US PATENT CLASS 359
Class Notes


Current as of: June, 1999
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359 /   HD   OPTICS: SYSTEMS (INCLUDING COMMUNICATION) AND ELEMENTS



DEFINITION

Classification: 359/

GENERAL STATEMENT OF THE CLASS SUBJECT MATTER

A. This is the generic class for optical elements and optical systems not elsewhere classified.

Among the optical elements included in this class are:

Lenses; Polarizers; Diffraction gratings; Prisms; Reflectors; Filters; Projection screens; Optical Modulators; Optical Demodulators; Optical Transmitters; Optical Receivers

B. Among the optical systems included in this class are:

Optical Communication; Compound lens systems; Light reflecting signalling systems (e.g., retroreflectors); Stereoscopic systems; Binocular devices; Systems of lenticular elements; Systems involving light interference; Glare reducing systems; Light dividing and combining systems; Light control systems (e.g., light valves); Building illumination with natural light; Systems for protecting or shielding elements; Optical systems whose operation depends upon polarizing, diffracting, dispersing, reflecting, or refracting light; Kaleidoscopes

C. Further included are certain apertures, closures, and viewing devices of a specialized nature which involve no intentional reflection, refraction, or filtering of light rays.

D. This class also includes optical elements combined with another type of structure(s) to constitute an optical element combined with a nonoptical structure or a perfection or improvement in the optical element. This includes filters with supports or frames; reflectors with handles, vehicles, or controlling motors; and prisms with mountings. Also, included are lenses with supports or mountings, lenses with diverse art tools, instruments or machines, lenses with casings and lenses with viewed object supports or viewed object or field illumination. Additionally, included are stereo-viewers with view changers, illumination or supporting, mounting, enclosing or light shielding structure; lenses with spacing structure such as barrels with or without an additional support, handle or illumination; and optical elements with moisture or foreign particle control. E. Included here also are certain accessories or attachments combined with optical elements such as blinds, shields, shades, and caps or covers for preventing the accumulation of dust, moisture, or other foreign material.

LINES WITH OTHER CLASSES

SUPPORTS OR MOUNTS FOR OPTICAL ELEMENTS AND SYSTEMS

Included here (359) also are supports, mounts, and frames which are particularly adapted for use with optical elements. The nominal recitation of a mirror or filter in combination with such structure is generally not sufficient for classification here, if the mirror or filter is treated as a panel or lamina of general utility. Such panels with associated components, such as frames, edging, backing, etc., mechanically and permanently assembled thereto are provided for elsewhere. Supports for such panel type structures are classified elsewhere. (See References to the Current Class, below.) However, combinations of a detailed mirror with its support are classified in this class. In the case of other optical elements, such as prisms or lenses, the broad recitation of the element in combination with the support or mounting is sufficient for classification in this class. This Class (359) provides for lenses, prisms, and filters

respectively with supports. (See Subclass References to the Current Class, below.)

Stereo-viewer supports and mountings are provided for in this class. (See Subclass References to the Current Class, below.)

NONVISIBLE RADIATION

Included in this class are not only those elements which operate in the visible portion of the spectrum, but also those which operate in the near visible portion of the spectrum (i.e., infrared and ultraviolet) in accordance with optical principles. Systems which function in both the visible and near visible portions of the spectrum are classified here unless a specific structure is claimed as a result of the utilization of invisible ray energy. Systems whose operation is restricted to the nonvisible portion of the spectrum are classified elsewhere. (See References to Other Classes, below.)

OPTICAL SYSTEM INCLUDING PHOTOCELL

Generally, where a photocell is claimed as a part of the optical system, the subject matter is excluded from this class. Such subject matter is typically provided for with the art for radiant energy or measuring and testing. However, where a modulating signal is recovered from a modulated light wave (as in an optical communication receiver or in an optical demodulator), classification is in Class 359. (See References to Other Classes, below.)

