Classification Systems at EPO IPC Layout Rules Symbols

Classification Systems at EPO IPC - Layout - Rules - Symbols ECLA - Layout - Rules ICO-KW-TXT Added Value Documentation ECNO European Patent Office Classification Systems and Practice at EPO Hungarian Patent Office, Budapest, 23 May 2006 Find the Entries ECLA Revisions Pierre Held EPO Dir 1. 3. 5 Classification Dr. Pierre Held, PD Tools-Documentation, Dir. 1. 3. 5. Classification 1

Classification Systems at EPO IPC - Layout - Rules - Symbols ECLA - Layout - Rules ICO-KW-TXT Added Value Documentation ECLA European Patent Classification ECNO Find the Entries ECLA Revisions Pierre Held EPO Dir 1. 3. 5 Classification 27

ECLA - Content Classification Systems at EPO IPC - Layout - Rules - Symbols ECLA - Layout - Rules ICO-KW-TXT Added Value Documentation ECNO Find the Entries • • • Reasons for creating ECLA Comparison IPC-ECLA Access to ECLA Schemes ICO codes Searching with ECLA Revision procedure ECLA Revisions Pierre Held EPO Dir 1. 3. 5 Classification 28

Reasons for creating ECLA Classification Systems at EPO IPC - Layout - Rules - Symbols ECLA - Layout - Rules ICO-KW-TXT Added Value Documentation ECNO Find the Entries ECLA Revisions Pierre Held EPO Dir 1. 3. 5 Classification EPO needs a classification that: • is more detailed than IPC • can be changed more often • enables complete search with one symbol • no IPC editions ! 29

Access Classification Systems at EPO IPC - Layout - Rules - Symbols ECLA - Layout - Rules ICO-KW-TXT Added Value • EPO - Internally: • EPOQUE • +CLA • internal database ECLA • CLASSTOOL Documentation ECNO Find the Entries ECLA Revisions Pierre Held EPO Dir 1. 3. 5 Classification • Member States • PDF Version on CD-ROM • Internet - esp@cenet® : http: //v 3. espacenet. com/eclasrch 30

ECLA Sample Page on SEA-EPOQUE Classification Systems at EPO IPC - Layout - Rules - Symbols ECLA - Layout - Rules ICO-KW-TXT Added Value Documentation ECNO Find the Entries ECLA Revisions Pierre Held EPO Dir 1. 3. 5 Classification 31

Symbol structure & presentation Classification Systems at EPO IPC - Layout - Rules - Symbols ECLA - Layout - Rules A 47 G HOUSEHOLD OR TABLE EQUIPMENT (book-ends A 47 B 5/00; knives B 26 B) 21/00 Table-ware (crumb trays A 47 L 13/52; table knives B 26 B) 21/18 . Drinking straws or the like ([N: as integral parts of drinking containers A 47 G 19/22 B 12]; for therapeutic purposes A 61 J 15/00; [N: adapted to emerge from drinking containers when opened B 65 D 77/28 C]) [C 9804] 21/18 B . . [N: combined with cutlery or other eating utensils] [N 9409][C 9701] ICO-KW-TXT Added Value Documentation ECNO Find the Entries ECLA Revisions Pierre Held EPO Dir 1. 3. 5 Classification [N: ] = “Non-official“ [N 9409 ] = New = introduction date: September 1994 [C 9701 ] = Changed : January 1997 32

Subdividing letters and hierarchy Classification Systems at EPO IPC - Layout - Rules - Symbols ECLA - Layout - Rules ICO-KW-TXT Added Value Documentation ECNO Find the Entries ECLA Revisions Pierre Held EPO Dir 1. 3. 5 Classification Rules: • Alphabetic order • Letter – digit – letter - …. • 1 dot more = 1 letter/digit more G 02 B 5/00 G 02 B 5/30. Examiners choice: • Selection of letter • Deep subdivision Optical elements other than lenses Polarising elements G 02 B 5/30 F. . [N: comprising dielectric particles] G 02 B 5/30 L. . [N: involving liquid crystal elements] G 02 B 5/30 P. . [N: Polarisers] G 02 B 5/30 P 1. . . [N: in the form of a thin sheet or foil] G 02 B 5/30 P 1 S. . [N: comprising multiple thin layers] G 02 B 5/30 P 1 S 1. . . [N: including organic materials] 33

