Trilateral Classification

Harmony Project

IPC ForumGeneva,13 February 2006

Yoshihiro FUJI

DirectorExamination Policy Planning OfficeJapan Patent Office (JPO)

Reasons for HarmonizationReasons for HarmonizationIncrease in documents to be classifiedIncrease in documents to be classified

• > 500,000 (EPO: ECLA) > 500,000 (EPO: ECLA)

> 500,000 (JPO: FI) > 500,000 (JPO: FI)

> 300,000 (USPTO: USPC) docs / year> 300,000 (USPTO: USPC) docs / year

- Further increase expected- Further increase expected

Establish a well-structured documentationEstablish a well-structured documentation• Harmonize internal schemesHarmonize internal schemes• Facilitate access to TOs’ documents with common Facilitate access to TOs’ documents with common

schemesschemes• Enhance the availability of TOs’ documentsEnhance the availability of TOs’ documents- Further expand (to be IPC Advanced Level)Further expand (to be IPC Advanced Level)

Share reclassification workShare reclassification work

Reduce classification effort (for EP)Reduce classification effort (for EP)

Reasons

History

Actions

Procedure

Actions for ALS

Harmony to IPC

Status

OfficeOffice EPOEPO JPOJPO USPTOUSPTO

SystemSystem ECLAECLA FIFI USPCUSPC

BasisBasis IPCIPC IPCIPC

Applied toApplied to most of most of PCT min.PCT min. JP onlyJP only US onlyUS only

ClassificationsClassifications 125,000125,000 190,000190,000 155,000155,000

Three different classification systemsThree different classification systems

(IPC-AL: 69,000 Classifications)(IPC-AL: 69,000 Classifications)

Reasons for HarmonizationReasons for HarmonizationReasons

History

Actions

Procedure

Actions for ALS

Harmony to IPC

Status

History of Harmony ProjectHistory of Harmony Project

2000.11 182000.11 18thth Trilateral Conference Trilateral Conference

- TOs agreed on creating pilot projects- TOs agreed on creating pilot projects

2001.2 Committee of Experts of IPC Union2001.2 Committee of Experts of IPC Union

3030thth session session

- 19 fields selected for TOs’ harmony projects - 19 fields selected for TOs’ harmony projects

(T001-T019)(T001-T019)

- 7 of the 19 fields are from IPC revision projects- 7 of the 19 fields are from IPC revision projects

Reasons

History

Actions

Procedure

Actions for ALS

Harmony to IPC

Status

History of Harmony ProjectHistory of Harmony Project

2002.9 72002.9 7thth session session - new project (T020)- new project (T020)

2003.1 82003.1 8thth session session - new projects (T021-T023)- new projects (T021-T023)

2003.9 92003.9 9thth session session - new projects (T024-T030)- new projects (T024-T030)

2004.2 102004.2 10thth session session - new projects (T031-T032)- new projects (T031-T032)

2004.10 112004.10 11thth session session - new projects (T035-T037)- new projects (T035-T037)

2005.3 122005.3 12thth session session - new projects (T038-T047)- new projects (T038-T047)

2005.9 132005.9 13thth session session - new projects (T048-T056)- new projects (T048-T056)

2006.3 142006.3 14thth session (at Berlin, EPO) session (at Berlin, EPO)

Trilateral Working Group on ClassificationTrilateral Working Group on ClassificationReasons

History

Actions

Procedure

Actions for ALS

Harmony to IPC

Status

ActionsActions

Select technical fields for harmonizationSelect technical fields for harmonizatione.g. Wireless Communication Networks, Business e.g. Wireless Communication Networks, Business

methodsmethods

(Phase A) Initial Determination of Scope(Phase A) Initial Determination of Scope

(Phase B) Project Plan(Phase B) Project Plan

(Phase C) Provisional Scheme Development(Phase C) Provisional Scheme Development

(Phase D) Test of Provisional Scheme(Phase D) Test of Provisional Scheme

(Phase E) Final Scheme Agreement(Phase E) Final Scheme Agreement

(Phase F) Documents Reclassification(Phase F) Documents Reclassification

Reasons

History

Actions

Procedure

Actions for ALS

Harmony to IPC

Status

Procedural steps – Procedural steps – exchange & compare schemesexchange & compare schemes

