This is the generic class for electronic digital logic devices, circuitry and subcombinations thereof, wherein non-arithmetical operations are performed upon discrete electrical signals representing a value normally described by numerical digits.
COMBINATION WITH BASIC SUBJECT MATTER INCLUDED IN THISCLASS:
Included in this class (326) is subject matter relating to:
1. digital circuits which perform basic logic functions such as AND, OR, NAND, NOR, EX-OR, or NOT;
2. decoder, inhibitor, multifunctional, or programmable logic circuits, etc., which perform basic logic functions and are used in an environment that is not related to any particular art provided for by other classes;
3. circuits that are used to control the performance of digital logic circuits, such as accelerating, switching, reliability, transmission integrity, etc.;
4. circuits that are used to control the functioning or to interface logical devices or circuitry, such as driving, clocking, or synchronizing.
NOTES TO THE CLASS DEFINITION (1) Note. An electronic device is a device in which conduction is principally by the movement of electrons through a vacuum, gas, semiconductor or superconductor. This definition excludes inductors, capacitors, resistors, and similar components which deal primarily with the conduction of large currents of electricity through metals.
(2) Note. Logic is a science dealing with the basic principles and applications of truth tables, Boolean algebra, etc. and is also called symbolic logic which is a mathematical approach to the solution of complex situations by the use of symbols to define basic concepts. The three basic logic symbols are AND, OR, and NOT. When used in Boolean algebra, these symbols are somewhat analogous to addition and multiplication.
(3) Note. Examples of non-arithmetical operations are selecting, searching, sorting, or matching. Half-adder circuits in this class accepting two binary inputs are also considered non-arithmetic.
(4) Note. Discrete signals are discontinuous signals which can only assume a finite number of states.
(5) Note. Numerical digits are symbols that represent a specific quantity or amount of units.
(6) Note. The value described may include a value represented by a pulse repetition rate.
(7) Note. A full adder circuit, which is a half adder circuit with look ahead carry (three binary inputs), is considered arithmetic and is classified elsewhere. See References to Other Classes, below, for an electric digital calculating computer.
LINES WITH OTHER CLASSES
COMBINATION WITH BASIC SUBJECT MATTER EXCLUDED FROM THISCLASS:
The combination of the subject matter of this class and another art environment is generally classified with the art device where the environment is significant by virtue of the claimed relationship. Examples include: Logic devices combined with memory systems; Logic devices in arithmetical calculators; Logic circuits in signal discriminators using coincidence function.
See References to Other Classes for the above art areas and to complete the search for subject matter of Class 326. DIGITAL LOGIC DEVICES EXCLUDED FROM THIS CLASS:
Some particular types of digital logic devices are not classified in this class (326), such as:
Fluidic logic devices
Saturated non-linear reactor logic circuits
Detailed flip-flops, per se, generally are classified elsewhere; however, a multifunctional or programmable logic
having a flip-flop is found in this class (326) and redundant logic having a flip-flop is also found in this class (326). See Subclass References to the Current Class, below.
Pulse counters, pulse dividers, or shift registers are classified elsewhere.
Optical logic gates are excluded from this class.
Laser logic systems are excluded from this class.
Neuron circuits are excluded from this class.
See References to Other Classes for the above art areas and to complete the search for subject matter of Class 326.
SEE OR SEARCH THIS CLASS, SUBCLASS: 12, for redundant logic having a flip-flop.
37+, for a multifunctional or programmable logic having a flip-flop.
REFERENCES TO OTHER CLASSES
SEE OR SEARCH CLASS
102, Ammunition and Explosives,
215, for ignition devices and systems including a logic circuit.
123, Internal-Combustion Engines,
444, having fluidic logic control means.
180, Motor Vehicles,
65.8, for electric power control circuit including an electronic digital logic device.
235, Registers,
200+, for a fluidic logic device. 250, Radiant Energy,
209, 213, and 214 for logic circuits which control a photocell.
257, Active Solid-State Devices (e.g., Transistors, Solid-State Diodes), appropriate subclasses for non-linear, active solid-state devices, per se, without any significant external electrical circuitry.
