US PATENT CLASS 342
Class Notes


Current as of: June, 1999
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342 /   HD   COMMUNICATIONS: DIRECTIVE RADIO WAVE SYSTEMS AND DEVICES (E.G., RADAR, RADIO NAVIGATION)



DEFINITION

Classification: 342/

STATEMENT OF THE CLASS SUBJECT MATTER:

A. Systems and processes for transmission or reception of radio wave energy for obtaining or utilizing information (using radio wave transmitters or receivers), as to an object, or as to the directional characteristics of the radio wave energy, per se.

B. This class includes radar systems wherein radio wave energy from a transmitter is reflected or otherwise returned from an object to a receiver which may be at the same location as the transmitter.

C. This class includes subsystems, components, and related processes which are limited to use in connection with the above and not provided for elsewhere.

D. This class is limited to electromagnetic radio frequency waves in the radiation field. Radiation waves produces by lasing (coherent addition) action and induction field electromagnetic waves are excluded from this class, even though they may operate at radio frequencies. See "radio wave" definition above for other type exclusions.

REFERENCES TO OTHER CLASSES

SEE OR SEARCH CLASS

73, Measuring and Testing, 570+, for miscellaneous apparatus for testing devices by means of vibratory forces (e.g., certain types of compressional waves), see indented subclasses 584+ where sound waves are used. Class 73 provides for measuring and testing methods and apparatus which involve a radiant energy test and a nonelectrical test. Class 73 is the generic class for measuring and testing methods and apparatus, Search notes to the class definition of Class 73 should be consulted for other classes which provide for measuring and testing processes and apparatus.

89, Ordnance,

1.1+, and 41 for apparatus designed to control or move a gun for aiming it towards a target, including such apparatus where radiant energy is utilized and subclasses 1.51+ for radiant energy actuated or controlled devices for releasing bombs, flares, etc., from aircraft.

102, Ammunition and Explosives,

384, for drop bombs with direction controlling means, including those controlled by radiant energy; subclasses 416+ and the subclasses specified in the notes thereto for explosive mines adapted to be fixed automatically, the firing device of the mine being actuated by electrical, magnetic, wave or radiant energy and the igniting, per se, for such mines; and subclass 214 for fuses, primers and igniting devices for explosives which involve the utilization of electrical, magnetic, wave or radiant energy in their operation.

136, Batteries: Thermoelectric and Photoelectric,

200+, for thermoelectric generators, particularly subclasses 213+ for radiation (e.g., infrared) pyrometers.

137, Fluid Handling, appropriate subclasses for fluid flow control systems including radiant energy systems for valve

actuation.

178, Telegraphy, appropriate subclasses with respect to inductive coupling where the sole disclosure is of a radiant energy telegraph system, but the claimed subject matter is not limited to radiant energy transmission of the signals. See especially

18.07, and 19.03 for handwriting and drawing systems with inductive coupling, subclass 43 for space induction systems, subclasses 66.1+ for miscellaneous systems using alternating current (including high frequency current) to transmit the signal. Note that many of the patents in subclasses 66.1+ of Class 178 are analogous to the patents of Class 375, subclasses 259+ for miscellaneous telegraph apparatus useful in either radio or wire telegraphy, for example, subclasses 371+ for receivers and subclasses 348+ for keys.

181, Acoustics, is the generic class for inventions in sound wave radiation, transmission or reception and instruments specific thereto. 191, Electricity: Transmission to Vehicles,

10, for systems for transferring energy from a roadway or other place to a movable vehicle by means of electromagnetic induction.

244, Aeronautics,

3.1, for control means for missiles and subclass 77 for systems for automatically controlling aircraft by means of electrical apparatus and radiant energy controlled steering and for a statement as to the lines between the classes.

250, Radiant Energy,

200, 239 for light sensitive systems and subclass 336.1 for methods and apparatus utilizing invisible ray energy for measuring and detecting purposes; subclass 492.1 for methods and apparatus utilizing invisible ray energy such as X-rays, ultraviolet infrared rays. Class 250 is the generic class of radiant energy. It and other classes specified in the search class notes to it should be searched for the patents relating to radiant energy apparatus, processes and devices, especially for processes and apparatus for subjecting materials to radiant energy.

318, Electricity: Motive Power Systems,

16, for electric motor systems where the motor is controlled or supplied by space transmitted electromagnetic or electrostatic energy (including radio energy), subclass 460 for electric motor systems controlled by sound or supersonic vibrations, subclass 480 for electric motor systems controlled by radiant energy (e.g., light).

324, Electricity: Measuring and Testing, is the generic class for methods and apparatus for testing to determine electrical properties by electrical means;

323+, and 344+ provide for ore detection determination by electrical means, including the use of radio waves, except such methods and apparatus which involve the use of reflected or otherwise returned radio waves, the excepted matter being in this class (342). Class 324 provides for electrical testing methods and apparatus which include a test by means of radio waves and another electrical test.

333, Wave Transmission Lines and Networks, appropriate subclasses for wave transmission lines or networks which may be used for communication purposes wherein the wave energy is guided or constrained by a wave propagating medium of appreciable electrical length with respect to the wave length of the propagated energy. For example, 1+, provides for plural channel systems and subclasses 236+ provides for single channel long lines having distributed electrical parameters, such as parallel conductors, wave guides and shielded lines. This class also contains systems and networks useful in communication with radiant energy. See particularly subclasses 109+ for directional couplers, subclass 117 for hybrid type networks, subclass 13 for resonator type breakdown discharge systems, e.g., T-R or R-T systems, subclass 23 for dissipating terminations for long lines, subclasses 24+ for coupling networks including filters, equalizers, dealt networks and impedance matching networks and subclass 81 for attenuators.

