Patent Examiner Technical Training Program (PETTP)
The USPTO is seeking public assistance in providing technical training to patent examiners within all technology centers. The Patent Examiner Technical Training Program (PETTP) is intended to provide scientists and experts as lecturers to patent examiners in order to update them on technical developments, the state of the art, emerging trends, maturing technologies, and recent innovations in their fields. Such guest lecturers must have relevant technical knowledge, as well as familiarity with prior art and industry practices/standards in areas of technologies where such lectures would be beneficial.
The PETTP is not intended as an opportunity for applicants to discuss pending applications or to circumvent normal communication between applicants or applicants' representatives and examiners or Supervisory Patent Examiners. In addition, PETTP participants are not to provide advice or recommendations to the USPTO. The PETTP is envisioned as an opportunity to provide patent examiners with necessary training from scientists and experts working directly in the various technologies throughout the USPTO.
Federal Register Notice
Click here to view the September 15, 2010 Federal Register notice for the Patent Examiner Technical Training Program.
How to Participate
The form below may be used to request participation in the Patent Examiner Technical Training Program (PETTP). Please identify the technical area of assistance, fill in a contact name, email address, and telephone number, and click on the "Submit" button.
Enter Requesting Information:
(* items are mandatory)
Alternatively, please send an e-mail to Examiner_Technical_Training@uspto.gov and identify the technical area of assistance you can provide, your name, email address, and telephone number, and other contact information as necessary.
After receiving a system-generated e-mail in response to the inquiry, please expect a telephone call from the point of contact within the specified area identified for technical assistance. During this initial telephone call, the participant will be informed of USPTO invited speaker requirements pursuant to Agency Administrative Order (AAO) 219-05. Also, the target audience will be identified and possible dates for the event discussed. More details on the standard operating procedures for interested PETTP participants are available here.
The USPTO reserves the right to refuse any request to participate in the PETTP. Among other factors, whether a request to participate in the PETTP is granted will depend on the appropriateness of the topic and the availability of resources. For granted requests, audience size will vary.
If you have any feedback, questions or comments regarding the PETTP, please email us at Examiner_Technical_Training@uspto.gov.
The Privacy Act of 1974 (P.L. 93-579) requires that you be given certain information in connection with the submission of your request to participate in the Patent Examiner Technical Training Program. Accordingly, pursuant to the requirements of the Act, please be advised that: (1) the general authority for the collection of this information is 35 U.S.C. 2(b)(2); (2) furnishing of the information is voluntary; and (3) the principal purpose for which the information is used by the U.S. Patent and Trademark Office is to process your submission related to a request for participation in the Patent Examiner Technical Training Program. If you do not furnish the requested information, the U.S. Patent and Trademark Office may not be able to process your participation request. Privacy Act Statement
Standard Operating Procedures for Interested PETTP Participants
Click here to view the Standard Operating Procedures for Interested Patent Examiner Technical Training Program Participants.
Invited Speaker Conflict of Interest Policy Statement
Prior to giving a presentation, all PETTP participants must sign the USPTO’s Invited Speaker Conflict of Interest Policy Statement. In addition, PETTP presentations are sometimes recorded and made available to employees for viewing or listening at a later time.
Click here to view the Invited Speaker Conflict of Interest Policy Statement.
Technical Areas
The USPTO believes patent examiner technical training on the technical areas identified below will be most beneficial. However, participants who wish to provide training in other technical areas may also contact the USPTO.
TC 1600 - Biotechnology and Organic Chemistry: Formulation Chemistry; controlling drug release; drug targeting/conjugation and dosage form technology; drug delivery; nanotechnology (delivery of nucleic acids, antibodies, other molecules); statistical methods in validation of microarry data; personalized medicine, manufacture of carbon nanospheres, pharmaceutical/clinical chemistry for organic compounds, current animal models (emphasis on how they are being generated and used), advances in gene therapy, current methods in drug discovery (identifying current methods for the isolation and testing of natural products, and strategy for the modification of the isolated products into more potent/useful compounds).
TC 1700 - Chemical and Materials Engineering: Analytical chemistry and lab apparatus, batteries, brazing, catalysts, chemical mechanical polishing, chemical process control, chemical reactors, detergents, dishwashers, distillation, electrochemical sensors, electroluminescent devices and processes of making, electro-osmosis, electrophoresis, electrophotography, electroplating, encapsulated circuitry/semiconductors, evaporation, fuel cells, gasification, glass/ceramics processing, growing monocrystals, hydrogen production, liquid and gas purification and separation, making nanotubes, microbiological apparatus, mixing, nanolithography, nanotechnology, perfumes, petroleum technology, photoelectric devices and processes, photolithography, pigments and inks, polymer chemistry, polymers, reformation, semiconductor cleaning techniques, solar cells, soldering, solid separators, thermoelectric, washing machines, and welding.
TC 2100 - Computer Architecture and Software: Electrical Computers & Digital Data Processing Systems: Intrasystem Connection, Processing Access Control & Bus Interrupt Operation; Error Detection/Correction & Fault Detection/Recovery; Reliability; System Configuration/Timing/Power Control, Error Detection/ Correction & Fault Detection/Recovery; Generic Control System, Apparatus or Process; Simulation & Modeling, Emulation of Computer Components; Artificial Intelligence (Neural Networks, Fuzzy Logic, Expert Systems, Rule based Systems); Database & File Management; Operator Interface (Windows, Menus, Icons, I/O user interaction, etc.); Document Processing (displaying, or processing for display, text, graphics, layouts); Processor Architecture & Instruction Processing; Computers: Memory Access & Control; Compilers & Software Development; Arithmetic Processing/Calculating; Interprogram/Interprocess Communications and Computer Task Management.
