Before the computer has not been universally applied to the field of information retrieval, the main way of patent retrieval is paper retrieval and software retrieval before network is not yet available for information sharing.
The carrier of the paper is the main form of the patent document is the main object of retrieval, paper retrieval of the information is generally the most error-prone and most evidence-based, but it is in the process of patent retrieval in the low efficiency , Time-consuming and easy to lose damage, and because the printing cycle is long, so the latest data retrieval is also more difficult.
Software retrieval usually includes retrieval of microfilm, computer magnetic media and CD-ROM patent documents. Microfilm patent documents have been developed rapidly because of the advantages of small space, high storage density, long storage life and easy to copy. It has been widely used as one of the main means of patent storage. It has the advantages of small size, high storage density, freedom of loading and unloading and long term preservation.
When digital storage technology brings CD-ROM into the field of literature collection, the emergence of various forms of patent database CD-ROM. As a new medium, CD is called the carrier of future patent documents. Nowadays, with the development and popularization of computer technology, the database of CD-ROM plays an important role in patent retrieval and patent full-text acquisition. Although CD-ROM Retrieval is faster, the limited sharing of CD-ROM Retrieval limits its scope of application, and the update speed is also limited.
The development of network technology makes the data advantage of online patent resources and the convenience of retrieval fast, free from time and space restrictions and other characteristics favored by users, but become the main way of patent retrieval
Online patent search has been gradually developed and mature, and now the online patent search will be the most important and most efficient way to retrieve. Online search is fast and the content is new but does not have legal effect. If it is to be used as evidence, it is necessary for the relevant department to produce the corresponding proof or to download and prove it through the legally recognized department.