RE: Patent Family Searches!

Depireux, Thierry (Thierry.Depireux@solvay.com)
Thu, 11 Feb 1999 15:33:44 +0100

As far as I know, the equivalent of the ORBIT's FPAT command on STN is
to use special formats (called 'Family Formats' on the database summary
sheet) who give directly the family members. As explained to me a few
weeks ago by the STN helpdesk, the algorithm for finding the family
members in this case comprises both the priority number(s) and the
priority dates.
This is not equivalent to the STN Messenger command FSEARCH which uses
only the priority number(s) (my opinion).
The first way of doing (family formats) is dangerous, because a document
with an erroneous priority date combined with a right priority number
will not be retrieved in the family.
The second way is safer, but may lead to records erroneously related to
the family.
If you are sure of the priority number(s) and if the family is not too
huge, you can also use the possibility (only available on STN) to
directly get the family by searching the priority number(s) in the field
/PRN. This will give you all the correspondants who can each be
displayed using the standard formats (cheaper for small families).
______________________________
Thierry DEPIREUX
SOLVAY S.A.
DC R&T-ID
Rue de Ransbeek, 310
B-1120 Brussels
Belgium
tel: +32-2-2642992
fax: +32-2-2642955
e-mail: thierry.depireux@solvay.com
______________________________

>-----Original Message-----
>From: Phillips Ormonde & Fitzpatrick [SMTP:attorney@pof.com.au]
>Sent: mercredi 10 f=E9vrier 1999 8:05
>To: PIUG PIUG
>Subject: Patent Family Searches!
>
>Hi
>
>I don't know if this question has been dealt with on this list but I am
>curious for other users experience and/or advice.
>
>Up until recently I have been conducting patent family searches (quite
>happily) via ORBIT on the WPAT and INPADOC databases (using the FPAT
>command).
>
>I have had occasions recently to try STN's WPINDEX and INPADOC =
databases.
>Using the FSEARCH command I retrieved a different (ie much larger) set =
of
>results compared to an ORBIT Family search on the same databases. In
>general I understand why the STN family search results in larger =
numbers
>than the ORBIT family search. Indeed, I generally find most of the
>'additional' records located using STNs iteration function irrelevant.
>However, there has been occasions when records located in an STN =
INPADOC
>Family search (FSEARCH) has identified very important records NOT =
identified
>in the ORBIT INPADOC Family search (FPAT).
>
>My question is what are other users experience? Do they have a =
preference
>when it comes to family searches? Are there any benifits or =
disadvantages
>in choosing one over the other?
>
>I would be grateful for any responses.
>
>Cheers
>Rodney Cruise
>Information Services Manager
>Phillips Ormonde & Fitzpatrick
>
>