A similarity search may be conducted from the hitlist on selected records of one or several families (up to 1 000) to find similar patents or refine the result sets. 

 

Similarity searches allow you to broaden your search using advanced algorithms based on the following criteria, when present: codes (CPC, IPC, US classifications), common citations (cited and citing), extended families (priority numbers in common) and concepts. We sometimes refer to the 3Cs: codes, citations and concepts and priority numbers in common too.


This is a widely used and very useful strategy for identifying patents that are similar to the underlying data set. The results of a similarity search can be reviewed to identify potential licensees, partners and/or companies working in very similar technologies.


The records found are automatically ranked by relevance (relevance score) and share at least one of the criteria. 

 

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Two options are available: 

  1. Option 1: Search similar patents:  

 

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The search is conducted to find similar patents in the entire worldwide databases. 


  1. Option: 2 Restrict to similar patents:  

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The search is conducted to find similar patents within the underlying dataset of the selection list. 

 

Use the KWIC (Keyword in context) tab to determine similar values of each families. 

In User Settings/Searching, you can define the maximum number of results to be displayed for similarity searches. 


The video shows how to take a selected record and searching similar patents and applications.