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CLASS 327,	MISCELLANEOUS ACTIVE ELECTRICAL NONLINEAR DEVICES, CIRCUITS, AND SYSTEMS
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SECTION I - CLASS DEFINITION

This is the residual class for electrical devices, circuits or systems having an output not directly proportional to its input and comprising at least one component which can provide gain or can route electrical current and which device, circuit or system does not form a complete system such as is classified specifically elsewhere or a subcombination of utility only in such elsewhere classified system.

SECTION II - LINES WITH OTHER CLASSES AND WITHIN THIS CLASS

ACTIVE FILTERS

The filters proper for this class include at least one active device utilized in producing the transfer function defining the frequencies that will be passed.

A filter in combination with a specific load will be classified in the class providing for the load. See References to Other Classes, below for filtering of data within an electrical digital calculating computer or analog computer.

The filters within the Specific Identifiable Device, Circuit, Or System area (see above) are active filters that suppress an unwanted input signal. See Noise Filters below for additional noise filter areas within Class 327.

NOISE FILTERS

Limiting, clipping, or clamping circuits which achieve transient or signal noise reduction by filtering or otherwise are classified in this class.

Compensation for a noise signal which is a by-product of switching thereof is found in this class.

Miscellaneous unwanted signal suppression is classified in this class.

See Subclass References to the Current Class below for these art areas.

PHASE LOCK LOOP

A nonlinear phase lock loop circuit, per se, is classified in Class 327. A phase lock loop circuit in combination with a special art device, is classified with the special art device. For example, a phase lock loop claimed in combination with an oscillator is classified in Class 331, subclasses 172+, a phase lock loop in combination with a telecommunication system is classified in Class 455, and a phase lock loop in combination with a pulse or digital communication system is classified in Class 375, subclasses 111+.

See Subclass References to the Current Class below for a phase lock loop to synchronize one signal with another for the creation of a replica signal.

DIGITAL LOGIC

Digital logic, per se, is classified in Class 326 and this includes, for example, multiple connections of AND, OR, or NOT gates. However, combinations of multiple AND or OR gates, etc., which perform a particular function proper to some other class are classified in that other class. For example, an AND gate claimed to be used as a comparator, for example, will be classified in Class 327, whereas a claimed AND gate, per se, would be classified in Class 326.

MULTIVIBRATOR

Patents reciting a free running astable multivibrator, per se, are classified elsewhere. For example, see References to Other Classes for a relaxation oscillator multivibrator.

Multivibrators having one or more stable states are classified in Class 327. See Subclass References to the current Class.

Generally, detailed flip-flops, per se, are in this class, subclasses 185+; however, multifunctional or programmable logic having a flip-flop is in Class 326, subclasses 37+ and redundant logic having a flip-flop is in Class 326, subclass 12.

INTEGRATED STRUCTURE

An integrated circuit chip, per se, is classified in Class 257.

Lead frames, per se, are classified in Class 257 since these are only used to connect an integrated circuit chip externally.

An integrated circuit chip in combination with a single lead, a battery or bias without any additional circuit configuration, is classified in Class 257.

An integrated circuit chip in combination with an external circuit proper for Class 327 will be classified in Class 327 since Class 327 is higher than Class 257 in the overall class hierarchy.

Circuit interconnections (e.g., point to point, lead interconnections, diode and transistor interconnections, etc.) within the confines of the integrated circuit chip itself are classified in Class 257, whereas circuit interconnections outside the environment of an integrated circuit chip are not.

If an integrated circuit is recited with other than a nominal recitation of a utility, the patent will be classified in the utility class.

CHARGE COUPLED DEVICES

CCD"s recited as part of the circuitry within an integrated circuit chip are classified in Class 257.

CCD"s recited with other than a nominal recitation of utility are classified in the utility class. See References to Other Classes, below.

POWER SUPPLIES

Power supplies in combination with another art device, classifiable elsewhere, will be found with the other art device. Tubes or solid-state device power supplies for a nonlinear device, circuit, or system, not elsewhere classified, will remain in this class (327).

A power supply in combination with a load, (i.e., a single power supply and a single load) without any claim to a substrate circuit is classified elsewhere. See References to Other Classes, below.

The power supply patents of this class, subclasses 530+ require a nonlinear device, circuit, or system as a load or control for the power supply. A claim to a power supply circuit in combination with a substrate containing a nonlinear device, circuit, or system is classified in Class 327.

