| DefinitionGENERAL STATEMENT OF THE CLASS SUBJECT MATTER This class is structured into two main divisions: (A) Generic Control System, Apparatus or Process and (B) Specific Application, Apparatus or Process (1) Note. In establishing Class 700, patents from pertinent subclasses in Classes 364 and 395 were directly translated into corresponding subclasses in the new class. The general structure of Class 700 parallels that of Class 364 from which it is derived and reflects the atypical location of generic subject matter (subclasses 1-89) in hierarchical superiority to specific applications (subclasses 90-306). Notes regarding patent placement are found below. (A) This is the generic class for the combination of a data processing or calculating computer apparatus (or corresponding methods for performing data processing or calculating operations) AND a device or apparatus controlled thereby, the entirety hereinafter referred to as a "control system". (1) Note. Control systems which claim control of or control by a particular art device or environment are classified in the "Specific Application, Apparatus or Process" area of this class. Control systems which are not so limited are classified in the "Generic Control System, Apparatus or Process" area of this class. Control systems which are limited to a particular art device or environment but also include at least one claim to the generic control are classified in the "Generic Control System, Apparatus or Process" area. (2) Note. An example of such a control system includes a data processing or calculating computer interactively connected to an external device to sense a condition (e.g., position) of such external device. The processed data representing the sensed condition develops a control signal to be applied to such external device to perform a control function (e.g., optimization). (3) Note. "Apparatus" as used herein does not include internal control features of a computer which are classified elsewhere. (4) Note. Classification herein is based on control system structure or function. The search for particular details of the data processing or calculating computer structural entity is elsewhere in this class. (5) Note. For classification herein the "Apparatus" being controlled must be only nominally recited. Control systems which are limited by the claims to a particular type of process or have a specific utility are classified in the "Specific Application, Apparatus or Process" area of this class. Control systems which recite specific steps of a process or have structural details to a particular type of apparatus are classified with the appropriate art device. For example: the claimed recitation of (a) a controlled chemical process is classified in the "Generic Control System, Apparatus or Process" area of this class, (b) a controlled distillation process is classified in the "Specific Application, Apparatus or Process" area of this class and (c) a controlled chemical process which involves a recited chemical reaction, is classified in one of the chemical classes. (6) Note. Where there is nominal claim recitation of the device or apparatus and nominal data processor or computer structure claimed, the control system is classifiable herein only when there is no class providing for the device or apparatus. (7) Note. Control systems which include an algorithm peculiar to a specific art by claim disclosure are excluded from this class and will be found in the class wherein the specific art is classified. (B) This is also the generic class for data processing or calculating computer apparatus (or corresponding methods for performing data processing or calculating operations) wherein the data processing or calculating computer apparatus is designed for or utilized in a particular art device, system, process, or environment, or is utilized for the solution of a particular problem in a field other than mathematics (arithmetic processing per se is classified elsewhere). (1) Note. Control systems which claim control of or control by a particular art device or environment are classified in the "Specific Application, Apparatus or Process" area of this class. Control systems which are not so limited are classified in the "Generic Control System, Apparatus or Process" area of this class. Control systems which are limited to a particular art device or environment but also include at least one claim to the generic control are classified in the "Generic Control System, Apparatus or Process" area. (2) Note. For classification herein, there must be significant claim recitation of the data processing system or calculating computer and only nominal claim recitation of any external art environment. Where significant structure of the external device is recited by the claims, classification is in the appropriate device class. (3) Note. This and indented subclasses will accommodate devices, systems, or processes which claim a control of or a control by a particular art device or environment and do not have a generic claim to the control; see the "Generic Control" area of this class for generic control devices. (4) Note. In view of the nature of the subject matter included herein, consideration of the classification schedule for diverse art or environment is necessary for proper search. (C) Significantly claimed apparatus external to this class, claimed in combination with apparatus under the class definition, which perform data processing or calculation operations are classified in the class appropriate to the external device unless specifically excluded therefrom. (D) Nominally claimed apparatus external to this class in combination with apparatus under the class definition is classified in this class unless provided for in the appropriate external class. |
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