How drawings could enhance retrieval in mechanical and device patent searching

Jane List

World Patent Information, 2007, vol. 29, issue 3, 210-218

Abstract: In focusing on the field of searching mechanical and device patents, the author explores the available resources, their uses and their limitations. In contrast to searches in the field of chemical patents, this field does not usually provide the benefits of consistent terminology, deep level classification and indexing or direct searching of drawings (cf structural compound search in chemistry). The many challenging problems that result for the searcher and the state of the art in progress on direct searching of drawings are reviewed. Illustrative examples in the fields of medical inhalers and pump actuators are provided. It is clear that there is still a long way to go before practicable, searchable databases can be created or even one of the key initial steps in this process - the general filing and manipulation of 3D drawings in patent applications - can be realised. Methods of searching patent images and tools for faster evaluation of drawings in the full patent specification would be welcomed.

Keywords: Mechanical; patents; Device; patents; Patent; searching; Searching; drawings; Classification; Indexing; Medical; inhalers; Bump; actuators; Patent; models; 3D; drawings; Patent; applications; Images (search for similar items in EconPapers)
Date: 2007
References: Add references at CitEc
Citations:

Downloads: (external link)
http://www.sciencedirect.com/science/article/pii/S0172-2190(07)00007-5
Full text for ScienceDirect subscribers only

Related works:
This item may be available elsewhere in EconPapers: Search for items with the same title.

Export reference: BibTeX RIS (EndNote, ProCite, RefMan) HTML/Text

Persistent link: https://EconPapers.repec.org/RePEc:eee:worpat:v:29:y:2007:i:3:p:210-218

Ordering information: This journal article can be ordered from
http://www.elsevier.com/wps/find/supportfaq.cws_home/regional
http://www.elsevier. ... _01_ooc_1&version=01

Access Statistics for this article

World Patent Information is currently edited by Michael Blackman

More articles in World Patent Information from Elsevier
Bibliographic data for series maintained by Catherine Liu ().