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IPC – A TOOL FOR CLASSIFYING PATENT DOCUMENTS RATHER THAN CONCEPTS? Pierre Buffet. IPC Workshop Geneva , February 8 and 9, 2010. IPC - some issues. IPC objectives Classification objectives IPC reform. IPC objectives.
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IPC – A TOOL FOR CLASSIFYING PATENT DOCUMENTS RATHER THAN CONCEPTS?Pierre Buffet IPC Workshop Geneva, February 8 and 9, 2010
IPC - some issues • IPC objectives • Classification objectives • IPC reform
IPC objectives 6. The Classification […] has as its primary purpose the establishment of an effective search tool for the retrieval of patent documents by intellectual property offices and other users […] 7. The Classification, furthermore, has the important purposes of serving as: (a) an instrument for the orderly arrangement of patent documents in order to facilitate access to the […] information contained therein; (b) a basis for selective dissemination of information […]; (c) a basis for investigating the state of the art […]; (d) a basis for the preparation of industrial property statistics […] [IPC Guide, Version 2009]
Classification objectives • Arrangement of objects • in a one dimension space (shelves, shoe boxes, …) • To Facilitate access to the objects or • To dispatch these objects (e.g. to examiners) • Other use: (simple) description of contents - one viewpoint
IPC reform 11. […] Changes to the structure of the Classification and to methods of its revision and application were needed in order to ensure its efficient and effective use in the electronic environment. • Binded to classification approach • One dimension space (shelves) • No real use of boolean capabilities • Very expensive update procedure • Frequent updates • Need to reclassify
IPC reformClassification approach • Adapted to arrange collections • Limited for describing contents • Need to differentiate: • Documents • Concepts describing the contents • Concepts can be arranged in a different classification • The example of Japanese F-terms
IPC reformexample of F-terms • Multiple viewpoint approach • Adapted to boolean logic • See for instance: IPC Workshop, Geneva, Feb. 4-5, 2008 Japanese Classification System (FI, F-terms) and Quality of Reclassification Susumu IWASAKI, JPO
Concept of F-term -Multiple Technological Viewpoints- (2) AA components AA04 ··Calcium oxides 4G031 AA04 15
Concept of F-term -Multiple Technological Viewpoints- (3) AA components BA24 ··Low heat expansion 4G031 BA Functions and Uses AA04 and BA24 16
Concept of F-term -Multiple Technological Viewpoints- (4) AA components Refine the search effectively! CA05 ·Granularity 4G031 BA Functions and Uses CA Structures AA04 and BA24 and CA05 17
IPC reform 13. The following major changes were introduced […]: (a) the Classification was divided into a core and an advanced level, in order to better satisfy the needs of different categories of users; • Convenient for storing documents according to size of collections • Complex for searching
IPC reform 13. The following major changes were introduced […]: (c) when the Classification is revised, patent documents are reclassified according to the amendments to the core and advanced levels; • Very costly as changes are very frequent
IPC reformConclusion • Look for stable solutions • to reduce costs • Differentiate the classification of • Documents (storing, dispatching) • Concepts (indexing) • Mr Iwasaki’s conclusion: Future: Super IPC (multi-dimensional viewpoint) ??
Overall Conclusion • Recognize the role and constraints of each player • Reduce costs • Enhance cross-linking through: • Exchange of viewpoints & expertise (WIPO, IPOs, PDG, PATCOM) • Standards (WIPO – SCIT – Standards & Documentation Working Group)
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