Visualization Enhanced Semantic Wikis for Patent Information

In this paper we present a new approach for using semantic wikis for collaborative patent search and annotation. We describe an extension that allows integrating interactive visualizations into semantic wikis for getting deeper insights into the classificatory, geographical, and temporal distribution of large patent sets. This approach differs from typical wiki usage scenarios in the sense that it combines automatic content generation based on patent search activities of the users with user driven semantic annotation of patent information, e.g. patent rating, linking with prior art, reviews, translations, discussions, etc. The content generation involves a semantic model that is described in terms of different ontologies for patent information. A modern wiki system is used for semantic annotation, comments, discussions, versioning, notification, and full-text search. Our approach is motivated by using available functionalities of a modern wiki system in combination with visualization techniques to directly implement major user requirements for supporting the knowledge-intensive tasks of patent search and understanding.