At this time, the patent collection, located in the Paul Laurence Dunbar Library, includes over 7,000,000 United States patents and 27,000,000 foreign patents in the following formats:
United States Patent Holdings
1790 + - USAPat DVD and CASSIS2
1790 + - also available via the internet www.uspto.gov
1790 + - PubWEST (Web-based Examiner Search Tool) USPTO intranet: available in Dunbar Library only. (NOTE: The Information Desk staff will need to log you into the PubWEST workstation.)
Foreign Patent Holdings
Foreign Image and Data Load (FIDL) database: 35 countries and international patent agencies represented - PubWEST USPTO intranet: available in Dunbar Library only. (NOTE: The Information Desk staff will need to log you into the PubWEST workstation.)
In addition to the patents themselves, the library contains guides to the of the U.S. Patent Classification system, International Patent Classifications (IPC), PCT Guidelines, information on attorneys and agents registered to practice before the U.S. Patent and Trademark Office, fee schedules, and similar material.
Patent Research
U.S. patents (including full-text) can be searched with limited Boolean operators on the USPTO web site for the years 1976 to the present. All U.S. patents from 1790 to the present can be searched by patent number and by current U.S. patent classification.
Patent images can be viewed and printed one page at a time. You will need a special plug-in for your browser to view and print the TIFF-formatted images.
For more advanced research, it is recommended that you use the in-house search database called PubWEST (Web-based Examiner Search Tool). PubWEST is provided to the University by the USPTO. Coverage is from 1790 to present for U.S. patents with full-text available from 1920 to present. Patents from 1920 to 1971 were scanned using OCR technology and contain many errors. PubWEST contains English abstracts of European and Japanese patents from the 1970s to the present. PubWEST also contains patents from 35 countries and are available from the Foreign Image and Data Load (FIDL) database. The oldest patent in this file dates from 1623, United Kingdom. PubWEST offers advanced Boolean operator and truncation searching (ADJ, SAME, WITH, $#, ?) making chemical and concept searching easier.
Besides PubWEST, you can use the European Patent Office (EPO) web site to search for foreign patents. The EPO provides a web based database called Esp@cenet®. Esp@cenet® includes many foreign patents outside of the EPO membership including Japanese patent abstracts from the mid-1970s. Esp@cenet® even contains U.S. patents from 1836 to present in Adobe® PDF file format. There are limitations to Esp@cenet®. The Esp@cenet® database does not contain design patents or plant patents from any foreign country. Classification searches can only be done by ECLA or IPC classifications.
For more information and/or training on using the USPTO patent web database, PubWEST, or Esp@cenet®, contact Ran Raider, 937-775-3521 or email: ran.raider@wright.edu.
For assistance in engineering or computer science projects, research and general information, contact Phil Flynn, 937-775-2533 or email: phil.flynn@wright.edu
International chemical patents can be searched using SciFinder Scholar. This database is accessible from the computer workstations in Dunbar Library. You must be a current Wright State student, faculty, or staff member to use this resource on-site at the Wright State University Libraries or remotely. SciFinder Scholar provides access to chemical literature and patents through the following databases: Chemical Abstracts PLUS, the CAS Registry File, CASREACT and MEDLINE. Besides providing the most comprehensive coverage of chemical literature available, SciFinder Scholar also includes the literature of related fields such as biochemistry, geochemistry, environmental science, and toxicology. The database provides for searching by several chemistry-specific parameters, including structure, chemical substance, chemical reaction, CAS registry number and functional groups. If you need assistance, please contact Mary Lou Baker Jones, 937-775-3148 or email: marylou.jones@wright.edu
Finding English Patent Equivalents
It is possible to find English equivalents for foreign language patents. The easiest way to find whether a foreign patent has an equivalent English language counter-part is to search for the "Patent Family" of the foreign patent document. Because issued patents are only enforced in the country of origin, many inventors and companies file applications in other countries where they wish to seek protection. These other "applications" are considered, in the simplest definition, a patent family. The World Intellectual Property Organization (WIPO), forwards Patent Cooperation Treaty (PCT, country code WO) applications to designated patent offices. These WO applications are often in English and are contained in the Esp@cenet® database. Esp@cenet® web database, also, contains INPADOC information on equivalents and patent families. Search for the foreign patent document number, retrieve the bibliographic information, and in the lower left corner of the record you will see a link to the INPADOC patent family data. You will also find, to the right of the title, the foreign equivalents. If no INPADOC or foreign equivalents are available contact Ran Raider, 937-775-3521 or email: ran.raider@wright.edu for more assistance.