OPTICAL WAVEGUIDES

Optical waveguiding elements, per se, are classified in elsewhere. Also, combinations of an optical waveguide with an associated mechanical connecting device or a device coupling light into or out of the optical waveguide are classified elsewhere. (See References to Other Classes, below.) OPTICAL MODULATION

An optical modulator, in general, is classified in this class (359). However, optical modulation occuring solely within the confines of an optical waveguide is excluded from this class. Such subject matter is provided for in Class 385.

OPTICAL AMPLIFICATION OR FREQUENCY CONVERSION

A detailed optical amplifier/frequency converter, per se, or such subject matter in combination with an additional waveguide structure is classified in this class (359). However, the nominal recitation of any type of optical amplifier/frequency converter together with an additional waveguide structure is classified elsewhere where such combination meets the class requirements.

MEASURING AND TESTING

A claimed image forming optical system plus a reticle is classified in this class. Sighting instruments for determining geometrical relationships where no significant optical system is claimed are classified elsewhere. Measuring and testing systems which determine the optical characteristics of light so as to measure materials and provides for lens or reflective image former testing are classified elsewhere. Eye examining and testing instruments are classified elsewhere. (See References to Other Classes, below.)

LASERS

Lasers and similar devices, per se, are excluded from this class. See References to Other Classes for lasers and similar devices when they function as a generator of coherent electromagnetic waves in the optical range.

OPTICAL TELEMETRY

Optical telemetry includes the combination of an optical data link between multiple locations together with a specific sensor used in a particular environment. Since the overall combination specifies an environment or specific sensor, the environment or sensor will control the classification. The following are examples of proper art areas for optical telemetry:

(1) Wellbore telemetry including any type of radiant energy; (i.e., optical, radio, etc.). (See References to Other Classes, below.) (2) An optical data link in combination with a specific sensor, unless there is a place for the specific sensor in another class. (See References to Other Classes, below.)

COMPOSITIONS AND STOCK MATERIAL

Where there is no shape or structure peculiar to optical elements as in compositions or stock material, the subject matter is excluded from this class. See References to Other Classes, below, for classes that provide for these compositions and stock material.

OPTICAL ELEMENTS CLASSIFIED ELSEWHERE

For Optical Elements Classified Elsewhere, see References to Other Classes, below.

OPTICAL ELEMENTS COMBINED WITH DIVERSE TYPE ART DEVICES

An optical element combined with a diverse type art device where the element results in an improvement or perfection of the device is generally classified with the device. See Subclass References to the Current Class, below, for a

reference to details of this distinction with reference to lenses, and also for references to combinations of a reflector and diverse type art device. The combination of an optical element and an electric discharge device is provided for elsewhere. See Class Definition, section D, above. (See References to Other Classes, below.)

For Classes that are more common external classifications of systems including or combined with optical elements, see References to Other Classes, below.

METHODS OF MAKING OPTICAL ELEMENTS CLASSIFIED ELSEWHERE

For Methods of Making Optical Elements Classified Elsewhere, see References to Other Classes, below.

SEE OR SEARCH THIS CLASS, SUBCLASS: 477, for stereo-viewer supports and mountings.

871+, for combinations of a detailed mirror with its support.

811+, 831, and 892 provide for lenses, prisms, and filters respectively with supports.

809, see (1) Note for details of the following distinction with reference to lenses: an optical element combined with a diverse type art device where the element results in an improvement or perfection of the device is generally classified with the device.

838, under "SEARCH CLASS" for numerous combinations of a reflector and diverse type art device.

REFERENCES TO OTHER CLASSES

SEE OR SEARCH CLASS

33, Geometrical Instruments,

227+, for sighting devices for determining geometrical relationships. (See Lines With Other Classes and Within This Class, "Optical Elements Combined With Diverse Type Art Devices.")

