This is the generic class for circuits or devices for making a count of electrical pulses; for circuits or devices for producing output pulses which are a fraction of the number of input pulses i.e., pulse dividers of for devices where information is stored in and serially transferred through a storage medium i.e., shift registers. Also included are pulse multipliers which make use of pulse dividing circuits.
(1) Note. The pulse dividers classified in this class make use of circuits or devices having a gating or switching action. For frequency changers which do not use such elements, e.g., parametric frequency converters, harmonic generators, etc. see the search notes.
(2) Note. In reference to counting electrical pulses it is not necessary that a display means be claimed in order for the subject matter to be classified in this class.
(3) Note. Magnetic counters are classified here; however magnetic shift registers for static storage and retrieval of information are a specialized form of shift register which are excluded from this class. See References to Other Classes, below.
(4) Note. Where shift register circuits are used to perform a memory or storage function and specific structure relating to such function is claimed, e.g., relating to a "read", "write", or "erase" function, the subject matter is classified elsewhere. See References to Other Classes, below.
(5) Note. A single "flip-flop" or bistable device is excluded from this class even though it can be considered a divide-by-two circuit. Such subject matter is classified elsewhere. See References to Other Classes, below. Where a plurality of "flip-flops" are connected together in series the circuit comprises a dividing or counting chain and is classified in this class.
(6) Note. The electrical pulses which are applied to a counter may originate as mechanical pulses and be
subsequently converted to electrical pulses.
Also included are applications using counters i.e., systems or devices performing functions other than counting and where a counter is used to indicate something about the state or operating condition of the device or system. Also included are counters, dividers, or shift registers used in circuit configurations which comprise more than a counter, per se, but where the configuration is not provided for in one of the existing Electrical Classes.
COMBINATIONS OF OTHER APPARATUS WHICH INCLUDE THE APPARATUSOF THIS CLASS
Applications of counters as mentioned in the class definition are classified here only if significant structure of the device or apparatus external to the counter is not claimed. Otherwise, classification is in the appropriate device or application class.
REFERENCES TO OTHER CLASSES
SEE OR SEARCH CLASS
235, Registers, especially
93, 105 for mechanical registers or counters.
307, Electrical Transmission or Interconnection Systems,
424, for parametric frequency converters.
327, Miscellaneous Active Electrical Nonlinear Devices, Circuits, and Systems,
114+, for miscellaneous pulse frequency modification (e.g., multiplication or division) which does not utilize the multiplying or dividing elements classified herein, subclasses 185+ for a single "flip-flop" or a miscellaneous bistable circuit which may be used in counting chains, and subclasses 365+ for miscellaneous gating circuits.
331, Oscillators, 1+, for phase locked loop circuits which make extensive use of pulse dividing circuits.
340, Communications: Electrical,
825.65+, for counters used in selective circuits, subclass 825.68 for shift registers used in selective circuits.
341, Coded Data Generation or Conversion,
50+, for data converters which may make use of pulse dividing and shift register circuits.
361, Electricity: Electrical Systems and Devices,
168.1+, where the "flip-flop" uses relays.
363, Electric Power Conversion Systems,
8, 9+, and 157+ for frequency conversion used in power applications.
364, Electrical Computers and Data Processing Systems, for electronic computers which make extensive use of pulse dividing and shift register circuits.
365, Static Information Storage and Retrieval, 1+, for magnetic bubble counters, subclasses 73+ and 78 for shift register circuits claimed as static stores, subclasses 80+ for magnetic shift registers, and subclass 236 for counting matrix rows to address the desired row or location in the memory matrix.
368, Horology: Time Measuring Systems or Devices,
85+, 155+, and 217+ electronic digital timing circuits using pulse dividing means.
370, Multiplex Communications, for multiplex systems which make extensive use of shift register circuits.
399, Electrophotography,
75+, for machine operation of an electrophotos:graphic device reproducing copies, particularly subclasses 79+ for accounting of copies produced.