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 [Search a list of Patent Appplications for class 359]   CLASS 359,OPTICAL: SYSTEMS AND ELEMENTS
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SECTION I - CLASS DEFINITION

GENERAL STATEMENT OF THE CLASS SUBJECT MATTER

A. This is the generic class for optical elements and optical systems not elsewhere classified.

Among the optical elements included in this class are:

Lenses; Polarizers; Diffraction gratings; Prisms; Reflectors; Filters; Projection screens; Optical Modulators; Optical Demodulators.

B. Among the optical systems included in this class are:

Compound lens systems; Light reflecting signalling systems (e.g., retroreflectors); Stereoscopic systems; Binocular devices; Systems of lenticular elements; Systems involving light interference; Glare reducing systems; Light dividing and combining systems; Light control systems (e.g., light valves); Building illumination with natural light; Systems for protecting or shielding elements; Optical systems whose operation depends upon polarizing, diffracting, dispersing, reflecting, or refracting light; Kaleidoscopes

C. Further included are certain apertures, closures, and viewing devices of a specialized nature which involve no intentional reflection, refraction, or filtering of light rays.

D. This class also includes optical elements combined with another type of structure(s) to constitute an optical element combined with a nonoptical structure or a perfection or improvement in the optical element. This includes filters with supports or frames; reflectors with handles, vehicles, or controlling motors; and prisms with mountings. Also, included are lenses with supports or mountings, lenses with diverse art tools, instruments or machines, lenses with casings and lenses with viewed object supports or viewed object or field illumination. Additionally, included are stereo-viewers with view changers, illumination or supporting, mounting, enclosing or light shielding structure; lenses with spacing structure such as barrels with or without an additional support, handle or illumination; and optical elements with moisture or foreign particle control.

E. Included here also are certain accessories or attachments combined with optical elements such as blinds, shields, shades, and caps or covers for preventing the accumulation of dust, moisture, or other foreign material.

SECTION II - LINES WITH OTHER CLASSES AND WITHIN THIS CLASS

SUPPORTS OR MOUNTS FOR OPTICAL ELEMENTS AND SYSTEMS

Included here (359) also are supports, mounts, and frames which are particularly adapted for use with optical elements. The nominal recitation of a mirror or filter in combination with such structure is generally not sufficient for classification here, if the mirror or filter is treated as a panel or lamina of general utility. Such panels with associated components, such as frames, edging, backing, etc., mechanically and permanently assembled thereto are provided for elsewhere. Supports for such panel type structures are classified elsewhere. (See References to the Current Class, below.) However, combinations of a detailed mirror with its support are classified in this class. In the case of other optical elements, such as prisms or lenses, the broad recitation of the element in combination with the support or mounting is sufficient for classification in this class. This Class (359) provides for lenses, prisms, and filters respectively with supports. (See Subclass References to the Current Class, below.)

Stereo-viewer supports and mountings are provided for in this class. (See Subclass References to the Current Class, below.)

NONVISIBLE RADIATION

Included in this class are not only those elements which operate in the visible portion of the spectrum, but also those which operate in the near visible portion of the spectrum (i.e., infrared and ultraviolet) in accordance with optical principles. Systems which function in both the visible and near visible portions of the spectrum are classified here unless a specific structure is claimed as a result of the utilization of invisible ray energy. Systems whose operation is restricted to the nonvisible portion of the spectrum are classified elsewhere. (See References to Other Classes, below.)

OPTICAL SYSTEM INCLUDING PHOTOCELL

Generally, where a photocell is claimed as a part of the optical system, the subject matter is excluded from this class. Such subject matter is typically provided for with the art for radiant energy or measuring and testing. However, where a modulating signal is recovered from a modulated light wave (as in an optical communication receiver or in an optical demodulator), classification is in Class 359. (See References to Other Classes, below.)

OPTICAL WAVEGUIDES

Optical waveguiding elements, per se, are classified in elsewhere. Also, combinations of an optical waveguide with an associated mechanical connecting device or a device coupling light into or out of the optical waveguide are classified elsewhere. (See References to Other Classes, below.)

OPTICAL MODULATION

An optical modulator, in general, is classified in this class (359). However, optical modulation occuring solely within the confines of an optical waveguide is excluded from this class. Such subject matter is provided for in Class 385.

OPTICAL AMPLIFICATION OR FREQUENCY CONVERSION

A detailed optical amplifier/frequency converter, per se, or such subject matter in combination with an additional waveguide structure is classified in this class (359). However, the nominal recitation of any type of optical amplifier/frequency converter together with an additional waveguide structure is classified elsewhere where such combination meets the class requirements.