33, Geometrical Instruments, for sighting instruments for determining geometrical relationships where no significant optical system is claimed. (Lines With Other Classes and Within This Class, "Measuring and Testing")

52, Static Structures (e.g., Buildings), provides for such panels with associated components, such as frames, edging, backing, etc., mechanically and permanently assembled thereto. (See Lines With Other Classes and Within This Class, "Supports or Mounts for Optical Elements and Systems, " above.) 65, Glass Manufacturing,

385+, for processes for forming optical fibers, waveguides, or preforms; subclass 31 for chemical glass etching; subclasses 37+ for glass lens making. (See Lines With Other Classes, "Methods of Making Optical Elements Classified Elsewhere.")

117, Single-Crystal, Oriented-Crystal, and Epitaxy Growth Processes; Non-Coating Apparatus Therefor, for processes and non-coating apparatus for growing therein-defined single-crystal of all types of materials, including inorganic or organic. (See Lines With Other Classes, "Methods of Making Optical Elements Classified Elsewhere.")

156, Adhesive Bonding and Miscellaneous Chemical Manufacture,

99+, for optically transparent glass sandwich making. (See Lines With Other Classes, "Methods of Making Optical Elements Classified Elsewhere.")

205, Electrolysis: Processes, Compositions Used Therein, and Methods of Preparing the Compositions,

71, for the electroforming of a mirror or reflector and subclass 116 for producing a mirror or reflector by electrolytic coating. (See Lines With Other Classes, "Methods of Making Optical Elements Classified Elsewhere.")

248, Supports,

466+, provides for supports for panel type structures. (See Lines With Other Classes and Within This Class, "Supports or Mounts for Optical Elements and Systems," above.)

250, Radiant Energy,

200+, for optical systems for controlling or controlled by a photocell and subclasses 336.1 to 395 for methods and apparatus for the detection of invisible, radiation or the testing of material by invisible radiation for the production, transmission, control or general utilization of invisible radiant energy, including cathode rays, ultra-violet rays and the radiations and emanations of radio-active substances and the irradiation of material not limited to particular arts. (See Lines With Other Classes and Within This Class, "Optical Elements Combined With Diverse Type Art Devices.'')

250, Radiant Energy, for systems whose operation is restricted to the nonvisible portion of the spectrum. (See Lines With Other Classes and Within This Class, "Nonvisible Radiation.") 250, Radiant Energy,

200+, generally, where a photocell is claimed as a part of the optical system. (See Lines With Other Classes and Within This Class, "Optical System Including Photocell.")

252, Compositions, for compositions generally,

299.01+, providing for compositions of liquid crystals and subclasses 582+ providing for other light transmission modifying compositions. (See Lines With Other Classes and Within This Class, "Compositions and Stock Material.")

264, Plastic and Nonmetallic Article Shaping or Treating: Processes,

1.1+, for optical article shaping or treating. (See Lines With Other Classes, "Methods of Making Optical Elements Classified Elsewhere.")

313, Electric Lamp and Discharge Devices,

110+, for an electron lamp or discharge device having an optical device structurally combined therewith. (See Lines With Other Classes and Within This Class, "Optical Elements Combined With Diverse Type Art Devices.")

340, Communications: Electrical,

815.76, for lens type indicator. (See Lines With Other Classes and Within This Class, "Optical Elements Classified Elsewhere.'')

340, Communications: Electrical, 853.1+, for wellbore telemetry including any type of radiant energy; (i.e., optical, radio, etc.). (See Lines With Other Classes and Within This Class, "Optical Telemetry," above.)

340, Communications: Electrical,

870.28+, for an optical data link in combination with a specific sensor. (See Lines With Other Classes and Within This Class, "Optical Telemetry," above.)

343, Communications: Radio Wave Antennas,

909+, for radio wave refracting means and filters. (See Lines With Other Classes and Within This Class, "Optical Elements Classified Elsewhere.")

348, Television,

195+, 335+, 744+, and 832+ for optical systems included in television systems. (See Lines With Other Classes and Within This Class, "Optical Elements Combined With Diverse Type Art Devices.")

