Patent Searching & AnalysisBMA5428
Loh Mee LanNUS Libraries6 Feb 2020
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Patent Searching Introduction to IP & patents
How to read a patent document
How to conduct effective patent searches in Patsnap
Introduction to patent analysis Analyze Results Patsnap Insights
Learning Outcomes
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Introduction to Patents & Patent Searching
Ms Loh Mee LanSenior LibrarianNUS Libraries
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Introduction to Intellectual Property
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What are the types of IP found in such products?
Trademarks – apple logo, “Iphone”Registered designs – aesthetic appearance (shape of the phone)Layout design of ICsCopyright (embedded operating system and other software)
Patents – Functional features and is one of several forms of intellectual property (IP)
For more information, go to Patent Libguide(FAQs and Articles section).
Source: 2019 iphone Renders (UPDATED) by Daniel Rivas is licenced under CC by NC-ND 4.0
Introduction to Intellectual Property
• Patents is one form of intellectual property (IP)
• Other forms of IP include copyright, registered design, trademark, etc.
• For more information, go to Patent Libguide (FAQ section).
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http://libguides.nus.edu.sg/patents
How to Read a Patent Document
Ms Loh Mee LanNUS Libraries
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HOW to Read a Patent Document
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For more details about how to read a patent,
see Patent Libguide(http://libguides.nus.edu.sg/patents)
Fields Generally consist of
Bibliographic Data/ Information
Patent Number; Type of Patent [e.g. granted or application]Title; Inventor Name; Assignee Name; Publication/Issue Date; References; AbstractsClassification Numbers [can use to search for similar patents]
Drawings - May contain drawings
Descriptions (of the Invention)
- Background of the Invention [e.g. problem trying to solve, summary of what is known]- Detailed description of the invention - May contain examples
Claims [defines legal boundaries of the patent document]
- May consist of: Independent Claims, Dependent Claims- Usually starts with phrases like “I claim”, “We claim”, What is claimed is”, “The invention claimed is”
HOW to Read a Patent Document
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Patent Number
Kind Code
Publication Date
Title
References
Classification Codes
Patent Application Number
Bibliographic Data/Information
Classification Codes
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There are different classification systems adopted by various countries:
International Patent Classification (IPC) – This is most common system
Cooperative Patent Classification (CPC)
International Classification for Industrial Designs (Locarno Classification)
United States Patent ClassificationNote : - From 2015, USPTO no longer actively assign USPC to utility patents. Plant and design patents will continue to be published with USPC symbols. - Now uses Cooperative Patent Classification (CPC)
For more information, refer to Patent Libguide (under Classifications, Codes & Glossary, Etc.)
International Patent Classification
Classification Codes
10Source : https://worldwide.espacenet.com/help?locale=en_EP&method=handleHelpTopic&topic=ipc
International Patent Classification
Classification Codes
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Source : https://worldwide.espacenet.com/help?locale=en_EP&method=handleHelpTopic&topic=ipc
How It Will Affect Your Searches
Note:- Classification codes may be revised over
time
- Classification codes may not be consistent as they are assigned by different patent offices
- Some patent offices does not use the full classification code e.g. A23L7 instead of A23L7/10
-
Classification Codes
12Search classification from document
HOW to Read a Patent Document
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• Independent Claims
“Generally an independent claim is one that does not refer to any other claim. Some independent claims may refer to other claims….”
• Dependent Claims
“A dependent claim can depend upon one or more independent claims or one or more dependent claims….”
Source:
Examination Guidelines for Patent Applications at IPOS. 2019 Apr. Intellectual Property of Singapore; [accessed 2019 Dec 30]. https://www.ipos.gov.sg/docs/default-source/resources-library/patents/guidelines-and-useful-information/examination-guidelines-for-patent-applications-at-ipos_2019-apr.pdf
See Page 22 on “Independent and dependent claims”
US20180346941A1
Patent Searching
Ms Loh Mee LanNUS Libraries
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A Very Simple Timeline - Patent Filing
Inventor File for Patent
Publication of Patent Application
Typically published 18 months after the filing date of application
Publication of Granted Patent
May take up to several years before a patent is granted
Generally, protected for 20 years from date of filing
Note: Patents may also be filed or granted in multiple countries. Patents may be abandoned or may expire earlier.
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Current Affairs(newspapers, websites, industry reports, etc.)
Patents(patent documents, patent analysis on company & industry, etc.)
Resources- Patents
Non patent literature(journal articles, books, conference papers, reports, standards, etc.)
- Findmore@NUSLResources- Engineering- Medical- Science- Standards
Legal Information(Statutes, Law Reports, Patent Legal Information, etc.)
ResourcesLaw
Business Information(country, industry, consumer, etc.)
Resources- Business
Social Media(Blogs, forums, etc.)
