Using Multiple Queries in a Search

Overview

NLPatent now allows users to create up to 5 queries within a single search. This powerful feature enables users to:

• Organize related queries within one project.
• View overlapping results across different queries to find patents that match multiple features.

Creating Multiple Queries

1. To add a new query, click the "+ New Query" button in the top right corner.

2. Pick the query type (More info). Note that you can always change the query's search type in the future.
3. Once you’ve are done with adding your queries, click “Start/Update Search” to view the results.

4. Users can nest up to 5 queries within a search project.

Managing Multiple Queries

1. You can edit your existing search queries at any time to help you fine tune your results. To edit your queries click the query box at the top of the page.

2. From here you can look at the queries you have used within a project.

3. After selecting a query, one can make changes to the query itself (ex. changing the wording of a natural language query, changing a patent number... etc.) or changing the type of search (Ex. Keyword to Patent number).
4. You can also delete a query by clicking the x icon on its tab (Note: The first query cannot be deleted.)

Query Combinations

Query combinations allow you to find results that intersect between search queries. You can combine multiple queries of different search types to create more complex searches. To do so:

1. Click the "+ Query Combination" button in the top right of the results page.

2. From here you can build a query combination by utilizing your current search queries with the combination operators (AND/OR). A new results tab will form after you click "Apply Changes".

   
   

   For example, if we want to create a search which return patents that are in: Query 1 AND Query 2

3. To add an additional query to the current group, you can use the “Add Query” button.

4. You can also nest queries that are affected by the parent operator (AND/OR) by using the “Add Subgroup” button.

For example if we want a search where we look for results which are part of: Query 1 AND Query 2 AND Query 3, this would be the input:

If we want a search where we look for results which are part of: Query 1 OR (Query 2 AND Query 3), this would be the input:

5. Any portion of the combined query can be deleted by click on the trash button.

   
   
6. Once you’re finished with your intersection you can click “Apply Changes” to save and view your results.

Tips for Multiple Queries

No Results

If your query combination is too strict and returns no results, it may be because your individual search queries have a low maximum result size. Increasing the maximum number of results in your queries will expand the range of potential intersections, improving your search coverage.

Result Sorting

When you perform a search using multiple queries with AND/OR conditions, the system determines which documents match the criteria and ranks them accordingly. The results are ordered by maintaining the relative ranking from each original search while ensuring that documents appearing in multiple queries do not appear more than once. The system blends results fairly across different queries, preserving relevance while ensuring a logical and predictable order.