Ask NLPatent Prompt Library
Ask NLPatent is an AI-powered analysis tool that lets you ask questions about patent documents and receive structured, contextual answers grounded in the patent's specification.
It is primarily used to:
• Assess the relevance of patents
• Extract key concepts
• Compare patents or claims
• Perform first-pass patentability, validity, or FTO analysis
Note: Ask NLPatent is an assistive tool and does not replace legal advice.
How to use this page
Below is a library of prompts organized by use case. Each prompt works in both Bulk Ask and Individual Ask NLPatent. Use them as-is, or modify the task or output format to match your workflow.
For guidance on writing effective prompts, see the companion article: Prompting in Ask NLPatent.
These prompts can also be adapted for Office Action responses, licensing analysis, and competitive intelligence.
Recommended prompt format
To ensure prompts are interpreted correctly, structure them as: Task + Output Instructions
Task
Does this patent disclose Feature X?
Output Instructions
Answer Yes or No and provide one supporting passage
Full Prompt
Does this patent disclose Feature X?
Answer Yes or No and provide one supporting passage.
Quick Prompts (High-Volume Screening)
Use these for fast filtering across large result sets.
| Use case | Prompt |
|
Feature check Confirm whether a single feature is disclosed. |
Does this patent disclose [Feature X]? Provide a Yes/No answer and if disclosed, cite where in the patent the feature is disclosed. |
|
Multi-feature filter Check several features in one pass. |
Does this patent disclose ALL of the following: 1) Feature A 2) Feature B 3) Feature C Answer Yes or No, indicate which features are missing, and if disclosed, cite where in the patent the feature is disclosed. |
Patentability Prompts
| Use case | Prompt |
|---|---|
|
Direct feature matching Assess whether key invention features are disclosed in a reference. |
Compare the following invention description to this patent: [PASTE INVENTION DESCRIPTION] Identify the key features in the invention and indicate whether each feature is: - Explicitly disclosed - Partially disclosed - Not disclosed Return as a table with supporting passages, citing directly from the patent and from the invention description. |
|
Element-by-element mapping Break an invention into discrete components and check coverage. |
Parse the following invention description into discrete elements: [PASTE INVENTION DESCRIPTION] For each element, indicate whether it is present in this patent and where it is disclosed. Return as a structured table. |
|
Differences extraction Identify what is missing from a reference. |
Compare this patent to the following invention: [PASTE INVENTION DESCRIPTION] Identify the key differences between the invention and this patent. Focus only on features that are missing or materially different. Return as bullet points. |
|
Obviousness (combination analysis) Identify which elements could be combined with other references. |
Based on the following invention: [PASTE INVENTION DESCRIPTION] Identify which features are disclosed in this patent and which are missing, such that they could potentially be combined with another reference to render this invention obvious. Return as a table. |
|
Quick patentability filter Rapidly eliminate non-relevant references. |
Identify the key features of the invention from below text: [PASTE INVENTION DESCRIPTION]]. Does this patent disclose all of the key features? Answer Yes or No, indicate which features are missing, and if disclosed, cite where in the patent the feature is disclosed. |
Invalidity Prompts
For any of the below prompts reciting “Using Claims, X, Y, Z of [Target Patent]”, the prompt can be amended to “the claims of [Target Patent]” if you require an analysis of all the claims of the target patent, instead of a specific subset.