MEASURING AND TESTING

A claimed image forming optical system plus a reticle is classified in this class. Sighting instruments for determining geometrical relationships where no significant optical system is claimed are classified elsewhere. Measuring and testing systems which determine the optical characteristics of light so as to measure materials and provides for lens or reflective image former testing are classified elsewhere. Eye examining and testing instruments are classified elsewhere. (See References to Other Classes, below.)

LASERS

Lasers and similar devices, per se, are excluded from this class. See References to Other Classes for lasers and similar devices when they function as a generator of coherent electromagnetic waves in the optical range.

OPTICAL TELEMETRY

Optical telemetry includes the combination of an optical data link between multiple locations together with a specific sensor used in a particular environment. Since the overall combination specifies an environment or specific sensor, the environment or sensor will control the classification. The following are examples of proper art areas for optical telemetry:

(1) Wellbore telemetry including any type of radiant energy; (i.e., optical, radio, etc.). (See References to Other Classes, below.)

(2) An optical data link in combination with a specific sensor, unless there is a place for the specific sensor in another class. (See References to Other Classes, below.)

COMPOSITIONS AND STOCK MATERIAL

Where there is no shape or structure peculiar to optical elements as in compositions or stock material, the subject matter is excluded from this class. See References to Other Classes, below, for classes that provide for these compositions and stock material.

OPTICAL ELEMENTS CLASSIFIED ELSEWHERE

For Optical Elements Classified Elsewhere, see References to Other Classes, below.

OPTICAL ELEMENTS COMBINED WITH DIVERSE TYPE ART DEVICES

An optical element combined with a diverse type art device where the element results in an improvement or perfection of the device is generally classified with the device. See Subclass References to the Current Class, below, for a reference to details of this distinction with reference to lenses, and also for references to combinations of a reflector and diverse type art device. The combination of an optical element and an electric discharge device is provided for elsewhere. See Class Definition, section D, above. (See References to Other Classes, below.)

For Classes that are more common external classifications of systems including or combined with optical elements, see References to Other Classes, below.

METHODS OF MAKING OPTICAL ELEMENTS CLASSIFIED ELSEWHERE

For Methods of Making Optical Elements Classified Elsewhere, see References to Other Classes, below.

SECTION III - SUBCLASS REFERENCES TO THE CURRENT CLASS

SEE OR SEARCH THIS CLASS, SUBCLASS:

477,for stereo-viewer supports and mountings.
871+,for combinations of a detailed mirror with its support.
811+,831, and 892 provide for lenses, prisms, and filters respectively with supports.
809,see (1) Note for details of the following distinction with reference to lenses: an optical element combined with a diverse type art device where the element results in an improvement or perfection of the device is generally classified with the device.
838,under "SEARCH CLASS" for numerous combinations of a reflector and diverse type art device.

SECTION IV - REFERENCES TO OTHER CLASSES

SEE OR SEARCH CLASS:

33, Geometrical Instruments,   subclasses 227+ for sighting devices for determining geometrical relationships. (See Lines With Other Classes and Within This Class, "Optical Elements Combined With Diverse Type Art Devices.")
33, Geometrical Instruments,   for sighting instruments for determining geometrical relationships where no significant optical system is claimed. (Lines With Other Classes and Within This Class "Measuring and Testing")
52, Static Structures (e.g., Buildings),   provides for such panels with associated components, such as frames, edging, backing, etc., mechanically and permanently assembled thereto. (See Lines With Other Classes and Within This Class, "Supports or Mounts for Optical Elements and Systems" above.)
65, Glass Manufacturing,   subclasses 385+ for processes for forming optical fibers, waveguides, or preforms; subclass 31 for chemical glass etching; subclasses 37+ for glass lens making. (See Lines With Other Classes, "Methods of Making Optical Elements Classified Elsewhere.")
117, Single-Crystal, Oriented-Crystal, and Epitaxy Growth Processes; Non-Coating Apparatus Therefor,   for processes and non-coating apparatus for growing therein-defined single-crystal of all types of materials, including inorganic or organic. (See Lines With Other Classes "Methods of Making Optical Elements Classified Elsewhere.")
156, Adhesive Bonding and Miscellaneous Chemical Manufacture,   subclasses 99+ for optically transparent glass sandwich making. (See Lines With Other Classes, "Methods of Making Optical Elements Classified Elsewhere.")
205, Electrolysis: Processes, Compositions Used Therein, and Methods of Preparing the Compositions,   subclass 71 for the electroforming of a mirror or reflector and subclass 116 for producing a mirror or reflector by electrolytic coating. (See Lines With Other Classes, "Methods of Making Optical Elements Classified Elsewhere.")
248, Supports,   subclasses 466+ provides for supports for panel type structures. (See Lines With Other Classes and Within This Class, "Supports or Mounts for Optical Elements and Systems," above.)
250, Radiant Energy,   subclasses 200+ for optical systems for controlling or controlled by a photocell and subclasses 336.1 to 395 for methods and apparatus for the detection of invisible, radiation or the testing of material by invisible radiation for the production, transmission, control or general utilization of invisible radiant energy, including cathode rays, ultra-violet rays and the radiations and emanations of radio-active substances and the irradiation of material not limited to particular arts. (See Lines With Other Classes and Within This Class, "Optical Elements Combined With Diverse Type Art Devices."")
250, Radiant Energy,   for systems whose operation is restricted to the nonvisible portion of the spectrum. (See Lines With Other Classes and Within This Class "Nonvisible Radiation.")
250, Radiant Energy,   subclasses 200+ generally, where a photocell is claimed as a part of the optical system. (See Lines With Other Classes and Within This Class, "Optical System Including Photocell.")
252, Compositions,   for compositions generally, subclasses 299.01+ providing for compositions of liquid crystals and subclasses 582+ providing for other light transmission modifying compositions. (See Lines With Other Classes and Within This Class, "Compositions and Stock Material.")
264, Plastic and Nonmetallic Article Shaping or Treating: Processes,   subclasses 1.1+ for optical article shaping or treating. (See Lines With Other Classes, "Methods of Making Optical Elements Classified Elsewhere.")
313, Electric Lamp and Discharge Devices,   subclasses 110+ for an electron lamp or discharge device having an optical device structurally combined therewith. (See Lines With Other Classes and Within This Class, "Optical Elements Combined With Diverse Type Art Devices.")
340, Communications: Electrical,   subclass 815.76 for lens type indicator. (See Lines With Other Classes and Within This Class, "Optical Elements Classified Elsewhere."")
340, Communications: Electrical,   subclasses 853.1+ for wellbore telemetry including any type of radiant energy; (i.e., optical, radio, etc.). (See Lines With Other Classes and Within This Class, "Optical Telemetry," above.)
340, Communications: Electrical,   subclasses 870.28+ for an optical data link in combination with a specific sensor. (See Lines With Other Classes and Within This Class, "Optical Telemetry," above.)
343, Communications: Radio Wave Antennas,   subclasses 909+ for radio wave refracting means and filters. (See Lines With Other Classes and Within This Class, "Optical Elements Classified Elsewhere.")
348, Television,   subclasses 195+ , 335+, 744+, and 832+ for optical systems included in television systems. (See Lines With Other Classes and Within This Class, "Optical Elements Combined With Diverse Type Art Devices.")
351, Optics: Eye Examining, Vision Testing and Correcting,   subclasses 159+ for spectacle lenses. (See Lines With Other Classes and Within This Class, "Optical Elements Classified Elsewhere.")
351, Optics: Eye Examining, Vision Testing and Correcting,   for spectacles and instruments for vision testing and eye examining. (See Lines With Other Classes and Within This Class "Optical Elements Combined With Diverse Type Art Devices.")
351, Optics: Eye Examining, Vision Testing and Correcting,   subclasses 200+ for eye examining and testing instruments. (Lines With Other Classes and Within This Class, "Measuring and Testing")
352, Optics: Motion Pictures,   for optical systems used in motion picture apparatus. (See Lines With Other Classes and Within This Class "Optical Elements Combined With Diverse Type Art Devices.")
353, Optics: Image Projectors,   for image projectors. (See Lines With Other Classes and Within This Class "Optical Elements Combined With Diverse Type Art Devices.")
356, Optics: Measuring and Testing,   subclass 396 for measurements involving moire patterns caused by plural optical grids relatively movable with respect to each other and subclass 242.1 for moire pattern examination of mesh or grid like material including knitted fabrics to determine the number of threads, lines or the spacing between the lines. (See Lines With Other Classes and Within This Class, "Optical Elements Classified Elsewhere.")