Exchange & Compare current schemesExchange & Compare current schemes

ECLAECLA FIFI USPCUSPC

. EPtext1. EPtext1 . JPtext1. JPtext1 . UStext1. UStext1

. . EPtext2. . EPtext2 . . JPtext2. . JPtext2 . UStext2. UStext2

. . EPtext3. . EPtext3 . . JPtext3. . JPtext3 . UStext3. UStext3

. . . JPtext4. . . JPtext4

Reasons

History

Actions

Procedure

Actions for ALS

Harmony to IPC

Status

E-mail

Meeting /Exchange

Procedural steps – Procedural steps – discuss solutionsdiscuss solutions

Discuss solutionsDiscuss solutions

(Trilateral) Harmony Visit (2005.6~)

Reasons

History

Actions

Procedure

Actions for ALS

Harmony to IPC

Status

E-forum

Procedural steps – Procedural steps – discuss solutionsdiscuss solutions

Harmony visit (2005.6~)Harmony visit (2005.6~)

Trilateral Harmony visit (at USPTO)- 10 fields

EP/JP Harmony visit (at EPO)- 19 fields

Reasons

History

Actions

Procedure

Actions for ALS

Harmony to IPC

Status

Procedural steps – Procedural steps – discuss solutionsdiscuss solutions

Potential projects - Creation of new projects(T052&T053)

Existing projects - Acceleration of discussion on classification harmonization

Effect of Harmony visitEffect of Harmony visit

Reasons

History

Actions

Procedure

Actions for ALS

Harmony to IPC

Status

Procedural steps – Procedural steps – agree on common schemeagree on common scheme

Agree on common schemeAgree on common scheme e.g. Business Methods

ECLAECLA FIFI USPCUSPC. G06Q30/00C. G06Q30/00C . G06F17/60,300. G06F17/60,300 . . 3044D. . 3044D

. . G06Q30/00C2. . G06Q30/00C2 . . G06F17/60,342. . G06F17/60,342 . . 3043N. . 3043N

. . G06Q30/00C4 . . G06Q30/00C4 . . 3050Y. . 3050Y

Reasons

History

Actions

Procedure

Actions for ALS

Harmony to IPC

Status

Agree on common scheme (Phase C)Agree on common scheme (Phase C)HAHARMRMONYONY ((ECLAECLA//FIFI//USPCUSPC))

. G06Q30/00C . . G06Q30/00C . Data processing in buying/selling or leasingData processing in buying/selling or leasing

transactionstransactions

. . 3044D .. . . 3044D .. for matchingfor matching

. . 3043N .. . . 3043N .. for auctionfor auction

. . G06Q30/00C2 .. . . G06Q30/00C2 .. for electronic shopping, e.g. electronicfor electronic shopping, e.g. electronic

catalogue, remote browsing or orderingcatalogue, remote browsing or ordering

. . 3050Y .. . . 3050Y .. electronic catalogueelectronic catalogue

. . . G06F17/60,342 .. . G06F17/60,342 .. for leasing transactionfor leasing transaction

Procedural steps – Procedural steps – agree on common schemeagree on common scheme

Reasons

History

Actions

Procedure

Actions for ALS

Harmony to IPC

Status

Final agreement (Phase E)Final agreement (Phase E)

Shared reclassification (Phase F)Shared reclassification (Phase F)

Procedural steps – Procedural steps – finalization of projectfinalization of project

Classification test (Phase D)Classification test (Phase D)

Reasons

History

Actions

Procedure

Actions for ALS

Harmony to IPC

Status

Actions for ALS*Actions for ALS*

Select technical fields for harmonizationSelect technical fields for harmonizatione.g. Wireless Communication Networks, Business e.g. Wireless Communication Networks, Business

methodsmethods

(Phase A) Initial Determination of Scope(Phase A) Initial Determination of Scope

(Phase B) Project Plan(Phase B) Project Plan

(Phase C) Provisional Scheme Development(Phase C) Provisional Scheme Development (Phase D) Test of Provisional Scheme(Phase D) Test of Provisional Scheme