SYSTEMS WITH SPECIFIC SOURCE OF INPUT ENERGY ONLY IDENTIFIED BY CHARACTERISTIC

This class does not provide for the subject matter included herein in combination with a specific type of electromagnetic wave energy since the broad recitation of the specific source would be classifiable with the art containing that particular source of energy. However, this class will take the systems and networks of the class in combination with a source of wave energy wherein the energy is expressed only as being composed of a band of frequencies or a source of pulses, etc., or wherein the source is recited by name only as a wave energy generator (such as an oscillator, pulse generator, etc.). Where the specific details of the source are recited such systems are classified with the art which provides for systems utilizing such specific source.

MECHANICAL STRUCTURE

Claims to a specific mechanical structure in combination with generic circuitry are classified with the mechanical structure. However, claims to broad mechanical structure in combination with specific circuitry is classified in this class unless provided for in a mechanical or electrical class and provided the circuitry is nonlinear.

MEMORY CIRCUIT

A generic nonlinear circuit claimed with a memory inside the circuit is classified in this class (327), whereas a claim to generic circuitry in combination with a memory external to the circuit would be classified with the memory class.

MONITORING, TEST OR CALIBRATING

The following areas reciting monitoring, testing or calibrating take precedence over Class 327:

Class 73, subclasses 1.01+ for instrument proving or calibrating; and subclass 865.9 for testing of apparatus.

Class 324, subclass 601 for calibration, and subclasses 74+ for testing and calibrating of electric meters.

Class 342, subclasses 165+ for testing or calibrating a radar system.

Class 348, subclasses 180+ for television monitoring or testing.

Class 358, subclass 406 for facsimile measuring or testing.

Class 374, subclasses 1+ for thermal measuring and testing.

Class 455, subclass 115 for measuring, testing or monitoring of a transmitter and subclass 226 for measuring, testing, or monitoring of a receiver. Only monitoring, testing, or calibrating, not elsewhere classified, and related to nonlinear devices, circuits and systems are classified in Class 327. The following are examples of those found in Class 327: subclasses 20, 262, 292, 378, 509, and 538.

Class 600, subclass 486 for testing means inserted in the human body.

Class 702, appropriate subclasses for testing and measuring which includes a computation.

FUNCTION

Only those nonlinear circuits or systems whose function is not specifically provided for elsewhere would be classified in this class (327) subclasses 334+.

SWITCHING

See References to Other Classes, below for examples of other areas for switching;

CIRCUITS WITH ELECTRON OR OTHER CHARGED PARTICLE BEAM TUBE

Only those nonlinear circuits utilizing electron or other charged particle beams that are not classifiable in other areas would be classified in Class 327.

Examples of electron or other charged particle beam tube circuits classified elsewhere are the cyclotron and CRT circuits of Class 313.

MODULATION OR COMMUNICATION

Nonlinear circuits used in combination with a modulated signal are classified in the classes containing the communication of information via a modulated signal.

ELECTRICAL CONTROL OF MACHINES

Electrical control with a broad machine is classified with the machine, if a class exists for the machine. Only those electrical control patents, not provided for in the machine classes, would be classified in Class 327, provided the circuit is nonlinear.

NEURON CIRCUITS OR NETWORKS

Patents reciting neuron simulator circuitry, per se, and neural networks are classified elsewhere. See References to Other Classes below.

FUSIBLE LINK AND INTENTIONAL DESTRUCT CIRCUIT

Miscellaneous circuits of this type are classified in this class (327) subclass 525.

OSCILLATORS

Free running oscillators (including the asynchronous type) are classified elsewhere. See References to Other Classes below.

PERSONNEL OR DEVICE PROTECTIVE CIRCUITS

Circuits used to protect personnel from harm, or protect devices from failure (e.g., overload, power surge) are excluded from this class. See References to Other Classes below.

SYSTEMS WITH SPECIFIC LOADS IN THE OUTPUT CIRCUIT

This class does not provide for the subject matter in combination with a specific load device even though the load device is recited by name only (as a motor, loud-speaker, etc.). Such systems are classified in general with the particular art device constituting the load.

AMPLIFIERS

This class does not include electronic circuits, per se, wherein a variable electric current or voltage input signal is applied to an electrical amplifying device to control a source of electrical energy applied to the same device, and from which is derived an output signal of substantially the same waveform as the input signal and substantially linearly related thereto.

LINEAR DEVICE, CIRCUITS OR SYSTEMS

This class excludes linear resistors, reactive apparatus and insulators, per se. Although the claimed solid-state device may be active or passive and have some insulative or reactive properties, it cannot be classified in this class if the device is generally thought of as being only an insulator or reactive apparatus such as a capacitor, inductor, transformer, motor, etc.