356, Optics: Measuring and Testing,   for methods and apparatus for analyzing light, determining the optical or nonoptical properties of materials, measuring optically dimensions, determining optically spatial relations and inspecting optically for flaws and imperfections, within the scope of this class and not otherwise classifiable. (See Lines With Other Classes and Within This Class "Optical Elements Combined With Diverse Type Art Device.")
356, Optics: Measuring and Testing,   provides generally for measuring and testing systems which determine the optical characteristics of light so as to measure materials and provides in subclasses 124+ for lens or reflective image former testing. (Lines With Other Classes and Within This Class, "Measuring and Testing")
358, Facsimile and Static Presentation Processing,   subclasses 400 through 304for optical systems included in facsimile systems. (See Lines With Other Classes and Within This Class, "Optical Elements Combined With Diverse Type Art Devices.")
362, Illumination,   subclasses 341+ and 326+ respectively for reflecting and refracting elements to be used with an artificial source of illumination.
362, Illumination,   appropriate subclasses for light sources combined with optical light modifiers, especially subclass 19 for light sources with polarizers; subclasses 166+ and 293 for light sources with selected wavelength filters; subclass 268 for light sources combined with plural serial lens elements; subclasses 296+ for light sources with reflectors; subclasses 326+ and 341+ for refractors and reflectors, respectively for use with light sources. (See Lines With Other Classes and Within This Class, "Optical Elements Combined With Diverse Type Art Devices.")
365, Static Information Storage and Retrieval,   subclasses 64 , 106+, 120+, 215+, and 234+ for systems and circuits utilizing radiant energy. (See Lines With Other Classes and Within This Class, "Optical Elements Combined With Diverse Type Art Devices.")
372, Coherent Light Generators,   appropriate subclasses for oscillators of the quantum electronic type for generating coherent electromagnetic waves in the optical range by stimulated emission of radiation (e.g., lasers, irasers). (See Lines With Other Classes and Within This Class "Optical Elements Combined With Diverse Type Art Devices.")
372, Coherent Light Generators,   appropriate subclasses for lasers and similar devices, per se, when they function as a generator of coherent electromagnetic waves in the optical range. (See Lines With Other Classes and Within This Class "Lasers," above.)
378, X-Ray or Gamma Ray Systems or Devices,   subclasses 145+ for X-ray beam control devices. (See Lines With Other Classes and Within This Class, "Optical Elements Combined With Diverse Type Art Devices.")
385, Optical Waveguides,   appropriate subclasses for light wave transmitting devices. (See Lines With Other Classes and Within This Class "Optical Elements Classified Elsewhere.")
396, Photography,   appropriate subclasses for still cameras. (See Lines With Other Classes and Within This Class "Optical Elements Combined With Diverse Type Art Devices.")
399, Electrophotography,   subclasses 9+ for diagnostics, subclasses 38+ for controls, subclasses 130+ for image formation, subclasses 168+ for charging, subclasses 177+ for exposure, subclasses 222+ for development, subclasses 297+ for transfer, subclasses 320+ for fixing, subclasses 343+ for cleaning, and subclasses 361+ for document handling. (See Lines With Other Classes and Within This Class, "Optical Elements Combined With Diverse Type Art Devices.")
424, Drug, Bio-Affecting and Body Treating Compositions,   subclasses 59+ for a sun or radiation screening or sun tanning composition intended for topical application to a living body. (See Lines With Other Classes and Within This Class, "Compositions and Stock Materia.")
427, Coating Processes,   subclasses 162+ for coating processes, per se, wherein the product is an optical element. (See Lines With Other Classes, "Methods of Making Optical Elements Classified Elsewhere.")
428, Stock Material or Miscellaneous Articles,   subclass 1.1 for miscellaneous liquid crystal articles and appropriate subclasses for a metallic or nonmetallic stock material product in the form of a single or plural layer web or sheet or a structurally defined or coated rod, strand, fiber flake or other element and a nonstructural metallic or nonmetallic composite web or sheet defined by the compositions of the layers. Note subclass 910 (a cross-reference art collection) for a product with molecular orientation. (See Lines With Other Classes and Within This Class, "Compositions and Stock Material.")
451, Abrading,   subclasses 42+ for a lens grinding process and subclasses 323 and 325 for a machine for grinding an optical lens. (See Lines With Other Classes, "Methods of Making Optical Elements Classified Elsewhere.")
505, Superconductor Technology: Apparatus, Material, Process,   subclasses 100+ for high temperature (Tc 30 K) superconducting material. (See Lines With Other Classes and Within This Class, "Compositions and Stock Materia.")
505, Superconductor Technology: Apparatus, Material, Process,   subclasses 150+ for high temperature (Tc 30 K) superconducting device, and particularly subclasses 181+ for photoconductive, light transmissive, light emissive, or light responsive device or component. (See Lines With Other Classes and Within This Class, "Optical Elements Classified Elsewhere.")
505, Superconductor Technology: Apparatus, Material, Process,   subclasses 150+ for high temperature (Tc 30 K) superconducting device; and particularly subclasses 181+ for photoconductive, light transmissive, light emissive, or light responsive device or component. (See Lines With Other Classes and Within This Class, "Optical Elements Combined With Diverse Type Art Devices.")
702, Data Processing: Measuring, Calibrating, or Testing,   subclass 40 , 49, 134+, and 172 for the use of radiant energy (e.g., X-ray, light, etc.) in a mechanical measurement system, flow metering, temperature measuring system, or system for measuring thickness or width, respectively, and subclass 159 for measuring of linear distance or length by reflected signal (e.g., ultrasonic, light, laser).
708, Electrical Computers: Arithmetic Processing and Calculating,   subclass 816 for optical correlation or convolution and subclass 831 for electro-optical analog integrators. This class will accept optical computers where the resultant mathematical operation is in the form of an electrical signal. For mathematical operations performed by optical means, classification is in Class 359.

