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Definition
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.
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Lines with other classes and within this class
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. |
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