XNUMX. XNUMX.Introduction

　Some of the F-terms used for patent search have a symbol called "additional code" at the end.Example: "2E110GA32W" ("W" at the end is an additional code).
　Creating a search expression without knowing that the additional code has been added can lead to unexpected results.
　Therefore, I will introduce how to check the additional code and points to note when creating a search formula using F-term.

XNUMX.What is an additional code?

　The additional code has a function to complement the F-term, and the symbols and functions used differ depending on each term.

<Example XNUMX>　In the case of 2E110GA (wall finishing material: specific function and shape of material)
　It is divided into four types (W: surface material for decorative material, X: back material for decorative material, Y: base, Z: other (other than W, X, Y) core material, connecting material, adhesive, etc.) depending on the constituent members. The corresponding additional code is given according to the invention. (Example: 2E110GA32W, 2E110GA44Z）

<Example XNUMX>　In the case of 4C083AB (cosmetics: inorganic ingredients)
　A "4" is given to the term selected from the claims, and a "083" is given to the term selected from the examples. (Example: 13CXNUMXABXNUMX1, 4C083AB282）

<Example XNUMX>　In the case of 5C164MA (two-way TV: type of content data)
　The term that most expresses the characteristics of the invention is given "P" as the primary term, and the term that represents the other technical features is given "S" as the secondary term. (Example: 5C164MA02P）

XNUMX. XNUMX.How to check additional code information

　The symbols and functions of the additional codes of each theme can be confirmed in the F-term explanation of J-PlatPat's Patent / Utility Model Classification Inquiry (PMGS).

　You can also check the list of F-terms with additional codes on the Patent / Utility Model Classification Inquiry (PMGS).

XNUMX.Precautions when creating a search formula

　Checking the additional code is important when performing an exact match search.Since the additional code is positioned in the lower hierarchy of the F-term, if you search for the F-term with an exact match, the F-term with the additional code will not be searched.
　Here, we will introduce the search method using "J-PlatPat" that anyone can use for free, and the points to note in that case.

XNUMX When there is no additional code (J-PlatPat)

　For F-terms without an additional code, an exact match search using "$ (dollar mark)" is performed.
　For example, in "2E110BC (rear structure of decorative material)" of the theme code "2E110 (finishing of wall)", "BC02 (long material)" is subordinate to "BC03 (separate member is attached to the back surface)". Is attached to the back side) ”and“ BC06 (short material is attached to the back side) ”.

　On the search screen, select$ 2E110BC02], You can search for an exact match for "BC02". (Publications with only the lower layers "BC03" and "BC06" will not be hit)

XNUMX When there is an additional code (J-PlatPat)

　Next is the case of F-term with additional code.
"2E110GA (wall finishing material: material specific function, shape)" of the same theme code "2E110 (wall finish)" as in 02 is subordinate to "GA03 (physical or chemical specific function of material)". There are "GA04 (thermoplastic)" and "GAXNUMX (thermosetting)".

　There is no additional code in the list, but if you check the F-term explanation, you can see that the additional code is added.

　At this time, if you enter [$ 2E110GA02] on the search screen in the same way as when there is no additional code, a search omission may occur.
　"2E110GA" has additional codes (W, X, Y, Z) as described above.Therefore, if you enter [$ 2E110GA02], it will be an exact match search for "2E110GA02", so publications with "2E110GA02W" will not be hit.As with the lower layers "GA03" and "GA04", additional codes (W, X, Y, Z) are also excluded from the search.
　When performing an exact match search that includes an additional code, click [$ 2E110GA02. (Period)], You can exclude the lower hierarchy (GA2, GA110) while including the additional code (W, X, Y, Z) of "02E03GA04".

