IPC stands for International Patent Classification in English and International Patent Classification in Chinese. IPC is an international patent document classification and retrieval tool, which classifies patents and utility models according to their different technical fields. Each patent document is attached with IPC classification number.
After the patent application documents are submitted to the patent office, the patent office will process the application documents, one of which is IPC classification. In IPC classification, information such as technical subject, function and application is extracted according to the contents of patent application documents, and then the corresponding classification number is found. A patent application document may involve many technical topics, functions, applications, etc. And it needs to be classified many times. Therefore, a patent application document often has multiple classification numbers.
Functions of IPC classification
IPC classification system is very important for patent retrieval. For patent applicants, knowing IPC classification system can help them better master the technical field and existing technology when applying for patents. For patent searchers, understanding IPC classification system can help them find the required patent documents and technical materials more quickly and accurately. Therefore, it is very important for patent operators and intellectual property protection personnel to learn and master IPC classification system.
The most important purpose of international IPC classification is search. By giving each patent file an IPC classification number, a patent application file which is beneficial to retrieval is established. In addition, within the patent office, patents in different fields are also distributed to examiners in different departments for examination through IPC classification numbers.