(Phase E) Final Scheme Agreement(Phase E) Final Scheme Agreement

(Phase F) Documents Reclassification(Phase F) Documents Reclassification

Phase C CompletedPhase C Completed- IPC Revision Proposal to ALSIPC Revision Proposal to ALS

Reasons

History

Actions

Procedure

Actions for ALS

Harmony to IPC

Status

*Advanced Level Special Subcommittee

Actions for ALSActions for ALS

Phase C CompletedPhase C Completed- IPC revision proposal to ALS (SC-project)IPC revision proposal to ALS (SC-project)

- Creation of A-projectCreation of A-project

- Documents reclassificationDocuments reclassification

- Entering into force of IPC-ALEntering into force of IPC-AL

ALS Approval

Completed

- Invitation for comments & discussionInvitation for comments & discussionALS Approval

Reasons

History

Actions

Procedure

Actions for ALS

Harmony to IPC

Status

Harmony to IPCHarmony to IPCNo.of divisions

Harmonized

USPCUSPC

1985 1990 1995 2000 2006 2009 2012

150K

50K

100K

200K

Int.Cl4

FIFI

ECLAECLAAdvanced Level

Core Level(30% of ALClasses)

Reformed IPCReformed IPC

68711groups

Int.Cl5 Int.Cl6 Int.Cl7

Reasons

History

Actions

Procedure

Actions for ALS

Harmony to IPC

Status

Effects of Harmony project & Effects of Harmony project & reformed IPCreformed IPC

Different search in each classification systemDifferent search in each classification system

EPOEPO

A62D3/00A

ECLA Search

JPOJPO

FI Search

A62D3/00,301

USPTOUSPTO

USPC Search

588/300

OthersOthers

IPC Search

A62D3/00

Reasons

History

Actions

Procedure

Actions for ALS

Harmony to IPC

Status

e.g. Combating harmful chemical substances by chemical means

Effects of Harmony project & Effects of Harmony project & reformed IPCreformed IPCReasons

History

Actions

Procedure

Actions for ALS

Harmony to IPC

Status

EPOEPO

A62D3/00E

JPOJPO

A62D3/00,400

USPTOUSPTO

588/302

OthersOthers

IPC Search

A62D3/00

ECLA ＝ FI ＝ USPC Search

The same search strategy applied among TOs according to harmonized classification scheme

The same search strategy applied among TOs according to harmonized classification scheme

Effects of Harmony project & Effects of Harmony project & reformed IPCreformed IPC

The same search strategy applied among all the documents classified according to the IPC-AL

The same search strategy applied among all the documents classified according to the IPC-AL

USPTOUSPTOJPOJPOEPOEPO OthersOthers

A62D3/1010 A62D3/1010 A62D3/1010 A62D3/1010

IPC Advanced level search

Reasons

History

Actions

Procedure

Actions for ALS

Harmony to IPC

Status

Current statusCurrent status

45 Active Harmony projects45 Active Harmony projects

6 Harmony projects6 Harmony projects already already forwarded to ALSforwarded to ALS

Reasons

History

Actions

Procedure

Actions for ALS

Harmony to IPC

Status

Current projects 1/3Current projects 1/3ProjectProject IPCIPC SubjectSubject PhasePhase

T001 A62D3/ Combating Harmful Chemical Substances by Chemical Means F

T002T002 G06QG06Q Business MethodsBusiness Methods CC

T003T003 C40BC40B Combinatorial Chemistry Combinatorial Chemistry DD

T004T004 G06F19/G06F19/ Bioinformatics Bioinformatics DD

T005T005 H04NH04N Interactive Video Distribution Systems Interactive Video Distribution Systems CC

T007T007 G01NG01N Investigating or Analyzing Atomic Surface Structure by Scanning-Investigating or Analyzing Atomic Surface Structure by Scanning-Probe Techniques Probe Techniques AA

T008T008 B82B82 Nano-Technology Nano-Technology BB

T009T009 F16DF16D Brakes - Disc, Drum and their controls Brakes - Disc, Drum and their controls CC

T010 B60K6/Hybrid Vehicles Having Electrical and Internal Combustion Engines

E

T012T012 H01L51/H01L51/ Organic Solid State Devices Organic Solid State Devices CC

