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CLASS 367,	COMMUNICATIONS, ELECTRICAL: ACOUSTIC WAVE SYSTEMS AND DEVICES
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SECTION I - CLASS DEFINITION

This is the residual class for the communication of information or intelligence in the form of travelling stresses in an elastic medium which are detected or generated by electric signal handling means wherein the electric signal represents the communicated information or intelligence.

This class provides for subject matter not classifiable elsewhere comprising combinations of acoustic wave transmitters, receivers, and electric signal processors as well as electrical acoustic wave transmitters, receivers, and signal processors, per se, and subcombinations of such devices whose proximate functions are limited to use in acoustic wave communications.

SECTION II - REFERENCES TO OTHER CLASSES

SEE OR SEARCH CLASS:

SUBCLASSES

1	SONAR COUNTER-MEASURES:
	This subclass is indented under the class definition.  Subject matter comprising decoys or jamming systems for rendering nonseismic echo systems or distance or direction finding systems ineffective. (1) Note. The nonseismic echo or distance or direction finding systems of this subclass type are the same as those defined in subclasses 87 and 118, respectively, below.

2	TRANSPONDER:
	This subclass is indented under the class definition.  Subject matter which receives acoustic wave energy from a remote source and, in response, transmits radiant energy (e.g., radio or acoustic wave energy) to a remote point.

3	Sonobuoys and sonobuoy systems:
	This subclass is indented under subclass 2.  Subject matter which includes an underwater acoustic wave receiver, the output of which modulates a radio transmitter contained in a buoy. SEE OR SEARCH CLASS: 441,  Buoys, Rafts, and Aquatic Devices,   subclasses 1+ for buoys, per se.

4	With component activating or deployment means:
	This subclass is indented under subclass 3.  Subject matter including structure which automatically renders an element or elements of the sonobuoy operative during descent or after entering the water.

5	With plurality of sonobuoys:
	This subclass is indented under subclass 3.  Subject matter in which two or more receiver-transmitter devices are employed.

6	With plurality of transponders:
	This subclass is indented under subclass 2.  Subject matter in which two or more receiver-transmitter devices are employed.

7	ACOUSTIC IMAGE CONVERSION:
	This subclass is indented under the class definition.  Subject matter wherein acoustic waves reflected or refracted from an object are used to form a visual representation of the exterior of the object or to form an electrical signal or record from which a visual representation of the object may be derived. SEE OR SEARCH CLASS: 73,  Measuring and Testing,   subclasses 596+ for acoustic imaging of the interior of an object. 348,  Television,   subclass 163 for acoustic imaging wherein the means which forms the visual representation is a television system. 600,  Surgery,   subclass 400 for acoustic imaging of the eye; subclass 500 for detecting blood vessel pulsation, and subclass 509 for detecting electrical heart beat signals.

8	Acoustic holography:
	This subclass is indented under subclass 7.  Subject matter in which the visible image is reconstructed from data derived from the interference pattern of the reflected or refracted acoustic waves and a coherent reference acoustic wave or from electrical signals representative of such data. SEE OR SEARCH CLASS: 73,  Measuring and Testing,   subclasses 603+ for acoustic image conversion involved in measuring or testing.

9	Seismic display:
	This subclass is indented under subclass 8.  Subject matter wherein the reflected or defracted acoustic waves travel through the earth.

10	Liquid or deformable surface holography:
	This subclass is indented under subclass 8.  Subject matter in which the reflected or refracted acoustic waves are projected onto a fluid or other elastic surface to create a ripple pattern.

11	With memory means:
	This subclass is indented under subclass 7.  Subject matter including means to store the information or intelligence being handled.

12	BEAM STABILIZATION OR COMPENSATION:
	This subclass is indented under the class definition.  Subject matter wherein the acoustic waves are received or radiated in a directional pattern and wherein means are provided to maintain a desired attitude of the pattern regardless of movement of the support for the receiving or radiating means, or wherein means is provided to counteract or neutralize undesired effects due to movement of the support for the receiving or radiating means (e.g., to correct for pitch, roll, or yaw of a vessel).

13	TESTING, MONITORING, OR CALIBRATING:
	This subclass is indented under the class definition.  Subject matter having means which determines the accuracy, operability, or operating characteristics of acoustic wave systems and elements of the class type.

