DefinitionThis class provides for processes and apparatus for conveying information by selectively creating on a medium a visibly distinguishable symbol* or mark* composed of a plurality of portions*. The symbol* or mark* is created portion* by portion* as, for example, by pixels or dots. The symbol* or mark* may be an alphanumeric character or an image. SCOPE OF THIS CLASS (347) (1) Note. The symbol* or mark* is created portion* by portion*. A symbol* or mark* which is not created portion* by portion* is found elsewhere. For example, printing type, typewriters, stencils, and hand stamps create a whole mark* rather than a mark* portion* by portion*. (See References to Other Classes, below, for these latter classes). (2) Note. The symbol or mark which is created using a character supporting electrode stylus by which an electrostatic charge is deposited onto or discharged from a medium is, however, classified in this class (347). (3) Note. The symbol* or mark* conveys information. Information is the communication of knowledge or intelligence. For example, an alphanumeric character and an image are marks* which convey information. A code (e.g., a bar code) is a mark* which conveys information. (4) Note. A visibly distinguishable mark* created portion* by portion* for a purpose other than conveying information is found elsewhere. For an example of a coating formed in this manner, see References to Other Classes below. (5) Note. Some portion* by portion* marks* in a specific situation are found elsewhere. For a portion* by portion* mark in the production of a printing plate see References to Other Classes, below. (6) Note. The marking* can be combined* for a special purpose. Special purpose devices are found elsewhere; e.g., facsimile devices, electrophotographic copiers, labelers, and recorders. (See References to Other Classes, below.) (7) Note. The marking* device is made up of several portions*: a combined* portion, a controller portion, a head* portion, a marking* portion, a medium portion, and a housing portion. The combined* portion is the combination of a marking* device and an external means which functions as a special information marking* system. The controller portion contains the means to direct the operation of the marking* device or any of its component parts. The head* portion contains the means which provides the marking*. The marking* portion contains the specifics of the marking* (e.g., the fluid, the impact, the heat, the electricity, and the radiation). The mechanism portion contains the medium, its handling, and its processing. The housing portion* contains an outer enclosure for the marking* device. |
Lines with other classes and within this classThis class (347) provides for "stand-alone" incremental printers such as ink jet, laser, thermal, dot-matrix, or electrostatic printers. These devices, for the most part, are now classified in Class 346, Recorders, and Class 400, Typewriting Machines. Other types of informational marking* are found elsewhere. See References to Other Classes, below. Subcombinations of this subject matter can be found in various areas. For example, media and media handling means are found elsewhere (see References to Other Classes, below). As these arts are reclassified, appropriate subject matter will be transferred to this class (347). See Other Classification Systems, below, for the appropriate IPC subclass for the art of this class (347). |
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