Beyond Google Effective Patent Searching In Every Library
At one time, to do a patent search….
Now…85 Patent and Trademark Depository Libraries
Two In North Carolina UNC-Charlotte PTDL NCSU PTDL
And now, web access to patents goes back to 1790…
What Can Your Library Do? --LOTS! • Direct inventors to web sites • http://www.lib.ncsu.edu/ptdl/ • http://www.uspto.gov –BUT direct to specific resources like Inventors Resources section • Install TIFF reader software • Provide information on search strategy • However, do NOT do a search for someone Search
What Can They Only Do @ a PTDL? CASSIS (discs) and PubWEST (secure) databases for: • Abstracts and full images of European & Japanese patents (in PubWEST) (but in that foreign language) • More sophisticated searching (in PubWEST) • Enables combining search sets, use of proximity operators, etc. • Easier searching of pre-1976 patents (either database) • Downloading lots of patents (in CASSIS—for now)
Comparison of Databases
More They Can Do @ a PTDL • Plant patent collection (photos) • Print resources (how-to and other books) • How to do searches • How to write claims in an application • Inventor resources • Small business resources (At Present)
Search Strategy(or, Why Google Isn’t Enough) • Brainstorm synonyms • Look up in Index • Identify class and subclass #s • Read class & subclass definitions • Review patents (& apps!) in those classes • Trace related patents through references • Search non-patent literature
Mock Search 1. Brainstorm Terms
Pathway • http://www.lib.ncsu.edu/ptdl/ • Patents (sidebar on left) • How to Search for Patents (sidebar) • Dropdown menu - I am an inventor doing a patentability search. • Seven–Step Process w/ links to tools
NCSUWeb Page
Mock Search
2. The Index of Classification
Multiple Incidents of Terms
3. Classes and Subclasses
The Manual: Class and Subclass Scope Exercising.......482 / 142+
Exercising.......482 / 142+ 4. Class Definitions
5. The Patents of a Given Class
Reminder: Search Strategy • Brainstorm synonyms • Look up in Index • Identify class and subclass #s • Read class & subclass definitions • Review patents (& apps!) in those classes • Trace related patents through references • Search non-patent literature
5. The Apps of a Given Class • Copy just the numbers from this search: • 482/142 Click the Home link circled above
5. The Apps Database Select the Quick Search
5. The Apps Database Paste the numbers in the search box
5. The Apps of a Given Class
Where Were We? Oh, right—Step Six • Brainstorm synonyms • Look up in Index • Identify class and subclass #s • Read class & subclass definitions • Review patents (& apps!) in those classes • Trace related patents through references • Search non-patent literature
The Structure of a Patent Brief Description Brief Description 6. {
The Structure of a Patent 6.
The Structure of a Patent Claims Description
7. Non-Patent Literature • Articles • Conference proceedings • Blogs—Web sites—listservs • Anything publicly accessible
DO Use a generic example Explain search strategy Direct to print & online resources Refer to PTDLs and USPTO DON’T Ask for the details of an invention Fill out forms for someone Interpret rules or process given a particular situation Speculate on an outcome Accept completed forms Dos and Don’ts
Contact Info • NCSU Libraries Michele Hayslett (919) 513-4433 http://www.lib.ncsu.edu/ptdl/ • UNC-Charlotte’s Atkins Library (704) 687-2241 (Reference Desk) http://library.uncc.edu/patents/ • USPTO (800) 786-9199, Option #2 then #5 http://www.uspto.gov/
Search Caveats When Seeking Patents by a Particular Person • If a person invented something while working at a company or university, his or her name will be listed as the INVENTOR, while the ASSIGNEE is usually the company or university. • Variations in how a name is LISTED and SPELLED Joe Brown, Joseph Brown, Joseph A. Brown, J.A. Brown –or Browne! • Can’t search names on USPTO web site if before 1976
Other Printing Options Online • Free or Fast • Search capabilities often limited • Patent Logistics' Free Patent Fetcher http://free.patentfetcher.com/ • pat2pdf http://www.pat2pdf.org/ • Google Patent A few of many
How to Find Your Closest PTDL OR
How to Find Your Closest PTDL