Patent Document Delivery
The University Libraries provides document delivery for copies of U.S. and foreign patents contained in the depository collection to area businesses. Any patent(s) may be requested by sending an e-mail or by calling Ran Raider, 937-775-3521. Please include the patent country, patent or application number, patent year, and your name, place to send the order and a telephone number where you can be reached for payment method. The general public and local businesses can also retrieve copies of patents free of charge by visiting the Paul Laurence Dunbar library, 2nd floor, Wright State University.
$ .25 per page plus handling and shipping costs (Priority Mail)
$1.00 per page for color copies of plant patent drawings
FedEx overnight delivery using either your FedEx account or credit card payment for cost of shipping
Visa®, MasterCard® and Discover® are acceptable methods of payment.
The University Libraries provides copies for all of the patents requested by current Wright State University students, staff, and faculty free of charge.
Preliminary U.S. Patent Search: the 7-Step Guide
University Library staff are available to provide training on U.S. patent search processes and research tools. They have received training on using the CASSIS DVD-ROM system, the PubWEST database, and the USPTO web site.
1. Brainstorm keywords related to the purpose, proximate function, composition, and end result of using the invention. Avoid overly broad and generic terms such as "device," and ""system." You will be using the Index to the U.S. Patent Classification System to begin your research.
What is the purpose of the inventions? Is it a utilitarian device or an ornamental design?
Is the invention a process - a way of making something - or is it a product?
What is the invention made of? What is the physical composition of the invention?
How is the invention used?
What are the keywords and technical terms that describe the nature of the invention? Use a technical dictionary or thesaurus to help find appropriate terms.
It can be helpful to order terms according to decreasing scope. For example:
It is highly recommended that you keep detailed notes during your patent search. Such notes need to be kept in a bound (glued) volume, not a three-ring or spiral bound notebook. Sometimes called an Inventor's Notebook or Lab Notebook, these detailed notes will come in handy later in your research and discussions with a patent attorney and/or patent examiner.
Example Invention: Retractable Dog Leash
Some keywords describing the invention: Pet, Dog, Tether, Leash, Retractable, Spring wound reel, etc.
2. Look up the words in the Index to the U.S. Patent Classification (USPC) System to find initial class and subclasses for the invention.
The Index is an alphabetical listing of common keywords and terms.
The class number 119 and the subclass number 795 appear to be the best starting point for further research. Keep in mind, design classifications will also need to be researched if your invention has a unique or specialized structure. In this case, design class D30 will be researched for similar looking devices. Class 242 and subclass 370+ will also need to be considered because of the retracting mechanism. Devices which have the same essential function, such as a retractable tape measure and the retractable dog leash, will need to be researched. It is important to remember that you are researching the purpose, proximate function, composition, and end result of using the invention and not "what it is." These classes and subclasses are written in your Inventors Notebook.
3. Verify the relevancy of the class/subclasses found in the USPC System by using the Manual of Classification.
Example Class 119 and subclass 795 from the Manual:
By examining the sub-class schedule a researcher can determine which sub-classes are relevant in their research. Here "ANIMAL CONTROLLING OR HANDLING" is one of the main sub-class heading under the main class "ANIMAL HUSBANDRY." The "dot-indents" play an important role in determining the subsequent sub-classes that fall under the main sub-class heading. For example, sub-class 796 would appear to be a good starting point for the invention "retractable dog leash." The problem here, however, is that the "two dot" 795 and "one dot" 769, along with the main sub-class 712 have a relationship to the "three dot" 796. For a more comprehensive search, all sub-classes, 712, 769, 795, and 796 must be taken into consideration and the patents issued in each sub-class retrieved. NOTE: Class schedules are arranged in outline format. Sub-class numbers do not always appear in sequential order.
4. Read the Classification Definitions to verify the scope of the subclass and note any "See or search class and/or subclass" references for additional Class and Subclasses to be investigated.
Example definition for Sub-Class 796:
796
Retractable-reel wound:
This subclass is indented under subclass 795. Subject matter wherein the tether is wound on a spool which may be spring powered, for example, to pay out or retract the tether to the desired extent.
SEE OR SEARCH CLASS:
242, Winding, Tensioning, or Guiding, subclasses 371+ for spring wound reel.
The definitions will help the researcher determine the relevancy of their research terms. The definitions are also important in that they suggest other classes and/or sub-classes that need to be considered for further research. In this example, the "SEE OR SEARCH CLASS" note refers the researcher to devices that form the mechanical mechanism that plays out or retracts the leash in our invention.
