What is the Boolean Search tool and how do I use it?

Boolean Search and Boolean Operators

What is a Boolean Search?

A boolean search is a tool which can be found in the LexisNexis® Classification platform, that uses keywords and boolean operators to enter a search query, which then returns a number of patent families based on your inputted text. It can be accessed via the Report Builder tile in the top left of the your home page, and from within an existing report.

Here's a short video covering the Boolean search tool (formally known as a Keyword Search):

When should I generate a Boolean Search?

You may choose to start a report with a Boolean search if there is a very specific search you want to run. You may want to find only those assets granted in territory US and then apply a classifier for example, or combine a priority date range and a classifier:

Reasons to start a report with a Boolean search:

• To search for specific terms to narrow down the results before the report is generated i.e. priority date range 2020 to 2023, and only those families with at least one grant in the US, which you might then apply your classifier to e.g. priority_date:[2020 TO 2023] GIT:US. This will reduce the report generation time, compared to applying these filters after the report is generated.
• You may wish to carry out broad boolean searches to explore a technology to see who owns what in the space, prior to requesting an AI classifier to be built in that area. A member of the solutions team can consult in this area.

If there is no classifier applied to your boolean search report, the platform will generate technology clusters of all of the patent families returned from your search query.  

When should I use the Boolean Search tool from within an existing report?

Alternatively, you may choose to run a boolean search from within a report, using the search bar in the full families list. You may wish to do this to find specific keywords or more granular technologies, within a broad classifier report for example:

Reasons to run a boolean search within a report:

• To filter a classifier report to specific keywords i.e. the classifier is for tech A, and you want to find patent families within that for a more specific technology or keyword i.e. in a noise cancelling classifier, you may wish to search for automobile OR aeroplane for example.
• You may also wish to tag these assets for these specific technologies for further review.
• To filter the results to a specific territory. The Geography filter within the report can be used to filter to only families with a US member for example, however you may want to filter to only those families with at least one grant in the US which could be achieved by the boolean search 'GIT:US' as a more specific example.
• To filter to specific inventors names.

For a full break down of example search queries, please review our advanced search guide here. This is also available from the Boolean search tool where it says in red ' See guide'.   The Classification platform aims to remove the requirement to be an expert in Boolean operators when running your report, however if this is your preferred searching method or you have a specific search in mind, then this might be the report type for you. Please speak to a member of the team here should you wish to learn more about your preferred Classification reporting journey.