Factors To Consider #
TechnologyPast, Present, Future
Patent Activity
PESTLE AnalysisPoliticalEconomicSocialTechnologyLegalEnvironment
Drivers & Challenges
Key Players & Jurisdictions
Etc.
# Adapted from:How to analyse markets using innovation data : research document framework. Patsnap Academy; [accessed 2019 Oct 8]. https://www.patsnap.com/hubfs/Academy/Course%20Material/Research%20Document%20Template.pdf
Re
search
Top
ic
Types / Sources of
Information to Check
StatisticsResources- Singapore- Others
Approaches to Searching Patents
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Topic Search
- Start broadly…. using Synonyms, Truncations, wildcards variations, - Refine with additional keywords, classification numbers, etc.
Single Document Search
- Start with a known patent document- Find other patents with patents using
relevant classification numbers, citations analysis, references (including non patent literature), etc.
Semantic Search- Using text or patent
number
Classification Search
Further Analysis
On Search Results
NUS Libraries Patent Libguide(http://libguides.nus.edu.sg/patents)
Subscribed databases Patsnap Etc.
Free databases on Internet Google Patents The Lens
PATENTSCOPE, etc.
Patent Searching - Introduction
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Access Patsnap via NUS Portal (http://lib.nus.edu.sg)
How to Access Patsnap
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Access Patsnap via NUS Portal (http://lib.nus.edu.sg)
How to…
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Registration for 1st
Time Users
- Patsnap- Registration Guide
Search By Patent Document
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Search A Patent Document
(US6835390)
Identify suitable classification codes
Use “Similar Patents” function
Find Citations (Cites or Cited By)
Search Assignee(s) or Inventor(s)
References / Citations
HOW to Search Patents
(US6835390)
Additional Help from Patsnap:
Citation Analysis
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Semantic Search- Using machine learning algorithm to find relevant patents- Note: Only up to 1000 patents retrieved.
- Search Example- Patent Number (e.g. US6835390)
- Journal article
- Website, etc.
HOW to Search Patents
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Help on Patsnap Search Operators, Syntax, etc.
HOW to Search Patents
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Go to Search Helper for more tips: Search Syntax Tab; Use of stemming and wildcards
Operator Explanation Example
AND 2 keywords must be found in document apple AND orange
OR Either keywords found in document apple OR orange
NOT 1st keyword must be found but exclude 2nd
keywordapple NOT orange
“ “ Keywords within quotation marks must be next to each other in the order specified
“apple juice”
( ) Using parentheses to define search order (apple OR orange) NOT juice
* Replace a string of characters function*
$Wn Search words within “n” words of each other, in any order
vitamins $W5 nutrients
$WS Search words within SAME sentence vitamins $WS nutrients
Note: Some of these operators may not work when stemming is “ON” (default mode)
To change, go to and click on Preferences tab
HOW to Search Patents
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Cultured Meat Cellular Agriculture Other Terms
Clean meat Acellular agriculture Tissue Engineering
In vitro meat Cellular manufacturing Fish? Foodstuff?
Lab grown meat Food? Poultry?
Cultivated meat
Synthetic meat
Vat-grown meat
Slaughter free meat
Factory grown meat
Artificial meat
Tissue engineered meat
Engineered comestible meat
HOW to Search Patents
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Search 1(“cultured meat” OR “in vitro meat” OR “cultivated meat” OR “synthetic meat” OR “factory grown meat” OR “tissue engineered meat”)
Result : 286 simple families (693 total)
Search 2(cultured OR “In vitro” OR “lab grown” OR cultivated OR synthetic OR “factory grown” OR “tissue Engineered”) $WS (meat OR food OR fish OR poultry)
Result : 167,199 simple families (465, 821 total)
HOW to Search Patents
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Adding Records and Managing Your Workspace
Select Records
Export Records
Customize Fields
HOW to Search Patents
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Additional Help:- Patsnap : Quick Guide on
alert, save search query and workspace
Patsnap Website- Workspaces- How Do I manage my email
alerts?
HOW to Search Patents
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Additional Help:- Patsnap : Quick Guide on
alert, save search query and workspace
Patsnap Website- Workspaces- How Do I manage my email
alerts?
HOW to Search Patents
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Exercise – 5 minutes
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Identify the keywords or key concepts from your research topic
Identify possible search terms and write your search statement
Search in Patsnap
Look at the classification codes for the patent document. Is it relevant? Can you find other related documents?
Patent Analysis
Ms Loh Mee LanNUS Libraries
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Patent Analysis
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- Broad overview of the technology- Identify trends- Who are the major companies/
institutions
Remember!!Patent analysis forms part of the overall analysis about the market/technology
Combine with business information, current affairs, non patent literature, etc. to get a more accurate view.
Patents
Business Information
Statistical Data
Current Affairs
Non patent literature
Patent Analysis
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Patent Analysis
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Company Search : Adidas
Additional Help, Please go to Patsnap Help Centre , e.g.
What Is The Best Way To Do A Competitor Search?