5. Search the Issued Patents and the Published Applications databases by the Current US Classifications found in your research and access the full-text patents and published applications.
Once you make your determination of what classes and sub-classes you will research, the web versions of the Manual of Classifications and Classification Definitions makes it easy to retrieve patents and applications issued in those classes and sub-classes. There is a blue button with the letter A next to the class number. By clicking on it you will retrieve the pending applications for that class from 2001 to present. Within the Manual and Definitions there is a red "P" located to the left of the sub-class number. By clicking on the red "P" the database system will retrieve all patents issued for that sub-class from 1790 to the present.
NOTE: Issued patents and published applications can also be searched and viewed using:
CASSIS: Patents Bib, USAPat and USAApp DVD-ROMS (available in the Dunbar Library)
PubWEST (available in the Dunbar Library - it is the same database USPTO examiners use)
USPTO Web site
An example of "clicking" on the red "P" located next to class 119 sub-class 796 retrieves a listing of all patents issued for that sub-class:
Title
Retractable leash device
Animal control arrangement
Leash assembly
Lead with ergonomic handgrip
Illuminated retractable leash
Notice that the titles are ambiguous, not really revealing the technology behind the invention. This is one of the reasons why you shouldn't pay to much attention to the titles. For weeding out un-related patent literature it is best that you review the entire patent document.
6. Review the claims, specifications and drawings of the documents retrieved for relevancy.
Example patent number 6,886,499:
Claims
What is claimed is:
1. A retractable leash assembly for animals, comprising a housing for taking up a remaining length of the leash extending from the housing, and actuating mechanisms for arresting the leash extended at a predetermined length, and a grip handle removably connected to the housing, wherein the handle is oriented at the housing so that the actuating mechanisms can be operated by a hand holding the grip, wherein the housing and the grip handle are configured for mutual engagement for easily connecting the handle to and releasing the handle from the housing….
******
DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF PREFERRED EMBODIMENTS
Throughout all the Figures, same or corresponding elements are generally indicated by same reference numerals.
Turning now to the drawing, and in particular to FIG. 1, there is shown a housing of the retractable leash 1 which is preferably provided at the rear with a mounting 2 for corresponding additional elements 3a, 3b, 5, 6.
The mounting (2) is executed in the form of a uniform-radius groove (2a, 2b) on both sides. Alternatively, the mounting (2) can be executed in the form of a central, uniform-radius groove (2c). The uniform radius ensures that the maximum possible contact area is available for transmitting tensile forces between the retractable leash housing ...
In order to receive a patent grant, an inventor must disclose everything about the invention, what exactly is being invented (the Claims), how it is made, what materials are used, what other inventions are being used to create this invention, etc. (the Description of the invention. This "full disclosure" is required by law).
7. Check all disclosed references and the "Current U.S. Class" and "Field of Search" areas for additional class and subclasses to search.
January 1957
May 1963
June 1991
September 1996
March 1999
November 1999
December 1999
December 1999
February 2000
November 2000
June 2001
September 2001
November 2002
February 2004
August 2003
Fontaine
Olophant
Daniels
Nasser et al.
Levine et al.
Chavez
Matt et al.
Slater et al.
Matt et al.
Bogdahn
Edwards et al.
Macedo et al.
Imes
Morrison
Examiners assign classes and subclasses to inventions. Under the "Current U.S. Class", the initial class and sub-class assigned to the invention are in bold and the other classes and sub-classes follow it. As a researcher, though, you will need to pay special attention to the "Field of Search" classes and subclasses. This is everywhere the examiner searched for the particular technology, or prior art, in the U.S. Classification system. If the examiner search in these classes and subclasses so should you. There is also international classification number you can use in the Esp@cenet® database. The "Reference Cited" is a list of patents that are similar in function to the invention that is being researched. The inventor uses these references to compare their invention to other patents to determine the usefulness, unobvious, and new/novel character of their invention. These references will also have to be researched if your invention is similar to them.
Patent research is a time consuming process. Not only do you have to research both domestic and foreign patents and applications, you must also search "non-patent literature (NPL)." NPL encompasses magazine and journal articles, newspapers, trade journals, product catalogs, the internet, tradeshows, etc. any medium or outlet that would divulge prior-art. Do not limit yourself to researching only the patent databases. The University Libraries subscribes to over 300 other databases that you may find useful in your non-patent literature searches.
The following is a list of online patent resources you may find useful in your research:
Handbook on Industrial Property Information and Documentation: ST. 16 - World Intellectual Property Organization (WIPO) Kind Codes - Identification of Different Kinds of Patent Documents
