search for patents and published applications at: http://appft1.uspto.gov/netahtml/PTO/search-adv.html http://appft1.uspto.gov/netahtml/PTO/search-adv.html htt

search for patents and published applications at: http://appft1.uspto.gov/netahtml/PTO/search-adv.html http://appft1.uspto.gov/netahtml/PTO/search-adv.html http://patft.uspto.gov/netahtml/PTO/search-adv.htm http://patft.uspto.gov/netahtml/PTO/search-adv.htm the query to use is: in/lastname-firstname If you don't find any references, then asking the candidate to describe a technical problem and means by which they solved it is less likely to be received as a request for confidential information. Hope you find the above links and search query useful! Best.