14	SEISMIC PROSPECTING:
	This subclass is indented under the class definition.  Subject matter wherein the medium through which the waves travel comprises the earth or other planetary body and the system or element provides an indication of the characteristics or location of discontinuities (e.g., strata or foreign bodies) within the medium. SEE OR SEARCH CLASS: 181,  Acoustics,   subclasses 101+ for seismic prospecting systems which do not involve the handling of electric signals which contain geophysical information. 702,  Data Processing: Measuring, Calibrating, or Testing,   subclasses 14+ for computer and data processing system especially designed to be used with seismic prospecting systems.

15	Offshore prospecting:
	This subclass is indented under subclass 14.  Subject matter wherein the medium (earth) through which the acoustic waves travel is covered by a body of water and wherein the acoustic waves either emanate from the medium and travel through the water to a detector or are detected at the medium/water interface.

16	Transducer position control:
	This subclass is indented under subclass 15.  Subject matter wherein the relative depth or location of the acoustic wave source or receiver is selectively varied or maintained constant. (1) Note. Subject matter wherein the transducer is merely moved, e.g., towed, is not classifiable in this subclass or the subclasses indented hereunder without some provision for selectively changing its path of motion or to maintain it in a certain path against external influences.

17	Hydromechanical:
	This subclass is indented under subclass 16.  Subject matter wherein the position of the transducer is controlled by structure interacting dynamically with the water surrounding the transducer. (1) Note. Subject matter under subclass type is frequently referred to in the art as a "paravane".

18	Fluid variation:
	This subclass is indented under subclass 16.  Subject matter wherein the position of the transducer is controlled by varying the bouyancy of the transducer or of structure attached to it (e.g., towing cable).

19	Transducer cable location determination:
	This subclass is indented under subclass 15.  Subject matter wherein the detector is attached to a line (i.e., towing, mooring, and/or communication line) and the distance of the line from some other object (e.g., another such line) is measured. SEE OR SEARCH CLASS: 114,  Ships,   subclasses 242+ for the towing, per se, of waterborne devices.

20	Multiple hydrophone cable systems:
	This subclass is indented under subclass 15.  Subject matter having a plurality of detectors or sets of detectors each attached to different ones of a plurality of communication and/or towing lines. SEE OR SEARCH CLASS: 114,  Ships,   subclasses 242+ for the towing, per se, of waterborne devices.

21	Signal processing:
	This subclass is indented under subclass 15.  Subject matter wherein electric signals representative of the detected acoustic waves or constituents of such signals are distinguished from one another or from other kinds of signals (e.g., noise) and/or wherein the information or intelligence contained in such signals pertaining to the characteristics or location of the discontinuity is identified. SEE OR SEARCH CLASS: 702,  Data Processing: Measuring, Calibrating, or Testing,   subclasses 14+ for computer and data processing system especially designed to be used with seismic prospecting systems, particularly subclass 17 for filtering or noise reduction.

22	Transducer output weighting:
	This subclass is indented under subclass 21.  Subject matter wherein the electric signal outputs of two or more acoustic wave detectors responding to the same acoustic wave input are made to differ from one another by a certain amount.

23	Controlled source signalling:
	This subclass is indented under subclass 21.  Subject matter wherein the acoustic wave source is controlled to emit a certain acoustic wave format.

24	Reverberation removal:
	This subclass is indented under subclass 21.  Subject matter wherein the effects of the internal reflection of acoustic waves within the body of water itself are eliminated from or attenuated in the electric signals.

25	Well logging:
	This subclass is indented under subclass 14.  Subject matter wherein the deflected acoustic waves are detected by means which travels through a passageway in the earth. SEE OR SEARCH CLASS: 73,  Measuring and Testing,   subclasses 152.01+ for a well logging, per se, wherein the logging is not a purely electrical test or a purely magnetic test, especially subclasses 152.02+ for a process or an apparatus for borehole formation logging wherein the logging is not a purely electrical test or a purely magnetic test.

26	Threshold set system:
	This subclass is indented under subclass 25.  Subject matter wherein detected waves are converted to electrical signals having a characteristic (e.g., amplitude, timing) which is compared with a standard to determine the acceptability of the signal by the system.

