IPC Workshop – 2010.02.09 – IPC – Some Issues – Buffet 1
IPC – A TOOL FOR CLASSIFYING PATENT IPC – A TOOL FOR CLASSIFYING PATENT DOCUMENTS RATHER DOCUMENTS RATHER
THAN CONCEPTS?THAN CONCEPTS?Pierre BuffetPierre Buffet
IPC WorkshopGeneva, February 8 and 9, 2010
IPC Workshop – 2010.02.09 – IPC – Some Issues – Buffet 2
IPC - some issuesIPC - some issues
• IPC objectives• Classification objectives• IPC reform
IPC Workshop – 2010.02.09 – IPC – Some Issues – Buffet 3
IPC objectivesIPC objectives
6. The Classification […] has as its primary purpose the establishment of an effective search tool for the retrieval of patent documents by intellectual property offices and other users […]
7. The Classification, furthermore, has the important purposes of serving as:
(a) an instrument for the orderly arrangement of patent documents in order to facilitate access to the […] information contained therein;
(b) a basis for selective dissemination of information […]; (c) a basis for investigating the state of the art […]; (d) a basis for the preparation of industrial property statistics […]
[IPC Guide, Version 2009]
IPC Workshop – 2010.02.09 – IPC – Some Issues – Buffet 4
Classification objectivesClassification objectives
• Arrangement of objects• in a one dimension space
(shelves, shoe boxes, …)• To Facilitate access to the objects
or• To dispatch these objects
(e.g. to examiners)• Other use: (simple) description of
contents - one viewpoint
IPC Workshop – 2010.02.09 – IPC – Some Issues – Buffet 5
IPC reformIPC reform
11.[…] Changes to the structure of the Classification and to methods of its revision and application were needed in order to ensure its efficient and effective use in the electronic environment.
• Binded to classification approach• One dimension space (shelves)• No real use of boolean capabilities
• Very expensive update procedure• Frequent updates• Need to reclassify
IPC Workshop – 2010.02.09 – IPC – Some Issues – Buffet 6
IPC reformIPC reformClassification approachClassification approach
• Adapted to arrange collections• Limited for describing contents• Need to differentiate:
• Documents• Concepts describing the contents
• Concepts can be arranged in a different classification
• The example of Japanese F-terms
IPC Workshop – 2010.02.09 – IPC – Some Issues – Buffet 7
IPC reformIPC reformexample of F-terms example of F-terms
• Multiple viewpoint approach• Adapted to boolean logic• See for instance:
IPC Workshop, Geneva, Feb. 4-5, 2008Japanese Classification System (FI, F-terms)
and Quality of ReclassificationSusumu IWASAKI, JPO
IPC Workshop – 2010.02.09 – IPC – Some Issues – Buffet 8
AA components
AA04 ··Calcium oxides
Concept of F-term -Multiple Technological Viewpoints- (2)
AA044G0314G031
1515
IPC Workshop – 2010.02.09 – IPC – Some Issues – Buffet 9
BA24 ··Low heat expansion
AA components
BA Functionsand Uses
Concept of F-term -Multiple Technological Viewpoints- (3)
AA04 and BA244G0314G031
1616
IPC Workshop – 2010.02.09 – IPC – Some Issues – Buffet 10
AA components
BA Functionsand Uses
CA StructuresCA05 ·Granularity
Refine the search effectively!Refine the search effectively!
Concept of F-term -Multiple Technological Viewpoints- (4)
AA04 and BA24and CA05
4G0314G031
1717
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IPC reformIPC reform
13. The following major changes were introduced […]: (a) the Classification was divided into a core and an
advanced level, in order to better satisfy the needs of different categories of users;
• Convenient for storing documents according to size of collections
• Complex for searching
IPC Workshop – 2010.02.09 – IPC – Some Issues – Buffet 12
IPC reformIPC reform
13. The following major changes were introduced […]: (c) when the Classification is revised, patent
documents are reclassified according to the amendments to the core and advanced levels;
• Very costly as changes are very frequent
IPC Workshop – 2010.02.09 – IPC – Some Issues – Buffet 13
IPC reformIPC reformConclusionConclusion
• Look for stable solutions • to reduce costs
• Differentiate the classification of• Documents (storing, dispatching)• Concepts (indexing)
• Mr Iwasaki’s conclusion:
Future: Super IPC (multi-dimensional viewpoint) ??
IPC Workshop – 2010.02.09 – IPC – Some Issues – Buffet 14
Overall ConclusionOverall Conclusion
• Recognize the role and constraints of each player
• Reduce costs• Enhance cross-linking
through:• Exchange of viewpoints & expertise
(WIPO, IPOs, PDG, PATCOM)• Standards (WIPO – SCIT – Standards &
Documentation Working Group)
IPC Workshop – 2010.02.09 – IPC – Some Issues – Buffet 15
Thank YouThank You
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