Mike:
Haven't got time to look at the patents in detail. As a matter of fact, I never look at patents in detail.
Most of the body of a patent can largely turn out to be irrelevant. They're written along with a [usually, but not necessarily] lengthy list of claims. If the patent issues with the claims gutted, the body is nothing other than elegant garbage.
So, this is what I do..... I look at two things.... (1) I look for a priority date rather than an issue date. The issue date is often useless. The priority date is sometimes the filing date, and sometimes if the application was a "continuation in part", it will be the filing date of the preceding part. Let me know if you have any trouble figuring it out, and we can muck with specific examples; and (2) I look at the wording and breadth of claim one.
Occasionally, if I'm getting paid or if I have a large bet riding on an investment, I'll go beyond this. However, if you just wade into patents you'll do a ton of wheel spinning.
If you actually read patents, you'll get one heck of an education. Most of it will be irrelevant to what you are trying to do, however.
Hope this helps.
Rick |