27	Time interval measurement:
	This subclass is indented under subclass 25.  Subject matter wherein the time interval between the transmission and detection of an acoustic wave is used to determine some characteristic of the acoustic medium (i.e., earth).

28	Amplitude measurement:
	This subclass is indented under subclass 25.  Subject matter wherein the detected acoustic wave is converted to an electric signal whose amplitude is used to determine some characteristic of the acoustic medium (i.e., earth).

29	Peak amplitude:
	This subclass is indented under subclass 28.  Subject matter wherein the maximum amplitude of the signal is used to determine some characteristic of the acoustic medium.

30	Amplitude comparison:
	This subclass is indented under subclass 28.  Subject matter wherein differences in amplitudes are used to determine some characteristic of the acoustic medium. (1) Note. The difference of this subclass type may be expressed as ratios of amplitudes.

31	Of noncompressional acoustic wave energy:
	This subclass is indented under subclass 28.  Subject matter wherein the energy of propagating stresses other than compressional stresses is measured. (1) Note. Propagating stresses of this subclass type include shear waves, surface waves (which may be referred to as "Rayleigh", "Love", "tube" or "Stoneley" waves), and refracted waves (which may be referred to as "head" or "conical" waves).

32	Frequency dependent determination:
	This subclass is indented under subclass 28.  Subject matter wherein the amplitude measurement involves the utilization or finding of a frequency characteristic of the seismic signal.

33	Depth recording or control:
	This subclass is indented under subclass 25.  Subject matter wherein an electric signal representing the location of the detector in the passageway is recorded or utilized by the system. SEE OR SEARCH CLASS: 73,  Measuring and Testing,   subclasses 152.01+ for a well logging, per se, wherein the logging is not a purely electrical test or a purely magnetic test, especially subclasses 152.02+ for a process or an apparatus for borehole formation logging wherein there is a measurement of depth being correlated with another borehole measurement being made and the logging is not a purely electrical test or a purely magnetic test.

34	Received signal cycle discrimination:
	This subclass is indented under subclass 25.  Subject matter wherein particular cycles of the received signals are analyzed or processed to provide particular information or improved signal-to-noise response.

35	Borehole or casting condition:
	This subclass is indented under subclass 25.  Subject matter wherein the information or intelligence pertains to the passageway itself or to the lining of the passageway. SEE OR SEARCH CLASS: 73,  Measuring and Testing,   subclasses 152.01+ for a borehole testing, per se, wherein the test is not a purely electrical test or a purely magnetic test, especially subclass 152.57 for a process or an apparatus for testing a borehole casing condition wherein the test is not purely electrical or purely magnetic.

36	Land-refraction type:
	This subclass is indented under subclass 14.  Subject matter wherein alterations in the paths of acoustic waves due to their passage through a discontinuity into a medium of different velocity are detected and used to represent characteristics or the location of the discontinuity.

37	Land-reflection type:
	This subclass is indented under subclass 14.  Subject matter wherein alterations in the paths of acoustic waves deflected from a discontinuity without passing through it are detected and used to represent characteristics of or the location of the discontinuity.

38	Signal analysis and/or correction:
	This subclass is indented under subclass 37.  Subject matter wherein various electrical signals representative of the detected acoustic waves or constituents of such signals are distinguished from one another or from other kinds of signals (e.g., noise) and/or wherein the information or intelligence contained in such signals pertaining to the characteristics or location of the discontinuity is identified. SEE OR SEARCH CLASS: 702,  Data Processing: Measuring, Calibrating, or Testing,   subclasses 14+ for computer and data processing system especially designed to be used with seismic prospecting systems, particularly subclass 17 for filtering or noise reduction.

39	Random signal correlation:
	This subclass is indented under subclass 38.  Subject matter wherein the information or intelligence is the degree of linear relationship identified by comparing the signal with some stochastic characteristic of the transmitted or other reference signal.

40	Received correlation:
	This subclass is indented under subclass 38.  Subject matter wherein the information or intelligence is identified by comparing the signal with signals from other detectors in the system or with different time segments in the same signal. (1) Note. Subject matter of this subclass type includes visual correlation of signals or records of signals by a person.