351, Optics: Eye Examining, Vision Testing and Correcting,

159+, for spectacle lenses. (See Lines With Other Classes and Within This Class, "Optical Elements Classified Elsewhere.")

351, Optics: Eye Examining, Vision Testing and Correcting, for spectacles and instruments for vision testing and eye examining. (See Lines With Other Classes and Within This Class, "Optical Elements Combined With Diverse Type Art Devices.")

351, Optics: Eye Examining, Vision Testing and Correcting, 200+, for eye examining and testing instruments. (Lines With Other Classes and Within This Class, "Measuring and Testing")

352, Optics: Motion Pictures, for optical systems used in motion picture apparatus. (See Lines With Other Classes and Within This Class, "Optical Elements Combined With Diverse Type Art Devices.")

353, Optics: Image Projectors, for image projectors. (See Lines With Other Classes and Within This Class, "Optical Elements Combined With Diverse Type Art Devices.")

356, Optics: Measuring and Testing,

396, for measurements involving moire patterns caused by plural optical grids relatively movable with respect to each other and subclass 242.1 for moire pattern examination of mesh or grid like material including knitted fabrics to determine the number of threads, lines or the spacing between the lines. (See Lines With Other Classes and Within This Class, "Optical Elements Classified Elsewhere.")

356, Optics: Measuring and Testing, for methods and apparatus for analyzing light, determining the optical or nonoptical properties of materials, measuring optically dimensions, determining optically spatial relations and inspecting optically for flaws and imperfections, within the scope of this class and not otherwise classifiable. (See Lines With Other Classes and Within This Class, "Optical Elements Combined With Diverse Type Art Device.")

356, Optics: Measuring and Testing, provides generally for measuring and testing systems which determine the optical characteristics of light so as to measure materials and provides in

124+, for lens or reflective image former testing. (Lines With Other Classes and Within This Class, "Measuring and Testing")

358, Facsimile,

400+, for optical systems included in facsimile systems. (See Lines With Other Classes and Within This Class, "Optical Elements Combined With Diverse Type Art Devices.")

362, Illumination, 341+, and 326+ respectively for reflecting and refracting elements to be used with an artificial source of illumination.

362, Illumination, appropriate subclasses for light sources combined with optical light modifiers, especially

19, for light sources with polarizers; subclasses 166+ and 293 for light sources with selected wavelength filters; subclass 268 for light sources combined with plural serial lens elements; subclasses 296+ for light sources with reflectors; subclasses 326+ and 341+ for refractors and reflectors, respectively for use with light sources. (See Lines With Other Classes and Within This Class, "Optical Elements Combined With Diverse Type Art Devices.")

365, Static Information Storage and Retrieval,

64, 106+, 120+, 215+, and 234+ for systems and circuits utilizing radiant energy. (See Lines With Other Classes and Within This Class, "Optical Elements Combined With Diverse Type Art Devices.")

372, Coherent Light Generators, appropriate subclasses for oscillators of the quantum electronic type for generating coherent electromagnetic waves in the optical range by stimulated emission of radiation (e.g., lasers, irasers). (See Lines With Other Classes and Within This Class, "Optical Elements Combined With Diverse Type Art Devices.")

372, Coherent Light Generators, appropriate subclasses for lasers and similar devices, per se, when they function as a generator of coherent electromagnetic waves in the optical range. (See Lines With Other Classes and Within This Class, "Lasers," above.)

378, X-Ray or Gamma Ray Systems or Devices,

145+, for X-ray beam control devices. (See Lines With Other Classes and Within This Class, "Optical Elements Combined With Diverse Type Art Devices.")

385, Optical Waveguides, appropriate subclasses for light wave transmitting devices. (See Lines With Other Classes and Within This Class, "Optical Elements Classified Elsewhere.")

396, Photography, appropriate subclasses for still cameras. (See Lines With Other Classes and Within This Class, "Optical Elements Combined With Diverse Type Art Devices.")