| Use case | Prompt |
|---|---|
|
Element-by-Element Claim Mapping Map prior art to claim elements |
Using claims X, Y, and Z of [PASTE PATENT NUMBER], map each claim element against this patent. For each element, indicate: - Present / Partially Present / Not Present - Where it is disclosed in this patent (with citation) Return as a structured table. |
|
Advanced: Full Claim Mapping + Scoring Detailed invalidity analysis with structured scoring |
You are a senior patent litigator representing a technology company accused of patent infringement. Evaluate whether a prior art reference discloses each limitation of Claim X of [PASTE PATENT NUMBER]. Advance only technically and legally credible positions. Instructions: Apply the broadest reasonable interpretation (BRI) of the claim language. Do not rely on or quote the asserted patent for disclosure. All citations must come from the prior art reference. Do not speculate. If support is weak or missing, identify the gap clearly. Avoid strained or frivolous arguments—assess disclosure as a reasonable patent litigator would. Output Format: Provide a table with the following columns: (A) Limitation (B) Disclosure Status: Disclosed / Arguably Disclosed / Partially Disclosed / Not Disclosed (C) Analysis: Concisely explain how the prior art maps to the limitation. Identify what is disclosed and what is missing. Include specific supporting excerpts from the prior art with precise citations (e.g., column, line, paragraph, figure). Post-Table Assessment: In 2–3 sentences, evaluate: The overall strength of the reference against Claim X; and Whether the reference is stronger standing alone or in combination with another reference. Claim X Limitations: [Copy and Past limitations of claim X] |
Freedom-to-Operate (FTO) Prompts
| Use case | Prompt |
|---|---|
|
Claim Coverage Check Assess whether a product/process is covered by a patent |
Generate a claim chart comparing the claims of this patent to the below product/process description. [PASTE PRODUCT DESCRIPTION] For each claim, identify the essential elements and indicate whether they are: - Present - Partially Present - Not Present in the product/process description provided. Cite where each essential element is claimed in this patent and where it is described in the product/process description. Return the results as a table. Based on the above, would a product of the above product/process description infringe this patent? |
|
Binary Risk Filter Quickly assess potential FTO risk |
Does a product or process of the below description read on the claims of this patent: [PASTE PRODUCT OR INVENTION DESCRIPTION] Answer Yes or No, followed by a short reasoning citing specific claims. |
|
Risk Level Assessment Summarize risk level in a crude format |
Based on the claims of this patent only, assess whether there is a risk that a product/process of the below description would infringe this patent. [PASTE PRODUCT OR INVENTION DESCRIPTION] Answer: High, medium,low and Provide 2–3 reasons based on specific claim elements. |
Office Action Response Prompts
Since Office Actions are specific to the cited patents, these prompts would be used in the Singular Ask NLPatent window, instead of the Bulk Ask.
| Use case | Prompt |
|---|---|
|
Claim vs Cited Patent Compare elements of your claim relative to the patent cited against you |
Compare the below claim to this patent: [PASTE CLAIM LANGUAGE] Parse the claim into distinct claim elements and for each claim element, indicate whether it is: - Disclosed - Partially Disclosed - Not Disclosed If disclosed, cite specific passages from this patent where the element is disclosed. Return as a structured table. |
|
Examiner Rejection Validation To get a second opinion on an examiner’s rejection |
Based on the following Office Action rejection: [PASTE EXAMINER’S REASONING] Identify: - The features from the claimed text the Examiner alleges are disclosed in this patent - Whether those features are actually disclosed - Any features that are not clearly supported Return as a table with citations. |
|
Distinguishing Argument Builder Useful if you believe that the piece of prior art that is cited is significantly different |
Compare this patent to the below claim: [YOUR PATENT APPLICATION # OR PASTE CLAIM OR NATURAL LANGUAGE DESCRIPTION] Does this patent disclose each element of this claim? List any similarities and differences between the above claim and the disclosure of the patent. Provide an argument as to what in the above claim text is not disclosed in the patent. |
Limitations
- Ask NLPatent analyzes only the English text of the specification. It cannot interpret figures, claims in other languages.
- Ask NLPatent helps you navigate patent text, but it does not provide legal advice. For legal analysis or opinions, please consult a qualified attorney.
Users can ask up to 400 questions per day, (for bulk ask, this means that if you have 400 results, and ask 1 question to all of the patents, you will not be able to ask any more question, unless you reach out to support@nlpatent.com).