>Thanks for your questions. It is apparent that in file 411
>(Dialindex), the only number formats available are the Dialog
>standard format (CC NNNN), hence the reason that you did not find
>anything. If you search directly in Derwent World Patents Index
>(350 and 351), both the other formats are acceptable.
>Incidentally we are currently reloading the database on Dialog as
>file 352 and will be further standardising the application number
>formats. Full details will be available at the end of Summer.
It's far from apparent, I'm afraid. I assumed (apparently
incorrectly) that what I saw when setting files 350/351 and
expanding their application number index in file 411 (Dialindex)
was what I would see when expanding the same index when searching
directly files 350/351 (as OneSearch). This (apparently) proved
_not_ to be the case.
On the other hand, I cannot agree that "in file 411 (Dialindex) the
only number formats available are the Dialog standard format". This
may be true for British applications (in which case the Dialog
"standard" format seems to be CC YYNNNN rather than CC NNNN), but
is certainly _not_ true for some other countries. Please correct me
if I am wrong, but it follows from my own experience that for US
applications both the Dialog format (CC NNNN) and Derwent seven
digit serial number format (YYCC-NNNNNNN) are "expandable" in
Dialindex. (In this case using the Derwent "year sensitive" format
has the obvious advantage of eliminating hits irrelevant due to
"recycling" of US serial numbers.)
It seems that the problem, if it exists, may be beyond Derwent's
control and that any further standardization of application number
format in WPI may not affect it. The following questions come to my
mind:
1. is what one sees when expanding an index for a group of files in
Dialindex the same as what one sees when expanding the same index
for the same group of files searched as OneSearch? Or, in other
words, may be the index searchable in Dialindex a subset of the
database index (e.g., be limited to certain formats only)? If so,
is there a way (other than trial and error) to learn how limited is
the index seen in Dialindex?
2. is it possible that the SELECT command can retrieve records
using formats which are not "expandable" in the corresponding
index, i.e., "invisible" for the searcher? (looks like a possible
alternative explanation of why some formats work in the database but
remain invisible in the index)
Many thanks in advance for any comments and explanations. Sorry if
I missed or misunderstood something.
--Kazimierz T. Kaminski, Ph.D. Patent Agent ae943@freenet.carleton.ca InfoSciTech *** Information Consultants tel: (613) 824-9076 Scientific * Technical * Patent Information fax: (613) 824-9562