399, Electrophotography,

9+, for diagnostics, subclasses 38+ for controls, subclasses 130+ for image formation, subclasses 168+ for charging, subclasses 177+ for exposure, subclasses 222+ for development, subclasses 297+ for transfer, subclasses 320+ for fixing, subclasses 343+ for cleaning, and subclasses 361+ for document handling. (See Lines With Other Classes and Within This Class, "Optical Elements Combined With Diverse Type Art Devices.")

424, Drug, Bio-Affecting and Body Treating Compositions,

59+, for a sun or radiation screening or sun tanning composition intended for topical application to a living body. (See Lines With Other Classes and Within This Class, "Compositions and Stock Materia.")

427, Coating Processes,

162+, for coating processes, per se, wherein the product is an optical element. (See Lines With Other Classes, "Methods of Making Optical Elements Classified Elsewhere.")

428, Stock Material or Miscellaneous Articles,

1.1, for miscellaneous liquid crystal articles and appropriate subclasses for a metallic or nonmetallic stock material product in the form of a single or plural layer web or sheet or a structurally defined or coated rod, strand, fiber flake or other element and a nonstructural metallic or nonmetallic composite web or sheet defined by the compositions of the layers. Note subclass 910 (a cross-reference art collection) for a product with molecular orientation. (See Lines With Other Classes and Within This Class, "Compositions and Stock Material.")

451, Abrading,

42+, for a lens grinding process and subclasses 323 and 325 for a machine for grinding an optical lens. (See Lines With Other Classes, "Methods of Making Optical Elements Classified Elsewhere.")

505, Superconductor Technology: Apparatus, Material, Process,

100+, for high temperature (Tc 30 K) superconducting material. (See Lines With Other Classes and Within This Class, "Compositions and Stock Materia.") 505, Superconductor Technology: Apparatus, Material, Process,

150+, for high temperature (Tc 30 K) superconducting device, and particularly subclasses 181+ for photoconductive, light transmissive, light emissive, or light responsive device or component. (See Lines With Other

Classes and Within This Class, "Optical Elements Classified Elsewhere.")

505, Superconductor Technology: Apparatus, Material, Process,

150+, for high temperature (Tc 30 K) superconducting device; and particularly subclasses 181+ for photoconductive, light transmissive, light emissive, or light responsive device or component. (See Lines With Other Classes and Within This Class, "Optical Elements Combined With Diverse Type Art Devices.")

702, Data Processing: Measuring, Calibrating, or Testing,

40, 49, 134+, and 172 for the use of radiant energy (e.g., X-ray, light, etc.) in a mechanical measurement system, flow metering, temperature measuring system, or system for measuring thickness or width, respectively, and subclass 159 for measuring of linear distance or length by reflected signal (e.g., ultrasonic, light, laser).

708, Electrical Computers: Arithmetic Processing and Calculating,

816, for optical correlation or convolution and subclass 831 for electro-optical analog integrators. This class will accept optical computers where the resultant mathematical operation is in the form of an electrical signal. For mathematical operations performed by optical means, classification is in Class 359.

GLOSSARY:

BINOCULAR

Pertaining to the use of both eyes in the act of viewing. BIREFRINGENT

Certain crystalline materials have their outer electrons bound more strongly in one direction than another resulting in the material having two refractive indices depending on the direction of the oscillation. Such materials are termed birefringent and, if an unpolarized light ray enters such a material obliquely, it will be refracted into two different linearly polarized rays having directions of polarization which are normal to one another.

DICHROIC

As used in one sense, the term dichroic refers to (1) the property of some materials to absorb to a greater degree one or the other of the two orthogonal component vectors which can be considered as constituting ordinary light. This results in producing light polarized to a degree depending upon the relative absorption of the two components. The term

dichroic is also used to refer to (2) an optical element which will transmit light of one color and reflect other colors with little light being absorbed. These elements are usually composed of superimposed strata of dielectric materials.

