How Do Positional Connectors Work?

Positional connectors allow to search for a set of keywords based on how close they are within patent text. There are 4 main positional connectors that you need to consider when using PatSnap, which work as follows:

$Wn

$Wn stands for "within n words". If you put it down in the following query:

book $W2 case

it would mean "search for book within 2 words of case".

In patent text, what will be included in the search would be something like the following examples:

• ".. the book, of which case of a design comp.."
• ".. The construction of the case suits books and other.."
• ".. this particular book case has a..."

As you can see from the above, the words book and case appear within 2 words of each other in the patent text.

If n=0 (i.e. $W0), then this will fulfil the purpose of ensuring that no other words appear between the two words you'd like to use the positional connector with. 

So with the above example of book and case:

• ".. this particular book case has a.."
• in this case, books are..."

The search will bring back results only in the above 2 examples. Thus, the two words must appear right next to each other.

$PREn

$PREn is similar to $Wn but defines the order as keyword 1 must appear within keyword 2.

So $PREn = before, and within n words of

Using the earlier keyword example:

book $PRE2 case

would mean we would only bring back patents for which the word book must appear before, and within 2 words of case.

The following kinds of result will be counted:

• "... the book, of which case is of a design comp.."
• ".. a book focused case in which..."
• "... this particular book case has a.."

The query will NOT bring back the following kinds of results:

• ".. The construction of the case suits books and other.."
• ".. in this case, books are..."

$SEN

$SEN refers to a simpler positional connector, in which the keywords are to appear within the same sentence as each other. Sentence being defined by the use of a full stop (.)

$PARA

$PARA refers to another simple positional connector, in which the keywords are to appear within the same paragraph as each other. Paragraphs being defined by the use of breaks.