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Classification search
Classification searches give you quick access to the relevant classifications that can help you search more efficiently for a particular invention. To make the best use of classifications in your searches, it is worth familiarising yourself with the subdivisions first. A broader classification symbol is often more useful for finding a specific concept.
Click here
to go to the classification search welcome page.
Used by the EPO when carrying out patent application searches, the European Classification
(ECLA) is based on the International Patent Classification
(IPC), but is more detailed.
IPC symbols are allocated by different patent offices around the world. The ECLA is used by EPO examiners to classify patent documents from anywhere in the world within a particular technical field.
One single version of ECLA applies to the entire collection of patent documents.
The IPC does not cover documents prior to 1968, but by searching with ECLA, you might be able to find documents prior to 1920. Moreover, new classes can be introduced into the ECLA system and documents moved from one class to another as required.
By February 2005, approximately 26.2 million documents could be searched in esp@cenet® using ECLA symbols (see coverage table).
Being less subjective, classification symbols as search criteria have a clear advantage over keywords. Also, using keywords in the abstract field finds fewer documents, as not all records have a searchable abstract
.
There are different levels of hierarchy in ECLA and it is possible to search within all of them.
If you tick the checkbox in front of "show notes", you will find further explanations of the classifications listed.
Click on the text of a particular classification or its symbol to view the subdivisions and click on the symbol again to view details of a particular subdivision.
If you tick the checkbox next to a symbol, this symbol will be copied into the Advanced Search mask where you can then start a search combining several search fields. Best results can be achieved by combining the ECLA and abstract fields. This will lead you to more relevant documents.
For more information on patent searching, see the following pages:
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