What Is Smart Search?

Even for IP-proficient users, running an effective patent search can take days. Confronted with patent search software interfaces, non-IP users are often intimidated into retreat.

Patent searching typically involves a laborious, iterative process that starts with a basic search. Initial results are analyzed to find more relevant keywords and IPC/CPC codes, which are then added to your query. An updated search is run to uncover yet more keywords and IPC/CPC codes, which are then added to the query. An updated search is run to uncover yet more keywords and IPCs... and this process is repeated ad nauseam. Historical or saved queries are often attached, resulting in long Boolean strings that can easily conceal syntactical errors, adding to the madness.

To combat this issue, Patsnap has developed a smart search feature to make the whole business of patent searching a lot easier.

How does it work?

The smart search works by helping you to build a query based on both your history and commonly used elements within a search. 

Additionally, in the case of English keywords when you start typing in the search box smart search will suggest words based on the most common words that start with the letters that have been inputted. (based on the number of patents these terms appear in) 

You can access the smart search by using the search bar found via "Simple Search", as seen in the image below.

As you start typing into the search bar, you'll see suggestions based on your search query, history, assignees, and syntax. These suggestions will help you refine or continue your search.