US PATENT SUBCLASS 356 / 388
BY CONFIGURATION COMPARISON

Current as of: June, 1999
Click HD for Main Headings
Click for All Classes

Internet Version by PATENTEC © 1999      Terms of Use


356 /   HD   OPTICS: MEASURING AND TESTING

388BY CONFIGURATION COMPARISON {8}
389  DF  .~> With photosensitive film or plate
390  DF  .~> With two images of single article compared
391  DF  .~> With projection on viewing screen {1}
394  DF  .~> With comparison to master, desired shape, or reference voltage
395  DF  .~> With relatively movable optical grids
396  DF  .~> With scale or optical grid displaced relative to remote fiducial mark
397  DF  .~> With object being compared and scale superimposed
398  DF  .~> With object being compared and light beam moved relative to each other (e.g., scanning)

DEFINITION

Classification: 356/388

BY CONFIGURATION COMPARISON:

(under the class definition) Subject matter including means for comparing a given configuration such as an article, record, or scale with a standard either visually or by means of a photocell, both the preceding being effected by noting the light from the margins or surfaces of the specimens and standards to an observation point.

(1) Note. The standard may be only another article of the same type.

(2) Note. In patents where a visual comparison is made of an article with a standard, the two images must be superimposed or adjacent each other for simultaneously viewing. If the images are farther apart so that they are viewed alternately, the patent is in Class 359, subclass 373; or in Class 353 if projection is claimed.

(3) Note. This subclass and those indented thereunder provide for comparing of articles where an image of the article and a scale, or the image of two articles being compared are viewed. If only the image of a scale is viewed, the patent is classified in Class 359, subclasses 436+; or Class 353 if projection is involved. If only the image of the article is viewed, the patent is classified in Class 359, subclass 373, where a compound lens system is employed; or in Class 353 if projection of an image is present.

(4) Note. Class 33 provides for patents on article testing devices where a mechanical pickup or feeler engages or contacts the workpiece even though significant optical structure is recited in the claims.

(5) Note. Class 250, especially in subclasses 216+, provides in general for photocells together with optical structure in the light path. For classification in Class

356, subclass 388 the photocell and optical combination must be so related as to or must include structure to give an indication of the comparison, such as being within or without the range of tolerance when the light beam is passed to the profile of the master or article under test.

SEE OR SEARCH CLASS 33, Geometrical Instruments, especially

501+, for testing devices including a feeler which contacts the article. See (4) Note above.

209, Classifying, Separating, and Assorting Solids, for devices for inspecting and sorting articles.

359, Optics: Systems (Including Communication) and Elements,

373, for object comparison compound lens systems; subclasses 436+ for scale readers; and subclasses 798+ and 804+ for object viewing structure involving lenses generally, i.e., not compound.

382, Image Analysis,

181+, for pattern recognition, for example printed circuit recognition by analysis of the image information.