How are Patent Publications Organized?

While Quartet searches each of the 150+ million patent publications, similar patent publications are grouped together using simple patent families.

Quartet is a family-based search system which utilizes DOCDB simple patent families. This means that patents and publications are:

Grouped together in a simple family structure
Displayed together with a representative family member
Searched together as a family.

Benefits of a patent family

De-duplicate results
Address data inconsistencies by combining all the family members’ metadata
Most families include a native English publication

What is a DOCDB simple patent family?

A DOCDB simple patent family is a group of patents which are considered to cover a single invention. The technical content covered by the applications is considered to be identical. Members of a simple patent family share the same priority dates.

Simple patent families are grouped together using an automated process by the EPO which considers various priorities.

For a detailed look at what comprises a simple patent family, please follow this link to the EPO website.

What is a domestic patent family?

Within each DOCDB simple patent family, patents are further grouped by domestic patent families. Domestic patent families are grouped by application and combine the published patent application and granted patent.