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==Table Variables==
Patent refers to a patent number. Cited refers to a patent number cited by the patent in question. When a patent is issued, the patent can include citations or references to patents in a related field or that may be considered prior art. The table has a composite key that consists of a unique combination of patent number and cited patent number.
==Table Purpose==
The US patent system allows for inventors, patent attorneys, and USPTO patent examiners to reference other patents that are considered prior art or related inventions. These references are theoretically in place to limit or help define the scope of a patent's claims. Often times, the patent improves upon these referenced patents or may be a new application of previously patented subject matter. Citations are also occassionally unrelated to the patent's subject matter, and therefore, cannot be fully relied upon in studies of innovation. <ref name="IEEE" />
==Current Problems==
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