Beginning a Search--Step #1 in the Seven Step Strategy--The Index to Patent Classification - Step One Start with this source. Web address for the USPTO Databases

Beginning a Search—Step #1a in the Seven Step Strategy—Find the Appropriate USPC Schedule Type in what you are looking for then go click on “Search Now”. Next, click to select the resource needed.

Looking at the Results… Clicking on this link…Will take you to this page… Use Ctrl-F to get a search box to appear. Then type in the term being searched and click “Find Next.”

Examine the USPC Schedule in the Manual of Classification “I’m looking for ethers or esters acting as the reactant.” In this particular search, the entire schedule will have to be reviewed.

Step #2 - Class 562, Organic Compounds Note the Manual’s Hierarchical Setup Scanning down the schedule we find the appropriate anhydride by following the schedule hierarchy from least specific to most specific.

Step #3 - Finding the Definition for 562/891 The common terms found in this Index describing different inventions are cross-matched with classes/subclasses describing the invention’s function, effect, end product, structure and use. 2. Another way to see all patents for a particular class/subclass, is by clicking on the red “P.” 1. Note that ‘See’ references can provide suggestions for further searching. Here we see the definition for class 562, subclass 891. Following the subclasses upward through the hierarchy we arrive at the main compound class.

Step #4--Reviewing the Results Found Clicking on the links provided would take you to the full text of the patent. Using “Refine Search” we could narrow our search, if necessary, by adding keywords.

Full-Text and Image Only Patents A patent displaying a “T” icon has the full text available for viewing. A patent displaying the “picture” icon, only has the patent image (digitized patent-text and drawings) available for viewing.

Find Out if You Are On the Right Path-- Step #5 Looking at Patents 1790-present There are a number of patents on this page that are good candidates for review. Scrolling down the screen and reviewing these, it looks like nos. 1 and 16 might be worth reviewing. Click on the link for no.1 to see this patent.

Step #6 Important Information from the Front Page of a Patent Patent Number and date issued Title of the invention Abstract of patent Inventors’ names In March 2001, the USPTO began to publish patent applications known as “pre-grant publications” (PG-Pub). PG-Pubs are inventors’applications published as a requirement of the American Inventor Protection Act (AIPA): unless otherwise specified, all applications are published 18 months after filing. For information on AIPA go to: Classification information

A Word About Images and ALTERNATiff This page will take you to the viewers for the patent images. Choose the first link (shown here), then click on “Document Formats Web Page.” If you are using a IBM-PC compatible computer, you may want to choose ALTERNATiff. This is currently one of several FREE viewers available to access the patent images.

AlternaTIFF and Other Viewers AlternaTIFF is the only free viewer at this time. It works with both Microsoft Internet Explorer and Netscape Communicator. For persons using Apple Macintosh Computers, they should use Quicktime version 4.1. For those using Linux, they should use Plugger.

Tips Going back from the Help to the Full Text, we see that besides the list of patents provided below, you can also search “Referenced By” to enhance your search. Further down on the page of the full text of the patent you can find the same information you would find in a paper copy of the patent. Also look at the list of patents provided (also known as a Reference Cited listing). This list includes all patents that are related to this patent. This list of related patents can technically extend from 1790 to the present. Links are provided so that the images can be viewed. Be sure to look at the entire text of the patent including the claims. The claims provide the basis for the classifications listed.

Step#7--Viewing the Images the Patent To see digital images of Patent no. 6,222,070 click on “Images.”

The Complete Patent Document, 6,222,070 When the viewer is available, clicking on “Images” takes you to the complete patent. 3. Also clicking on any of these links takes you to different parts of the patent. 2. You can type in a page number and click on “Go” to get to the page you need. 1. If there are problems viewing the image, click on “Refresh.” Questions? Contact the Patent and Trademark Reference Librarian at or