Patent Information

Searching for patents is a crucial skill—whether you're checking for prior art, learning about a technology, or preparing your own application. Here’s a step-by-step guide on how to search for patents effectively, even without expensive tools.

Why Search for Patents?

• To ensure your invention is novel
• To avoid infringing someone else’s patent
• To explore technology trends and competitor R&D
• To find design inspiration or licensing opportunities

Where to Search for Patents

Step 1: Define Your Invention Clearly

Doing a blind patent search with take you down rabbit holes, which can be fun, but is not productive. By understanding what you want to create, you can develop strong search keywords to research if anyone has already patented ideas similar to yours.

Write down:

• What it does
• How it works
• What problem it solves
• Unique features or steps

Step 2: Use Keywords and Synonyms

Use Google Patents or Espacenet to search with:

• Technical terms
• Lay terms
• Synonyms and abbreviations

Try phrase searching combinations like:

• "wireless charging pad"
• "inductive energy transfer"
• "magnetic coil charger"

Step 3: Filter by Classification

Once you find a few relevant patents, look at their CPC or IPC codes (e.g., H02J 7/00). These are technology categories.

Search by classification to find more closely related patents. If you have a general idea of the field of the invention you can look it up in the Index to the United States Patent Classification System.

You can also try using the search box available at the Classification Main Menu page.

Step 4: Review Key Sections of Patents

Step 5: Analyze and Compare

Ask:

• Is this identical to my idea?
• How is it different?
• Is there still room for a new invention?

Create a table of 3–5 close matches and note:

• Patent number
• Title
• Similarities/differences
• Status (active, expired, abandoned)