Deep linking to patent images at the USPTO web site
Did you know you can deep link to the images of a specific patent at the USPTO web site? I often use this trick in electronic communications to provide a link to a specific patent. Its an alternative to sending an attached file, and arguably is an easier way to provide the reader with electronic access to the patent. I say arguably because there is a caveat to this trick — the reader of your electronic communication must have the browser plugin for viewing USPTO images. If you suspect they don’t have the reader, it may be easier to download and attach a .pdf.
The USPTO currently provides two image servers for issued patents. Use the links below to create a deeplink to a specific patent. Use the first link for patents having the two final digits of 00 to 49, and use the second link for patents having the two final digits of 50 to 99. In each link, replace NNNNNNN with the patent number (note the preceeding zero in the link).
http://patimg1.uspto.gov/.piw?Docid=0NNNNNNN&idkey=NONE
http://patimg2.uspto.gov/.piw?Docid=0NNNNNNN&idkey=NONE
Try it out here:
1. US Patent 6,000,000.
2. US Patent 6,000,050.
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So is this USPTO plugin thingy patented?
Really, what posesses them to require a plugin for an image? Isn’t jpeg good enough?