Susumu IWASAKI Examination Policy Planning Office Japan Patent Office Japanese Classification System (FI, F-term) / Quality of Reclassification / Quality

Susumu IWASAKISusumu IWASAKI

Examination Policy Planning Office Examination Policy Planning Office

Japan Patent OfficeJapan Patent Office

Japanese Classification System (FI, F-term)Japanese Classification System (FI, F-term) / Quality of Reclassification/ Quality of Reclassification


ContentsContents• IntroductionIntroduction• What is FI?What is FI?• What is F-term?What is F-term?• Comparison between IPC, FI and F-termComparison between IPC, FI and F-term• Effective search by F-termEffective search by F-term

– Example 1Example 1– Example 2Example 2

• Quality of search index in the JPOQuality of search index in the JPO• ConclusionConclusion

11


Families onWorking

List

FamiliesReclassified

Families onWorking

List


Families onWorking

List


JP 28,487 26,725 6,767 6,294 15,096EP 10,450 8,965 2,813 2,097 10,248

RU/SU 2,100 1,272 15 18 169US 700 595CN 631 202 262KR 549 50 253BR 31 27 3 3 40ES 29 27 6 6 26NL 5 51PL 86 7 41HU 31 3 40SE 22 15 3 3 9DK 10 10 11FI 7 6 13

BG 36 17CZ 43 3 17NO 7 6 1 1 5YU 12RO 10 10 1IL 3 (*) 1 7SG 0 7HR 2 2 3 3 1MX 1 (*) 1 1 5PT 1 1 1 1 3AR 36 4ID 2 4TR 2 3EG 1 2GR 2 2UA 2 1 2MD 8 1EE 0IT 4 1

Total 43291 37661 9888 8427 26352

IPC Revisions2007.01 2007.10 2008.01

IntroductionIntroduction (1) (1) JPO’s Contribution to the reformed IPC JPO’s Contribution to the reformed IPC

EP

JP74.7%

24.9%

2007.10

EP23.8%

JP71.0%

2007.01

JP shares over 70% of the reclassification resultsJP shares over 70% of the reclassification results

22


• A huge volume of Japanese patent documents

　 (over 400,000 applications per year)

• Covered in every technical fields

1993~: CD-ROM publication1993~: CD-ROM publication

1990~: Electronic filing1990~: Electronic filing

FI/F-term searchFI/F-term search

Full-text searchFull-text search

35 million records 35 million records (1885~present)(1885~present)

Introduction (2)Character of JP patent documentsCharacter of JP patent documents

33


Existence of unique/advanced

technologies in Japan

Growing number ofPatent Documents

Inefficient search with IPC

Creation of internal search indices since 1984

FI (File Index)FI (File Index)F-termF-term

Cf. IPC ver.4 (1985)Cf. IPC ver.4 (1985)

Introduction (3)Introduction (3)Background Background for creation of internal search indexfor creation of internal search index

44


IntroductionIntroduction (4) (4)Search index structure for JP patent documentsSearch index structure for JP patent documents

JPO original search toolJPO original search tool

JP patent documents

F-term

340,000 items(Multi-dimensional viewpoints)

FI (File Index) IPC

190,000 items 70,000 items

35 million records

55


• Subdivision of IPC

(around 190,000 items)• Covers all technical fields• Covers all JP patent documents• Backlog reclassification• Available in the JPO internal

system & IPDL• Biannual revise to keep pace

with technology development

What is FI?What is FI? (1) (1)Characteristics of FICharacteristics of FI

[Features]IPC IPC

70,000 items

FI FI (File Index)(File Index)

190,000 items

66


IPC:70,000

FI:190,000

Section A Section B01A

01B

・・・・・・・・・・

Section H01A

01B

Main groupSub group1/00

1/00

A B C Z

1/02

101 102

1/04 1/06

A B Z

1/08 2/00 2/02

A B301A

301B

Z

2/04

A B C Z

2/06

A B Z

1/02 1/04 1/06 1/08 2/00 2/02 2/04 2/06

Subdivision of IPCSubdivision of IPC

77

What is FI?What is FI? (2) (2)Relationship b/n FI and IPCRelationship b/n FI and IPC