SECTION V - GLOSSARY

BINOCULAR

Pertaining to the use of both eyes in the act of viewing.

BIREFRINGENT

Certain crystalline materials have their outer electrons bound more strongly in one direction than another resulting in the material having two refractive indices depending on the direction of the oscillation. Such materials are termed birefringent and, if an unpolarized light ray enters such a material obliquely, it will be refracted into two different linearly polarized rays having directions of polarization which are normal to one another.

DICHROIC

As used in one sense, the term dichroic refers to (1) the property of some materials to absorb to a greater degree one or the other of the two orthogonal component vectors which can be considered as constituting ordinary light. This results in producing light polarized to a degree depending upon the relative absorption of the two components. The term dichroic is also used to refer to (2) an optical element which will transmit light of one color and reflect other colors with little light being absorbed. These elements are usually composed of superimposed strata of dielectric materials.

DIFFRACTION

A phenomenon resulting from the wave nature of light, e.g., light passing through a slit of decreasing width, forms a narrower and narrower beam until the slit width approaches the wavelength of light, after which further decreasing of the slit width results in a beam having a larger and larger divergence.

DIFFRACTION PATTERN

The intensity profile of a light beam after having passed by a diffracting aperture or object.

DIFFUSE

Pertaining to the scattering or random deviation of transmitted or reflected light.

HOLOGRAPHY

The optical recording of an object wave formed by the resulting interference pattern of two (or more) mutually coherent, component light beams. Generally, a coherent beam is first split into two component beams, one of which irradiates an object, the second of which irradiates a recording medium. The diffraction or scattering of the first wave by the object forms an object wave which proceeds to and interferes with a second coherent beam (i.e., reference beam) at the medium. The resulting pattern is a two-dimensional (thin) or three-dimensional (thick) hologram of the object wave, depending on the thickness of the recording medium.

IMAGE FORMER

An optical device capable of producing an image from light rays proceeding from an object.

INTERFERENCE

The interaction of two light waves which, as a result of their relative phases, produce a cancellation or reinforcement of wave energy.

LIGHT, VISIBLE LIGHT

Visible light is radiation which stimulates the optical receptors of the eye and has a wavelength from 3850 to 7600 Angstrom units. The term light is used to refer to wavelengths in the above mentioned range and, often, also to refer to the ranges immediately adjacent, i.e., the ultra violet and infrared ranges which are nonvisible.

OPTICAL COMMUNICATION

The conveyance of information from one location to another via at least one optical transmitter and one optical receiver. These are used to transfer the information with an optical beam and this beam can be used in various communication schemes to enable the most effective or desired method of moving the information, including optical multiplexing when plural information signals or plural transmitters and receivers are utilized.

OPTICAL ELEMENT

A structure which performs a basic optical function, i.e., the structure, when exposed to or placed in the path of a light beam, will cause refraction, diffraction, attenuation, or blocking of the light or a modification in the character or properties of the light. In lenses, the complete lens is considered an optical element, while the individual masses of a plural element lens are considered as lens elements or lens components.

OPTICAL MODULATION

The change of some characteristic of an optical beam in direct relation to a varying signal applied thereto. The change may be temporal (e.g., amplitude, frequency, or phase) or directional.

OPTICAL SYSTEM

A combination of two or more similar or diverse optical elements which are optically related.

OPTICS, OPTICAL

The science of light and vision and the construction of optical instruments.

POLARIZATION

In a beam of polarized electromagnetic radiation, the polarization direction is the direction of the electric field vector (with no distinction between positive and negative as the field oscillates back and forth). The electric field vector is always in the plane which is normal to the beam propagation direction. At a given stationary point in space, the electric field vector of a beam can vary with time at random (unpolarized beam), can remain constant (plane-polarized beam), or can rotate. In the latter two cases, the beam is said to be "polarized" and can be thought of as the resultant vector of two orthogonal component vectors having equal amplitudes. If the phase difference of the two component vectors is 0 degrees, the light is plane polarized; if 90 degrees, the light is circularly polarized; and if it is between 0 and 90 degrees, the light is elliptically polarized. Elliptical and plane polarized light can be converted into each other by means of birefringent optical systems which retard one of the orthogonal component vectors relative to the other.

