Lesson 5-1: Basic Patent Searches — Part 2
Application Numbers and Dates
Objectives
- Search DialogWeb for application numbers
- Use the proper format for entering application numbers
- Understand differences in application numbers
Introduction
Teri —
Thanks for getting me the complete patent for the Woosh. Sometimes I get a number but I'm not sure whether it's a patent number or an application number. Can I search for application numbers on Dialog?
Let me know. I may have some other searches for you!
Thx,
Brian
Searching Application Numbers
Brian is right. It is often hard to tell what the number we are given stands for. Thus, when we are given a number to search, we must determine if it is an application number, serial number, filing number, published application number, publication number, or patent number.
By putting the information in a chart, it helps me decide how to conduct my search.
Tip 5-1
| Number Type | Description |
|---|---|
| AN= Application Number Serial Number (U.S.) Filing Number |
Assigned at the time an application is recorded at a given patent receiving office. |
| PN= Publication Number |
Assigned to published applications in fast publishing countries before the patent is issued. |
| PN= Patent Number |
Assigned to an application
once it is granted as a patent. In many countries the invention retains the number assigned when the application was published; however, it is coded with a KIND code to identify it as a published application or granted patent. |
We can see that countries use different terminology for the different numbers.
For example, an application number is called a serial number in the U.S.
Go to the next page to see the Basic Index of the Dialog Bluesheet.
