PATENTS   
Patents > Guidance, Tools, and Manuals > Classification > Classification Help File
    Class Numbers & Titles   | Class Numbers Only   | USPC Index   | International   | HELP  | Office of Patent Classification  
Classification Help File  
1. How do I use the U.S. Patent Classification (USPC) site?
A. Access classification information directly
B. Browse class listings
C. How do I know which USPC Index page I am on? How do I know what class I am in?
D. Text description of what is hyperlinked on classification schedules?
E. Annotated Graphical explanation of a Classification Schedule on the site.
2. I am unfamiliar with Patent Classification. Where should I start?
A. Browse the Index to the U.S. Patent Classification system
B. Read an adaptation from "Conducting a Patent Search at a Patent and Trademark Depository Library (PTDL)"
3. What is a Patent Classification?
4. What is the Index to the USPC?
5. What is a USPC Class?
6. What is a Subclass?
7. What is a Classification Schedule?
8. What is the Manual of Classification (MoC)?
9. What is a Class Definition?
10. What is a Subclass Definition?
11. Graphical example of a Subclass Definition?
12. What is IPC?
13. What is a US-to-IPC Concordance?
14. Browser HELP
A. Search within an HTML Page
B. Increase/Decrease font size
C. Enable JAVA in your browser
D. What is HTML?
E. What is PDF?
F. Where can I get Adobe Acrobat Reader and other Plugins?

1. How do I use the U.S. Patent Classification site?
top
A. Access classification information directly
Section A on the Home page allows for direct access a Classification Schedule, Classification Defintion in HTML format based on a known classification [class/subclass]. Additionally, you can access the PDF for the Schedule and Definitions file from the section A interface.

Section A assumes you have a classification that you are looking for. For example, you may be looking at a patent and want to understand the nature of the classification schedule and definitions for classification symbols on the patent.

Syntax for accessing Classification Information by Class/Subclass in A.
To Find:
Enter:
Class
Subclass
73
7
73/7
73
66
73/66
73
863
73/863
73
1.01
73/1.01
73
23.2
73/23.2
73
170.16
73/170.16
73
861.351
73/861.351
33
17R
33/17R
33
17A
33/17A
33
1R
33/1R
33
1SA
33/1SA
graphic of the direct access interface
top
B. Browse class listings

The Home page provides links to the Class Numbers list page and the Class Number plus Title pages. The List of Class Numbers page assumes you have knowledge of a particular class number and want to go to the top of the schedule or definition. The class numbers with titles listing shows the class titles for every class. This page is very useful for getting an understanding of the US Patent Classification system. Use browser Find (CTRL+F in Microsoft Windows browsers) to find a term on the Class Numbers with Titles page.

top
1C. How do I know which USPC Index page I am on? How do I know what class I am in?
See the browser window title bar.
graphical explanation of the title bar contents
top
1D. What are the links in the schedules?
The following hyperlinks are included on Schedules on the classification web site
  • Class Number links to top of Class Definition
  • Subclass Number links to corresponding subclass defintion
  • "P" icon searches for patents in the class/subclass in Patent on the Web
  • "A" icon searches published applications in the class in Applications on the Web. Note: there are very few published applications at this time. Projection of the Number of Applications to be Published Per Week Under Eighteen-Month Publication. Therefore, applications are only looked for at the class level. In the future the "A" icon will be added to every subclass.
Note:If you are runnning fromthe Work@Home CD-ROM you will need to connect to the Internet.
top
1E. Annotated graphical depiction of a classification schedule

Excerpt of Classification Schedule for Class 482 EXERCISE DEVICES

graphical explanation of a Classification Schedule

top

2A & 2B. I am unfamiliar with Patent Classification. Where should I start?

Adapted from "The 7-Step Strategy for Conducting a Patent Search at a Patent and Trademark Depository Library (PTDL)"
a. Begin with the alphabetical subject Index to the U.S. Patent Classification system (Manual of Classification). Look for common terms describing the invention and its function, effect, end-product, structure, and use. Note class and subclass numbers. The class numbers in the Index to USPC on this web site link to the top of the corresponding classification schedule. The subclass number in the Index to USPC on this web site link to the subclass in the corresponding class schedule.

b. Use the Manual of Classification. On this site you can access class/subclass directly, browse a list of class numbers or browse a list of class numbers and their titles. Locate a class number of interest from one of the lists. Scan the entire class schedule, paying attention to the dot indent. Revise search strategy as needed.
c. Classification Definitions. Read the definitions to establish the scope of class(es) and subclass(es) relevant to the search. The definitions include important search notes and suggestions for further research.
d. Click on the "P" icon in a classification schedule or definition to activate the Patents on the Web Patent Full text search engine to show patents in a particular subclass. Click on the "A" icon at the top of a classification schedule or definition to activate the Patents on the Web Application Full Text search engine to show published applications in a particular class.
top
3. What is a Patent Classification?

A Patent Classification is a code which provides a method for categorizing the invention. Classification are typically expressed as "482/1". The first number, 482, represents the class of invention. The number following the slash is the subclass of invention within the class. There are about 450 Classes of invention and about 150,000 subclasses of invention in the USPC.

Classes and subclasses have titles which provide a short description of the class or subclass. Classes and subclasses also have definitions which provide a more detailed explanation. Many Classes and subclasses have explicitly defined relationships to one another. Subclasses contain patents. In a sense, classes also contain patents but for classificaiton purposes patents are always classified at the subclass level. That isone or more classifications (i.e., class/subclass designations) are assigned to each granted patent and each published application.

A patent classification also represents a searchable collection of patents grouped together according to similarly claimed subject matter.