What is FI? (3)What is FI? (3)

Position of the FI in the reformed IPC Position of the FI in the reformed IPC

• Incorporation of the FI scheme into Incorporation of the FI scheme into the reformed IPC in the following the reformed IPC in the following areas:areas:

2007.01 Inverter devices (H02M7/)　　 T024 A004

2007.10 Hybrid Vehicles (B60K6/)　　 T010 A006

Air-conditioning systems (F24F) T035 A013

88


Limits of subdivision of IPC (FI)Limits of subdivision of IPC (FI)Limits of technical segmentation Limits of technical segmentation

by single viewpoint?by single viewpoint?

What is F-term ? (1)What is F-term ? (1)Background of F-termBackground of F-term

Destruction of technical segmentation !

Creation of technical group (“Theme”) Search by multi-dimensional index (“F-term) in the above technical group

99


Concept of ‘Theme’

All technical fields are divided by technical groups (“Theme”) defined by certain FI range

e.g., 3E003 (theme code) -> B65B 5/00-5/12 (FI coverage) Container packaging and wrapping operation

Approx. 1,800 themes are composed of unique search indices “F-terms”

What is F-term ?What is F-term ? (2) (2)

Concept of “Concept of “ThemeTheme””

1010


Concept of ‘F-term’

Search keys (“F-term”) which classify prior art documents in light of some technical viewpoints

F-term has some layers so as to search hierarchically Indications comprised of 2 letters selected from A to Z

(viewpoint) and 2 numerals selected from 00 to 99 e.g., DD11 = DD (viewpoint) + 11 (numerical order)

What is F-term ?What is F-term ? (3) (3)

Concept of Concept of F-termF-term

1111


AA01*BB01*CC01

Query

Preferable number of documents to be retrieved:

About 50～ 100 documents

Preferable number of documents to be retrieved:

About 50～ 100 documents

View point 1 AA01, AA02, ‥‥

F-terms

(Multi-dimensional viewpoints)

View point 2 BB01, BB02, ‥‥

View point 3 CC01, CC02, ‥‥

What is F-term ? (4) What is F-term ? (4) Relationship between Relationship between IPC/IPC/FIFI//ThemeTheme//F-termF-term

70,000 items

IPC IPC

190,000 items

FIFI

ThemeTheme

1212


Theme Code

Viewpoint

Subject of theme

FI Coverage

What is F-term ?What is F-term ? (5) (5)Sample of F-term listSample of F-term list

1313


Concept of F-term -Multiple Technological Viewpoints- (1)

Viewpoint AA Components

Viewpoint BA Functions and Uses

Viewpoint CA Structures

1414


AA components

AA04 ··Calcium oxides


AA044G0314G031

1515


BA24 ··Low heat expansion

AA components

BA Functionsand Uses


AA04 and BA244G0314G031

1616


AA components

BA Functionsand Uses

CA StructuresCA05 ·Granularity

Refine the search effectively!Refine the search effectively!


AA04 and BA24and CA05

4G0314G031

1717


• Back-log reclassificationi.e. reassignment of revised F-terms to

the Japanese patent documents already classified in the existing F-terms

• Available in the JPO internal system & IPDL

What is F-term ? (6)What is F-term ? (6)Other features of F-termOther features of F-term

1818


IPC FI F-term

Total number of items

70,000 190,000 340,000

Coverage of patent

documents

More than 100

countries

Japanese patent

documents

Japanese patent

documents

Coverage of technical fields

All AllApprox.

70%

Comparison between IPC/FI/F-term (1)Comparison between IPC/FI/F-term (1)

1919


IPC FI F-term

RevisionQuarterly

at most Biannual Annual

Reclassification ○ ○ ○

Comparison between IPC/FI/F-term (2)Comparison between IPC/FI/F-term (2)

[FI Revision Policy][FI Revision Policy]To keep pace with technological developmentTo keep pace with technological developmentTo cope with the growing number of To cope with the growing number of

documents per the lowest layer of documents per the lowest layer of classificationclassification

2020


Effective search by F-term (1)Effective search by F-term (1)

• F-term covers about 70% of all technical fields

• Average of F-term utilization rate : 42.4%• F-term utilization rate > 50%

: around 600 themes out of 1800 themes

F-term is effective tool for searching Japanese F-term is effective tool for searching Japanese patent documents in certain technical fieldspatent documents in certain technical fields

2121


Effective search by F-term (2)Effective search by F-term (2)

..

