US PATENT SUBCLASS 359 / 109
OPTICAL COMMUNICATION

Current as of: June, 1999
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359 /   HD   OPTICS: SYSTEMS (INCLUDING COMMUNICATION) AND ELEMENTS

109OPTICAL COMMUNICATION {13}
110  DF  .~> Diagnostic testing of optical communication
111  DF  .~> Interference signal transmission or elimination (e.g., jamming or antijamming)
112  DF  .~> Eavesdropping
113  DF  .~> Duplex {1}
115  DF  .~> Multiplex {7}
141  DF  .~> Underwater
142  DF  .~> Remote control {6}
149  DF  .~> Photophone {1}
152  DF  .~> Optical transceiver {1}
154  DF  .~> Transmitter and receiver system {15}
174  DF  .~> Optical repeater system {4}
180  DF  .~> Transmitter {3}
189  DF  .~> Receiver {5}

DEFINITION

Classification: 359/109

OPTICAL COMMUNICATION:

(under the class definition) Subject matter wherein an information signal is transmitted through a medium between an optical transmitter and optical receiver by means of

variation in a characteristic of light waves.

(1) Note. "Light" includes infrared and ultraviolet radiation.

(2) Note. The characteristic which is varied may include, e.g., amplitude, frequency, phase, polarity, or color.

(3) Note. This subclass includes subject matter that communicates data or information from one location to another via some optical system.

(4) Note. Apparatus having a source of light signal containing information to be conveyed to a light source via an optical link are classified in this and indented subclasses regardless of the source being controlled by a different form of energy (e.g., electrical or electromagnetic field) or the optical output of the sensor being converted to a different form of energy.

(5) Note. Optical communication to objects only within a predetermined location (i.e., direction, etc.) from the source would be classified in this or indented subclasses since the prime objective is to communicate information and the actual location is only a factor to ensure that the message goes there. The detection of range, direction, etc., of the object, without any data communication to that object, would be classified in Class 356.

(6) Note. Optical switching, per se, is classified in Class 385, Optical Waveguides, but optical switching to perform a specified function would be classified with the function. Optical switching in an optical communication system, where data is moved from one location to another, is classified in this or indented subclasses. (7) Note. The optical telemetry of Class 340, subclasses 853.1+ and Class 340, subclasses 870.28+ includes the combination of an optical communcation system, as in this subclass or the indents thereunder, combined with a particular claimed sensor. The optical communication systems of this and indented subclasses transfer optical data from one location to another via a data link but no specific sensor is set forth in the claims. For example, wellbore telemetry using any type of energy (i.e., radio, acoustic, magnetic, optic, etc.) is classified in the single art area, presently located in Class 340, subclasses 553+, since the wellbore environment is important for searching. Telemetry having a specified claimed sensor belongs with the type of sensing or in Class 340, subclasses 870.28+, if not elsewhere classified.

(8) Note. Optical communication by turning the light on and off without any modulation of the transmitted light is classified in Class 116, Signals and Indicators, subclass 20.

(9) Note. Optical communication in combination with electrical communication (Class 455, Telecommunication or Class 370, Multiplex Communications) is classified in this class.

SEE OR SEARCH THIS CLASS, SUBCLASS:

115, for optical multiplex communication with plural signal communication.

152, for optical transceivers.

174, for a repeater or relay which does not alter message content.

SEE OR SEARCH CLASS

116, Signals and Indicators, appropriate subclasses (e.g., 20) for hellios:graphic signalling wherein signals are given by mechanically-controlled intermittant flashes of light, usually reflected sunlight.

250, Radiant Energy,

200+, for electrical circuits whose operations are controlled by means of a photocell, electrical circuits for supplying current and/or potential to a photocell and photocells in combination with optical means for controlling the radiant energy which illuminated the photocell, subclasses 336.1+ for systems for detecting the presence of or measuring the quantity or quality of invisible radiant energy rays, and subclass 551 for an optical signal isolator, per se. 257, Active Solid-State Devices (e.g., Transistors, Solid-State Diodes),

13, 79-103, and 918 for incoherent light emitting injection luminescent devices.

315, Electric Lamp and Discharge Devices: Systems, appropriate subclasses for control systems for controlling the operation of electric lamps or discharge devices in which system the lamp or discharge device is the endload.

329, Demodulators, for demodulation of modulated electrical signals.

330, Amplifiers,

59, for amplifiers having light-controlled or activated devices (i.e., not optical signal), and subclass 308 for amplifiers having radiant energy impinging on a semiconductor.

331, Oscillators,

66, for electrical oscillators with a device responsive to

heat or light.

332, Modulators, for modulators of electrical signals.

340, Communications: Electrical,

853+, for wellbore telemetry that could use optical energy, and subclasses 870.28+ for telemetering systems employing radiant energy beam (e.g., Infrared) transmission. 342, Communications: Directive Radio Wave Systems and Devices (e.g., Radar, Radio Navigation), appropriate subclasses for radio wave range and direction finding apparatus (Range and Direction Finding).

348, Television,

335+, for electro-optical means utilized in a TV system.

352, Optics: Motion Pictures,

1+, for motion picture apparatus with sound accompaniment.

356, Optics: Measuring and Testing,

3+, includes optics and the optical range or remote distance finding apparatus, subclasses 26+ include optical velocity measuring, and subclasses 139+ include optical angle measuring or axial alignment.

361, Electricity: Electrical Systems and Devices,

173+, for relay or electromagnet circuits utilizing photosensitive devices.

362, Illumination,

257+, for light source and subclasses 317+ for light modifiers.

365, Static Information Storage and Retrieval, 108, for liquid crystal radiant energy type.

369, Dynamic Information Storage or Retrieval,

100+, for sound recording or reproduction utilizing electrooptical transducers or photos:graphic sound records.

372, Coherent Light Generators, for laser amplifiers and oscillators.

374, Thermal Measuring and Testing,

121+, in particular for radiation responsive thermometers.

375, Pulse or Digital Communications,

219+, for transceivers operated at radio frequencies.

378, X-Ray or Gamma Ray Systems or Devices.

379, Telephonic Communications,

56.1+, for a light wave link for speech or a paging signal, subclasses 74+ for remote control over a telephone line, and subclasses 379+ for an optical link between the line and switching system used as a part of the line or loop condition detection. 380, Cryptography,

54, for modifying an optical image to appear to be something other than what it is, i.e., to change the content to not be understandable.

455, Telecommunications, for Radio Frequency Telecommunications.