A classification is used both as a tool for finding patents (patentability searches), and for assisting in the assignment of patent applications to examiners for examination purposes. Classifications have definitions. Classifications have hierarchical relationships to one another.

top
4. What is the Index to the USPC?

The Index to USPC often referred to simply as "THE INDEX", is intended as an initial entry point for users unfamiliar with the USPC and is used by experienced searchers trying to locate an unfamiliar topic. It is a subject matter index like one finds at the back of a book.

The Index to the U.S. Patent Classification System is an alphabetic listing of technical and common terms. References to actual Classes and Subclasses of the USPC appear next to each term. Note, the Index should not be considered exhaustive. Patent Classifiers can update the index when they submit a Classificaiton Order.

Subject headings in the Index are not an alphabetical inversion of the Manual of Classification. They are a subjective determination of relevant terms, phrases, synonyms, acronyms, and occasionally even trademarks that have been selected over the years [during reclass activity] as the best identifying description of products, processes, and apparatus of patent disclosures. The Index contains product-related entries, whereas the Manual of Classification is descriptive or nonspecific. For example, the Index entry for phonograph record molding apparatus is reflected in the Manual of Classification as a "press forming apparatus having opposed press members." Some effort has been made to index current vocabulary usage when the classification system may contain technically general language; e.g., "water bed" or "air mattress" for the concept "fluid-containing mattress."

top
5. What is a USPC Class?
A USPC Class is one of over 450 major subdivisions of patented technology currently in the U.S. Patent Classification System (USPC). Each class has a designated class number, and includes a descriptive title, class schedule, and definitions. Class 482 EXERCISE DEVICES is an example of a USPC Class.
top
6. What is a Subclass?
A subclass is a smaller refined subset of a class. A subclass has a number, a title, an indent level indicated by zero or more dots, a definition, a hierachical relationship to other subclasses in a class, relationships to other subclasses in other classes, and a set of patents in it. A subclass is the smallest searchable grouping of patents in the U.S. Patent Classification system. See annotated graphical representation.
top
7. What is a Classification Schedule?

A Classification Schedule is the arrangement of subclasses for a class. The Schedule details the relationship between the Class and its subclasses, relationships between the subclasses, and relationships between the class and other classes and subclasses.

top
8.What is the Manual of Classification (MoC)?
The Manual of Classification is the collection of all Classification Schedules.
top
9. What is a Class Definition?
A Classification Definition is a comprehensive description of the Class. The Class Definition can include a detailed description of each class and its subclasses, a glossary, search notes, references to other classes and subclasses, references between the sublcasses in the class, and references to foreign classes.
top

10. What is a subclass definition?

A Subclass definition is a complete description of the subclass. The Subclass Definition can incorporate an explanation of the class, a glossary, search notes, references to subclasses within the class, and references to other classes and subclasses.
top
11. Graphical example of a subclass definition?
Annotated graphical depiction of a classification definition

graphical explanation of a subclass definition
top
12. What is IPC?
An International Patent Classification (IPC) is a classification drawn from The International Patent Classification System, administered by the World Intellectual Property Organization (WIPO). The IPC divides technology into eight sections with approximately 69,000 subdivisions. Each subdivision has a symbol consisting of Arabic numerals and letters of the Latin alphabet. See our International page for a link to the IPC.
top
13. What is a US-to-IPC Concordance?
The USPC-to-IPC Concordance relates individual classes and subclasses in the USPC to the most closely corresponding classifications of the IPC. The USPC-to-IPC Concordances should not be relied upon as authoritative. They are meant to provide an entry point into IPC if you are familiar with USPC. The US-to-IPC Concordance is published by the USPTO.
top
14. Browser HELP?
A. Search within an HTML Page
In Windows, in both IE and Netscape, the keyboard sequence CTRL+F is used to search within an HTML page. CTRL+F = find in current document. In MACOS the Apple "fan" + F is used.
top
B. Increase/Decrease font size

Most web browsers support capability for user to increase and decrease size of text in a web page.

In Netscape for Windows the keyboard sequence CRTL+] will increase font size. Also see options under the VIEW menu.

In Netscape for Windows the keyboard sequence CRTL+[ will decrease font size.

In IE for Windows select the View menu, select Text Size, and then click the size you want.

top
C. Enable JAVA in your browser
Please review the help files that came with your web browser.
top
D. What is HTML?
HTML is the acronym for HyperText Markup Language, the authoring language used to create documents on the World Wide Web. HTML defines the structure and layout of a Web document by using a variety of tags and attributes. The tags included in a document's structure are used for specifying hypertext links. These links allow for among other things linking between Web pages. It's a pageless format.
top
E. What is PDF?

PDF is the acronym for Portable Document Format, a file format developed by Adobe Systems. PDFs preserve the format of the source files from which they were created and are easy to print when a paper copy of the source file is desired.

To view a PDF file, you need Adobe Acrobat Reader, a free application also developed by Adobe Systems

top
F. Where can I get Adobe Acrobat Reader and other Plugins

Links to Adobe Acrobat reader and other viewers are available at USPTO's plug-ins and Viewers site

top


KEY: e Biz=online business system fees=fees forms=formshelp=help laws and regs=laws/regulations definition=definition (glossary)

The Inventors Assistance Center is available to help you on patent matters.Send questions about USPTO programs and services to the USPTO Contact Center (UCC). You can suggest USPTO webpages or material you would like featured on this section by E-mail to the webmaster@uspto.gov. While we cannot promise to accommodate all requests, your suggestions will be considered and may lead to other improvements on the website.


|.HOME | SITE INDEX| SEARCH | eBUSINESS | HELP | PRIVACY POLICY