US PATENT CLASS 340
Class Notes


Current as of: June, 1999
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340 /   HD   COMMUNICATIONS: ELECTRICAL



DEFINITION

Classification: 340/

This is the residual home for subject matter, not elsewhere classified, relating to communication by means which are in part or in whole electrical.

Communications is defined, for the purpose of this definition, as being the handling of information or intelligence and is not restricted to the conveying of said information or intelligence between geographically spaced points. (Thus, a traffic obstruction light which merely marks a safety island is a means for communicating information or intelligence, viz., the fact of the presence of the traffic island).

Information or intelligence is defined, for the purpose of this definition, as being the subject matter which is handled by signaling systems or signaling devices (such as telegraph systems) or by that portion of nonsignaling systems or nonsignaling devices (such as power supply systems) which is designated in the arts as having a control function (such as the supervisory circuits which control the circuit breakers of an electric power network).

Handling, as used above, is defined as being the active coaction between the tangible communication system or device and the intangible information or intelligence, and such coaction may assume various forms, such as transmission, storage, exhibiting, etc.

(1) Note. Since Class 340 takes, under the class definition, only those electrical communication systems which are not elsewhere classified, the search, in order to be complete, must, in appropriate instances, extend elsewhere. See Lines With Other Classes, below.

(2) Note. The combination of the subject matter of this class (340) and art environment is generally classified with the art environment where that environment is significant, either by virtue of a significant disclosed relationship or by virtue of a claimed relationship. Where the art environment is recited by name only, the combination may be classified, in some instances, with the art environment, and in others, in this class (340). For a list of some of the other classes which contain pertinent subject matter, see the classes referred to under SEARCH CLASS.

(3) Note. This classification was produced in 1952 by making official the unofficial digests which had been established by the Examiners of Division 42 during the period from about 1910 to about 1942. A caveat is given: While it is believed that the titles and definitions are reasonably correct, no assurance can be given that all of the patents, issued prior to the date of reclassification, are in the proper subclass, since the individual patents were not read during the

reclassification project. Consequently, in making a thorough search in this class, it is advisable to investigate every subclass which may possibly be pertinent and not, in order to shorten the search, to rely on the principle of superiority of subclass subject matter because of position in schedule, since the principle is applicable only in classes where each patent has been analyzed and placed in the schedule in accordance with that portion of the disclosed subject matter which is claimed.

LINES WITH OTHER CLASSES Since Class 340 takes, under the class definition, only those electrical communication systems which are not elsewhere classified, the search, in order to be complete, must, in appropriate instances, extend to Class 178, Class 246, Class 250, Class 332, Class 343, Class 346, Class 348, and Class 379. See References to Other Classes, below.

LINE BETWEEN CLASSES 116, 250, 340, AND 343

Class 250, Radiant Energy, for signaling systems of the radiant energy type. Such signaling systems are coextensively classified in Class 343, and the class definitions of these two classes should be consulted for the line between Classes 250 and 343, and the class definition of Class 343 for the line between Classes 343 and 116. Note that Class 340 provides for telemetering along a radiant energy beam and for signaling systems having a radiant energy responsive detector.

LINE BETWEEN CLASSES 342, 250, 340, AND 343

Class 342, Communications: Directive Radio Wave Systems and Devices (e.g., Radar, Radio Navigation) appropriate subclasses for signaling systems of the radio wave energy type. See the reference to Class 250, supra, for the lines between Classes 250, 340, and 343. See Class 343 for antennas with a signal, indicator, or alarm which is responsive to the scan, sweep, or orientation of the antenna; and for antennas with a signal, indicator, or alarm responsive to some other condition of the antenna. See subclass 700 of Class 343 for certain classification lines involving antennas and signals, indicators, and alarms.

SEE OR SEARCH THIS CLASS, SUBCLASS:

901, through 996, The following conventions will apply to the definition of these subclasses: (a) A signal is an information-carrying wave; (b) A indicator is a device which makes information concerning a condition available. (c) An alarm is an indicator which makes information available only upon the occurrence of a preselected state of the condition.