ECLA vs. IPC Classification Systems at EPO IPC - Layout - Rules - Symbols ECLA - Layout - Rules ICO-KW-TXT Added Value Documentation ECNO • ECLA = latest IPC edition • • + EPO subdivisions + EPO text additions in IPC groups • Exceptions • IPC groups / amendments not (yet) introduced (lack of time or not good) • IPC of former or future editions Find the Entries ECLA Revisions Pierre Held EPO Dir 1. 3. 5 Classification • ECLA 140 K entries vs. IPC 70 K entries • Reclassified documentation ! • Revisions: ~weekly !! 34

ECLA "WARNINGS" Classification Systems at EPO IPC - Layout - Rules - Symbols ECLA - Layout - Rules ICO-KW-TXT Added Value • A WARNING is introduced locally in the ECLA scheme for signalling deviations from IPC, or incompleteness: • IPC groups not used in ECLA • e. g. see Warning after G 01 N • Deleted / transferred ECLA groups • e. g. see Warning after H 01 F Documentation ECNO Find the Entries • Reclassification in progress • e. g. see Warning after B 01 D, G 01 N 27/00 ECLA Revisions • A NOTE can be used to signal use of special databases Pierre Held EPO Dir 1. 3. 5 Classification • e. g. see Note after B 32 B • a Note is used instead of a Warning, because it does not impact on the completeness of groups 35

ECLA Combi (“+”) Symbols Classification Systems at EPO IPC - Layout - Rules - Symbols • A 23 G 1/00 M+D B 01 D 19/04 D 2+/04 D 4+/04 D 20 B 4 A 61 L 15/12+C 08 L 15/04 ECLA - Layout - Rules ICO-KW-TXT Added Value Documentation ECNO Find the Entries ECLA Revisions Pierre Held EPO Dir 1. 3. 5 Classification ECLA group symbol followed by + • • • Limited number of authorized fields Introduction in new fields not allowed A Note in ECLA shall define the meaning of the terms 36

Rules for ECLA & ICO Classification Systems at EPO IPC - Layout - Rules - Symbols ECLA - Layout - Rules • Invention Information EC symbols • Classification – obligatory – with EC symbols only – e. g. H 04 B 10/17 • Search: field /EC of EPODOC ICO-KW-TXT Added Value Documentation ECNO Find the Entries ECLA Revisions • Additional Information ICO symbols • Classification – non-obligatory – ICO symbols only – e. g. T 04 B 10/17 • Search: Pierre Held EPO Dir 1. 3. 5 Classification field /ICO of EPODOC 37

ECLA Reform: EC versus ICO Classification Systems at EPO IPC - Layout - Rules - Symbols ECLA - Layout - Rules ICO-KW-TXT Added Value Documentation • Reformed approach (since year 2000) • Make EC and ICO parallel schemes • see example from H 01 L (next slide) • for further subdivisions of ECLA groups it is now recommended to create together new (paperless) EC and corresponding ICO entries ECNO Find the Entries ECLA Revisions Pierre Held EPO Dir 1. 3. 5 Classification • Reminder • EC is meant for “Invention Information” • ICO is meant for “Additional Information” 38

Example of Reformed ECLA Classification Systems at EPO IPC - Layout - Rules - Symbols ECLA - Layout - Rules ICO-KW-TXT Added Value Documentation ECNO Find the Entries ECLA Revisions Pierre Held EPO Dir 1. 3. 5 Classification 39

Classification Systems at EPO IPC - Layout - Rules - Symbols ECLA - Layout - Rules ICO-KW-TXT Added Value Documentation ICO EPO Indexing Codes ECNO Find the Entries ECLA Revisions Pierre Held EPO Dir 1. 3. 5 Classification 40