REFLECTION

Light striking a surface and returning back into the medium from which it came, at an angle equal but opposite to the angle of incidence.

REFRACTION

The deviation of light which results when a ray of light passes obliquely from a medium of one refractive index to a medium of another refractive index.

RETROREFLECTION

Light striking a surface and returning back into the medium in the reverse direction (i.e., a 180 degree change from its original path).

SPECTRUM

The band of colors produced by separating a beam of white light into its component frequencies.

TERMINAL IMAGE

The last image formed by a compound system.

ULTRAVIOLET/INFRARED

Electromagnetic radiation immediately above and below the optical visible frequency spectrum is termed ultraviolet and infrared, respectively. This entire range of frequencies is encompassed by the term "light."

SUBCLASSES

[List of Patents for class 359 subclass 1]    1HOLOGRAPHIC SYSTEM OR ELEMENT:
 This subclass is indented under the class definition.  Subject matter wherein apparatus for forming a record of the phase and amplitude information of a wavefront where the information can be used to reconstruct the original wavefront; apparatus to reconstruct the original wavefront from a record containing the phase and amplitude information of this wavefront; or the record itself is recited.
(1) Note. This subclass is the generic locus for subject matter relating to holography. However, where particular use or application is claimed, classification is in the appropriate use or application class.
(2) Note. Nominally claimed subject matter external to this class in combination with holography is classified here. Significantly claimed subject matter external to this class in combination with holography is classified in the class appropriate to the external subject matter.
(3) Note. Interferometers are excluded from this subclass and are classified in Class 356, subclasses 345+.
(4) Note. Holographic memories including those having a nominal recitation of a photodetector or photocell are included in this or the indented subclasses. Static holographic storage and retrieval systems having electrical circuitry are classified in Class 365.
(5) Note. Dynamic holographic storage and retreival systems having eletrical circuitry are classified in Class 369.
(6) Note. Mere nominal recitation of developing, fixing, bleaching, or etching a photographic recording medium does not exclude the subject matter from this class. Holographic systems including significant chemical processing steps are classifed in Class 430, Radiation Imagery Chemistry: Process, Composition, or Product Thereof.
(7) Note. Systems for making holographic matched filters are included in this and the indented subclasses.

SEE OR SEARCH THIS CLASS, SUBCLASS:

558+,for correlation systems using holographic matched filters.

SEE OR SEARCH CLASS:

73, Measuring and Testing,   subclasses 603+ and 656 for acoustic holographic testing and for holographic interferometry in which an object is acted upon during the test, as for example, stressed or vibrated.
235, Registers,   subclass 457 for holographic coded record sensors with particular circuitry to process electrical signals.
250, Radiant Energy,   appropriate subclasses, for holographic systems that use radiation entirely outside of the optical or microwave ranges and which is not acoustic, and subclass 550 for photocell circuits and apparatus for interference pattern analysis (e.g., holography).
283, Printed Matter,   appropriate subclasses for holograms in combination with credit or identification cards.
340, Communications: Electrical,   subclass 980 for nonalarm flight indicator visible in pilot"s line-of-sight through windscreen..
342, Communications: Directive Radio Wave Systems and Devices (e.g., Radar, Radio Navigation),   subclasses 176+ for head up display combined with radar.
345, Computer Graphics Processing and Selective Visual Display Systems,   subclasses 7+ for heads-up displays with selective electrical control.
348, Television,   subclasses 40+ for television systems which use holography.
355, Photocopying,   subclass 2 for photographic copying of holograms by nonholographic means.
356, Optics: Measuring and Testing,   subclass 457 for holographic interferometry in general.
365, Static Information Storage and Retrieval,   subclass 125 , 216, and 235 for holographic storage and retrieval of information systems including significant and particular electrical circuitry.
367, Communications, Electrical: Acoustic Wave Systems and Devices,   subclasses 8+ for acoustic holography in general.
369, Dynamic Information Storage or Retrieval,   subclass 103 for dynamic storage or retrieval using a holographic storage medium.
378, X-Ray or Gamma Ray Systems or Devices,   subclass 36 for X-ray holography or interferometry.
380, Cryptography,   subclass 54 for this subject matter used in a device for revealing concealed information.
382, Image Analysis,   subclasses 210+ for spatial filtering (e.g., holography) in a pattern recognition system.
396, Photography,   for photography in general.
430, Radiation Imagery Chemistry: Process, Composition, or Product Thereof,   subclasses 1+ for holographic systems involving significant chemical processing steps, composition, or product.
600, Surgery,   subclasses 101+ for endoscopes.
708, Electrical Computers: Arithmetic Processing and Calculating,   appropriate subclasses for electrical computers or data processing arithmetic systems which may use holography.
  