　It should be noted here that even if the F-term has an additional code, there are some publications that do not have an additional code.
　There is also an F-term that requires the addition of an additional code, and in that case, if you perform an exact match search in the hierarchy above the additional code, the number of hits will be XNUMX, and you will immediately notice that it is strange.
　On the other hand, there are some F-terms that do not require additional code.For example, "2E110GA02" has additional codes (W, X, Y, Z), but there are also gazettes that only have "GA02", so the number of hits can be obtained even by searching using [$ 2E110GA02]. ..In this case, it is difficult to notice the mistake in the search formula, and there is a possibility that the search will be completed without noticing the search omission.To prevent leakage, it is important to check for additional code in advance.

XNUMX Other search examples (J-PlatPat)

Here are some other search examples related to chords.

<Example XNUMX: Hierarchical search including additional code> [2E110GA02.]
Hit gazette:
・ Gazette with "2E110GA02"
・ Gazette with additional codes (W, X, Y, Z) added to "2E110GA02"
・ Gazettes with lower layers (GA03, etc.)
-Gazettes (GA03W, etc.) with additional codes (W, X, Y, Z) in the lower hierarchy

<Example XNUMX: Hierarchical search including specific additional code> [2E110GA02.W]
Hit gazette:
・ Gazette with "2E110GA02W"
-Gazettes with an additional code "W" in the lower hierarchy (GA03W, GA04W, etc.)
　　* Publications with additional codes other than W will not be hit.

　Due to the search specifications of J-PlatPat, when searching for an F-term with an additional code, the additional code will not be searched even if it is not an exact match search (without using $).
　例えば、［2E110GA02］（階層検索）とすると、「GA02」の下位である「GA03」や「GA04」はヒットしますが、「2E110GA02W」や「2E110GA03X」など付加コードが付与された公報はヒットしません。そのため、「GA02」の付加コードと下位のFタームを同時に含んだ階層検索をする場合には、例１のように［2E110GA02.］と入力します。

XNUMX Handling of additional code in other DBs

　The search method using J-PlatPat has been introduced above, but the search method differs depending on each database.As an example of other databases, I will also introduce a little about the handling of additional code in Shareresearch, which is one of the paid databases.
　Similar to J-PlatPat, Shareresearch does not hit publications with additional codes in the case of exact match (using $) search in F-term.

Examples of search methods and search results in Shareresearch

<Example XNUMX: Exact match search> [2E110GA02 $]
Hit gazette:
-Only publications with "2E110GA02". ("2E110GA02W" etc. will not hit)

<Example XNUMX: Hierarchical search> [2E110GA02]
Hit gazette:
・ Gazette with "2E110GA02"
・ Gazette with additional codes (W, X, Y, Z) added to "2E110GA02"
・ Gazettes with lower layers (GA03, etc.)
-Gazettes (GA03W, etc.) with additional codes (W, X, Y, Z) in the lower hierarchy

<Example XNUMX: Hierarchical search including specific additional code> [2E110GA02W]
Hit gazette:
・ Gazette with "2E110GA02W"
-Gazettes with an additional code W in the lower layer (GA03W, GA04W, etc.)
　　* Publications with additional codes other than W will not be hit.

　In J-PlatPat, as introduced in XNUMX, you can perform an exact match search including an additional code using ". (Period)", but when you perform an "exact match search including an additional code" in Shareresearch Is
　［2E110GA02$+2E110GA02W$+2E110GA02X$+2E110GA02Y$+2E110GA02Z$］と完全一致を足し合わせた式を作る必要があります。

　Since the handling of additional code in the search formula differs for each database, please check the search specifications of the database to be used when using the F-term with the additional code.

XNUMX.Summary

　Additional code is very useful if you know how to use it, but it can be fatal if you don't know it exists. When selecting an F-term, be sure to check the presence or absence of additional codes and additional functions in the F-term explanation.

Research Division Urayama

【reference】

(J-PlatPat Help) Input format for each search item
https://www.j-platpat.inpit.go.jp/help/ja/p01/arithmetic.html#arithmetic_5

Industrial Property Information and Training Center (INPIT) Prior Art Literature Search Practice [XNUMXth Edition] Part VIII Search Know-how
https://www.inpit.go.jp/jinzai/kensyu/kyozai/cjitumu.html