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 11
2011
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
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
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
Searching Patent Information
Text searching:
Databases containing abstracts
Full-text databases
Classification-based searching:
IPC
Other classifications
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
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
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
Searching patent information
Classification adds information value to
patent documents
Combination of classification-based and text
searching gives best results
Patent Classification Systems
IPC – International Patent Classification (WIPO)
70.000 entries
ECLA - European Classification (EPO)
based on IPC; 150.00 entries
USPC - United States Patent Classification
(USPTO)
different philosophy; English only; 160.000
entries
F / FI terms - Japanese Classification Systems
(JPO)
FI based on IPC; Japanese, English; 190.000
entries
Harmonization of ECLA, USPC, FI by IP5 Offices
included in new IPC versions
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
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
http://www.wipo.int/classifications/ipc/en/faq/index.html#G7
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
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
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
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
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
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.
IPC reform
In March 1999 the IPC Committee of Experts decided to
start reform of the Classification
Launched in 01.01.2006 within framework of Version 8 of
the IPC
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
WIPO Standard ST.10/C
Document classified in the advanced level:
(51)
Int. Cl.
B28B 5/00 (2006.01)
B28B 1/29 (2007.04)
H05B 3/18 (2008.07)
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
IPC homepage
General Information, Guide
Scheme
FAQ
IPC homepage
Access: http://wipo.int/classifications/ipc/en/
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®, esp@cenet, USPTO, JPO
IPDL)
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.
TACSY
Access: via IPC home or http://www.wipo.int/tacsy/
Natural language search of IPC: you need not know
precise terminology
Takes shorter keyword combinations up to 15 -20
words
Results given down to subgroups
TACSY
European Patent Classification (ECLA)
The ECLA classification system is an extension of the International
Patent Classification system. It contains 129 200 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
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
USPTO – United States Patent Classification
Classes Arranged Numerically with Art Unit and Search Room
Locations
Classes D01-100 (Textiles, Furnishing, Tools, Packages,etc.)
Classes 101-200 (Printing, Coating or Plastic, Engines, etc.)
Classes 201-400 (Distillation, Electrolysis, Land Vehicles, etc.)
Classes 401-494 (Joints, Alloys, Semiconductors, etc.)
Classes 501-600 (Catalysts, Superconductors, Perfumes, etc.)
Classes 601-987 (Surgery, Data Processing, Multicellular Living
Organisms, etc.)
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
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
Example : Finding IPC classes using
PATENTSCOPE®
Example : Finding IPC classes using
PATENTSCOPE®
Example: Finding Applicant (Qualcomm)
Classes
Example: Finding Applicant (Qualcomm)
Classes
Example: Finding Applicant (Qualcomm)
Classes
Example: Finding IPC classes using
IPCCAT
Example: Finding IPC classes using
IPCCAT
Example: Finding IPC classes using TACSY
Example: Finding IPC classes using TACSY
Example: Finding IPC classes using TACSY
Natural language search in the IPC - TACSY
Example: Finding IPC classes using TACSY
Thank you for your kind attention!
[email protected]