# US 12,762,162 B2 · Identifying missing nodes within a graphically represented family > Agents: this data is available as JSON from the patentgrep API and MCP server — see https://patentgrep.com/llms.txt - Number: US 12,762,162 B2 - Document ID: US12762162B2 - Status: Granted - Kind: B2 - Application number: 19/257,312 - Filed: 2025-07-01 - Published: 2025-10-23 - Granted: 2026-10-13 - Earliest claimed: 2018-08-03 - Assignees: Kilpatrick Townsend & Stockton LLP - Applicants: Kilpatrick Townsend & Stockton LLP - Inventors: Mark P. Mathison - Web page: https://patentgrep.com/patent/US12762162B2 ## CPC - G06F 16/328: {Management therefor} - G06F 7/32: Merging, i.e. combining data contained in ordered sequence on at least two record carriers to produce a single carrier or set of carriers having all the original data in the ordered sequence {merging methods in general}(G06F7/36 takes precedence) - G06F 16/322: {Trees} - G06F 16/34: Browsing; Visualisation therefor (browsing or visualisation for clustering or classification G06F16/358) - G06F 16/9024: {Graphs; Linked lists (G06F16/9027 takes precedence)} - G06F 16/9038: Presentation of query results - G06F 16/93: Document management systems - G06F: ELECTRIC DIGITAL DATA PROCESSING (computer systems based on specific computational models G06N) ## Abstract Techniques may include receiving a user request identifying a first record among the plurality of hierarchical records. The techniques may include identifying a first group of hierarchical records using the first record. The techniques may include identifying a missing record among the first group of hierarchical records that does not appear as an entry among associated records of the first record. A graphical representation including the first record and the first group of hierarchical records can be generated, and the missing record can be represented using a visual cue to set the missing record apart from the other records in the graphical representation. Also, the techniques may include presenting the graphical representation. Further, the techniques may include updating the associated records of the first record to include the missing record and updating the graphical representation to remove the visual cue. ## Claims ### Claim 1 A method for graphically identifying a missing record among a plurality of hierarchical records, the method comprising: receiving, by a computer device and via a graphical user interface, a user request identifying a first record among the plurality of hierarchical records; identifying, by the computer device, a first group of hierarchical records among the plurality of hierarchical records based on at least the first record; identifying, by the computer device, a missing record among the first group of hierarchical records that does not appear as an entry among associated records of the first record; generating, by the computer device, a graphical representation including the first record and the first group of hierarchical records on a target output medium, wherein the missing record is represented on the graphical representation using a visual cue such that the missing record is visually set apart from the first record and the first group of hierarchical records on the graphical representation; presenting, by the computer device, the graphical representation on the graphical user interface; receiving, by the computer device and via the graphical user interface, input to update the associated records of the first record to include the missing record; updating, by the computer device, the associated records of the first record to include the missing record; and updating, by the computer device, the graphical representation to remove the visual cue. ### Claim 2 (depends on 1) The method of claim 1, wherein generating the graphical representation further comprises: determining, by the computer device, a position for each of the plurality of hierarchical records; rendering, by the computer device, a shape at each determined position, wherein each shape represents a unique record among the plurality of hierarchical records; and visually connecting, by the computer device, the shapes based on entries in parent fields of the hierarchical records thereby graphically illustrating the plurality of hierarchical records on the target output medium. ### Claim 3 (depends on 2) The method of claim 2, wherein determining a position for each of the plurality of hierarchical records includes: determining, by the computer device, an x-y coordinate on the target output medium for each of the plurality of hierarchical records. ### Claim 4 (depends on 2) The method of claim 2, wherein the position for a given record among the plurality of hierarchical records on a first target output medium having a first set of dimensions is different than the position for the given record on a second target output medium having a second set of dimensions, wherein the first target output medium has a different size than the second target output medium. ### Claim 5 (depends on 1) The method of claim 1, wherein identifying the missing record comprises: comparing, by the computer device, the associated records of the first record to each record among the first group of hierarchical records to identify the missing record. ### Claim 6 (depends on 1) The method of claim 1, wherein the target output medium includes a digital display or a sheet of paper. ### Claim 7 (depends on 1) The method of claim 1, wherein the plurality of hierarchical records are graphically illustrated using a graphical tree. ### Claim 8 A system comprising: a processor and a non-transitory computer-readable medium coupled to the processor, the non-transitory computer-readable medium comprising instructions that, when executed by the processor, cause the processor to: receive, via a graphical user interface, a user request identifying a first record among a plurality of hierarchical records; identify a first group of hierarchical records among the plurality of