Before you start learning to search for patents on various PTO databases or even commercial databases, you must know some things. We can use different ways to search for patents, and search for patents on any free or paid patent database based on the following: ① Core keywords; ② Assignees; ③ Patent classification; ④ Inventors; ⑤ Citations.
Core keywords are the most direct, simple but most manual search strategy for finding prior art. Although input is simple, choosing the right keywords is the tricky part.
Suppose you invented the smartphone and are searching for patent documents using the keywords “cellular phone”, “mobile phone” or “smartphone”, you will miss patent documents describing smartphones such as “handheld device”, “portable communication device”, “portable communication terminal” or “wireless communication device”.
It is very likely that some patent documents do not use keywords such as “smartphone”. These terms may have been established after the relevant patent application was filed. In many inventions, the inventor does not know what he is actually inventing, or he does not know what his invention can be used for in the future.
Two New Jersey engineers invented bubble cushion plastic packaging in 1957 and received a patent in 1959. They wanted to sell it as wallpaper at the time, and later marketed it as greenhouse insulation. In the end, their idea did not become a reality, and they put It was sold to IBM as packaging material for computers.
To ensure that the key characters can be found in the patent library, you must think boldly. When looking for prior art for an invention, please break it down into different parts according to the following conditions:
① Think carefully about the purpose of the product invention? For example, a smartphone can be used for wireless communication; ② Break down the functional invention into different application scenarios. The focus here is on the function. In the relevant application field, in addition to the basic functions, the functions of smartphones can also be used in other places. For example, smartphones are now also an entertainment device; ③ What is needed to complete this invention? This part may or may not be needed every time.
After completing the above steps, use an online thesaurus or technical dictionary to find synonyms for the concepts of the prior art. At the end of this exercise, list the keyword repository that needs to be searched.