Quo vadis? New "Q" manual codes for Transportation
Bob Stembridge
Thomson Scientific
Major innovations occur in all areas of technology. The Derwent Manual Code Classification system has long been recognized as a valuable resource for tracking and searching technology developments in the chemical and electrical technology areas. Those technology areas have now been extended to include innovations in mechanical technology. Here we provide an overview of the enhancements Thomson Scientific is making to classification of Derwent World Patents Index® records in Section Q relating to transportation.
Introduction
Loosely translated, “Quo vadis?” means “where are we going?” Wherever it is, it will usually involve some form of transportation, be it by car, plane, train, or by ship.
As part of the ongoing development of our manual coding system, extensive and detailed manual code hierarchies have been developed for sections of the mechanical Derwent Class Q, and are now being applied to patent records. The new mechanical codes cover all areas of transportation – including automotive, aerospace, railway, and shipping technologies, and are applied consistently to relevant patents across all of the countries currently covered in Derwent World Patents Index® (DWPISM).
This article reviews the areas covered by the new Q manual codes together with some examples and illustrations of how they are applied - read the full article (PDF).