XML INTERFACE STANDARDS

What is it?

The XML Interface Standard (the “Standard”) is a set of standards which will enable you to understand how to create XML files which represent specific patents forms which you can then upload online. On uploading an XML file for any particular patents form, the fields within that online patents form will be automatically filled up using the data within the XML file.

The Standard is part of ePatents' value-added services being offered.

Under Phase IIA, the following patents forms will be available for use with the Standard : PF1, PF1(2004), PF8, PF10, PF11, PF13, PF14, PF21, PF23, PF25, PF26, PF38, PF41, PF44, PF45 and PF47.

Who is it for, and how to implement it?

The Standard is useful for anyone who maintains a database containing data which is filled out into a patents form, and experiences a sizeable filing of commonly used patents forms.

In a typical implementation, you will need to engage a contractor or acquire the assistance of your organisation’s internal IT Department to create a programmatic interface with their existing patent information system.

This interface will then create the necessary XML files needed for the upload. Such an interface would alleviate the problem of re-keying of information from an existing patent information system to the online forms. The benefit of such an interface is essentially the time it saves, by reducing the work required in filling out the data fields in an electronic patent form.

The Standards

You can download the Standard, which comprise four documents, and their complete XML Schema Definitions. Upon reading the documents, your IT contractor or in-house IT technicians will have a good understanding of how to implement a programmatic interface that will complement your database.

The four documents comprising the Standard are as follows:

a.    PF Form XML Schema Standards (Architecture).

This document describes the overall architecture and components of the standards. It contains general information useful in understanding the Standard and is intended for the lay person. Developers will also find it useful.

b.    PF Form (XML Schema) Standard.

This document contains the detailed Patents Form XML Schema. This contains details which developers will find especially useful.

c.    PF Form XML Instance Examples.

This document contains samples of the Patents Form XML files. This contains details which developers will find especially useful.

d.    PF Form XML Schema Standard (Annexure).

This document explains the tags of the Patents Form XML files. This contains details which developers will find especially useful.

Download (current version 1.1)

All the zip files in this section comprise the current version (v1.1) of the Standard. Please click on the files for download:

PF Form XML Schema Standards (Architecture)       (210kb)

PF Form (XML Schema) Standard       (4128kb)

PF Form XML Instance Examples       (1174kb)

PF Form XML Schema Standard (Annexure)       (1211kb)

PF Form XML Schema Standards Template       (50kb)

Previous versions

The current version is 1.1. No other versions precede the current version. Should there be a new version, the Patent Registry will send notifications to various parties.

Other information

You may wish to refer to the following web-sites, which amongst others, have additional information on the XML and its related technologies:

http://www.w3.org
http://www.w3schools.com
http://www.wipo.org/pct-safe/en/xml/previewTest.htm

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