Wildcard operators

Wildcard Operators are used within a search expression to allow for more flexibility with words, dates, or names, and to allow for clever truncation to cover multiple tenses and pluralities.

Wildcard Operators may be used with any field.
Wildcard Operators may be used at the start, middle, or end of a word.
Multiple Wildcard Operators can be used and combined in the same search.

⁎

Unlimited Truncation

Represents zero or any number of additional characters (letters or numbers).

deploy⁎
(Results include: deploy, deploys, deployment, & deploying)

*duction
(Results include: introduction, reduction, & overproduction)

dimethyl*ne
(Results include: dimethylamine, dimethylglyoxime, & dimethylpropane)

Optional Single Character Truncation

Represents zero to one additional character.

NOTE: Multiple ?s can be stacked to represent multiple characters

??? represents zero to three additional characters

phone?
(Results include: phone & phones)

comput???
(Results include: computer, computes, computing, computed)

??flammable
(Results include: flammable & inflammable)

colo?r
(Results include: color & colour)

Single Character Truncation

Represents exactly one character that must be present.

analy#e
(Results include: analyze & analyse)

analyze#
(Results include: analyzes & analyzed)

#zar
(Results include: tzar & czar)

Class Code Stemming Operator

Specific to classification search fields (CPC, IPC, USPC, JPFI, & JPFT)

The operator returns results for the classification code queried and any of its subordinate classes.

Note: The standard wildcard operators (*, ?, #) can also be used with classification search fields.

IPC=G01N33/00+
(Results include: G01N33/00 and its subordinate class codes, i.e., G01N33/02 & G01N33/558)

Examples:

FT=((Lap_top? 3D batter*) AND (batter* 1S charg*))

FT="3D goggle?" AND (virtual* 3D reality)

AB=(*ethyl 2w *fenyl)

TI=(*ethyl 2w *fenyl???)

USPC=340+

USPC=340/2*

CPC=(G07F19/20*)

IPC/CPC=(G07F19/20*)

Notes, Suggestions, and Warnings:

The asterisk ( * ) operator allows for end truncation. Its meaning and use are the same anywhere within Quartet.
The plus sign ( + ) operator is a unique wildcard that can only be used with classification code searching and is used for searching the hierarchy of a classification schedule. For example, CPC=(G07F19/20*) will search for all classifications that start with G07F19/20 and will returns results including G07F19/201-209. However, this search will not include indented subgroups such as G07F19/21 that would be captured by CPC=(G07F19/20+).
For best results, include text that is specific as possible. For example, consider these options for a search directed toward language and speech.
- FT=phon*
  This search will return results related phonics and phonemes. However, it will also return results related to phones, which will likely introduce noise into the results.
- FT=(phonic? OR phoneme?)
  This search will probably yield more focused results.
For best results, consider using a more focused wildcard. For example, consider these options for a search directed toward automotive technology.
- FT=car*
  This search will return results related to cars, but it will also find results related cartridges, carriers, cartons, cards, carts, etc.
- FT=car?
  This search will probably yield more focused results.
Quartet support the use of multiple wildcard operators used in combination. However, a large number of wildcard operators will cause searches to take a longer time and depending on the specific query it is possible that a complex query with many wildcard operators will be unable to run.