TC 2400 - Networking, Multiplexing, Cable and Security: Wireless & Wired Comm Networks, LANs, WANs, OFDMA, CDMA, TDMA, Routing & Switching, Signaling, Network Mang., Flow Control, Congestion Control, Admission Control, Quality of Service, Queuing Systems, Interworking, VoIP, Label Switching, ATM, SONET, Mobile IP & 3G/4G Wireless Networks, computer conferencing, data streaming, data routing, client/server, computer conferencing, E-mail messaging, video distribution, remote data accessing, data transfer speed regulating, computer handshaking, computer data routing, Social Networks (Virtual Communities), Power Over Ethernet & Ethernet over Power lines, Digital VideoBroadcasting Standards MPEG4, ATSC, different video distribution on mobile devices, Internet Video distribution, New trends in electronic program guide, peer-to-peer video distribution, video sharing via cable distribution, wireless video distribution in home, HDMI, Biometric Devices, Elliptical Curves, Quantum Cryptography, Anti Viruses, Denial Services, AES-Advanced Encryption Standard, Social Network Security, Peer-to-Peer Security, DRM-Digital Right Management.
TC 2600 - Communications: Spread spectrum, signal modulation, telemetry, electronic alarms, multiplexing, packet switching, optical communications, telephone systems, advanced intelligence networks, wireless communications, OFDMA, CDMA, TDMA, echo cancellation, MIMO, WiMax, 802.11, MPLS, SC-FDMA, Mobile IP6, television, electronic imaging, digital cameras, electronic image signal processing, video displays, pattern recognition, panoramic processing, stereoscopic processing, MPEG, JPEG, Blu-Ray, DVD technology, image compression, image enhancement, color space transformation, RFID, halftone printing, speech signal processing, optical recording, dynamic information storage, information storage disks, computer graphics processing, LCD displays, plasma displays, basics of optics, DWDM essentials and networks, SONET/SDH, optical transport networks, audio signal processing and compression, noise cancellation, hearing aids, and loudspeakers.
TC 2800 - Semiconductors, Electrical and Optical Systems and Components: Mixed signal design and architecture, flexible displays, OLED display technology, nitride semiconductors, compound semiconductors, nanodevices, power converters, image sensors, motor controls, CMOS technology, quantum electronics, analog to digital and digital to analog converters, organic semiconductors, micro-opto-electromechanical systems, ASIC design, spintronics and magnetic random access memory (MRAM), non volatile memory devices, semiconductor and electronic packaging technologies, solar cells, digital logic circuits, laser and fiber optics, phase change memory, photolithography, thin film deposition, light emitting diodes, digital cameras, optical waveguides, antennas, printing technology, MEMs, multilevel interconnections, LCDs, x-ray applications, photonic crystals, green power generation technologies, and sensors.
TC 2900 - Designs: Technical and commercial considerations pertaining to the ornamental appearance of: edible products, apparel and haberdashery, travel goods and personal belongings, brushware, textile or paper yard goods and sheet material, furnishings, equipment for preparing or serving food or drink not elsewhere specified, tools and hardware, packages and containers for goods, measuring, testing and signaling instruments, jewelry, symbolic insignia and ornaments, transportation, equipment for the production, distribution or transformation of energy, recording, communication, or information retrieval equipment, machinery, photography and optical equipment, musical instruments, printing and office machinery, office supplies; artists and teachers materials, sales and advertising equipment, games, toys, and sports goods, arms, pyrotechnics, hunting and fishing equipment, environmental heating and cooling; fluid handling and sanitary equipment, medical and laboratory equipment, building units and construction elements, lighting, tobacco and smokers' supplies, cosmetic products and toilet articles, equipment for safety, protection, and rescue, animal husbandry, washing, cleaning, or drying machines, and material handling equipment.
TC 3600 - Transportation, Construction, Electronic Commerce, Agriculture, National Security, and License & Review: e-Commerce applications including: social networking, network management, wireless technologies/communications/protocols, market optimization, demand forecasting, interactive visualization and simulation, project and resource planning & scheduling, local search optimization, decision analysis, supply chain optimization and management, simulation and stochastic modeling, static & dynamic optimization, resource allocation/calendar staffing and scheduling, optimization/coordination of travel reservations/planning and specialized travel query processing, determining/optimizing prices for goods/services, local and distributed postage metering, shipping (e.g., route planning, special handling, package tracking, RFID usage), transportation (e.g., fare, parking, tolls), utility usage (e.g., metering, pricing for consumed quantities of a utility), electronic trading, backend processing of financial trades, complex trading strategies of hedge funds (e.g., desire/need for complex strategies and how hedge funds utilize technology to carry out these complex strategies), derivative trading (e.g., credit default swaps). Mechanical and electrical applications including: automobiles, transportation systems, building structures, firearms, aeronautics, material handling, radio and acoustic wave communications, earth boring, animal husbandry, plant husbandry.
TC 3700 - Mechanical Engineering, Manufacturing and Products: Educational games; electric amusement devices; boot and shoe making; special receptacle or package; textiles; apparel; article carriers; tools; cutlery; metal working; manufacturing of electrical semiconductor, superconductor and nanotechnology; diagnostic medical imaging including MRI, X-Ray, ultrasound, visible and infrared imaging, nuclear and microwave imaging, and optical imaging; electronic controls for prosthetic devices (external prosthetics, gait analysis, etc.); exercise equipment; cell and tissue engineering; lung and heart-assist devices and fully implantable devices; internal combustion engines; heat engines; solar energy; turbochargers; exhaust gas treatment; catalytic converters; engine control systems; fluid power plants; refrigeration; heating systems for structures; electrical heating devices; valves and valve actuation; fluid handling; and pumps.
