Using patent classification for searching, in particular the International Patent Classification (IPC)

Transcription

1 Using patent classification for searching, in particular the International Patent Classification (IPC) Andrew Czajkowski Head, Innovation and Technology Support Section Cebu & Manila March 7 to

2 Contents Patent Classification What is it Why use it Patent Classification Systems International Patent Classification - IPC How it is structured: hierarchy IPC Reform IPC on the internet, including tools (IPCCAT, TACSY) ECLA, F/FI Terms, USPC Examples

3 What is patent classification? It is a hierarchical classification system used primarily to classify and search patent documents according to the technical fields they pertain It serves as an instrument for an orderly arrangement of the patent documents, a basis for selective dissemination of information and a basis for investigating the state of the art in given fields of technology

4 What is patent classification? (cont d) System for classifying technical subject matter, e.g. patent literature Specially adapted for needs of patent documentation Applied to patent documents worldwide Available in most databases for search Applied by some IP Offices to non-patent literature also Efficient tool for searching patent literature

5 Searching Patent Information Text searching: Databases containing abstracts Full-text databases Classification-based searching: IPC Other classifications

6 Text Searching Advantages: Ease of use All invention details may be retrieved Disadvantages: Problem of synonyms Various languages; searching Chinese, Korean, Japanese patents (significant proportion of newly filed applications) Inconsistent terminology

7 Classification-based searching Advantages: More complete results than text searching Independent of the language of the text Independent of changes in terminology Disadvantages: Complex structure of classifications Requires study of classification rules

8 So why use patent classification? Advantages of using IPC in comparison to only using keyword searching: Language independent Terminology / jargon independent Standardized application to documents Concept search Available for (old) patent documents where no full text of claims / description is available > allows for more complete search results than pure text searching

9 Searching patent information Classification adds information value to patent documents Combination of classification-based and text searching gives best results

10 Patent Classification Systems IPC International Patent Classification (WIPO) entries ECLA - European Classification (EPO) based on IPC; entries USPC - United States Patent Classification (USPTO) different philosophy; English only; entries F / FI terms - Japanese Classification Systems (JPO) FI based on IPC; Japanese, English; entries Harmonization of ECLA, USPC, FI by IP5 Offices included in new IPC versions

11 IPC - Union Based on Strasbourg Agreement 1975 Initially 13 member states Presently 59 member states, in addition 4 regional organizations: EPO, EAPO, ARIPO, OAPI IPC applied by over 100 countries

12 IPC: Hierarchy Provides for a hierarchical system of classification according to different areas of technology The Classification consists of several hierarchical levels: Sections - 1 st level Classes - 2 nd level Subclasses - 3 rd level Main groups - 4 th level Subgroups - 5 th and lower levels

13 Hierarchy: Sections A: Human Necessities B: Performing Operations, Transporting C: Chemistry, Metallurgy D: Textiles, Paper E: Fixed Constructions F: Mechanical Engineering, Lighting, Heating, Weapons G: Physics H: Electricity

14 Hierarchy: Classes Each section is subdivided into classes The symbol for each class is two-digit number following the section symbol There is class title to indicate the content of the class Subsection: Foodstuffs; Tobacco: Class A 2l BAKING; EDIBLE DOUGHS Class A 22 BUTCHERING; MEAT TREATMENT; PROCESSING POULTRY OR FISH Class A 23 FOODS OR FOODSTUFFS; THEIR TREATMENT, NOT COVERED BY OTHER CLASSES

15 Hierarchy : Subclasses Each class comprises one or more subclasses: A 47 FURNITURE; DOMESTIC ARTICLES OR APPLIANCES; COFFEE MILLS; SPICE MILLS;SUCTION CLEANERS IN GENERAL A 47 B Tables; Desks; Office furniture; Cabinets; Drawers; General details of furniture A 47 C Chairs; Sofas; Beds

16 Hierarchy : Groups Each subclass is broken down into subdivisions referred to as "groups," which are either main groups or subgroups Each main group symbol consists of the subclass symbol followed by a one- to three-digit number, the oblique stroke and the number`00 The main group title defines a field of subject matter considered to be useful in searching for inventions. Example: A 01 B 1/00 Hand tools Subgroups form subdivisions under the main groups. Examples: A 01 B 1/00 Hand tools 1/24. for treating meadows or lawns

17 Hierarchy: Subgroups Level of hierarchy: indicated by dots number of dots > hierarchical level numbering does not determine hierarchical level numbering determines sequential order of subgroups > Independent of numbering of subgroups! G01N 33/483 Physical analysis of biological material 33/487 of liquid biological material 33/49 blood 33/50 Chemical analysis of biological material, e.g. blood 26

18 IPC Versions The IPC is periodically revised (mostly every 5 years) for improving the system and for reflecting technical developments in its contents. The first edition of the Classification was in force from September 1, 1968, to June 30, 1974 Second from July 1, 1974, to December 31, 1979 Third from January 1, 1980, to December 31, 1984 Fourth from January 1, 1985, to December 31, 1989 Fifth from January 1, 1990, to December 31, 1994 Sixth from January 1, 1995, to December 31, 1999 Seventh from January 1, 2000, to December 31, 2005 Eighth from January 1, 2006, to December 31, 2008.

