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The migration of patent documents in the BNS system from tape storage to hard disc storage in order to improve performance has continued during the year.
The work of improving the Internet version of our Patent Gazette has continued during 2002.
Use of EPO�s EPO's query system EPOQUE has been further developed in cooperation with the EPO.
The SPRO is now scanning its unique patent documents, including translations of European patents (SE T3), for loading into our BNS.
Every year new on-line systems are developed or acquired and loaded into the mainframe computer. The mainframe has been upgraded and new peripherals have been installed. The main purpose of all systems so far has been to support the search and examination work.
On-line searching of external databases made available by DIALOG, QUESTEL-ORBIT, STN etc. is a natural and integrated part of the searching procedure at the SPRO. Databases made available by Swedish hosts are also searched, e.g., MEDLINE (host: MIC--KIBIC/QZ) and BODIL and BYGGFO (host: BYGGDOC). These databases contain information in biomedicine and building technology & research respectively.
All examiners get training courses in on-line searching. Newly employed examiners have to pass an obligatory introduction course. This is followed at regular intervals by different kinds of courses: advanced courses, refresher courses, specialized courses, etc. These latter courses are normally in-house courses held by outside instructors from the different hosts, databases or other organisations.
All examiners have their own PC-workstation running on Windows 2000, which allows them to access all interesting databases, internal as well as external (EPOQUE, commercial, etc.) from the same terminal without having to take notes on the side or to make intermediary print-outs.
The SPRO participates in the esp@cenet network.
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The SPRO receives data cartridges from the EPO on a weekly basis, containing scanned new patent documents for loading into our BNS system. Correspondingly, the SPRO sends data cartridges to the EPO on a weekly basis, containing scanned new SE documents as well as scanned new NO documents for loading into EPO�s EPO's BNS system.
VIII. Other relevant matters concerning education and training in, and promotion of, the use of patent information, including technical assistance to developing countries
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