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Cybersecurity

Patent Databases

For some topics, patents may provide some useful information.  Although the most likely reason to search the patent literature is to identify specific technological advances and inventions, other reasons include noting trends in an area, and identifying areas of interest of particular companies.

Identifying Keywords to Search

Patent titles and documentation are designed to describe what something does and how it does it.  Patents are not typically issued under the trademark, trade name, or catchy marketing name with which you may be familiar, and a patent title may change from application to issue date.

For example, a fly for fly fishing might be called an "interlaced segmented artificial fly body"

So, when preparing for a keyword search, think:

1. What is it? What is it for? What does it do?

AND

2. How does it do it?

The answers to these questions become the keywords that you search.

 

Words of Caution:

  • Patents are notorious for variations in words used to describe a particular application.  For example, the patent titles of “Frisbee” type patent applications have called flying saucer, flying disc, flying disk, airfoil projectile, aerial disc, throwing disc, aerodynamic toy, disk for throwing, throwing toy, flying toy, flexible toss device, and flying object. Unless you can think of every possible wording for such a patent, your search will be incomplete.
  • Keyword searching also brings in “false drops” or patents that include your words but are peripheral to your interest.  For example, searching for flying saucer brings patents of the Frisbee variety, but also games that have flying saucers in their visual imagery.

Consider adding other terms to your search, such as a company name, inventor name, patent number or date to your search. And if you need to do a comprehensive search, consider searching by patent classification.

Need more detailed information on Patent Searching?

If you're looking for more detailed information on Patent Searching, consult the following guide.

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