A Methodology for Evaluation and Distribution of Patent Applications to INPI-BR Patent Examiners: A Case Study in the Electricity Field

Abstract

This paper presents the development of a new methodology for evaluation and distribution of patent applications to the examiners at the Brazilian Patent Office considering a specific technological field, represented by classification of the application according to the International Patent Classification (IPC), and the variables corresponding to the volume of data of the application and its complexity for the examination process. After identifying the most relevant variables, such as the Specific Areas of Expertise (ZAE) of the examiners, a mathematical model was developed, including: (a) application of the principal component analysis (PCA) method; (b) calculation of a General Complexity Ratio (IGC); (c) classification into five classes (very light, light, moderate, heavy and very heavy) according to IGC average ranges and standard deviations; (d) implementation of a logic of distribution, compensating very heavy applications with very light ones, and light applications with heavy ones; and (e) calculation of a Distribution Balancing Ratio (IBD), considering the differences between the samples’ medians. The model was validated using a sample of patent applications including, in addition to the identified variables, the time for substantive examination by the examiner. Then, a correlation analysis of the variables with time and a comparison of the classifications according to the time and the IGC generated by the model were carried out. The results obtained showed a high correlation of the IGC with time, above 80%, as well as correct IGC classes in more than 80% of applications. The model proposed herein suggests that the three main relevant variables are: total number of pages, total number of claims, and total number of claim pages.