Guide to STN Patent Databases – Basic Version - Paton - TU Ilmenau

Patent databases on STN International
its details and text substance will be entered into a second document in the database. A number of fields in both
documents will be updated when later changes occur, e.g. the document type or national classification.
This principle is applied in the IFIPAT database.
1st
publication
2nd
publication
Record 1
1st publication
Record 2
2nd publication
Figure: Static principle using separate documents
4.3.2 Static principle using segmentation
1st
publication
2nd
publication
Dokumentation unit
Record
1st publication
Record
2nd publication
Figure: Static principle using segmentation
As with the static principle a document once entered in the database remains in its original form, even if later
publications appear. To add any further publications relating to the same invention, a special construction is used.
document.
If an application is first published a new documentation unit is created and the data of the document are entered. If
after that a patent is granted the existing documentation unit is extended by one segment or level and the data of
this publication are entered. Once they have been entered, the documents are not altered in any way.
Later publications or legal status data (for example in INPADOCDB) may also be entered into the documentation
unit. Documents containing legal status data are dynamic, i.e. new information is added to the existing data.
This principle is used in a number of databases, e.g. EPFULL, INPADOCDB, DWPI.
4.3.3 Dynamic principle using two databases
This principle is used in the American full-text databases USPATFULL and USPAT2. As with the dynamic principle,
the records in the USPATFULL database are altered (entered, overwritten) when new information becomes
available. In order to place the new full text of a granted patent in addition to that of the application this new
document is entered in the USPAT2 database. If applicable, the bibliographical details may be altered. If there is
another new publication later, the whole document in USPAT2 will be overwritten.
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