How do I look up a patent number?

[TJWEST]

What is the name of your state? ca

I have been researching a patent application (referred to in earlier post) and noticed that in the "Description" section it cross-references another application number. But the other application number is in a different format than the number I see on the application I have been looking at. The description language is

"This application claims priority from U.S. Provisional Application No. 60/614,123, filed Sep. xx, 200x"

(I changed the number slightly and blocked out dates intentionally to protect the identity of my competitor. Not that its necessary, but .... well, you know)

What does this language mean? What is a US Provisional Application Number? How do I do a search for this number in the USPTO website. I enter it as this format and it acts like Im from another planet. I assume that this number translates into some other format or something.

Any Ideas are appreciated.

 

[CraigFL]

Is this what you are trying to search for?

http://www.uspto.gov/web/offices/pac/provapp.htm

 

[tanker]

Looking up patent number

You can go to Google Patents (http://www.google.com/ptshp?ie=UTF-8&oe=UTF-8&hl=en&tab=wt&q=), then type in the patent number (or name of patent holder) in the search field and it will take you to the patent. You can even read the entire patent.