[List of Patents for class 359 subclass 2]    2Authentication:
 This subclass is indented under subclass 1.  Subject matter wherein a hologram is used to provide proof that a document is not counterfeit or to make a document copy-proof.

SEE OR SEARCH CLASS:

283, Printed Matter,   for document authentification with nominally recited holograms.
380, Cryptography,   subclass 54 for modifying an optical image in order to conceal or reveal a hidden message.
  
[List of Patents for class 359 subclass 3]    3Having particular recording medium:
 This subclass is indented under subclass 1.  Subject matter in which details of the internal structure of a holographic recording medium is defined either physically or chemically.
(1) Note. An example of such a physical definition: "a multilayer emulsion, each layer being sensitive to a different color". A chemical defintion: "thermoplastic tape".

SEE OR SEARCH CLASS:

430, Radiation Imagery Chemistry: Process, Composition, or Product Thereof,   subclass 1 for holographic processes involving significant chemical processing steps composition or product; and appropriate subclasses for radiation chemical recording media, per se.
  
[List of Patents for class 359 subclass 4]    4Recyclable:
 This subclass is indented under subclass 3.  Subject matter in which the recording medium is of such a nature that the recorded information can be erased to permit further record-erase cycles.
(1) Note. Included here are photochromics, thermochromics, dye cells, magnetic films, etc.
  
[List of Patents for class 359 subclass 5]    5Magnetic material:
 This subclass is indented under subclass 4.  Subject matter wherein the recording medium is a material which is alterable by application of magnetic force.
  
[List of Patents for class 359 subclass 6]    6Sandwich having photoconductor:
 This subclass is indented under subclass 4.  Subject matter in which the recording medium is integral with a layer of material which, when illuminated, undergoes a decrease in resistance.

SEE OR SEARCH CLASS:

257, Active Solid-State Devices (e.g., Transistors, Solid-State Diodes),   subclasses 10 , 11, 21, 53-56, 72, 113-118, 184-189, 225-234, 257, 258, 290-294, 414, 431-466, and 910 for light responsive active semiconductor devices.
  
[List of Patents for class 359 subclass 7]    7Cyrstalline material:
 This subclass is indented under subclass 4.  Subject matter in which the recording material is either a single crystal or in polycrystalline form.
  
[List of Patents for class 359 subclass 8]    8Having nonplanar recording medium surface:
 This subclass is indented under subclass 3.  Subject matter in which an illuminated portion of the recording medium surface is curved, as into a cylinder, or bent or folded during recording or readout.
  
[List of Patents for class 359 subclass 9]    9For synthetically generating a hologram:
 This subclass is indented under subclass 1.  Subject matter including means for providing a hologram of a single object by other than a single exposure to the interference pattern of light from the object as a whole and a reference beam.
(1) Note. Holographic stereograms are considered recordings of different images and are excluded from this subclass.
(2) Note. Holographic memories are excluded in which an object beam is scanned so as to act as a page composer when each bit is intended to be separately detected.

SEE OR SEARCH THIS CLASS, SUBCLASS:

23,for holographic stereograms.
  
[List of Patents for class 359 subclass 10]    10Using modulated or plural reference beams:
 This subclass is indented under subclass 1.  Subject matter in which a hologram is formed by interfering an object-modulated beam with another beam which is spatially or temporally modulated or with a plurality of other beams.
(1) Note. Phase modulation systems to compensate for object motion and systems for extending the depth of fluid are included here.
  
[List of Patents for class 359 subclass 11]    11Spatial, phase or amplitude modulation:
 This subclass is indented under subclass 10.  Subject matter in which the reference beam is modulated by changing its phase, path length, or amplitude so as to have a nonuniform wavefront.

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22+,for spatial multiplexed holograms.

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365, Static Information Storage and Retrieval,   subclass 49.1 for associative holographic memories.
  
[List of Patents for class 359 subclass 12]    12Copying by holographic means:
 This subclass is indented under subclass 1.  Subject matter in which an image reconstructed from one hologram is used as the object in making a second hologram.
(1) Note. Systems in which a holographic analog to an ordinary optical element is used to shape or form a beam used to make a second hologram, but which does not by itself provide the object information for the second hologram are excluded. Such systems are classified based on the other claimed features in subclass 1 and its indented subclasses.

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355, Photocopying,   appropriate subclasses for photographic copying, in general.
399, Electrophotography,   subclass 118 for optics with particular modular or displaceable structure, subclass 137 optical intermediate storage of original image, subclasses 196+ for variable magnification during exposure, subclass 216 for slit exposure by pivoting mirror, subclass 218 for lens used in exposure, and subclass 219 for fiber optics used in exposure.
  