334, Tuners, appropriate subclasses for tuner networks adapted for use in radiant energy systems.

343, Communications: Radio Wave Antennas, appropriate subclass for structural apparatus for the transmission or reception of radio waves.

345, Computer Graphics Processing, Operator Interface Processing, and Selective Visual Display Systems,

418+, for computer s:graphic processing and subclasses 326+ for computer operator interface processing.

348, Television, appropriate subclasses for television systems whether the signals are transmitted by radiant energy or otherwise.

356, Optics: Measuring and Testing, appropriate subclasses for devices which utilize visible light and optical principles for the measurement of angles, distances, chromatic effects and the intensity of light, flaw analysis and fiducial instruments not provided for elsewhere.

358, Facsimile, appropriate subclasses for facsimile systems whether the signals are transmitted by radiant energy or

otherwise.

359, Optics: Systems (Including Communication) and Elements,

109+, for light wave communication.

364, Electrical Computers and Data Processing Systems, 130+, for generic data processing control systems; subclass 300 for programming methods of procedures; subclasses 400+ for particular applications of digital data processing systems or calculating computers.

367, Communications, Electrical: Acoustic Wave Systems and Devices, appropriate subclass for apparatus for detecting objects or determining their distance or direction which are provided with means to transmit and receive sonic or supersonic waves, the sonic or supersonic waves being either generated or received by electrical means. See

87+, for echo systems, subclasses 131+ for underwater systems and subclasses 115+ for distance or direction finding. (Note that the class for acoustics has similar apparatus.)

369, Dynamic Information Storage and Retrieval,

6+, for combined radio and phonography systems.

375, Pulse or Digital Communication, appropriate subclass for pulse communication via radio waves. (Note: See the Class 178 search note above for Class 375,

259+, 371+, for and 348+ reference).

380, Cryptography, appropriate subclasses, for cryptos:graphic communications equipment.

395, Information Processing System Organization,

80+, for data processing of robot control systems.

455, Telecommunications, appropriate subclass for analog modulated carrier wave. Class 455 includes transmitters and receivers of signals having arbitrary information content, whereas Class 342 is limited to transmitter beacons, directional receivers and radar transponders of regular, periodic and in general nonvarying signals having fixed information content relating to locating or identifying a target.

505, Superconductor Technology: Apparatus, Material, Process, 150+, for high temperature (Tc 30 K) superconducting devices, and particularly subclasses 202+ for electrical communication systems.

701, Data Processing: Vehicles, Navigation, and Relative Location,

200+, and 300+ for computer applications in the area of navigation and determining the relative location between two points.

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 a plurality of spatially distributed computers or digital data processing systems.

GLOSSARY: ACTIVE ANTENNA

Part of the antenna which is directly coupled to free space and radiates electromagnetic energy into, or collects electromagnetic energy from, free space and is also directly coupled to a transmitter or receiver.

COMMUNICATION

The conveying or transferring or information; specifically a system, as a radio, television, telephone for conveying or transferring information.

DISTANCE

The space between two points, which may be immediately juxtaposed or widely spaced.

ELECTROMAGNETIC WAVE POLARIZATION CONVERTER

Structure which acts directly on the electromagnetic wave energy to modify the polarization pattern of the wave, for example, to change a plane polarized wave into a circularly polarized wave.

FAR FIELD

The space beyond the near field of an antenna in which radiation is essentially confined to a fixed pattern falls off inversely with the square of the distance.

FREE SPACE Space where the movement of energy in any direction is substantially unimpeded, such as the atmosphere, the ocean or the earth.

MESSAGE

A signal used to convey intelligence, such as telephone signals (e.g., speech).

"Message" is used in a more limited sense than "signal" for the purpose of classification in this class, in that "signal" includes the transmission of control impulses for operating mechanisms other than mere signal reproducers.

NEAR FIELD

The electromagnetic field within a distance of 1 wavelength from a transmitting antenna.

ORIENTING

Changing the beam direction of an antenna with respect to some reference point.

RADAR

Acronym for radio detecting and ranging. A system that measures distance (and usually the direction) to an object by determining the amount of time required by electromagnetic energy to travel to and return from an object. Called primary radar when signals are returned by reflection. Called secondary radar when the incident signal triggers a responder beacon and causes it to transmit a second signal.

RADIANT ENERGY

The energy (partially kinetic, partially potential) associated with waves produced in free space by a source of energy, such as light wave, electromagnetic radiation (including radio waves), or neutron and similar radiation, subsonic, supersonic and sonic waves. RADIATION

The emanation of energy into free space.

RADIATION FIELD

An electromagnetic wave whose frequency spectrum extends over a range from somewhat above the frequency of audible sound waves to somewhat below the frequency of heat and light waves. Values of 10 kilocycles and 30,000 megacycles have been given as the lower the upper limits of the range for radio waves, although values exist beyond these limits. Radio waves as defined here exclude compressional waves, light waves, heat waves, infrared waves, ultraviolet waves, X-ray, cathode rays, gamma rays, and ion beams. The radio waves are produced by oscillations of electric change in an antenna.

SIGNAL

Control impulse, wave energy, intelligence or message, such as sing, or a noise indication agreed upon, under stood and used to convey information at a distance.

TELEGRAPHY

The transmission to a distance of signals, unlimited with respect to the extent of the message communicated, by the utilization of energy, the elements of the message being selected or composed at will according to a prearranged code.

TELEPHONY

The conversion of spoken or sound waves into energy which is transmitted a distance and reconverted into sound waves for reproduction of the speech or sounds.

TELEDYNAMICS The transmission of signal energy for the control of apparatus or mechanisms, at a distance.