Report:PatBase/Import, Export, and Download/Import Functions/Importing Search Strategies

Importing Search Strategies

In addition to uploading document numbers, it is also possible to upload and run a search script in PatBase by selecting through the floating toolbar Search >> Upload Script. The user can also access the "Upload script" window through the floating toolbar tab History >> Edit Search History. Through the "History >> Edit Search History" option, the user can edit the current search history line-by-line and run it as a new script, or enter an entirely new search script, but the current search history will be erased. The purpose of this feature is to allow users who may need to run the same (or a similar) list of queries many times to alter and upload the search language as needed. A simple example of this kind of script is:

Jet

Engine

1 and 2

Running this script will produce the following search history:

Example Search History

Once uploaded, each individual line of script is automatically run through the database in sequence, and may be saved by selecting “save search” from the "More Options" menu (select the "More..." link beside each search query to access this menu).

As of 2011, PatBase introduced a feature called "simple editor," which will convert any text pasted into the script window into executable search lines, and allow the user to edit them. The user can access this feature through the "Upload script" window by selecting "Switch to simple editor." This feature is shown in the figure below.

The simple script editor.

Individual searches may be saved as a separate function from saving entire search histories. Entire search histories are saved through the floating toolbar option History >>Save Search History, while individual searches are saved through the "More Options" menu >> Save Search. These saved searches may be edited and re-run through the floating toolbar Search >> My Saved Searches, but the original version of the search string will not be preserved if the saved query is changed and saved again: the system does not force the user to save changes, but clicking “run” before saving changes will simply run the original query again, discarding any edits. Up to 2500 individual search strings may be saved on a single user ID.^[1]

If the user needs to run the same search on a weekly or monthly basis, they may also set up an alert using PatBase. More on this feature can be found in Alerts.

Editor's Note:

Some users may appreciate the ability to create their own search strategy first, and then upload it and run it all at once. However, the disadvantage is that they will not be able to see the number of hits returned for the initial steps, and cannot adjust the strategy accordingly. This feature may be more useful for searchers who often run a similar sequence of queries. Users should be warned, however, that uploading a script will erase all other strings from the current search history if the user accesses the "Upload script" window through "History >> Edit Search History" option. If the user accesses the "Upload script" window through the "Search >> Upload Script" option, then the current search history won't be deleted, and the search strings from the uploaded script will simply be added on to the current search history.