Patent Class Analysis
A special set of sources is patent databases. Sources such as esp@cenet, WIPO, USPTO are really useful. I use a method of quickly browsing these databases in regard to a given invention or company and then collect information about the competition, “prior art” etc. This involves using your internet browser, a good spreadsheet, a good database and how to jump around in these applications to quickly get you the overview which is so critical for “Where’s the Beef”.
It's amazing how much information there is in such files. The key to using them in practice is to employ methods which will allow you to quickly form an opinion. Once you have spotted a Patent Class or a Search Pattern which suits your needs and clients, then you should try to subscribe to these saved searches. There are many ways. WIPO allows you to subscribe to RSS which is a really useful method.
I generally believe Microsoft's products are not very useful. The Office series is of great help for patent mining, if you do it right. I show some tricks.
Once you have spotted patents, classes or other patterns in your findings, you'll find references to important persons, companies, prior art links etc. This information is really important for quick-and-dirty judgements.
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