Report:QPAT/System Features
From Intellogist
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| As of January 1, 2013, both QPAT and PatentExaminer have been discontinued, and they have been replaced by the Orbit.com portal. |
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<< Major Recent Updates | Summary >>
| Feature | Comments |
| Browser-based or Desktop interface: | Browser-based |
| Data Coverage | |
| Patent data collections created by topic: | None. Although QPAT does not offer any proprietary topical indexing, several other files hosted by Questel-Orbit do. See the articles on the Merged Markush Service (MMS) database and the Derwent World Patents Index file hosted by the company. |
| Contains data indexed by non-patent-office developed classification schemes (e.g. Derwent Manual Codes): | No, although Derwent WPI files are hosted by a sister search product called Questel-Orbit Qweb, these files are not part of the QPAT service. |
| Search Capabilities | |
| IPC code searching: | Yes, however, full text files do not contain any updated classification information, only classification at time of issue. Additionally, IPC-Reform classification divisions, such as Core, Advanced, and Invention, can only be searched using the system's command line interface. |
| US Classification searching: | Yes, however, full text files do not contain updated classifications, only the original classes at time of issue. To search by current US class, users must search the FamPat file. |
| ECLA code searching: | Yes, however, full text files do not contain updated classifications, only the original classes at time of issue. To search by ECLA class, users must search the FamPat file. |
| Japanese F-terms or File Indexing: | Yes, however, Japanese classification searching is only available in the FamPat/PlusPat file, and must be performed using the command line interface. |
| Date-limited searching: | Yes |
| Section-specific Text Searching (i.e. a search in “claims only”?): | Yes, version 5.0 was the first to offer a search tool that would exclusively query the “independent claims” only. |
| Country/Collection-specific searching: | Yes, however, searching by specific full text collection may have pitfalls – classification data in these files is not updated. |
| Chemical Structure Draw/Search Tool: | No, however, parent company Questel-Orbit does support a structure query tool in its Merged Markush Service (MMS) file. |
| Command line interface: | Yes, the system includes a feature that translates search form queries into the command language, and applies appropriate nesting. The query is the available for further editing. |
| Web-Browser Search Form: | Yes, menu options change to show allowed fields appropriate for selected data files (full text files vs. bibliographic FamPat file). |
| Combining (stacking) Search Queries: | Yes, this feature supports the three major Boolean operators AND, OR, & NOT. |
| Viewing Results | |
| Uses a relevancy ranking algorithm when listing search results: | No |
| Advanced Keyword Highlighting (the ability to define terms to be highlighted when viewing full text results ): | Yes, keyword highlighting can be applied in up to six different colors. Once created, the scheme is automatically applied to the entire results set. |
| Keyword In Context Display (generates excerpts containing searched-for terms for quick review): | Yes, QPAT has a display option “KWIC” which displays some bibliographic data, an image, and the KWIC analysis for the document. Keywords used in the search string appear in blue hyperlinks, so users can quickly jump to the next in sequence. (Advanced keyword highlighting can also be applied). KWIC can only be used in full-text files; it cannot be applied to searches conducted in FamPat. |
| Linear Reference Viewing (clicking “Next” takes you to the next patent in the hitlist): | Yes, full text sections are split apart, and must be viewed one at a time within a single record. |
| Saving Results | |
| Saving Results Sets: | Yes, results sets are saved into “Workfiles,” where they must be reviewed using the Patent Examiner application (separate subscription required). Searches can be performed within results sets using Patent Examiner, and the Questel Analysis Module can be used to graph results. |
| Flagging Individual Results: | Yes, there are two options to use when flagging/ranking a hit in QPAT. Each hit will have both a check box, and a star. |
| Saving Search Histories: (Automated/User command required/Not possible) |
User command required. Search queries for a given session are saved up to 2 hours after the user logs off. In order to permanently save a query, the user must give the system a command. It is not possible to organize an entire “history” of related queries into a separate folder or file. |
| Analyzing Results | |
| Statistical Analysis: | Yes, the analysis tool can be used on hit lists to find the top US, IPC, or ECLA classes, or the top assignees from the top 500 hits. From Patent Examiner (separate subscription required) or the hitlist top menu, the Questel Analysis Module allows users to create interactive graphs in a number of available formats. |
| Other (In-Program) Analysis Tools: | No |
| Import/Export/Document Delivery | |
| PDF document delivery: (Individual only/Batch/None) |
Batch. In order to use this capability, users must obtain a separate subscription to Questel's PDS (Patent Delivery Service) |
| Data Export: | Yes, the data exports produced by QPAT can be delivered in a number of different formats, including PDF, Word, Excel, and XML. |
| Data Import: | No |
| Alerts | |
| Alerts: | Yes, separate subscription required. |
| Customer Support | |
| Online Help Guide: (Detailed/Cursory/None) |
Cursory. The PDF guide gives few troubleshooting tips or examples. However, screenshots are included in the user guide. |
| Web Seminars: | No, however users can schedule on-site training session. |
| Live Help: | Yes, the web site provides a toll-free international help line, and a US help line. US help line hours are 9 to 6, Eastern Standard Time. |
| Security | |
| Automatic Logoff: | Yes, and timeout was extended to 24 hours in a December, 2007 update. |
| Secure Connection Option: Yes | Yes |
| Pricing | |
| Pricing: (Free/Pay-per-use/Flat fee/Combination) |
Flat fee. Daily or weekly subscriptions available in addition to yearly contracts/site licenses |
