Figure Description Skill for Claude

Figure Description for Patents

Process patent figures and generate drawing descriptions based on: $ARGUMENTS

Unlike /paper-figure which generates data plots, this skill processes user-provided technical diagrams and assigns reference numerals.

Constants

• FIGURE_DIR = "patent/figures/" — Output directory for figure descriptions
• REFERENCE_NUMERAL_PREFIX = 100 — Starting numeral for first figure's components
• NUMERAL_SERIES = 100 — Each figure uses a separate 100-series (Fig 1: 100-199, Fig 2: 200-299, etc.)

Inputs

• User-provided figures (PNG, JPG, SVG, PDF) — search for them in the project directory
• patent/INVENTION_DISCLOSURE.md — for understanding what components to identify
• patent/CLAIMS.md — for mapping numerals to claim elements

Workflow

Step 1: Discover Figures

• Search the project directory for figure files:
• Check patent/figures/, figures/, root directory
• Look for PNG, JPG, SVG, PDF files
• Check INVENTION_BRIEF.md or INVENTION_DISCLOSURE.md for figure references
• List all discovered figures with their paths
• If figures are missing that claims require, note them as [MISSING: description needed]

Step 2: Analyze Each Figure

For each figure found:

• Read the image using the Read tool (supports image files)
• Identify components: What labeled or visually distinct components are shown?
• Identify connections: How do components relate to each other?
• Identify flow: If it's a flowchart or sequence, what is the step order?

Step 3: Assign Reference Numerals

For each figure, assign numerals using the series convention:

| Figure | Numeral Range |

|--------|-------------|

| FIG. 1 | 100-199 |

| FIG. 2 | 200-299 |

| FIG. 3 | 300-399 |

For each identified component:

• Assign the next available numeral in the series
• Cross-reference to the claim elements it supports
• Note if a component appears in multiple figures (use same numeral across figures)

Step 4: Generate Drawing Descriptions

Write formal drawing descriptions (附图说明):

For CN jurisdiction (Chinese):

图1是[发明名称]的系统结构示意图；
图2是[发明名称]的方法流程图；
图3是[具体组件]的详细结构示意图；

For US/EP jurisdiction (English):

FIG. 1 is a block diagram illustrating the system architecture according to one embodiment;
FIG. 2 is a flowchart illustrating the method steps according to one embodiment;
FIG. 3 is a detailed view of the processing module of FIG. 1;

Step 5: Generate Reference Numeral Index

Create a complete mapping:

## Reference Numeral Index

| Numeral | Component Name | Figure(s) | Claim Element |
|---------|---------------|-----------|---------------|
| 100 | System | FIG. 1 | Claim X preamble |
| 102 | Processor | FIG. 1 | Claim X, element 1 |
| 104 | Memory | FIG. 1 | Claim X, element 2 |
| 106 | Communication bus | FIG. 1 | Claim X, element 3 |
| 200 | Method | FIG. 2 | Claim 1 preamble |
| 202 | Receiving step | FIG. 2 | Claim 1, step 1 |
| 204 | Processing step | FIG. 2 | Claim 1, step 2 |

Step 6: Cross-Reference to Claims

Verify that every claim element has at least one reference numeral:

| Claim Element | Figure | Numeral | Status |

|---------------|--------|---------|--------|

| [element] | [which fig] | [numeral] | Covered / [MISSING] |

If any claim element has no corresponding figure or numeral, flag it:

• [MISSING FIGURE: Need a diagram showing {element description}]
• [MISSING NUMERAL: Component {name} in figure {X} needs a numeral]

Step 7: Output

Write patent/figures/figure_descriptions.md:

## Figure Descriptions

### FIG. 1 — [Description]
[Formal one-paragraph description with all reference numerals]

### FIG. 2 — [Description]
[Formal one-paragraph description with all reference numerals]
...

Write patent/figures/numeral_index.md:

## Reference Numeral Index

[Complete table of all numerals, components, figures, and claim mappings]

Key Rules

• Every component in every figure must have a reference numeral.
• Every reference numeral must be explained in the specification.
• Numeral series must be consistent: 100-series for FIG. 1, 200-series for FIG. 2.
• If the same component appears in multiple figures, use the SAME numeral.
• Do NOT modify user-provided figures -- only describe them.
• Flag missing figures that the claims require but the user has not provided.
• Drawing descriptions are one sentence each, in a consistent format.