307, Electrical Transmission or Interconnection Systems, particularly
404, and 407+ for saturated non-linear reactor logic circuit.
324, Electricity: Measuring and Testing,
73.1, for testing of electrical device parameters in printed circuits.
327, Miscellaneous Active Electrical Nonlinear Circuits, Devices, and Systems, especially
1+, for signal discriminating, comparing, or selecting circuits that use logic circuits; subclasses 23+ for logic circuits in signal discriminators using coincidence function; subclasses 185+ for detailed flip-flops, per se, generally; however, a multifunctional or programmable logic having a flip-flop is found in this class (326), See Lines With Other Classes, above; subclasses 199+ for signal converting, shaping, or generating circuits that use detailed flip-flops; and subclasses 365+ for miscellaneous gating circuits.
329, Demodulators,
303, 309, 310, and 343 for demodulators using logic gate, flip-flop, or digital logic circuitry. 331, Oscillators,
1+, and digest 3 for an oscillator having logic elements.
332, Modulators,
101, 104 for a modulator having a logic element or discrete semiconductor device.
340, Communications: Electrical,
146.2, for digital comparator systems and subclass 825.87 for a semiconductor crosspoint matrix switch with logic function.
341, Coded Data Generation or Conversion,
134, for analog to or from digital conversion with an integrated injection logic device.
359, Optics: Systems (Including Communication) and Elements,
108, for an optical computing device using logic gate.
361, Electricity: Electrical Systems and Devices,
397+, for printed circuit boards having diverse electrical devices.
365, Static Information Storage and Retrieval,
5, for magnetic bubbles including a logic device; subclass 89 for magnetic shift registers including a logic device; subclass 189.08 for read/write circuits including plural element logic arrangement; and subclass 167 for read/write systems which use a simulating biological cell as a storage element.
365, Static Information Storage and Retrieval,
189.08, for logic devices in combination with memory systems
372, Coherent Light Generators,
8, for a laser logic system.
377, Electrical Pulse Counters, Pulse Dividers, or Shift Registers: Circuits and Systems,
73, and 74 for shift register including an input logic circuit; subclass 81 for shift register transfer means with logic circuit; and subclasses 116 and 117 for master-slave transfer means including logic circuit.
438, Semiconductor Device Manufacturing: Process, appropriate subclass for methods of making semiconductor barrier layer-type logic circuits.
439, Electrical Connectors,
55+, for a printed circuit assembly with detachable connectors. 505, Superconductor Technology: Apparatus, Material, Process
858, and 859 for cross-reference art collections relating to electrical transmission or interconnection using digital logic circuitry.
706, Data Processing: Intelligent Processing Systems and Methods,
15+, for neural circuits.
708, Electrical Computers: Arithmetic Processing and Calculating,
100+, for logic devices in arithmetical calculators.
711, Electrical Computers and Digital Processing Systems; Memory,
100+, for logic devices in combination with memory systems.
714, Error Detection/Correction and Fault
Detection/Recovery,
724+, for testing of information content of a digital logic signal.
GLOSSARY:DIGITAL SIGNAL
An electrical signal with discrete, well-defined logic levels or states. Digital normally means binary or two-state.
DIGITAL CIRCUIT
A circuit which operates at two or more discrete well-defined logic levels or states, in the manner of a switch, such as either "on" or "off" or "high" or "low" (i.e., high voltage or low voltage).
ELECTRONIC
Pertaining to that branch of science which deals with the motion, emission, and behavior of currents of free electrons, especially in vacuum, gas, or phototubes and special conductors or semiconductors. The term electronic is contrasted with electric, which pertains to the flow of large currents in metal conductors.
ELECTRONIC DEVICE
A device in which conduction is principally by the movement of electrons through a vacuum, gas, or semiconductor. This definition excludes inductors, capacitors, resistors, and similar components.
LOGIC
The science dealing with the basic principles and applications of truth tables, Boolean algebra, etc.
SOLID-STATE
(a) Technology utilizing solid semiconductors in place of vacuum tubes for amplification, rectification, or switching. (b) Pertaining to circuits and components using semiconductors. SOLID-STATE DEVICE
An electronic device which operates by virtue of the movement of electrons within a solid piece of semiconductor material.