The Structured text aspect of the "Invention description method" includes:

1. Alphanumeric or formula or empty. For each single word or words group in each location: type for each figure, location in that figure. Searchable.

2. Structured text: The text in the drawing is entered as related to the layout of the drawing, that is the text also includes info related to the location in the drawing of various blocks of text, for each drawing.

3. Use a standard vocabulary. Translation of non-standard terms if required. The components of the invention are described using the standard vocabulary defined above. Where non-standard terms are used, a translation dictionary may be prepared, ie "Method for developing a Standard vocabulary".

Thus, methods/flow charts can be defined clearly and unambiguously, either for manual or for computer processing.

Using a computer, methods in a plurality of patents may be compared fast and efficiently. This can also help in patenting software, Internet applications, distributed systems, etc.

Patentability criteria: Important - To distinguish from excluded matter. The three exclusions from patentability are subject matter that is not a practical application or use of an idea, a law of nature or a natural phenomenon.

See, e.g., Rubber-Tip Pencil Co. v. Howard, 87 U.S. (20 Wall.) 498, 507 (1874) ('idea of itself is not patentable, but a new device by which it may be made practically useful is');

Mackay Radio & Telegraph Co. v. Radio Corp. of America, 306 U.S. 86, 94, 40 USPQ 199, 202 (1939) ('While a scientific truth, or the mathematical expression of it, is not patentable invention, a novel and useful structure created with the aid of knowledge of scientific truth may be.');

Warmerdam, 33 F.3d at 1360, 31 USPQ2d at 1759 ('steps of "locating" a medial axis, and "creating" a bubble hierarchy . . . describe nothing more than the manipulation of basic mathematical constructs, the paradigmatic "abstract idea" ').