Dialog Bluesheets
Not only will Dialog's Bluesheets help us determine which database to choose, they will also help us learn how to search specifically for the patent number Brian asked for in his note. We can see the Bluesheets on DialogWeb.
Bluesheets provide a road map or guide for every database on Dialog.
They also include detailed instructions on search techniques for the
special features of each database.
Let's look at the Bluesheet for U.S. Patents Fulltext to review its parts. By looking at the Description of the database, we notice that U.S. Patents Fulltext includes two databases: File 652 and 654. Under file data, we can see the dates of coverage for File 654.
By examining the sample record on the Bluesheet, we can make sure that the database contains the information we need before we go online.
For example, U.S. Patents Fulltext contains the complete text of the patent online. We notice too that the file includes post-issuance legal status data. For our search we can see that searching this database will provide Brian with detailed information about the patent he has requested.
We have completed Step 2 (Choosing a Database) and decided that U.S. Patents Fulltext (File 654) is the database to search. In Lesson 4, we'll take another look at Dialog Bluesheets.
Go to Exercise 1.
