Patent Tutorial: Need, Creation & ExecutionAndrew WohrleyPatent & Trademark Depository LibrarianAuburn University Librarieswohrlaj@auburn.edu

Background Image By: Paul Watson

Title: 30th January 2005

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The Eternal Patent Question

• I had the hardest time finding patents in my area!

Need• Problem

– Patent Literature esoteric– Searchers

• From keyword search …• To the classification search

– Time consuming• Librarian• Searcher

• Solution– Covers basics– Sources – Methodology

Evaluate solutions

• Vodcast• Visually interesting• Difficult to do well

– Poorly constructed videos » Distracting» Ineffective» Drain staff time

Evaluation

• PowerPoint Slideshow

• Advantages– Easiest to do– Lowest bandwidth

• Disadvantages– Dull– Proprietary software

Evaluation

• Captivate or Camtasia

• Advantages– Motion capture– Audio tracks

• Shockwave• MP3

• Disadvantages– Bandwidth intensive

Solution

• Asynchronous– Available at any time– No need for the librarian in the session

• Interesting– Would you watch it to learn?

• Brief– Saves time– Saves bandwidth– More likely to be used

Creation

• WILL INVOLVE FAR MORE – TIME – ISSUES – CORRECTIONS – PEOPLE – DEPARTMENTS

• THAN YOU ANTICIPATE!

Execution

• Interior– Script– Performers– Technology

• Exterior– Departments– Audience– Policy

What you should do…

• “If it’s not on the page, it’s not on the stage,”– Best advice I received from Summer Academy– The script is:

• A plan• Dialogue• A check

• Never record anything

until after you have a script!

Script• The script should

– Be crossed against the slide it is spoken on• Slide 1—”To be or not to be”. • Slide 2—”That is the question…”

• Checked– Accuracy– Coherence– Flow

• Based on 7 Step Strategy

Preparation

• Script– Before recording, make last check– Review by others ideal

• Performers– Select who will participate

• Technology– Must serve the tutorial– Beware of the reverse!

More about Performers

• Select performers carefully– Speaker Cayce Van Horn– She is new assistant in library instruction– MA in English– Experienced GTA– Minor in Theatre – Ideal narrator

Facilities

• Digital Resources Lab

• Provides

• Large Plot printers

• Color printers

• Multimedia Computers

• Multimedia Software

• Recording Studio

Exterior• Issues with Systems Department

– Should have consulted more– Supportive of online tutorials, but…– Wanted tutorials on a streaming server…

• Needed to be purchased

– I did not realize this

• Audience– Be very careful

• Respond to their needs—not your wishes• Ask: “What are people always asking me about

that can go on a tutorial?”

– Audience must relate to material• Minimize jargon

– Like the word “hierarchy” • Beware of word overuse

– Words like “This…”

Policy

• Related to Departments

• Do they view the tutorial as related to your work?

• Will they give you time to work on it?

• Support you with money?

• Do they want something?

Analysis

• Loaded tutorial online

• http://diglib.auburn.edu/tutorials/uspto6.htm

• Public now knows about it!

• Usage statistics

• Feedback

Future

• “How to install TIFF plug-in”

• Tutorials on using engineering databases

• Vodcasting inevitable

• Next generation of tutorials– Special effects

• Multiple pages• Page flipping.

Conclusion

• Tutorials can save time

• Choose appropriate technology

• Make instruction convenient

• Must consider the purpose

• Know your audience

• Plan ahead