Guided Simple Search (GSS) FAQs
Table of Contents:
1. What is the Guided Simple Search?
2. How do I use the Guided Simple Search?
3. Can I modify the syntax suggestion?
5. Can I still enter my search query using the syntax as before?
6. How can I find out the meaning of the suggested syntax?
8. Can I still execute English search terms without accepting the Guided Simple Search suggestion?
9. Can I still return to my original query after having accepted the syntax suggestion?
10. Is the Guided Simple Search a semantic search?
11. How are the syntax suggestions generated?
12. What is currently supported by the Guided Simple Search?
13. What is currently not supported by the Guided Simple Search?
14. How do I deactivate the Guided Simple Search?
1. What is the Guided Simple Search?
The Guided Simple Search is an extension to the TotalPatent One® search functionality that allows you to quickly draft search queries starting from plain English text. It suggests a syntax equivalent whenever it encounters non-syntax text in English. This feature allows you to gradually build and refine your search query even without expert knowledge in the TotalPatent One® search syntax.
2. How do I use the Guided Simple Search
Enter your search as plain English text into the TotalPatent One® search box. The Guided Simple Search will automatically convert your input into an equivalent search query in TotalPatent One® syntax and offer it as a suggestion for you to use. You can either apply the suggested search query or continue with the English text instead (refer question 8 for further details).
3. Can I modify the syntax suggestion?
Yes, you can modify the syntax suggestion offered by Guided Simple Search directly in the search box after accepting it.
4. What will happen if I continue to add more English text after having accepted the syntax suggestion?
As you keep refining your search after having accepted the suggested search query, the Guided Simple Search will continue to make syntax suggestions every time it detects non-syntax search terms in English.
5. Can I still enter my search query using the syntax as before?
Yes, you can continue using the TotalPatent One® search syntax as usual. If you enter the required syntax into the search box or if you build
a search query using the object search, the Guided Simple Search will not make any additional suggestions.
6. How can I find out the meaning of the suggested syntax?
To better understand the suggested syntax:
1) Hover over a search field or an operator in the Guided Simple Search suggestion window, and a tooltip that explains it will appear.
2) Each suggested search field will have a corresponding search object populated below the search box after accepting the suggestion.
7. Why do the Guided Simple Search suggestions contain full text search field names while the Total Patent One® user manual and search companion list only abbreviated search field names? E.g: TitleAbstractClaim:() instead of TAC:()
In general, Total Patent One® search syntax is in abbreviated form, but the equivalent full text form for search fields appearing in the Guided Simple Search suggestions were introduced to make it easier to understand the suggestions, even for someone not very familiar with the syntax.
When typing your own syntax query, you can use the new full text search fields or continue to use the abbreviated search fields as mentioned in the search companion and manual.
8. Can I still execute English search terms without accepting the Guided Simple Search suggestion?
Yes, you can simply ignore the syntax suggestion and execute the search exactly as you have entered it. If you are not interested in getting syntax suggestions at all, you can also collapse the Guided Simple Search suggestion panel.
Plain English search terms (e.g., “umbrella”) will continue to be searched within the full-text search field: in the titles OR abstracts OR claims OR
descriptions, including both original English or machine translated documents. This behavior remains the same as prior to the Guided Simple Search
9. Can I still return to my original query after having accepted the syntax suggestion?
Yes, after you have accepted the syntax suggestion, your original input will be displayed in the suggestion box including an option to apply it back in the search box.
Note: If you refine your search query in multiple steps, adding plain text and accepting the suggested search query several times, you will only be able to return to the last input you entered.
10. Is the Guided Simple Search a semantic search?
No, it is not a semantic search. The Guided Simple Search picks up the English search terms exactly the way they have been entered, converts them into TotalPatent One® search fields and operators, which it suggests as a search query in TotalPatent One®syntax.
Contrary to a semantic search, the Guided Simple Search does not automatically derive search results based on the contextual meaning of the search terms and their synonyms.
11. How are the syntax suggestions generated?
The syntax suggestions are generated based on the English search terms you have entered. The Guided Simple Search identifies different types of words from the input and converts them into appropriate search fields and operators to create a suitable search query in TotalPatent One® syntax.
Nonetheless, we strongly recommend always double-checking the suggested search query and modifying it based on your needs.
12. What is currently supported by the Guided Simple Search?
Queries in English only
Queries with up to 350 words
The following search fields and concepts are currently recognized and suggested by the GSS:
a. Text fields: keywords
b. Assignees: company names, owners
c. Persons: Inventor names
d. Authorities: publication, application and priority authorities
e. Locations: company and inventor locations (addresses)
f. Dates: publication, application and priority dates.
g. Legal status
h. Patent Type: design patents, utility models, patents.
i. Citation: searching for cited and citing patents.
j. IPC/CPC classifications
k. Publication group: grant or application
13. What is currently not supported by the Guided Simple Search?
Queries in languages other than English
Queries with more than 350 words – (syntax suggestions will not be offered beyond this limit)
Wildcards (suggested queries do not include wildcards)
The following search fields and concepts are currently not recognized and suggested by the GSS:
a. Pharmaceutical search fields: Orange Book data and SPC
b. Classification other than IPC/CPC
c. Legal dates, Legal events and opposition/litigation events
d. Examiner and attorney names and addresses
e. Counts: claim counts and citation counts
f. Number fields: publication numbers, application numbers, priority numbers
g. Citation codes h. Dates and numbers in text format (e.g., January two twenty twenty two)
i. Case sensitive searching: Truecase
j. Folders and Annotations
k. Negation in text (e.g., “Dog food without preservatives” will consider “without” as a search term)
14. How do I deactivate the Guided Simple Search?
You can deactivate Guided Simple Search in your “Preferences” and reactivate it anytime.