T014T014 B60WB60W Conjoint control of drive units; Conjoint control of at least two sub-Conjoint control of drive units; Conjoint control of at least two sub-units thereofunits thereof CC

T020T020 G03G13/,15/G03G13/,15/ Electric or magnetic imagery (eg photocopying): forming toner Electric or magnetic imagery (eg photocopying): forming toner images, perfecting toner imagesimages, perfecting toner images AA

T021 G05G1/14 Pedals F

T023T023 G06TG06T Image processing Image processing CC

T024 H02M7/42 Inverter devices D

Reasons

History

Actions

Procedure

Actions for ALS

Harmony to IPC

Status

Current projects 2/3Current projects 2/3ProjectProject IPCIPC SubjectSubject PhasePhase

T025 H04W Wireless Communication E

T026T026 G09G3/28G09G3/28 Driving of Plasma Displays Driving of Plasma Displays CC

T027T027 G05D1/02G05D1/02 Control of position or course (Automatic pilot) Control of position or course (Automatic pilot) CC

T028T028 B24BB24B Making abrading tools Making abrading tools AA

T030T030 B42DB42D Credit cards Credit cards AA

T031T031 H01MH01M Lithium Ion Batteries Lithium Ion Batteries DD

T032 H04H Broadcasting distribution systems D

T033T033 B60RB60R Air bags for vehicles Air bags for vehicles AA

T035T035 F24F5/F24F5/ Air-conditioning systems (outdoor units) Air-conditioning systems (outdoor units) CC

T036T036 G03F1/G03F1/ Photo-masks and screens Photo-masks and screens AA

T037T037 H01L33/H01L33/ Light-Emitting Diodes (LEDs) Light-Emitting Diodes (LEDs) AA

T038T038 A01MA01M Scaring and repelling devices Scaring and repelling devices AA

T039T039 B23K26/B23K26/ Working with laser beams Working with laser beams AA

T040T040 C02F1/52-C02F1/52-1/56,5/001/56,5/00 Water treatment Water treatment AA

T041T041 E05BE05B Locks Locks AA

Reasons

History

Actions

Procedure

Actions for ALS

Harmony to IPC

Status

Current projects 3/3Current projects 3/3ProjectProject IPCIPC SubjectSubject PhasePhase

T042T042 F16HF16H Hydrostatic transmissions Hydrostatic transmissions AA

T043T043 G06F21/G06F21/ Computer security Computer security AA

T044T044 H01R12/H01R12/ Electric connectors specially adapted for printed circuits Electric connectors specially adapted for printed circuits AA

T045T045 H01R13/H01R13/ Details of electric connectors Details of electric connectors AA

T046T046 H01R24/H01R24/ Overall structure of electric connectors Overall structure of electric connectors AA

T047T047 H04N7/26H04N7/26 Digital coding of video Digital coding of video AA

T048T048 A61K31/A61K31/ Medicinal Preparations containing organic active ingredients Medicinal Preparations containing organic active ingredients AA

T049T049 C07DC07D Heterocyclic compoundsHeterocyclic compounds AA

T050T050 C07HC07H CarbohydratesCarbohydrates AA

T051T051 C07JC07J SteroidsSteroids AA

T052T052 G01S1/,5/G01S1/,5/ Position fixing by coordinating two or more direction or position-line Position fixing by coordinating two or more direction or position-line determination (GPS)determination (GPS) AA

T053T053 G06F3/G06F3/ Graphical User Interfaces (GUI) Graphical User Interfaces (GUI) AA

T054T054 G04C9/,11/,G04C9/,11/,G04G5/,7/G04G5/,7/ Wave clocks Wave clocks AA

T055T055 G04 except G04 except T054T054 Horology Horology AA

T056T056 B41NB41NPrinting plates or foils; materials for surfaces used in printing Printing plates or foils; materials for surfaces used in printing machines for printing, inking, damping, etc.; preparing such machines for printing, inking, damping, etc.; preparing such surfaces for use and conserving them surfaces for use and conserving them

AA

Reasons

History

Actions

Procedure

Actions for ALS

Harmony to IPC

Status

Thank you for your attention !

IPC ForumGeneva,13 February 2006