ICO Symbols: Creation Classification Systems at EPO IPC - Layout - Rules - Symbols ECLA - Layout - Rules ICO-KW-TXT Added Value Documentation ECNO Find the Entries • Symbols based on ECLA, but first letter changed … A K E P B L F R C M G S D N H T ECLA Revisions Pierre Held EPO Dir 1. 3. 5 Classification 41

ICO Symbols – Meaning Classification Systems at EPO IPC - Layout - Rules - Symbols ECLA - Layout - Rules ICO-KW-TXT Added Value EC ICO G 02 F 1/133 S 02 F 1/133 same scope S 02 F 1/133 P subdivision … S 02 F 201/00 independent … Documentation ECNO Find the Entries ECLA Revisions Pierre Held EPO Dir 1. 3. 5 Classification 42

ICO Sample Page Classification Systems at EPO IPC - Layout - Rules - Symbols ECLA - Layout - Rules ICO-KW-TXT Added Value Documentation ECNO Find the Entries ECLA Revisions Pierre Held EPO Dir 1. 3. 5 Classification 43

ICO Combi (“+”) Symbols Classification Systems at EPO IPC - Layout - Rules - Symbols ECLA - Layout - Rules ICO-KW-TXT • ICO symbol followed by “+”: • K 23 B 3/02+01+89 • S 03 C 1/035+CUB+CL • L 22 F 998/00+B 22 F 3/16 Added Value Documentation ECNO Find the Entries ECLA Revisions Pierre Held EPO Dir 1. 3. 5 Classification • Self explaining (EC/ICO or clear text) or otherwise explained by a Note in ECLA 44

Use of ICO Codes Classification Systems at EPO IPC - Layout - Rules - Symbols • For Additional Information ECLA - Layout - Rules ICO-KW-TXT Added Value • For subject-matter “referred out” Documentation ECNO Find the Entries • see examples ECLA Revisions Pierre Held EPO Dir 1. 3. 5 Classification 45

Classification Systems at EPO IPC - Layout - Rules - Symbols ECLA - Layout - Rules ICO-KW-TXT Added Value Documentation KW EPO controlled keywords ECNO Find the Entries ECLA Revisions Pierre Held EPO Dir 1. 3. 5 Classification 46

KW Sample Page Classification Systems at EPO IPC - Layout - Rules - Symbols ECLA - Layout - Rules ICO-KW-TXT Added Value Documentation ECNO Find the Entries ECLA Revisions Pierre Held EPO Dir 1. 3. 5 Classification 47

What is a "KW" ? Classification Systems at EPO IPC - Layout - Rules - Symbols ECLA - Layout - Rules ICO-KW-TXT • Controlled expression • phrase in English • from a thesaurus linked to an ECLA subclass Added Value Documentation ECNO Find the Entries ECLA Revisions Pierre Held EPO Dir 1. 3. 5 Classification • Examples • shock resistance (G 02 F) • for large doors (E 05 D) 48

KW Schemes Classification Systems at EPO IPC - Layout - Rules - Symbols ECLA - Layout - Rules ICO-KW-TXT Truly alphabetic • KW - material - ceramic (B 28 B) • KW - material - clay (B 28 B) • KW - product - container (B 28 B) • KW - product - pipe (B 28 B) Added Value Documentation ECNO Find the Entries ECLA Revisions Pierre Held EPO Dir 1. 3. 5 Classification Hybrid (i. e. with reference to ECLA or ICO. . . ) • KW - c 04948 h - mould comprising …(B 29 C) • KW - c 04948 h - mould opening by. . . (B 29 C) 49

Use of KW's Classification Systems at EPO IPC - Layout - Rules - Symbols ECLA - Layout - Rules • not checked / no approval • no "combinations" possible • no data entry support ICO-KW-TXT Added Value Documentation ECNO Find the Entries ECLA Revisions • as “provisional” solution • e. g. to rapidly collect documents during a search • for general characteristics • e. g. field of use Pierre Held EPO Dir 1. 3. 5 Classification 50