289, 320, for a significantly recited electric signaling system.

533, 538, 288, and 310.01 for the combination of a Class 340 system and a Class 178 system.

REFERENCES TO OTHER CLASSES

SEE OR SEARCH CLASS 15, Brushing, Scrubbing, and General Cleaning,

339, for brushing, scrubbing and general cleaning machines having a signal or indicator to indicate the condition of the machine or work.

34, Drying and Gas or Vapor Contact With Solids,

89, for apparatus of that class combined with indicating or signaling means.

40, Card, Picture, or Sign Exhibiting,

463+, for electrically actuated changeable exhibitors, such as the advertising display type and subclasses 541+ for illuminated signs having significant sign structure in addition to electric illumination. Advertising display elements arranged in matrix are in class (345) subclasses 55+.

43, Fishing, Trapping, and Vermin Destroying,

16, 17, and 58 for the subject matter of that class combined with signals and indicators.

70, Locks,

434, for locks combined with electric recorders for indicating the previous condition of the lock, and other appropriate subclasses for locks combined with electric signals.

73, Measuring and Testing, appropriate subclasses for testing devices which make a test of the Class 73 type (usually nonelectrical and nonchemical) and signal the result of said test by electrical means. Note particularly

23.2+, 301, 304, 308, 313, 717+, 723+, 733+, and 753+. 81, Tools,

479, for torque-responsive wrenches or screwdrivers having electrical means to indicate when a selected torque is exerted.

84, Music,

405, for xylophones with electric action, subclass 407 for bell sets (carillons) with electric action and subclass 462 for electric devices responsive to playing of a musical

instrument for recording the action of said instrument.

99, Foods and Beverages: Apparatus,

285, for beverage infusers having signal means and subclasses 342+ for cookers having signal means.

100, Presses,

99, for presses having electrical means to indicate the condition of the press or the material being pressed.

109, Safes, Bank Protection, or a Related Device,

38+, for safes and analogous structures having alarm devices for signaling loss of integrity.

114, Ships, 246, for indicators for locating the position of a towed vessel with respect to the towing vessel.

116, Signals and Indicators, see Lines With Other Classes and Within This Class, in the class definition for the line between the electrical signals in Class 340 and the mechanical signals in Class 116. Search appropriate subclasses of Class 116 for mechanical signals and indicators analogous to the electrical signals and indicators of Class 340. Search

20, for helios:graphic signaling along a light ray.

118, Coating Apparatus,

712+, for coating apparatus having a signal or indicator.

119, Animal Husbandry,

14.14+, for milkers having a signal or indicator.

134, Cleaning and Liquid Contact With Solids,

113, for cleaning or wetting devices having signals or indicators.

137, Fluid Handling,

551+, for fluid handling equipment having signal or indicating means.

160, Flexible or Portable Closure, Partition, or Panel, 10, for the subject matter of that class having signals or indicators.

169, Fire Extinguishers,

19+, for fire extinguishing systems having automatically opened valves and subclass 23 for fire extinguishing systems having alarms which indicate some abnormal condition of the fire extinguishing system. The nominal combination of a fire extinguishing system, recited nonsignificantly, as by name only, and a significantly recited electric signaling system is classified in appropriate subclasses of Class 340, (for which see Subclass References to the Current Class above)

174, Electricity: Conductors and Insulators,

11, for fluid-insulated conductors having means to indicate the condition of the fluid.

177, Weighing Scales,

45+, for a weigher having an alarm or signal.

178, Telegraphy, appropriate subclasses for teles:graphic signaling. See the class definition of Class 178 for the line between Classes 178 and 340. The combination of a Class 340 system and a Class 178 system is classified in Class 340. in appropriate subclasses, see Subclass References to the Current Class above.

181, Acoustics,

101+, for mechanical compressional wave devices and systems, such as those used in seismic prospecting, subclasses 123+, for mechanical sound echo systems, and subclass 125 for mechanical sound location apparatus and methods.

182, Fire Escape, Ladder, or Scaffold, 18, for a fire escape, ladder, or scaffold having an indicator, signal or alarm.

