(1) Application type number
The application category number in the patent contribution number is represented by 1 Arabic numerals. The meanings of the numbers used are as follows: 1 stands for invention patent application; 2 represents an application for a patent for utility model; 3 denotes an application for a patent for design. The meaning of other Arabic numerals not included in the above-mentioned application category number when used as category number shall be stipulated separately by China National Intellectual Property Administration.
(2) Document serial number
The serial number of the patent contribution number is represented by eight consecutive Arabic numerals, and it increases in different serial numbers according to the first announcement of an application for a patent for invention or the first announcement of an application for a utility model or design. The announcement number of invention patent authorization follows the patent contribution number when the application for invention patent was first published.