COUNTERS

See References to Other Classes for electrical pulse counters, pulse dividers, or shift registers.

PASSIVE FILTERS

See References to Other Classes for filters utilizing lumped or distributed parameter passive elements.

SPECIAL ART DEVICES

Special art devices are to be classified with the specified device.

GAS TUBE

Circuitry utilizing gas tubes not elsewhere provided for are included here. See, Subclass References To The Current Class, below, for an example.

SECTION III - SUBCLASS REFERENCES TO THE CURRENT CLASS

SEE OR SEARCH THIS CLASS, SUBCLASS:

SECTION IV - REFERENCES TO OTHER CLASSES

SEE OR SEARCH CLASS:

SUBCLASSES

1	SPECIFIC SIGNAL DISCRIMINATING (E.G., COMPARING, SELECTING, ETC.) WITHOUT SUBSEQUENT CONTROL:
	This subclass is indented under the class definition.  Subject matter wherein an output signal is derived from one or more input signals by comparing, selecting, or distinguishing a particular input signal parameter and which parameter is not continuously thereafter regulated. SEE OR SEARCH THIS CLASS, SUBCLASS: 100+, for signal converting, shaping, or generating which may include control of the type of signal parameters found herein. SEE OR SEARCH CLASS: 250,  Radiant Energy,   subclass 250 for wave meters, subclasses 281+ for systems adapted for ionic separation or analysis and comprising phase or frequency determining devices. 318,  Electricity: Motive Power Systems,   subclass 683 for electric motor position servomechanisms involving phase comparison devices. 322,  Electricity: Single Generator Systems,   subclass 32 for automatic frequency control for generator systems. 323,  Electricity: Power Supply or Regulation Systems,   subclasses 212+ for automatic phase control systems restricted to power circuits. 324,  Electricity: Measuring and Testing,   subclasses 76.39+ for frequency measuring or testing of electricity and subclasses 76.77+ for phase comparison systems for measuring or testing electricity and involving plural inputs. 329,  Demodulators,   appropriate subclasses for demodulators of signals which have been modulated by an intelligence signal. 340,  Communications: Electrical,   subclasses 3.1 through 3.9,315, and 870.18-870.24 for electrical circuits whereby an indication or signal is transmitted to a distant point and which signal is indicative of an electrical condition which may comprise phase or frequency difference; and subclass 146.2 for digital comparator systems. 361,  Electricity: Electrical Systems and Devices,   subclasses 236+ for speed-controlled systems involving phase or frequency determining devices. 375,  Pulse or Digital Communications,   subclasses 106+ for synchronization in digital communications. 455,  Telecommunications,   subclasses 130+ for a telecommunication receiver. 714,  Error Detection/Correction and Fault Detection/Recovery,   appropriate subclasses for error detection or correction of information content of a digital signal.

2	By phase:
	This subclass is indented under subclass 1.  Subject matter wherein the discriminated input signal parameter is that fractional part of a periodic waveform which has elapsed relative to a fixed origin. (1) Note. If the time for one signal period is represented as 360 degrees along a time axis, the phase position is called the phase angle. SEE OR SEARCH THIS CLASS, SUBCLASS: 39+, for frequency comparison circuits. 231+, for phase correction or control. 261+, for output waveform production delay. SEE OR SEARCH CLASS: 303,  Fluid-Pressure and Analogous Brake System,   subclasses 91+ for speed-controlled vehicle systems. 329,  Demodulators,   subclasses 345+ for phase angle demodulation in which a intelligence signal is extracted. 331,  Oscillators,   subclasses 1+ for systems for stabilizing the frequency of an oscillator utilizing phase or frequency comparison devices, and subclasses 37+ for systems wherein two or more frequencies are combined to produce a beat frequency. 332,  Modulators,   subclasses 144+ for systems wherein the phase of a carrier wave is modulated by an arbitrarily varying quantity. 455,  Telecommunications,   subclasses 214+ , for frequency or phase modulation with particular discrimination or detection.

3	Comparison between plural inputs (e.g., phase angle indication, lead-lag discriminator, etc.):
	This subclass is indented under subclass 2.  Subject matter wherein the output signal is indicative of the phase positioning or phase differences among two or more input signals. (1) Note. Detectors producing an output which is a result of demodulation of a carrier having previously been modulated by an intelligence waveform which varies arbitrarily will not be classified here. See SEARCH CLASS below. SEE OR SEARCH THIS CLASS, SUBCLASS: 40+, for comparison between plural input frequencies. SEE OR SEARCH CLASS: 329,  Demodulators,   subclasses 345+ for circuits producing an output which is a result of demodulation of a carrier having previously been phase modulated by an intelligence waveform. 363,  Electric Power Conversion Systems,   appropriate subclasses for phase conversion circuits with phase angle sensing. 455,  Telecommunications,   subclasses 130+ for mixers or converters utilized in a superheterodyne receiver (commonly referred to as a first detector).

