Patent Search Strategies and Techniques: Concept Paper

摘要

This paper reports some of the search techniques and strategies used for patent data-base searching. Patents are a unique source of technical information. One study found that 80% of the information disclosed in patents is not published anywhere else (Office of Technology Assessment and Forecasting, 1977). Proficiency in searching patent data bases is a useful research skill; we hope the information in this report will prove valuable. Those preparing to conduct significant search efforts should study appropriate data-base documentation or contact the data-base producer. (ERA citation 12:007867)