What is a Patent Search?
A "Patent Search" is a search performed to find a patent concept, specifically in a patent database. The search can be performed by nearly anyone. However, the thoroughness of the resulting search can be significantly improved by having the search performed by a competent patent searcher or patent "professional".
There are several patent search firms as well as independent searchers (such as myself) who are located within the proximity of the US Patent and Trademark Office (USPTO) in Arlington and Alexandria, VA; note that the public search room and most of the examiner corps has moved to new facilities at the Carlyle facility in Alexandria, VA, about 10 miles south of Arlington. The USPTO expects to be fully situated at the new facilities by late 2005.
The USPTO provides various useful search facilities, including high-speed computer access to patent databases, paper patent files, and technical information centers, that are free to the public; however, identification badges are required to be worn when using these facilities. New users of the facility usually need to take a brief orientation class before using the computer systems.
Below are several general examples of patentability search requests, the most common type of search request. In each example, a representative search request statement is provided. This is followed by an overview of the technology that can either be provided by the requester or generated by the searcher. Then a search strategy is provided (including search requests from competent examiners where appropriate). However, note that since search requests made by a patent searcher to a patent examiner are assumed to be held in strict confidence as if a true inventive concept was being sought, the names of examiners will be omitted from this web site. It is hoped that this approach will ensure that examiners continue to maintain a professional rapport with patent searchers which is mutually beneficial.
The results of the search are presented in a report explaining the cited documents and relevance of the documents relative to the inventive statement. Each phase in these exemplary searches will be performed over the coming months and will be added to this web site as the searches are actually performed (by myself) to provide a representation of the general methodology used by a competant searcher. Additional example search requests may also be provided.