Methods Used
Cognitive Walkthrough
Contextual Inquiry
Interactive Prototyping
Architecture Flow Diagram
Tech Used
Sketch
Invision
ResponseGen: Streamlining Patent Attorney Case Responses
This case study’s focus was to evaluate ResponseGen, a new app for patent attorneys to respond to patent application action item rejections from the United States Patent and Trademark Office.
Taking the clients presented opportunity and creating some recommendations around streamlining the process.
The Project
The attorney who commissioned ResponseGen approached us to revamp the process because ResponseGen currently doesn’t offer all the functionality necessary to be useful as a tool.
Client Goals (as provided by the client):
To identify key questions around the functionality and usability of ResponseGen.
To provide recommendations based on those questions around streamlining the process of responding to a patent action item.
The Process
The first step was in doing a cognitive walkthrough of the current app. I began by going in to the app with no idea of the patent process and evaluating the flow and functionality of the app.
After the cognitive walkthrough I conducted a contextual inquiry with the client. He clarified the patent process and identified some areas of concern and consideration within the current structure of ResponseGen.
I then formulated a research findings and plan to synthesize the results from the two studies and a way to move ResponseGen forward.
The Plan
Learning about all of the different pieces of a patent filing I began formulating possible ways to connect them all together. Beginning with the US Patent Office (USPTO) Action Item form I saw that it was pretty formulaic and the pieces were all consistent across the different responses.
The Interactive Prototype
Within the application function of the site, I incorporated a search function and the ability to search directly for a case will make it easier for the attorney to access. I also incorporated a column for the due date so that the attorney could prioritize their response times. I doubled down on that indicator by using a circle dot system of colors that would alert the attorney to critical deadlines.
I began thinking of ways to incorporate the information from the Patent Office so that the attorney (or clerk) didn’t have to do it manually. By incorporating a PDF import function, ResponseGen can pull the claim rejections from the form and then import it into the response area.
Within the document preview section I pulled out the sections that the client identified as being a part of every document. I have these listed and able to be included when the attorney wants to add them.
I also have the claims automatically populated from the PDF import of the USPTO document. This will streamline the process for the attorney and will enable them to quickly respond to those sections.
The ability to add more areas if the import doesn’t catch them is also still there. This will ensure that the attorney can implement all of the necessary action items.
I also included a digital signature area so that the attorney can be able to go directly from ResponseGen to sending the information to the USPTO.
Long Term Strategy
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After implementing these functions into ResponseGen, the next steps I recommend implementing are:
Having a way for other attorneys at the company have the ability to enter the system, see the active cases for all of the other attorneys, and be able to comment on them. One area the client mentioned during the interview was that there was a lot of email communication and other methods of trying to get feedback from colleagues. By implementing a comment system that tracks timestamps and who is commenting, this would give the office the required legal accountability as well as streamline the process. When other attorneys comment, it would notify the attorney that they had some feedback.
Another feature I would recommend in the future would be a tab that would allow the attorney to search the patent database for any wording or similarity in their action items to an existing patent. This would allow the client to maintain a streamlined experience with ResponseGen and not have to constantly reference other documents and books and databases. It would bring it directly to the client via ResponseGen
Conclusion
Simplifying ResponseGen will allow the attorneys to focus on the substance of the responses rather than the process. This will ensure quicker responses in a system that is usually very drawn out.
Adding the functions for the attorneys to communicate with each other and edit the sections directly within ResponseGen eliminates the extra tools needed to do that job and will streamline the process.