Homework #4:  Claim Drafting

Due: May 25, 2011.  This homework asks you to try your hand at claim drafting.

1.  The Facebook Recommend button (or similar Twitter “Tweet” button) is included in many Web pages, such as those provided by news Web sites.  Below is an image of a New York Times story that includes the Facebook and Twitter buttons.

When the Twitter button is clicked, a small dialog is popped up, that allows the user to generate and send a Tweet.  The Facebook button operates in a similar manner.  

2.  Your job is to try to write an independent method claim that covers the Twitter button.  Remember that your claim must include the point of novelty -- that is, some description of how it is different from the prior art.  In this case, relevant prior art would include the old-fashioned technique of sending an email to a friend with the link.  Or, just composing the message on the relevant social networking site.  Something is different here, and you need to express that something.

3.  Draft some (2-5) dependent claims that further refine the basic idea expressed in your independent claim.