ICO vs. KW Classification Systems at EPO IPC - Layout - Rules - Symbols ECLA - Layout - Rules ICO-KW-TXT Added Value Documentation • ICO • KW • • Symbol Hierarchical Approval - DOC 14 "+" Combinations Clear text Alpha-numeric No DOC 14 No "+" Combinations ECNO Find the Entries ECLA Revisions Pierre Held EPO Dir 1. 3. 5 Classification 51

Classification Systems at EPO IPC - Layout - Rules - Symbols ECLA - Layout - Rules ICO-KW-TXT Added Value Documentation TXT The Free Text in EPODOC ECNO Find the Entries ECLA Revisions Pierre Held EPO Dir 1. 3. 5 Classification 52

What is TXT (of EPODOC) ? Classification Systems at EPO IPC - Layout - Rules - Symbols ECLA - Layout - Rules ICO-KW-TXT Added Value • Free text in English • about the technical content of a document • in field TXT of database EPODOC • indexed in basic index (bi) Documentation ECNO Find the Entries ECLA Revisions Pierre Held EPO Dir 1. 3. 5 Classification 53

Use of TXT Classification Systems at EPO IPC - Layout - Rules - Symbols ECLA - Layout - Rules ICO-KW-TXT Added Value Documentation ECNO • Incomplete TI / AB or not available • More detailed information than EC/ICO/KW for low number of documents • For structuring information (sentences/paragraphs) Find the Entries ECLA Revisions Pierre Held EPO Dir 1. 3. 5 Classification 54

Structuring Information with TXT Classification Systems at EPO IPC - Layout - Rules - Symbols ECLA - Layout - Rules ICO-KW-TXT Added Value Documentation ECNO Find the Entries ECLA Revisions TXT can be structured: TXT - A B ; C D -A B; E F Do it by sentences and paragraphs: • sentence: • <; > <space> • paragraph: • <carriage return><hyphen><space> • with only <carriage return> text is wrapped in EPODOC Pierre Held EPO Dir 1. 3. 5 Classification 55

ECLA added value at EPO Classification Systems at EPO IPC - Layout - Rules - Symbols ECLA - Layout - Rules ICO-KW-TXT Added Value Documentation ECNO Find the Entries ECLA Revisions Pierre Held EPO Dir 1. 3. 5 Classification 56

ECLA-Classified Documentation at EPO Classification Systems at EPO IPC - Layout - Rules - Symbols ECLA - Layout - Rules ICO-KW-TXT Added Value Documentation ECNO Find the Entries ECLA Revisions Pierre Held EPO Dir 1. 3. 5 Classification • (sub-set of) min-PCT available in EPO languages • National Patent Offices • US, CH, DE, FR, GB • + BE, NL, LU (historical reasons) • + AT, AU, CA (first filing residents) • Patent Organizations • EP, WO (Wipo), AP (Aripo), OA (Oapi) • JP, RU, ES, FI, SE excluded • WO from these ISA's classified via English abstracts • Non-Patent Literature (NPL) • pre-selected journals (field-dependent) • any article on examiner's request • identified by an XP number 57

Classification Systems at EPO IPC - Layout - Rules - Symbols ECLA - Layout - Rules ICO-KW-TXT Added Value Documentation ECNO ECLA by National Offices ECNO Find the Entries ECLA Revisions Pierre Held EPO Dir 1. 3. 5 Classification 58

ECNO Classification Systems at EPO IPC - Layout - Rules - Symbols ECLA - Layout - Rules ICO-KW-TXT Added Value • Motivations • • not all countries classified by EPO not all document types classified by EPO classification delays at EPO share knowledge and resources Documentation ECNO Find the Entries ECLA Revisions Pierre Held EPO Dir 1. 3. 5 Classification • Participating countries (status) • ES, SE, AT, UK 59

