name: figure-description description: "Process user-provided patent figures and generate formal drawing descriptions. Use when user says "附图处理", "figure description", "附图说明", "drawings description", or wants to describe patent figures with reference numerals." argument-hint: [figure-directory-or-figure-list] allowed-tools: Bash(*), Read, Write, Edit, Grep, Glob, WebSearch, WebFetch
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 descriptionsREFERENCE_NUMERAL_PREFIX = 100— Starting numeral for first figure's componentsNUMERAL_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 identifypatent/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
- Check
- 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.