HOME : SUPPORT : TRAINING : ONLINE COURSES
Welcome
Lesson 1: Dialog Bluesheets
Lesson 2: Using Dialog Commands
Lesson 3: Managing Search Results
Lesson 4: Basic Searches Part 1
Lesson 5: Basic Searches Part 2
Lesson 6: Searching
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Lesson 7: Wrapping Up the Course

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Basic Commands (continued)

It is very helpful as I search names and numbers, for example, patent or application numbers, as well as patent assignees and inventors to use the EXPAND command.

This command allows me to look into the database index and see how the data is actually entered. I can see whether the patent numbers have a year designation as part of the number and then choose the appropriate patent number for the invention I want. Learn More

To use EXPAND, I just follow two simple steps: Learn More

Step 1: Use EXPAND

Use EXPAND (E) to verify the spelling, punctuation, and other variations of the names or numbers in the field.

Tip 2-2

Example:
e pn=us 4944707
e au=johnson g

To begin our search on the Woosh, I enter the Dialog command EXPAND in the command text box followed by the patent number Brian gave me. The number contains the two-letter prefix for patent number (PN=), followed by the two-letter country code, a space, and the one-to-eight digit serial number, with no leading zeroes.

Tip 2-3

EXPAND PN=
expand_pn

Go to the next page.


2-3
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Search Tip 2-2

If we are sure we have the correct patent number, we can just SELECT the number.

Example:
s pn=us 4944707

Search Tip 2-3

We should always EXPAND to see whether an annual or continuing series is used. Zero filling may be necessary.

Example:
e pn=at 8400271
e pn=us 4944707

Search Tip 2-4

We can EXPAND CC= to get a complete list of Country Codes. Some examples of country codes are:

Learn More #1:

The EXPAND command allows us to see how a term is entered in the index of a database. In Additional Indexes the names and numbers must be entered exactly the way they appear in the database index.

The EXPAND command (abbreviated E) is used to verify the spelling, punctuation, and spacing of names and to view alphabetically similar entries of those names.

The EXPAND command displays a list of terms with the number of unique records containing each term.

EXPAND displays the first 50 entries in the index. We can use the scroll bar to view all 50 entries.

EXPAND
E 		expand pa=medtronics
e pn=us 4944707		 Use EXPAND to verify the spelling of a term and to view similar entries.

Learn More #2:

Some countries, including the United States, use a continuing series for their patent numbers; others use an annual series and begin renumbering patents and applications at the beginning of each year. See the example below:

Series Patent Number Description
Continuing Series PN=CC NNNNNNNN

Example:
pn=us 5881885

 Enter the two-letter country code, a space, and the one-to-eight digit serial number, with no leading zeros.
Annual Series PN=CC YYYYNNNNN

Example:
pn=at 198400271

 Enter the two-digit year and zero fill to make a five-digit number, if necessary. (Japan & China require 6-digits.) Four-digit years can also be used.

Tip 2-4

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