[List of Patents for class 359 subclass 13]    13Head up display:
 This subclass is indented under subclass 1.  Subject matter wherein a first image is optically superimposed upon a second image within a field of view.

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345, Computer Graphics Processing and Selective Visual Display Systems,   subclasses 7+ for heads-up displays with selective electrical control.
  
[List of Patents for class 359 subclass 14]    14Holograph on curved substrate:
 This subclass is indented under subclass 13.  Subject matter wherein a holograph is formed on a medium which is not flat.
  
[List of Patents for class 359 subclass 15]    15Using a hologram as an optical element:
 This subclass is indented under subclass 1.  Subject matter wherein a holographic equivalent to an ordinary optical element is formed or used and wherein the holographic equivalent does not itself contain any intelligence or image information more significant than a point image.
(1) Note. The optical elements for which the hologram may be substituted include lenses, reflectors, diffusers, gratings, polarizers, beam splitters or combiners, filters, and phase plates or beam couplers.
  
[List of Patents for class 359 subclass 16]    16With aberration correction:
 This subclass is indented under subclass 15.  Subject matter which compensates for the inability of an optical system to provide a point to point correspondence between an object and its image.
  
[List of Patents for class 359 subclass 17]    17Scanner:
 This subclass is indented under subclass 15.  Subject matter in which a hologram is used to direct a beam of light successively over the elements of a given region.
(1) Note. Systems using a holographic element to convert one scan pattern to another are included here.
  
[List of Patents for class 359 subclass 18]    18Flat rotating disk:
 This subclass is indented under subclass 17.  Subject matter where the scanning element is a planar surface, containing holographic segments, which is rotated about an axis normal to the surface.
  
[List of Patents for class 359 subclass 19]    19Lens:
 This subclass is indented under subclass 15.  Subject matter in which the holographic equivalent is an optical device which focuses light.
(1) Note. Holograms which are used to form a single image of an extended two- or three-dimensional object are included here.

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362+,for compound lens systems.
642+,for lenses.
  
[List of Patents for class 359 subclass 20]    20Multiple point hologram (e.g., fly-eye lens, etc.):
 This subclass is indented under subclass 19.  Subject matter wherein a hologram, which simulates one produced by the interference of two beams with one of the beams consisting of a plurality of separate subbeams, is produced which is the analog of a plurality of lenses in a plane such as lenticular or fly eye lens array.
  
[List of Patents for class 359 subclass 21]    21Having defined page composer:
 This subclass is indented under subclass 1.  Subject matter including the details of the internal structure of a changeable modulator, which serves as the principle object in a system for making a plurality of holograms, where the internal conditions of the modulator represent the intelligence to be recorded in the holograms.
(1) Note. Systems in which a page composer is merely nominally recited are excluded from this subclass and are classified on the basis of the other claimed features in subclass 1 and its indented subclasses.
  
[List of Patents for class 359 subclass 22]    22For producing or reconstructing images from multiple holograms (e.g., color, etc.):
 This subclass is indented under subclass 1.  Subject matter comprising systems specifically adapted for making a plurality of holograms, simultaneously or sequentially, of different intelligence or for reading out images from a plurality of holograms.
(1) Note. Holographic stereograms are classified in subclass 23.

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9,for synthetically generating holograms.
23,for holographic stereograms.
  
[List of Patents for class 359 subclass 23]    23Holographic stereogram:
 This subclass is indented under subclass 22.  Subject matter including a series of holograms made from a series of two-dimensional pictures of a three-dimensional object, each picture representing a different parallactic view of the object, and upon readout the hologram series represents a three-dimensional view to an observer.

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9,for synthetically generating a hologram.
462+,for nonholographic stereoscopic devices.
  
[List of Patents for class 359 subclass 24]    24Superimposed holograms only:
 This subclass is indented under subclass 22.  Subject matter in which the plurality of holograms are fully overlapped on the same recording medium only.
(1) Note. Typical subject matter of this subclass include (a) holograms made with multicolor illumination and (b) systems using spatial frequency multiplexing or pupil separation.
  
[List of Patents for class 359 subclass 25]    25Discrete hologram only:
 This subclass is indented under subclass 22.  Subject matter in which the plurality of holograms are arranged in a side-by-side relationship on only one integral recording medium or have an equivalent fixed side-by-side spatial relationship to each other such as in a frame having windows containing the holo-grams.
(1) Note. Space division multiplexing systems wherein holograms are discretely recorded and interlaced are included here.

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23,for holographic stereograms.
  
[List of Patents for class 359 subclass 26]    26