Introduction to patent searching and library databases

1. Introduction to patent searching and library databases Denise Brush, subject liaison brush@rowan.edu Michelle Kowalsky, reference librarian kowalsky@rowan.edu Library workshop for Sophomore Clinic Fall 2012

2. Patentability • The U.S. Code, Title 35 covers Patents • Chapter 10 addresses Patentability of Inventions • Inventions that are patentable: • “Whoever invents or discovers any new and useful process, machine, manufacture, or composition of matter, or any new and useful improvement thereof, may obtain a patent therefore, subject to the conditions and requirements of this title.” • Conditions for patentability: “novelty” and “non-obvious subject matter” (defined in legal detail in the code)

3. The patent process • Step 1: You apply for a patent by submitting your documentation, and the patent examiner decides if your invention is patentable • Step 2: If patent is approved, you pay the fee and are issued a patent number • Check out this flowchart on the patent process: http://www.uspto.gov/patents/process/index.jsp • Major non-U.S. patent databases: • European Patent Office (EPO) • Japanese Patent Office (JPO)

4. The United States Patent Office • U.S. patents are issued by the US Patent & Trademark Office (www.uspto.gov) • USPTOhouses full text for patents issued from 1976 to the present, and TIFF images for all patents from 1790 to the present • Full Text Patents: Customize a search on all or a selected group of elements (fields) of a patent • TIFF Image Patents: Searches are limited to patent numbers and/or classification codes for pre-1976 patents

5. Searching Patents • USPTO does offer a Search process, and a tutorial on how to do it effectively; searchable fields include title, inventor name, patent number, classification, and issue date • The easiest way to search patents is Google Advanced Patent Search; they have a partnership with USPTO to index the patents and provide access to the text, art, and citations • http://www.google.com/advanced_patent_search • Let’s search on “permeable pavement” (in first field) • Results offer limits by date, filing status, patent type, relevance • Click on title to read patent, which includes the following parts: Overview / Abstract / Drawings / Description / Claims

6. Are we getting all the results? • Using Google Advanced Patent Search, results may vary depending on how you enter your search terms – • Let’s try out a few combinations to see how it works • You get slightly different results depending whether you search on “pervious,” “permeable,” or “porous” pavement • You also get slightly different results putting permeable pavement in the “all of the words” box compared to the “exact phrase” box • For a comprehensive search on a particular invention, you need to use the classification scheme designed by the USPTO so you know you haven’t missed anything

7. The Patent Classification system • The Patent Classification system is similar in structure to the Library of Congress Classification system we use in the library • More than 450 classes identify general subject of patent, such as “Apparel” (clothing) or “Bridges” • “A class generally delineates one technology from another.” • There are more than 150,000 subclasses – identifiers may be repeated in multiple classes, so a complete classification must indicate both the class and subclass • “Subclasses delineate processes, structural features, and functional features of the subject matter encompassed within the scope of a class.” • Each patent document is assigned to at least one classification (class and subclass combination), possibly more

8. Classes and subclasses • Class types: • Design - protect “ornamental designs”; begin with D • Plant – “protect new and distinct varieties of asexually reproducible plants”; begin with PLT • Utility – “protect any new and useful process, machine, manufacture, or composition of matter, or any new and useful improvement thereof”; numbered from 1 – 999 • Most patents are Utility patents • Classes by number with title only: http://www.uspto.gov/web/patents/classification/selectnumwithtitle.htm • Click GO to see the subclass structure for that class - the dots indicate the level of indentation

9. Searching using USPTO classes • Browse the classes until you see relevant subject • Click GO to see the class structure • Browse the subclasses to find most relevant one • Click P button to see list of patents in that subclass • Example: Select Class 14: Bridges • http://www.uspto.gov/web/patents/classification/uspc014/sched014.htm • Scroll down and select Subclass 27: Floating • Browse list of patents and titles • Choose one or more to view by clicking link

10. Searching library databases

11. Engineering databases • “Databases” in library terminology are searchable collections of licensed electronic resources made available by the library • They must be accessed from the library website, but can be used off-campus if you enter Rowan network account & password • Because the library subscribes to these resources, students have access to sources which would otherwise be behind a pay wall • Some library databases include a wide variety of magazine, journal and newspaper articles, while others are very specialized (typically, journal articles in a specific academic subject, like chemistry) • Go to: http://www.lib.rowan.edu/find/eresources/subjects/Engineering

12. Recommended databases for Engineering • Applied Science & Technology Full Text • ACS (American Chemical Society) Journals • ASCE Journals (Civil Engineering Library) • ASME Mechanical Engineering Digital Library • Engineering Village (index to engineering literature) • IEEE X-Plore (electrical engineering) • Reaxys (our new chemistry database) • SciVerse Science Direct (scientific and medical) • SPORT Discus (sport & exercise science) Note: in most cases Conference Proceedings are not included in the library’s subscriptions to these databases

13. Demonstration 1 • Does everyone know what a Segway is? • Two wheeled rolling sidewalk transporter • Rowan Public Safety has one! • Select E-Resources, choose Engineering, then View • Select on Applied Science Full Text • Search on Segway • Show example of PDF full text • Show example of “Linked Full Text” • Show example of Get it! – some go to article, some don’t

14. Accessing Full Text • Most library databases offer both full text articles, and citations without the actual article available (someday, I hope to learn why, but so far it’s a complete mystery to me) • So when you are looking at a results list, look for a PDF or HTML Full text link below the citation and abstract • What if there is no PDF or HTML link? Use the Get it! button. • In some cases, an article may be available in full text from another vendor whose content we also license • Or, may be available in print or microform in library building • If not, the library offers an online interlibrary loan process

15. Using subject headings in databases • Some library databases index articles by Subject classification as well as by Title, Author, and Keyword; others do not • Engineering Village, which started out as Engineering Index, has a Thesaurus search function with headings, controlled terms and classification codes, similar to the USPTO • Sport Discus (EBSCO’s sports & exercise science database) also has a Thesaurus which can be browsed for good terms • IEEE X-Plore will let you search on “index terms” • ASCE Library has Subject links at the bottom of Abstracts which let you find more on a topic if you have one article

16. Demonstration 2 • One of the “index terms” in IEEE is “hydroelectric power” • Let’s say I want to find journal articles on that topic • Select IEEE X-Plore from E-Resources for Engineering • Select Advanced Search option • Select “index terms” to search in • Type in “hydroelectric power” • View Results list – for those articles there is no Full Text, you should see a Get it button • Use to find article in other databases or order through ILL • Or, check box for “only full text included in my subscription” when doing your search

17. Using Interlibrary Loan • Choose a result with a Get it button which has No Holdings Available (no full text) • Scroll down to “Submit a request” link • Use your Rowan account to log in • Your first time they’ll ask for registration data (address etc) • In future it will go directly to the Request Article page, with the article citation info filled in for you • Submit request and look for an email in a day or two • Can also log on and check status, if anxious • Should allow a week, though usually comes much sooner • (In databases without working Get it buttons like EV and ASME you will need to fill out Iliad form yourself using copy & paste – use EZBorrow/Interlibrary Loan link on homepage Quick Links)

18. Wrap-up/time to practice • Need further information? • Use Research Guides link on library homepage, type in Engineering Clinic to access my Eng. Clinic research guide • Use Ask a Librarian link on library homepage to email or text the library reference department a question • Visit the library Reference Desk on the second floor • Contact Engineering librarian (Denise Brush) directly at brush@rowan.edu – depending on complexity of question, I can either reply directly or set up an appointment in my office • Start looking for sources now – I will come around to each of you to offer advice