4	With transducer:
	This subclass is indented under subclass 3.  Subject matter wherein a device is included that converts energy forms other than electrical into electrical energy. (1) Note. The other energy forms may be mechanical, thermal, hydraulic, or chemical, etc.

5	With input derived from feedback:
	This subclass is indented under subclass 3.  Subject matter wherein a portion of the output signal is returned to one of the plural inputs.

6	With electron space discharge:
	This subclass is indented under subclass 3.  Subject matter including a vacuum tube device or a gaseous medium within a gas tight envelope in which electron conduction takes place through the vacuum or gas.

7	With reference signal:
	This subclass is indented under subclass 3.  Subject matter wherein a signal of fixed phase acts as a constant for comparison to a variable input. (1) Note. The reference signal is usually an input signal or produced from an input signal. SEE OR SEARCH THIS CLASS, SUBCLASS: 42, for frequency comparison between a fixed reference frequency and a variable input.

8	With varying frequency:
	This subclass is indented under subclass 7.  Subject matter wherein the reference signal varies over a range of different frequencies or the reference signal is compared to different frequency signals.

9	With sampling:
	This subclass is indented under subclass 7.  Subject matter wherein a reference signal is derived by representation of an input signal at intermittently timed intervals. SEE OR SEARCH THIS CLASS, SUBCLASS: 91+, for details of sampling or holding in general.

10	Uniform pulse waveform:
	This subclass is indented under subclass 7.  Subject matter wherein the reference signal is a series of pulses evenly spaced. SEE OR SEARCH THIS CLASS, SUBCLASS: 42, for a frequency comparison between a fixed reference frequency and a variable input.

11	With transformer:
	This subclass is indented under subclass 7.  Subject matter wherein an electromagnetic induction device transfers electrical energy from one circuit to another adjacent circuit at a constant frequency. (1) Note. A transformer changes voltage in direct proportion to the ratio of the number of turns of its primary and secondary windings. SEE OR SEARCH CLASS: 336,  Inductor Devices,   appropriate subclasses for transformer details.

12	With logic or bistable circuit:
	Subject matter under 3 wherein the phase comparison (a) includes a device performing Boolean functions such as AND, OR, or exclusive-OR or (b) utilizes a device having two stable states. (1) Note. The combination of logic with specific phase comparison circuitry or function, not elsewhere classified is classified here. SEE OR SEARCH THIS CLASS, SUBCLASS: 185+, for particular stable state circuits including bistable. SEE OR SEARCH CLASS: 326,  Electronic Digital Logic Circuitry,   subclasses 93+ for clocking or synchronizing of one or more logic stages and appropriate subclasses for general digital logic circuitry not classified elsewhere. 331,  Oscillators,   subclass 1 for automatic frequency control synchronization with logic elements.

13	By shape:
	This subclass is indented under subclass 1.  Subject matter wherein input signal discriminating is based upon a predetermined geometric configuration. SEE OR SEARCH THIS CLASS, SUBCLASS: 134, for sawtooth or triangular wave producing systems with slope or duration control. 172+, for pulse signal shaping with duration or width control. SEE OR SEARCH CLASS: 348,  Television,   subclasses 525+ for sync separating systems which may depend upon differences in the slope or shape of the input pulses. 455,  Telecommunications,   subclasses 296+ for static or noise elimination in radio receivers which may depend upon the slope or shape of the pulse present in the input signal applied to the receiver.

14	Slope:
	This subclass is indented under subclass 13.  Subject matter wherein the predetermined geometric configuration is signal rate of change. (1) Note. The rate of change may be determined by digital means (such as counters) or analog means (such as slope detection using a charging capacitor). SEE OR SEARCH THIS CLASS, SUBCLASS: 134, for sawtooth or triangular waveform generation with slope control. 170, for slope control of a pulse or clock waveform. 261+, for output waveform production delay. 335, for the miscellaneous determination of the derivative of an input signal.

15	With direction (i.e., positive or negative):
	This subclass is indented under subclass 14.  Subject matter wherein the output signal indicates an upward or downward inclination of the input.

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