185, Motors: Spring, Weight, or Animal Powered,

14, 36, and 44 for spring and weight motors having indicators to show the extent to which they are wound up or run down.

187, Elevator, Industrial Lift Truck, or Stationary Lift for Vehicle, appropriate subclasses for signalling means in combination or limited to use with elevator structure.

188, Brakes, appropriate subclasses for significantly claimed brakes or brake systems combined with signals.

194, Check-Actuated Control Mechanisms,

302+, for coin controlled mechanisms having a signal to indicate the condition (e.g., counterfeit coin) of the mechanism.

198, Conveyors: Power-Driven,

40, for conveyors having signaling means.

200, Electricity: Circuit Makers and Breakers,

308, for switches having indicators to indicate the position or condition of the switch. 215, Bottles and Jars,

365+, for receptacles having indicating means and subclasses 201+, 227, and 230 for closures having indicating means.

219, Electric Heating,

109, for a current supply indicator (e.g., a recorder, etc.) to a metal heating (e.g., resistance heating, etc.) pressure bonding (e.g., resistance welding, etc.) apparatus, subclass 209 combined with a diverse-type electrical art device, subclass 248 for a heating device combined with a sole plate-type pressure application means (e.g., a flatiron, etc.) including a condition-responsive indicator, subclass 269 for an igniter-type resistive element indicating means, subclass 445.1 for an exposed planar support surface for material to be heated (e.g., hot plate, etc.) including an indicator, subclasses 446.1+ for an exposed planar support surface for material to be heated (e.g., hot plate, etc.) including a sensing means, subclass 487 for a heating device having a power supply and voltage or current regulation or current control means to control or regulate plural separate distinct heating resistance elements (i.e., one control system for all elements, etc.) selectively, sequentially, or alternately including indicator means, subclass 506 for a heating device having automatic regulating or control of power supply and voltage including signal or indicator means, subclass 667 for a condition responsive temperature load sensing power switching supply system for an inductive heating device, subclass 714 for a remote control system for a microwave heating device, subclass 719 for a timer control system for a microwave heating device, or subclass 720 where a control system for a microwave heating device has a display or alarm.

221, Article Dispensing,

2+, for article dispensers not otherwise classified having indicators or signals.

222, Dispensing,

23+, for fluent material dispensing means having indicators or signals.

232, Deposit and Collection Receptacles,

34, 37 for letter boxes having signals or indicators.

234, Selective Cutting (e.g., Punching), 4+, for a typos:graphical punching machine provided with means to indicate approach to and entry into the justification zone; subclasses 13+ and 22+, for a selective cutting machine with automatic control usually initiated by an indicator or detector of a given operating condition; subclasses 59+, for a pattern-controlled selective cutting machine which may be electrically operated.

235, Registers,

61, for mechanical calculators, subclasses 400+ for ordnance control data calculators, subclasses 419+ for electromechanical or mechanical record controlled calculators, subclasses 435+ for coded record sensors, and subclasses 487+ for coded records adapted to be read by machine.

241, Solid Material Comminution or Disintegration,

101.01, for the subject matter of that class having signals and indicators.

242, Winding, Tensioning, or Guiding,

357, 472.0+, 479.9+, 484.8, 484.9+, 534+, 563+, and 912 for a detector, signal, or indicator associated with winding or unwinding an elongated material.

246, Railway Switches and Signals, for railway signaling and control systems. See the class definition of Class 246 for the line between Classes 246 and 340.

250, Radiant Energy, for signaling systems of the radiant energy type;

306+, for methods and apparatus for inspecting solids or liquids by charged particles, subclasses 330+ for the detection of infrared patterns and the conversion of the pattern into a light image, subclasses 336.1+ for methods and apparatus to detect and indicate the intensity or frequency of invisible radiation or the testing of materials by detecting and indicating the change in invisible radiation caused by the material, and subclasses 200 to 239 for photocell light-responsive circuits and apparatus. (See Lines With Other Classes and Within This Class)

258, Railway Mail Delivery,

2, for the subject matter of that class (which includes delivery to and from airborne vehicles) having signaling features. 276, Typesetting,

11, for typesetting machines having means for indicating the length of the line set.

