IDEAS home Printed from https://ideas.repec.org/a/eee/worpat/v29y2007i3p210-218.html
   My bibliography  Save this article

How drawings could enhance retrieval in mechanical and device patent searching

Author

Listed:
  • List, Jane

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.

Suggested Citation

  • List, Jane, 2007. "How drawings could enhance retrieval in mechanical and device patent searching," World Patent Information, Elsevier, vol. 29(3), pages 210-218, September.
    • Handle: RePEc:eee:worpat:v:29:y:2007:i:3:p:210-218
    as

    Download full text from publisher

    File URL: http://www.sciencedirect.com/science/article/pii/S0172-2190(07)00007-5
    Download Restriction: Full text for ScienceDirect subscribers only
    ---><---

    As the access to this document is restricted, you may want to search for a different version of it.

    Corrections

    All material on this site has been provided by the respective publishers and authors. You can help correct errors and omissions. When requesting a correction, please mention this item's handle: RePEc:eee:worpat:v:29:y:2007:i:3:p:210-218. See general information about how to correct material in RePEc.

    If you have authored this item and are not yet registered with RePEc, we encourage you to do it here. This allows to link your profile to this item. It also allows you to accept potential citations to this item that we are uncertain about.

    We have no bibliographic references for this item. You can help adding them by using this form .

    If you know of missing items citing this one, you can help us creating those links by adding the relevant references in the same way as above, for each refering item. If you are a registered author of this item, you may also want to check the "citations" tab in your RePEc Author Service profile, as there may be some citations waiting for confirmation.

    For technical questions regarding this item, or to correct its authors, title, abstract, bibliographic or download information, contact: Catherine Liu (email available below). General contact details of provider: http://www.elsevier.com/wps/find/journaldescription.cws_home/654/description#description .

    Please note that corrections may take a couple of weeks to filter through the various RePEc services.

    IDEAS is a RePEc service. RePEc uses bibliographic data supplied by the respective publishers.