DIFFRACTION

A phenomenon resulting from the wave nature of light, e.g., light passing through a slit of decreasing width, forms a narrower and narrower beam until the slit width approaches the wavelength of light, after which further decreasing of the slit width results in a beam having a larger and larger divergence.

DIFFRACTION PATTERN

The intensity profile of a light beam after having passed by a diffracting aperture or object.

DIFFUSE

Pertaining to the scattering or random deviation of transmitted or reflected light.

HOLOGRAPHY The optical recording of an object wave formed by the resulting interference pattern of two (or more) mutually coherent, component light beams. Generally, a coherent beam is first split into two component beams, one of which irradiates an object, the second of which irradiates a recording medium. The diffraction or scattering of the first wave by the object forms an object wave which proceeds to and interferes with a second coherent beam (i.e., reference beam) at the medium. The resulting pattern is a two-dimensional (thin) or three-dimensional (thick) hologram of the object wave, depending on the thickness of the recording medium.

IMAGE FORMER

An optical device capable of producing an image from light rays proceeding from an object.

INTERFERENCE

The interaction of two light waves which, as a result of their relative phases, produce a cancellation or reinforcement of wave energy.

LIGHT, VISIBLE LIGHT

Visible light is radiation which stimulates the optical receptors of the eye and has a wavelength from 3850 to 7600 Angstrom units. The term light is used to refer to wavelengths in the above mentioned range and, often, also to refer to the ranges immediately adjacent, i.e., the ultra

violet and infrared ranges which are nonvisible.

OPTICAL COMMUNICATION

The conveyance of information from one location to another via at least one optical transmitter and one optical receiver. These are used to transfer the information with an optical beam and this beam can be used in various communication schemes to enable the most effective or desired method of moving the information, including optical multiplexing when plural information signals or plural transmitters and receivers are utilized.

OPTICAL ELEMENT

A structure which performs a basic optical function, i.e., the structure, when exposed to or placed in the path of a light beam, will cause refraction, diffraction, attenuation, or blocking of the light or a modification in the character or properties of the light. In lenses, the complete lens is considered an optical element, while the individual masses of a plural element lens are considered as lens elements or lens components. OPTICAL MODULATION

The change of some characteristic of an optical beam in direct relation to a varying signal applied thereto. The change may be temporal (e.g., amplitude, frequency, or phase) or directional.

OPTICAL SYSTEM

A combination of two or more similar or diverse optical elements which are optically related.

OPTICS, OPTICAL

The science of light and vision and the construction of optical instruments.

POLARIZATION

In a beam of polarized electromagnetic radiation, the polarization direction is the direction of the electric field vector (with no distinction between positive and negative as the field oscillates back and forth). The electric field vector is always in the plane which is normal to the beam propagation direction. At a given stationary point in space, the electric field vector of a beam can vary with time at random (unpolarized beam), can remain constant (plane-polarized beam), or can rotate. In the latter two cases, the beam is said to be "polarized" and can be thought of as the resultant vector of two orthogonal component vectors having equal amplitudes. If the phase difference of the two component vectors is 0 degrees, the light is plane polarized; if 90 degrees, the light is circularly polarized;

and if it is between 0 and 90 degrees, the light is elliptically polarized. Elliptical and plane polarized light can be converted into each other by means of birefringent optical systems which retard one of the orthogonal component vectors relative to the other.

REFLECTION

Light striking a surface and returning back into the medium from which it came, at an angle equal but opposite to the angle of incidence.

REFRACTION The deviation of light which results when a ray of light passes obliquely from a medium of one refractive index to a medium of another refractive index.

RETROREFLECTION

Light striking a surface and returning back into the medium in the reverse direction (i.e., a 180 degree change from its original path).

SPECTRUM

The band of colors produced by separating a beam of white light into its component frequencies.

TERMINAL IMAGE

The last image formed by a compound system.

ULTRAVIOLET/INFRARED

Electromagnetic radiation immediately above and below the optical visible frequency spectrum is termed ultraviolet and infrared, respectively. This entire range of frequencies is encompassed by the term "light."