How Do I Analyze A Patent Portfolio?
Patent Analysis
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Patsnap Insights
Ms Loh Mee LanNUS Libraries
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Patsnap InsightsPatsnap Insights provides business intelligence information. You can assess opportunities andthreats, find valuable information, about the company or technology, etc. The data is based on information extracted from Patsnap database.
2 Types of Dashboards- Technology- Company
How to Access- From Search Results Sets (Patsnap)- Workspace (Patsnap)- Direct from NUS Libraries Portal
Patsnap Insights
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Patsnap Insights
Patsnap Insights
Additional Help- Quick guide on finding
company information- Quick guide on finding
technology information
Patsnap Website- Additional Help on Patsnap Insights
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Exercise – 5 minutes
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• Base on the set of results that you had retrieved, analyse the search results
• Identify of two indicators that you will use for your project
In Summary
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Search several ways/rounds to scope relevant patents Apply different search techniques to narrow or broaden
search results Save relevant records to workspace for review / further
analysis Set up alerts or save search strategies Patsnap Insights – company or technology dashboards Combine with information from other sources Etc…
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Thank you for attending today!
Please fill in the feedback form:
http://bit.ly/HSST2020Programme NameBMA5428 Strategic Foresight
Please contact me if you have further queries:Loh Mee LanEmail: [email protected]
Additional Resources
Ms Loh Mee LanNUS Libraries
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Patsnap Landscape Maps
Ms Loh Mee LanNUS Libraries
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How the patents are organized:- “patent analysis algorithms to create what is essentially a self-
organising map”- “Similar patents are positioned closer together, and different patents
are spaced further apart”- “the mountains, where patents will be clustered, represent areas of
high activity and the low lying areas represent lower levels of patent activity”
- Clusters based classification codes and semantic analysis of keywords (title/abstracts)
Patsnap Landscape Maps
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Sources: Patsnap Help : Using The Landscape Tool & How are patents assigned to each category in Landscape
Patsnap Landscape
Additional Help (from Patsnap Website):- Help on Landscaping
How to Access- From Search Results
Sets- Workspace
Patsnap Landscape Maps
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Patsnap Landscape Maps
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See the “forests” (big picture/overview)
Landscape maps based on the set of documents retrieved
Is accurate as of today (legal status will change, new patents are published, etc.)
Other Patent Databases
Ms Loh Mee LanNUS Libraries
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Quick Comparison – 3 Patent Databases
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Patsnap The Lens Google Patents
Coverage (information from their websites)
Over 141 million patent publications + DocDB(covers nearly 100 jurisdictions)
Over 117 million documents BibliographicDocDB (covers nearly 100 jurisdictions)Full Text and ImagesUS, EP, WIPO PCT, Australia
Over 120 million patent publications from 100+ patent offices
Semantic Search or similar functions
Yes (by publication number or text with at least 2000 characters). Retrieved up to 1000 relevantdocuments.Document level – “Similar Patents” Function
No No separate search option
Document level – have “Find Prior Art” or “Similar” Functions
Scholarly Works (found in patents document) /Non Patent Literature (NPL)
Listed but not hyperlinked in patent documents (citations)
Start search either by patents or scholarly works. Scholarly data from PubMed, CrossRef, Microsoft AcademicScholarly works that found in Lens.org are hyperlinked.
- Can includes NPL from Google Scholar at searching screen- Includes a copy of the technical documents and books indexed in Google Scholar and Google Books- Listed but not hyperlinked in patent documents (citations)
Landscape Maps Yes No No
Patent Analysis YesPatsnap - Overview : 7 options e.g. Application Trends, Top Assignee(s) with further subtopicsPatsnap Insights – Company and Technology Dashboards, each with breakdown by subtopics
Yes
Display “Graphical Analysis”: up to 10 options e.g. Top 10 inventors
Yes
Display 3 options: (assignee, inventors, CPCs) e.g. top assignees
Lens.Org
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What is Lens.Org? (https://www.lens.org/lens/) “The Lens serves global patent and scholarly knowledge as a
public resource to make science- and technology-enabled problem solving more effective, efficient and inclusive”
Free patent database Includes over 117 million documents (bibliographic / full text) Full text documents from US Patents, European Patents, WIPO
Applications, Australian Patents, etc.) and non patent literature (over 195 million scholarly records from PubMed, CrossRef, Microsoft Academic Scholarly)
Lens.Org
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https://www.lens.org/
Strengths: Able to find number of cites from patents to scholarly works and vice versa
Lens Video Tutorials (Help Support)
Optional : Sign up for a free Lens.org account (e.g. save records, set alerts)
Patent Searching – Lens.Org
https://www.lens.org/
Strengths: Able to find number of cites from patents to scholarly works and vice versa
Lens Video Tutorials (Help Support)
Optional : Sign up for a free Lens.org account (e.g. save records, set alerts)