ECNO vs. EC Classification Systems at EPO IPC - Layout - Rules - Symbols ECLA - Layout - Rules Incoming document from NO EPO language EPO examiner ICO-KW-TXT Added Value Documentation any language ECNO Find the Entries ECLA Revisions ECNO field EC field EPODOC EPODO DOC-DB Pierre Held EPO Dir 1. 3. 5 Classification C esp@cen et 60

ECNO in EPODOC – Record and search Classification Systems at EPODOC record example IPC - Layout - Rules - Symbols ECLA - Layout - Rules ICO-KW-TXT Added Value Documentation ECNO Find the Entries ECLA Revisions Pierre Held EPO Dir 1. 3. 5 Classification • • • PN PR EC DT ECNO - EP 0085142 ES 19820509082 G 01 D 9/38 • • • PN PR EC DT ECNO - FR 2520524 ES 19820509082 G 01 D 9/38 • • • PN PR EC DT ECNO - ES 8301373 ES 19820509082 G 01 D 9/38 I G 01 D 9/40 EPODOC search example • • G 01 D 9/38 /ec finds EP, FR, ES • G 01 D 9/40 /ec • • EC allocation is per family • ECNO allocation is per document • • <no results> G 01 D 9/38 /ecno <no results> G 01 D 9/40 /ecno finds ES 61

ECNO - Searching Classification Systems at EPO IPC - Layout - Rules - Symbols ECLA - Layout - Rules ICO-KW-TXT Added Value Documentation ECNO Find the Entries ECLA Revisions • For complete coverage, search in both fields: /ecno • Tip: create and use a super-index: . . fi epodoc. . for ecal ec ecno G 01 D 9/38 /ecal • finds all docs with this ECLA – given by either EP or National Office Pierre Held EPO Dir 1. 3. 5 Classification 62

ECNO - Searching in esp@cenet Classification Systems at EPO IPC - Layout - Rules - Symbols ECLA - Layout - Rules ICO-KW-TXT Added Value Documentation ECNO Find the Entries ECLA Revisions • Default: use the super-index • i. e. ECNO is included by default • transparent for search ! Pierre Held EPO Dir 1. 3. 5 Classification 63

Approaches to Find "the" Relevant Entries Classification Systems at EPO IPC - Layout - Rules - Symbols ECLA - Layout - Rules ICO-KW-TXT • Systematic: identify relevant section, then class, then subclass etc till relevant group • Pragmatic: find out (e. g. by search) how/where similar documents are classified, and classify the same way Added Value Documentation ECNO Find the Entries ECLA Revisions Pierre Held EPO Dir 1. 3. 5 Classification • Statistical: start identifying a statisticallyrelevant group (*) then check correctness of scope, notes, references etc • (*) in EPOQUE by. . FIND, . . STAT • (*) in esp@cenet® by "Find classification" (link) 64

Revisions of ECLA & ICO (I) Classification Systems at EPO IPC - Layout - Rules - Symbols ECLA - Layout - Rules • • • Dynamically (possible at any time) Involve Reclassification Done by examiners • • ICO-KW-TXT Added Value upon examiner's decision upon recommendation by Classification directorate Documentation ECNO Find the Entries ECLA Revisions Pierre Held EPO Dir 1. 3. 5 Classification • 3 -step checking procedure: 1. Directorate 2. Technical area 3. Classification directorate 65

Revisions of ECLA & ICO (II) Classification Systems at EPO IPC - Layout - Rules - Symbols ECLA - Layout - Rules ICO-KW-TXT Added Value • Reclassification of ECLA • in parallel to scheme revision • Keep old groups until finished • Warning added in ECLA – e. g. see Warning after G 01 N 27/00 Documentation ECNO Find the Entries ECLA Revisions • Reclassification of ICO • less systematic, e. g. during search • reminder: ICO meant for Additional Info Pierre Held EPO Dir 1. 3. 5 Classification 66

Classification Systems at EPO IPC - Layout - Rules - Symbols European Patent Office ECLA - Layout - Rules ICO-KW-TXT Added Value Thank you for your attention! Documentation ECNO Find the Entries ECLA Revisions Pierre Held EPO Dir 1. 3. 5 Classification 67