..

.. F-term utilization rate > 70% : around 130 themes

Theme Subject of theme FI Coverage Number ofF- term

Number ofView Point

Number ofDocuments

F- termutilization

2B019 Fishing rods A01K87/ 00-87/ 06@Z 120 13 6982 82.2%2B032 Plows and harrows A01B3/ 00-25/ 00 210 12 7669 90.9%2B043 Guiding agricultural machines A01B69/ 00-69/ 08 209 14 6470 87.8%2B060 Transplanting machines (i.e., primarily for field work) A01C11/ 00-11/ 02,303@Z;11/ 04-14/ 00143 12 7533 89.6%2B064 Seedling- loading units of transplanting machines A01C11/ 02,350-11/ 02,366@Z 229 14 7109 80.7%2B074 Combines A01D41/ 00-41/ 16;47/ 00 264 36 5638 74.2%2B094 Threshing and return of unthreshed grain to threshersA01F12/ 18-12/ 28;12/ 52-12/ 52@Z319 35 7695 85.6%2B095 Thresher elements for separation and dust discharge A01F12/ 30-12/ 395;12/ 42-12/ 44@Z;12/ 48-12/ 48@Z;12/ 54-12/ 54@Z214 12 7635 88.2%2B382 Cutting units with reciprocating blades for harvesters A01D34/ 02-34/ 408 383 24 5822 87.5%2C060 Handling of continuous sheets of paper B41J 15/ 00-15/ 24 123 6 10372 73.8%2C066 Thermal printer controls B41J 3/ 20,114-3/ 20,116 197 15 8891 76.2%2C262 Color, gradation B41J 3/ 00@A-3/ 00@B 252 11 11084 70.5%2D049 Bulkheads adapted to foundation construction E02D5/ 00-5/ 20,103 143 14 7511 79.1%2D050 Placement and removal of piles and sheet piles and accessories related thereto E02D7/ 00-13/ 10 118 8 10571 70.4%2E001 Building environments E04B1/ 62-1/ 99@Z 456 30 44613 72.1%2E035 J oining of CORNER units of frames or wings E06B3/ 96-3/ 99@Z 55 8 2439 74.4%2E038 Gates E06B11/ 00-11/ 08 113 14 5261 77.0%2E182 Curtains and furnishings for windows or doors A47H1/ 00-33/ 02 274 20 9505 77.7%2F063 Measurement of length, angles, and the like using electrical or magnetic means G01B7/ 00-7/ 34,102 508 25 24564 70.8%2G014 Testing for short-circuits, discontinuities, leakage, or incorrect line connections G01R31/ 02-31/ 06 118 3 13833 72.2%2H040 Instruments for viewing the inside of hollow bodies G02B23/ 24-23/ 26@Z 113 7 15932 74.2%2H046 Optical fiber bundles G02B6/ 04-6/ 08 101 5 5251 75.6%2H051 Automatic focus adjustment G02B7/ 11-7/ 11@Z 515 18 24414 72.8%2H083 Light shielding for cameras G03B11/ 00-11/ 06 188 5 5237 80.8%2H100 Camera bodies and camera details or accessories G03B17/ 02;17/ 22 86 6 10587 75.0%2H104 Cameras adapted for combination with other photographic or optical apparatuses G03B17/ 48-17/ 55 129 8 4059 88.2%

..

..

..