hierarchical records based on at least the first record; identify a missing record among the first group of hierarchical records that does not appear as an entry among associated records of the first record; generate a graphical representation including the first record and the first group of hierarchical records on a target output medium, wherein the missing record is represented on the graphical representation using a visual cue such that the missing record is visually set apart from the first record and the first group of hierarchical records on the graphical representation; present the graphical representation on the graphical user interface; receive, via the graphical user interface, input to update the associated records of the first record to include the missing record; update the associated records of the first record to include the missing record; and update the graphical representation to remove the visual cue. ### Claim 9 (depends on 8) The system of claim 8, wherein generating the graphical representation further comprises instructions that, when executed by the processor, cause the processor to: determine a position for each of the plurality of hierarchical records; render a shape at each determined position, wherein each shape represents a unique record among the plurality of hierarchical records; and visually connect the shapes based on entries in parent fields of the hierarchical records thereby graphically illustrating the plurality of hierarchical records on the target output medium. ### Claim 10 (depends on 9) The system of claim 9, wherein determining a position for each of the plurality of hierarchical records includes instructions that, when executed by the processor, cause the processor to: determine an x-y coordinate on the target output medium for each of the plurality of hierarchical records. ### Claim 11 (depends on 9) The system of claim 9, wherein the position for a given record among the plurality of hierarchical records on a first target output medium having a first set of dimensions is different than the position for the given record on a second target output medium having a second set of dimensions, wherein the first target output medium has a different size than the second target output medium. ### Claim 12 (depends on 8) The system of claim 8, wherein identifying the missing record comprises instructions that, when executed by the processor, cause the processor to: compare the associated records of the first record to each record among the first group of hierarchical records to identify the missing record. ### Claim 13 (depends on 8) The system of claim 8, wherein the target output medium includes a digital display or a sheet of paper. ### Claim 14 (depends on 8) The system of claim 8, wherein the plurality of hierarchical records are graphically illustrated using a graphical tree. ### Claim 15 A non-transitory computer-readable medium storing instructions that, when executed by a processor, cause the processor to: receive, via a graphical user interface, a user request identifying a first record among a plurality of hierarchical records; identify a first group of hierarchical records among the plurality of hierarchical records based on at least the first record; identify a missing record among the first group of hierarchical records that does not appear as an entry among associated records of the first record; generate a graphical representation including the first record and the first group of hierarchical records on a target output medium, wherein the missing record is represented on the graphical representation using a visual cue such that the missing record is visually set apart from the first record and the first group of hierarchical records on the graphical representation; present the graphical representation on the graphical user interface; receive, via the graphical user interface, input to update the associated records of the first record to include the missing record; update the associated records of the first record to include the missing record; and update the graphical representation to remove the visual cue. ### Claim 16 (depends on 15) The non-transitory computer-readable medium of claim 15, wherein generating the graphical representation further comprises instructions that, when executed by the processor, cause the processor to determine a position for each of the plurality of hierarchical records; render a shape at each determined position, wherein each shape represents a unique record among the plurality of hierarchical records; and visually connect the shapes based on entries in parent fields of the hierarchical records thereby graphically illustrating the plurality of hierarchical records on the target output medium. ### Claim 17 (depends on 16) The non-transitory computer-readable medium of claim 16, wherein determining a position for each of the plurality of hierarchical records includes instructions that, when executed by the processor, cause the processor to: determine an x-y coordinate on the target output medium for each of the plurality of hierarchical records. ### Claim 18 (depends on 16) The non-transitory computer-readable medium of claim 16, wherein the position for a given record among the plurality of hierarchical records on a first target output medium having a first set of dimensions is different than the position for the given record on a second target output medium having a second set of dimensions, wherein the first target output medium has a different size than the second target output medium. ### Claim 19 (depends on 15) The non-transitory computer-readable medium of claim 15, wherein identifying the missing record comprises instructions to: compare the associated records of the first record to each record among the first group of hierarchical records to identify the missing record. ### Claim 20 (depends on 15) The non-transitory computer-readable medium of claim 15, wherein the target output medium includes a digital display or a sheet of paper.