PCT application number input format in DOCDB and EPODOC
Posted: Fri Jan 29, 2021 4:26 pm
Dear all,
As you know, EPO's data sets use two number format flavours for searching and displaying data:
- EPODOC number normalisation, used by Classic Espacenet and OPS Publication Service: see
https://www.epo.org/searching-for-paten ... /faq.html (see answer to question under “Search formats” section of FAQ’s under " Sometimes, when using a reference in EPODOC format, I can find a publication in Espacenet, but not in OPS. Why is that?")
- DOCDB number format, used by all DOCDB- based sets and tools, as well as New Espacenet and OPS Legal, Family and also in OPS Publication Service: see rules here https://www.epo.org/searching-for-paten ... ular.html (see 2 and 3 table).
Usually the two formats are very close to original formats for publication numbers . Application/priority numbers can considerably differ this is why we advise using DOCDB format when in doubt because we offer tables with rules for DOCDB format.
But users who want to search any PCT application number usually have issues knowing the format because this one is the most difficult to predict out of the original format and it is also not described in DOCDB tables or in EPODOC simplification rules.
This is why I am publishing here a small sheet with both variations.
I hope you find it useful.
] Vesna for OPS support
As you know, EPO's data sets use two number format flavours for searching and displaying data:
- EPODOC number normalisation, used by Classic Espacenet and OPS Publication Service: see
https://www.epo.org/searching-for-paten ... /faq.html (see answer to question under “Search formats” section of FAQ’s under " Sometimes, when using a reference in EPODOC format, I can find a publication in Espacenet, but not in OPS. Why is that?")
- DOCDB number format, used by all DOCDB- based sets and tools, as well as New Espacenet and OPS Legal, Family and also in OPS Publication Service: see rules here https://www.epo.org/searching-for-paten ... ular.html (see 2 and 3 table).
Usually the two formats are very close to original formats for publication numbers . Application/priority numbers can considerably differ this is why we advise using DOCDB format when in doubt because we offer tables with rules for DOCDB format.
But users who want to search any PCT application number usually have issues knowing the format because this one is the most difficult to predict out of the original format and it is also not described in DOCDB tables or in EPODOC simplification rules.
This is why I am publishing here a small sheet with both variations.
I hope you find it useful.
] Vesna for OPS support