/patent-diagram-generator

name: patent-diagram-generator
description: Create patent-style technical diagrams including flowcharts, block diagrams, and system architectures using Graphviz with reference numbering
tools: Bash, Read, Write
model: sonnet

Patent Diagram Generator Skill

Create patent-style technical diagrams including flowcharts, block diagrams, and system architectures using Graphviz.

When to Use

Invoke this skill when users ask to:

• Create flowcharts for method claims
• Generate block diagrams for system claims
• Draw system architecture diagrams
• Create technical illustrations for patents
• Add reference numbers to diagrams
• Generate patent figures

What This Skill Does

1. **Flowchart Generation**:

• Method step flowcharts
• Decision trees
• Process flows with branches
• Patent-style step numbering

2. **Block Diagram Creation**:

• System component diagrams
• Hardware architecture diagrams
• Software module diagrams
• Component interconnections

3. **Custom Diagram Rendering**:

• Render Graphviz DOT code
• Support multiple formats (SVG, PNG, PDF)
• Multiple layout engines (dot, neato, fdp, circo, twopi)

4. **Patent-Style Formatting**:

• Add reference numbers (10, 20, 30, etc.)
• Use clear labels and connections
• Professional formatting for USPTO filing

Required Dependencies

This skill requires Graphviz to be installed:

**Windows**:

choco install graphviz

**Linux**:

sudo apt install graphviz

**Mac**:

brew install graphviz

**Python Package**:

pip install graphviz

How to Use

When this skill is invoked:

1. **Load diagram generator**:

   import os
   import sys
   sys.path.insert(0, os.environ.get('CLAUDE_PLUGIN_ROOT', '.'))
   from mcp_server.diagram_generator import PatentDiagramGenerator

   generator = PatentDiagramGenerator()

2. **Create flowchart** from steps:

   steps = [
       {"id": "start", "label": "Start", "shape": "ellipse", "next": ["step1"]},
       {"id": "step1", "label": "Initialize System", "shape": "box", "next": ["decision"]},
       {"id": "decision", "label": "Is Valid?", "shape": "diamond", "next": ["step2", "error"]},
       {"id": "step2", "label": "Process Data", "shape": "box", "next": ["end"]},
       {"id": "error", "label": "Handle Error", "shape": "box", "next": ["end"]},
       {"id": "end", "label": "End", "shape": "ellipse", "next": []}
   ]

   diagram_path = generator.create_flowchart(
       steps=steps,
       filename="method_flowchart",
       output_format="svg"
   )

3. **Create block diagram**:

   blocks = [
       {"id": "input", "label": "Input\\nSensor", "type": "input"},
       {"id": "cpu", "label": "Central\\nProcessor", "type": "process"},
       {"id": "memory", "label": "Memory\\nStorage", "type": "storage"},
       {"id": "output", "label": "Output\\nDisplay", "type": "output"}
   ]

   connections = [
       ["input", "cpu", "raw data"],
       ["cpu", "memory", "store"],
       ["memory", "cpu", "retrieve"],
       ["cpu", "output", "processed data"]
   ]

   diagram_path = generator.create_block_diagram(
       blocks=blocks,
       connections=connections,
       filename="system_diagram",
       output_format="svg"
   )

4. **Render custom DOT code**:

   dot_code = """
   digraph PatentSystem {
       rankdir=LR;
       node [shape=box, style=rounded];

       Input [label="User Input\\n(10)"];
       Processor [label="Processing Unit\\n(20)"];
       Output [label="Display\\n(30)"];

       Input -> Processor [label="data"];
       Processor -> Output [label="result"];
   }
   """

   diagram_path = generator.render_dot_diagram(
       dot_code=dot_code,
       filename="custom_diagram",
       output_format="svg",
       engine="dot"
   )

5. **Add reference numbers**:

   # After creating a diagram, add patent-style reference numbers
   reference_map = {
       "Input Sensor": 10,
       "Central Processor": 20,
       "Memory Storage": 30,
       "Output Display": 40
   }

   annotated_path = generator.add_reference_numbers(
       svg_path=diagram_path,
       reference_map=reference_map
   )

Diagram Templates

Get common templates:

templates = generator.get_diagram_templates()

# Available templates:
# - simple_flowchart: Basic process flow
# - system_block: System architecture
# - method_steps: Sequential method
# - component_hierarchy: Hierarchical structure

Shape Types

Flowchart Shapes

• `ellipse`: Start/End points
• `box`: Process steps
• `diamond`: Decision points
• `parallelogram`: Input/Output operations
• `cylinder`: Database/Storage

Block Diagram Types

• `input`: Input devices/sensors
• `output`: Output devices/displays
• `process`: Processing units
• `storage`: Memory/storage
• `decision`: Control logic
• `default`: General components

Layout Engines

• `dot`: Hierarchical (top-down/left-right)
• `neato`: Spring model layout
• `fdp`: Force-directed layout
• `circo`: Circular layout
• `twopi`: Radial layout

Output Formats

• `svg`: Scalable Vector Graphics (best for editing)
• `png`: Raster image (good for viewing)
• `pdf`: Portable Document Format (USPTO compatible)

Patent-Style Reference Numbers

Convention:

• Main components: 10, 20, 30, 40, ...
• Sub-components: 12, 14, 16 (under 10)
• Elements: 22, 24, 26 (under 20)

Example labeling:

"Input Sensor (10)"
"  - Detector Element (12)"
"  - Signal Processor (14)"
"Central Unit (20)"
"  - CPU Core (22)"
"  - Cache (24)"

Presentation Format

When creating diagrams:

1. **Describe what will be generated**: "Creating a flowchart for the authentication method with 5 steps..."

2. **Generate the diagram**: Run Python code to create SVG/PNG/PDF

3. **Show file location**: "Diagram created: ${CLAUDE_PLUGIN_ROOT}/python\diagrams\method_flowchart.svg"

4. **List reference numbers** (if added):