2222


F-term search (1)-1 F-term search (1)-1 [Example 1] Collision Avoidance Radar[Example 1] Collision Avoidance Radar

[Example 1]

Collision Avoidance Radar (G01S13/93)

IPC:IPC: G01S 13/93 Radar or analogous systems, designed for anti-collision purposes

FI:FI: G01S 13/93@Z Anti-collision systems for automobile

Theme: Theme: 5J070 (Radar systems and details thereof)

F-term :F-term : AD00 Antennas and polarized waves

　　　　　　　　 AD13 . Fixed Antenna

　　　　　　　 BF00 Collision prevention

BF19 . Curved roadway

2323



Theme:Theme: 5J070 (Radar systems and details thereof)

F-term:F-term: AD00 Antennas and polarized waves

　　　　　　　　　 ∟ AD13 . Fixed Antenna

　　　　　　　　 BF00 Collision prevention

∟BF19 . Curved roadway

AA00 ・・・・・・・・・・・・・・・・・・・・・・・・・・・・・・RADARSYSTEMS INGENERAL

AD00 ・・・・・・・・・・・・・・・ AD13 ・・・・・・・・・・・・ANTENNASANDPOLARIZEDWAVES

. FixedAntenna

BF00 ・・・・・・・・・・・・・・・・・・・・・ BF19 ・・・・・・COLLISIONPREVENTION

. Curvedroadway

5J 070G01S7/00-7/42;13/00-13/95

AA

・・・

・・・

AD

BF

Radar systems and details thereof

2424



［ Search Formula ］ G01S13/93@Z and AD13 and BF19

G01S 13/93@Z Anti-collision systems for automobile

2266

BF19 Curved roadway

265

AD13Fixed Antenna

19325

F-termFI

2525



JP 41.6%DE 16.3%

EP 13.6%

US 11.1%WO 11.5%

[Number of Patent Documents with Offices]

•The percentage of JP documents is over 40% of the totalThe percentage of JP documents is over 40% of the total Need for search of JP documentsNeed for search of JP documents F-term and FI are effective for searching JP patent F-term and FI are effective for searching JP patent

documentsdocuments 2626


F-term search (2)-1 F-term search (2)-1 [Example 2] Telephone set structure[Example 2] Telephone set structure

[Example 2]

Telephone set structureClaim Element AnalysisClaim Element Analysis

ApplicationApplication

ConstructionalConstructionalelementelement

Purposes,Purposes,AdvantagesAdvantages

A portable telephoneA portable telephone

ComprisingComprising　　　　　　　　 a microphone,a microphone,Fixed on a tip of an Fixed on a tip of an antenna extendable outantenna extendable outfrom the main device offrom the main device ofsaid portable telephonesaid portable telephone

the size of the devicethe size of the devicereducedreduced

View PointView Point ClaimClaim

AA07AA07Portable telephonesPortable telephones

EE05EE05MicrophoneMicrophone

LL05LL05AntennaAntenna

BB03BB03MiniaturizationMiniaturization

F-termF-term

2727



Application

Constructionalelement

Purposes, advantages

AA07AA07Portable phonePortable phone

LL05LL05AntennaAntenna EE05EE05

MicrophoneMicrophone

BB03BB03MiniaturizationMiniaturization

ProperProperAnswerAnswer

The final retrieval formula:The final retrieval formula:

““AA07*BB03*EE05*LL05”AA07*BB03*EE05*LL05”

2828



[Number of Patent Documents with Offices]

WO 10.1%

JP 55.6%

EP 9.3%

US 8.7%DE 5.8%

•The percentage of JP documents is over 55% of the totalThe percentage of JP documents is over 55% of the total Need for search of JP documentsNeed for search of JP documents F-term is effective for searching JP patent documentsF-term is effective for searching JP patent documents

2929


Quality of Search Indices in the JPOQuality of Search Indices in the JPO

• Reclassification by outsource organization, technical advisors or examiners

Outsource organization has many experienced specialists with necessary knowledge

• Rigid quality control systemStringent check by examiners

(Check each case during early stage. Even if some criteria is satisfied, sampling check will be due.)

• JP’s reclassification (quantity and quality) is useful and important infrastructure for other Offices.

3030


• JP plays an important role in the operation of the reformed IPC.

• Quantity and quality of JP’s reclassification will make contribution to search by other Offices

• Japanese classification (FI / F-term) is effective for searching JP patent documents.

ConclusionConclusion

Future: Super IPC (multi-dimensional viewpoint) ??

3131


Thank you