291, Track Sanders,

17, for track and vehicle sanding machines provided with alarms to indicate the operation thereof.

307, Electrical Transmission or Interconnection Systems, appropriate subclasses for the subject matter of that class having signals and indicators. Note that many of the systems of this class, while not having signals and indicators, have automatic controls which are analogous to signals.

312, Supports: Cabinet Structure,

234+, for cabinets having indicators.

313, Electric Lamp and Discharge Devices,

10, for electric space discharge devices, such as vacuum tubes, or electric lamps having temperature indicators.

314, Electric Lamp and Discharge Devices: Consumable Electrodes,

9, for electric arc lamps having a signal or indicator. 315, Electric Lamp and Discharge Devices: Systems,

129+, for electric gas discharge device systems or electric lamp systems having signals, indicators or alarms and subclasses 364+ for space discharge devices testing or lamp testing equipment having signals or indicators.

318, Electricity: Motive Power Systems,

490, for electric motor systems having signals or indicators.

320, Electricity: Battery or Capacitor Charging or Discharging, appropriate subclass for a battery or capacitor charging or discharging circuit combined with an indicator.

322, Electricity: Single Generator Systems,

99, for electric generator systems having signals or indicators.

324, Electricity: Measuring and Testing, appropriate subclasses for testing systems for making tests of electric properties having means to indicate the result of the test. Note

323+, for testing systems for locating ore bodies having means to indicate the result of the test, and subclasses 76.11+ for meters for measuring a property of an electric current or voltage or combination thereof (e.g., power factor, watt-hours, phase angle frequency). Telemetering

systems which utilize a meter as a portion thereof are in Class 340 subclasses 870.02+, but the meter subcombination, per se, is classified with the meters of Class 324. Telemetering systems which, by significantly claimed structure or circuit, indicate the result of an electrical test at a point remote from the point of measurement are classified with the test in Class 324, as such telemetering systems are not of general utility, but are restricted to use in Class 324 measurements.

329, Demodulators, for demodulators of modulated intelligence including continuous waves (CW), and which furnish something more than the mere indication of the initiation of the signal.

331, Oscillators, appropriate subclasses, for electric oscillation generators of utility in the communication systems of Class 340. Class 331, 64, for oscillator systems provided with an indicator, signal or alarm.

332, Modulators,

118, and 150 for modulators having signals and indicators.

333, Wave Transmission Lines and Networks, for wave transmission systems wherein electromagnetic wave energy is guided or constrained by a propagation medium of appreciable electrical length as compared to the wavelength of the propagated energy. This class includes numerous networks and components useful in communications. Note particularly

20, for wave-shaping networks of the passive type, subclasses 24+ for coupling networks including delay networks and filters, and subclasses 236+ for long lines having distributed electrical parameters, and subclasses 1+ for plural channel systems of these lines and networks.

336, Inductor Devices,

45, for inductors having movable parts and means to indicate the position of the movable part.

338, Electrical Resistors,

13+, and 68+ for variable resistors including rheostats and potentiometers.

341, Coded Data Generation or Conversion, appropriate subclasses for code conversion, transmission or generation.

342, Communications: Directive Radio Wave Systems and Devices (e.g., Radar, Radio Navigation) appropriate subclasses for signaling systems of the radio wave energy type. (See Lines With This Class and Within Other Classes.) 345, Computer Graphics Processing, Operator Interface Processing and Selective Visual Display Systems,

1+, for plural display systems and 418+ for computer s:graphics processing.

346, Recorders, appropriate subclasses for signals or indicators which record, and

16, and 17+ for recorders combined with signals and indicators.

348, Television, appropriate subclasses for television communication systems.

356, Optics: Measuring and Testing, for visible light type testing and examination instruments particularly for light radar devices in

3+, subclasses 43+ for optical pyrometers, subclasses 372+ for menstruation devices, subclass 388 for configuration comparison devices, subclass 402 for shade or color test devices, subclasses 213+ for photometers, and subclasses 237.1+ for flaw and imperfection devices.