19 IPC reform In March 1999 the IPC Committee of Experts decided to start reform of the Classification Launched in within framework of Version 8 of the IPC

20 Principal objectives of the IPC reform Move from paper oriented system to electronic system Division of the IPC into core and advanced levels (discontinued from January 2011) Creation of the Master Classification Database Reclassification of search files according to revision changes Introduction in the IPC of electronic information and tools facilitating classification and search Accommodation of the IPC to an electronic environment

21 WIPO Standard ST.10/C Document classified in the advanced level: (51) Int. Cl. B28B 5/00 ( ) B28B 1/29 ( ) H05B 3/18 ( ) Italics Advanced Level Bold Invention Information Version Indicator Non-bold Additional Information Document classified in the core level: (51) Int. Cl. (2006) B28B 5/00 B28B 1/00 H05B 3/10 Regular Core Level Bold Invention Information Non-bold Additional Information

22 IPC homepage General Information, Guide Scheme FAQ

23 IPC homepage Access: General information on IPC; Guide (comprehensive information) Information on revision projects (e-forum) and meetings IT support: downloads (PDF, XML), file specifications, DTDs Classification tools: IPCCAT, TACSY Bridge (magnifying class symbol) links to: ECLA; USPC; FI Other language versions of IPC Databases (PATENTSCOPE, USPTO, JPO IPDL)

24

25

26 IPCCAT IPPCAT is a linguistic tool that allows to enter short descriptions of technical subject matter, e.g. a summary or abstract, and retrieve suggestions where such subject matter could be classified The tool is based on a neural network that was trained with a large set of patent documents that were classified by experts.

27

28 TACSY Access: via IPC home or Natural language search of IPC: you need not know precise terminology Takes shorter keyword combinations up to words Results given down to subgroups

29 TACSY

30 European Patent Classification (ECLA) The ECLA classification system is an extension of the International Patent Classification system. It contains subdivisions, ie more than the IPC, and is therefore more precise ECLA classifications are assigned to patent documents by EPO examiners in order to facilitate prior-art searches ECLA is revised continuously and applied retrospectively

31 Japan Patent Office : F-terms The F-term classification system consists of themes and terms The coverage area of the IPC is divided into approximately 2900 themes with each theme spanning a range of IPC subgroups A theme is identified by the title describing the range or the theme code which consists of five digits allocated uniquely to each theme; for example, a theme spanning IPC range A01K 87/00 87/06 is identified by its title "Fishing rods" and its theme code is 2B019 Some themes only span one IPC subgroup, such as theme 2F011, "Tape measures" which covers IPC G01B 3/10

32 USPTO United States Patent Classification Classes Arranged Numerically with Art Unit and Search Room Locations Classes D (Textiles, Furnishing, Tools, Packages,etc.) Classes (Printing, Coating or Plastic, Engines, etc.) Classes (Distillation, Electrolysis, Land Vehicles, etc.) Classes (Joints, Alloys, Semiconductors, etc.) Classes (Catalysts, Superconductors, Perfumes, etc.) Classes (Surgery, Data Processing, Multicellular Living Organisms, etc.)

33 Searching Using Different Classification Systems Concordance between IPC and USPC IPC USPC Section Discipline (Mechanical) Class Category of Classes (tools) Subclass Class Group Subclass Main group Mainline subclass Subgroup Indented subclass

34 Classification Harmonization The EPO and the United States Patent Trademark Office are currently working to establish a new Cooperative Patent Classification (CPC) The CPC is to be based on the International Patent Classification (IPC) system, but will use the European Classification system (ECLA) as a basis so that it will be more detailed than the IPC The EPO and USPTO view the CPC as a major step toward the Common Hybrid Classification (CHC), one of the ten Foundation Projects of the Five IP Offices (IP5) aiming to harmonize the search and information environment of each office and to standardize the information-sharing process

35 Example : Finding IPC classes using PATENTSCOPE

36 Example : Finding IPC classes using PATENTSCOPE

37 Example: Finding Applicant (Qualcomm) Classes

38 Example: Finding Applicant (Qualcomm) Classes

39 Example: Finding Applicant (Qualcomm) Classes

40 Example: Finding IPC classes using IPCCAT

41 Example: Finding IPC classes using IPCCAT

42 Example: Finding IPC classes using TACSY

43 Example: Finding IPC classes using TACSY

44 Example: Finding IPC classes using TACSY Natural language search in the IPC - TACSY

45 Example: Finding IPC classes using TACSY

46 Thank you for your kind attention!