1. The Harmony Project: Trilateral Classification Harmonisation Status January 2008

2. Why Harmonisation? Increase in published documents –currently in EPO > 500,000 docs/year –further increase expected Reduce classification effort –collaborate in classification –avoid to classify twice Increase search quality –harmonise search practice Prepare and test IPC revision

3. OBJECTIVES 1.Common classification schemes in selected areas ECLAFI USPC. EPtitle1. JPtitle1. UStitle1.. EPtitle2.. JPtitle2. UStitle2.. EPtitle3.. JPtitle3. UStitle3... JPtitle4

4. HARMONY. JPtitle1. UStitle1.. New title1.. EPtitle2... New title2.. JPtitle3

5. ECLA USPC FI-FT Core level 20k Reformed IPC Advanced level 20k + 50k Advanced level extension 20k + 50k + 70k 2. Integrate common scheme in the IPC HARMONYHARMONY

6. MEANS 1.Informal: Promote direct interaction between examiners

7. ... by opening various informal communication channels E - mail Video-Conference or Telephone Meetings Trilateral Wiki (hosted by WIPO) Trilateral Examiner Exchange Trilateral Harmony Visit

8. The Trilateral Harmony Visit programme Launched in 2005 Face-to-face meetings of examiners of the Trilateral Offices Duration: one week Specific objectives –start new project –finalize / make progress in existing project Effective and flexible tool to push projects forward

9. Programme in 2007: T005H04NInteractive Video Distribution Systems T023G06TImage Processing T036G03F 1/00Photo-masks and screens T039B23K 26/00Working with lasers T052G01SGlobal Positioning Systems (GPS) T053G06FGraphical User Interfaces (GUIs) T060B62M 23/02Power-assisted bicycles T061B62M 9/12Bicycle derailleurs T005H04NInteractive Video Distribution Systems T035F24F5/Air-conditioning systems (outdoor units) T037H01L33/Light Emitting Diodes (LEDs) T039B23K26/Working with lasers T053G06F3/Graphical User Interfaces T066B21D26/Shaping without cutting... T071F16DHomokinetic joints

10. MEANS (continued) 2.Formal: For each subproject: »project plan »target dates for each step »record of project history 1.Informal: Promote direct interaction between examiners +

11. ... on an official electronic platform (hosted by WIPO): Trilateral E-forum www.wipo.int/ipc-tef

12. Steering Committee: Trilateral Working Group on Classification 3.Overall Project management: Harmony Project Manager appointed in each Trilateral Office Harmony Project Coordinators (EPO: Classification Board members) Coordination for a group of subprojects

13. STATUS over 50 active projects all technical areas (T002-T074)

14. T068/USH01L 41/22-26Manufacturing of Piezoelectric devices or crystals T069/EPA63F 13/00Video Games T070/EPB65B 9/06, 9/08, 9/20Packaging Machines T071/EPF16D 3/223, 3/224Homokinetic joints T072/EPH04B 10/00Optical Communications T073/EPH04N 5/335Picture Signal Generation T074/EPH04L 12/56Packet switching systems Seven new Harmony projects created: 2007

15. A009/EP (based on T052) G01SGlobal Positioning Systems (GPS) A010/EP (based on T060) B62M 23/00Power-assisted bicycles A011/EP (based on T061) B62M 9/00Bicycle derailleurs Maintenance project M012 C07DHeterocyclic compounds A012/EP (based on T023) G06TImage processing A013/JP (based on T035) F24FAir conditioning systems A014/EP (based on T005) H04N Selectively providing video content to end users A015/EP (based on T042) F16HControl of hydrostatic gearing Eight Harmony projects forwarded to the IPC:

16. A006/EP (based on T010) B60K 6/02Hybrid Vehicles1 Oct 2007 A003/JP (based on T032) H04H Broadcasting Distribution Systems 1 Jan 2008 A008/JP (based on T031) H01M 4/00 H01M 10/00 Lithium-Ion batteriesno date set A002/US (based on T031 G05GPedals1 April 2008 Four Advanced Level revision projects adopted for introduction into the IPC

17. Thank you for your attention!