358, Facsimile, appropriate subclasses for facsimile communication systems.

360, Dynamic Magnetic Information Storage or Retrieval, appropriate subclass for read/write dynamic storage systems.

362, Illumination, appropriate subclasses for illuminating means which may serve as signalling means.

364, Electrical Computers and Data Processing Systems,

130+, for generic data processing control systems; subclass 147 for programming methods or procedures; subclasses 400+ for particular application of data processing systems or calculating computers. 365, Static Information Storage and Retrieval, appropriate subclass for read/write static storage systems,

185.01+, for floating gate memory storage (e.g., flash memory).

367, Communications, Electrical: Acoustic Wave Systems and Devices, for electrical communication systems in which the intelligence communicated is transmitted in part as acoustic wave energy.

368, Horology: Time Measuring Systems or Devices,

46+, for electric systems which indicate time and for electric clocks.

370, Multiplex Communications, appropriate subclasses for multiplexing systems.

374, Thermal Measuring and Testing,

163+, for a thermometer with an electrical heat sensor and a quantitative signalling arrangement.

377, Electrical Pulse Counters, Pulse Dividers, or Shift Registers: Circuits and Systems,

112+, for electrical counters with display or indication.

380, Cryptography, appropriate subclasses for electrical cryptos:graphic communication systems. 381, Electrical Audio Signal Processing and Systems, appropriate subclasses for one-way audio signal transmission and audio signal processing systems.

395, Information Processing System Organization,

80+, for data processing of robot control systems.

396, Photography,

429+, for a camera combined with diverse art devices.

400, Typewriting Machines, appropriate subclasses for typewriters having signals to indicate the condition or operation of the machine. Note particularly

70+,.

404, Road Structure, Process, or Apparatus,

9+, for nonelectric roadway structure designed to direct traffic.

406, Conveyors: Fluid Current,

34+, for conveyors having signals or indicators.

422, Chemical Apparatus and Process Disinfecting, Deodorizing, Preserving, or Sterilizing, 50+, or 105+ for chemical apparatus having means to electrically signal a condition of said apparatus or the result of a chemical test.

429, Chemistry: Electrical Current Producing Apparatus, Product, and Process,

90+, for battery having measuring, testing, or indicating means.

434, Education and Demonstration,

327+, for educational appliances which have a question and hidden answer, some of which signal a correct answer and subclasses 112+ for machines by which a blind person can read printed material, said machine furnishing signals which are a coded representation of the printed material.

441, Buoys, Rafts, and Aquatic Devices,

6+, for floating buoys utilized for marine navigation.

446, Amusement Devices: Toys, appropriate subclasses for various electric and magnetic toys which utilize electric signals, particularly

142, 242, 454, and 484+.

505, Superconductor Technology: Apparatus, Material, Process,

150+, for high temperature (Tc > 30 K) superconducting devices, and particularly subclasses 182+ for light responsive system or subclass 202 for electric communication system. 600, Surgery,

300+, for electric diagnostic devices having signals or indicators.

702, Data Processing: Measuring, Calibrating, or Testing, appropriate subclasses for measuring, testing, or calibrating system having significant data processing.

704, Data Processing: Speech Signal Processing, Linguistics, Language Translation and Audio Compression/Decompression,

200+, for artificial intelligence systems that process speech signals.

706, Data Processing: Intelligent Processing Systems and Methods, various subclasses for artificial intelligence systems that represent, apply, and acquire knowledge.

708, Electrical Computers: Arithmetic Processing and Calculating,

1+, for hybrid computers; subclasses 100+ for digital calculating computers, and subclasses 800+ for analog computers.

709, Electrical Computers and Digital Processing Systems: Multiple Computer or Process Coordinating,

200+, for data transfer among multiple computer systems.

714, Error Detection/Correction and Fault Detection/Recovery,

subclasses for apparatus and corresponding processes relating to generic error detection or correction, or fault detection or recovery.