual performance of the invention’s embodiments.
Shortcut for Crafting the Summary
To streamline the drafting process, a practical shortcut involves transforming the claims into a descriptive format. Since the summary encapsulates the invention’s key features, which are also claimed, this section can often be efficiently drafted towards the end of the specification process. This approach ensures alignment and consistency between the claims and the summary, providing a clear, coherent overview of the invention.
The same information in the claims can be presented but in a more narrative and descriptive style. To illustrate how to convert claims into a summary, let’s consider a hypothetical example:
a processor;
a memory coupled to the processor;
a first module stored in the memory and executable by the processor, the first module configured to receive input data;
a second module stored in the memory and executable by the processor, the second module configured to process the input data and generate output data;
a third module stored in the memory and executable by the processor, the third module configured to transmit the output data.
Converting the Claim into a Summary:
In some embodiments, [additional features from the dependent claims can be added]...