| DefinitionThis is the residual home for all subject matter, not elsewhere classified, relating to the measuring, testing (or sensing) of electric properties, (e.g., determining ground resistivity, determining frequency of an alternating current, determining kilowatt hour demand), or the measuring, testing or sensing of nonelectric properties by electric means (e.g., determining moisture, a nonelectric property, by measuring conductance with a resistance bridge; determining speed, a nonelectric property by use of an electric tachometer). (1) Note. Measuring and testing have been distinguished as being quantitative and qualitative, respectively, but in these definitions the terms are used synonymously. (2) Note. This class was produced in 1953 by making official the unofficial digests which had been established by the Examiners of Class 175 (Division 48) during the period from about 1905 to 1952, and, in the case of subclasses 76+, by cursorily revising the unofficial digests which had been established by the Examiners of Classes 171 and 172 (Division 69) during the period from about 1902 to 1952. 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 only some of the individual patents were 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 upon 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. (3) Note. Measuring and testing requires sensing and signaling or indicating to exhibit the result of the sensing. Sensing is synonymous with condition responsive. Sensing merely detects the presence and/or magnitude of the condition. (4) Note. Since many other classes include condition responsive subclasses, often entitled automatically responsive or automatic, the search for sensing, in order to be complete, must extend to the class which relates to the environment in which the sensing occurs. Some of these classes are listed below under SEARCH CLASS. (5) Note. Since Class 324 takes, under the class definition, only measuring and testing not elsewhere classified, the search, in order to be complete, must in appropriate instances extend to the other classes listed below under SEARCH CLASS. (6) Note. The combination of the subject matter of this class (324) and an 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, as where a test is made of the condition of a portion of a telephone system without making said portion of the telephone system unavailable for use. 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 (324). For a list of some of the other classes which contain pertinent subject matter, see the classes referred to under SEARCH CLASS. | Lines with other classes and within this classClass 324, subclasses 870.01+ take telemetric-signaling means useful in transmitting a measured quantity, not limited to any particular measuring instrument provided for in other classes, while Class 324 takes such telemetric-signaling means in combination with a particular measuring means of the type provided for in Class 324. LINE BETWEEN CLASS 340 AND CLASS 324 See Class 340, Communications: Electrical, appropriate subclasses, for subject matter sometimes similar to that in Class 324. Often, but not invariably, the line between these two classes is as follows: If the testing system is permanently associated with the environment being tested, as in a machine monitoring device or in a burglar alarm, classification is in Class 340, while if it is temporarily associated, as in a portable test set, such as used by linemen, classification is in Class 324. Note particularly subclasses 870.01+ for telemetering and subclasses 500+ for signaling, automatically responsive to a condition. LINE BETWEEN CLASS 429 AND CLASS 324 See Class 429, Chemistry: Electrical Current Producing Apparatus, Product and Process, subclasses 61+ for automatic battery control means combined with the battery, and subclasses 90+ for battery having measuring, testing, and indicating means. See Class 324, subclasses 20+ and Class 340, subclasses 636.1-636.21 for this subject matter. |
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