41	Transmitted correlation:
	This subclass is indented under subclass 38.  Subject matter wherein an acoustic wave emitted by the system and reflected by a discontinuity is detected and the information or intelligence therein identified by comparing the signal representative of the detected wave with a signal representative of the emitted wave. (1) Note. In the subject matter of this subclass type and signal representative of the emitted wave may be produced by the detector in response to the detection of waves arriving thereat directly from the transmitter.

42	Standard correlation:
	This subclass is indented under subclass 38.  Subject matter wherein the information or intelligence is identified by comparing the signal representative of the detected wave with another signal of known shape. (1) Note. The signal of known shape may also drive the acoustic wave transmitter, the waves from which, reflected by discontinuities, becoming the detected waves of the subject matter of this subclass. The signal of known shape of this subclass type differ from "signal representative of the emitted wave" of the preceding subclass in that the signals driving the transmitter are not necessarily the same as signals representative of the wave actually emitted by the transmitter.

43	Filters:
	This subclass is indented under subclass 38.  Subject matter including means to attenuate and/or separate selected signals or constituent parts of complex signals.

44	Comb filters:
	This subclass is indented under subclass 43.  Subject matter wherein a plurality of selected signals or constituent parts of complex signals may be attenuated or separated simultaneously.

45	Adaptive filters:
	This subclass is indented under subclass 43.  Subject matter wherein the signal selecting characteristics of the filter are varied by the signal fed into the filter itself. (1) Note. Filters of this subclass type may appear to "learn" to pass the proper signal.

46	Inverse filters:
	This subclass is indented under subclass 43.  Subject matter wherein the selecting or attenuating characteristics are the opposite of similar characteristics of at least some part of the acoustic wave medium or system. (1) Note. The filtering characteristics of the subject matter of this subclass may be the inverse of such characteristics of the acoustic wave medium or system as, for example, the transmitting transducer, the receiving transducer, recording equipment, connecting cables, the earth and transducer to earth coupling.

47	Amplitude:
	This subclass is indented under subclass 38.  Subject matter wherein the distinction is made among the amplitudes of the various signals or constituents thereof.

48	Phase:
	This subclass is indented under subclass 38.  Subject matter wherein the distinction is made among the phases of the various signals or constituents thereof.

49	Frequency:
	This subclass is indented under subclass 38.  Subject matter wherein the distinction is made among the frequencies of the various signals or constituents thereof.

50	Timing correction:
	This subclass is indented under subclass 38.  Subject matter having means to correct or control the timing of the various signals in order to compensate for undesired influences of differences in acoustic wave paths.

51	Dynamic timing correction:
	This subclass is indented under subclass 50.  Subject matter wherein the amount of correction or control is variable during an interval.

52	Normal moveout:
	This subclass is indented under subclass 51.  Subject matter wherein the undesired influence is due to variations in the transmitter-to-distance.

53	For dip:
	This subclass is indented under subclass 50.  Subject matter wherein the difference in acoustic wave paths is caused by variations in the inclination of subsurface strata.

54	For weathering layer:
	This subclass is indented under subclass 50.  Subject matter wherein some or part of the paths lie in the zone of relatively low velocity material near the earth"s surface and the effect of such layer is to be compensated for.

55	Timing mark generation:
	This subclass is indented under subclass 38.  Subject matter including means to represent a timed interval on a signal record or display.

56	Particular source-receiver array:
	This subclass is indented under subclass 38.  Subject matter wherein a plurality of receivers are particularly located relative to one another and to the transmitter of acoustic waves.

57	Vertical receiver or source array:
	This subclass is indented under subclass 56.  Subject matter wherein a plurality of receivers or sources are spaced from one another radially with respect to the center of the earth.

58	By receiver pattern arrangement:
	This subclass is indented under subclass 38.  Subject matter wherein a plurality of receivers are so located relative to one another as to produce signals which when combined are inherently analysed or corrected at least to some extent.

59	Compositing system:
	This subclass is indented under subclass 38.  Subject matter wherein signals from a plurality of receivers are combined.

60	Special digital system:
	This subclass is indented under subclass 59.  Subject matter wherein signals are in digital form and are composited by digital processing means other than a general digital computer. (1) Note. A compositing process intended to be performed under control of a program in a general purpose digital computer does not constitute a basis for classification in this subclass. SEE OR SEARCH CLASS: 702,  Data Processing: Measuring, Calibrating, or Testing,   subclasses 14 through 18for a data processing measuring system in a seismology environment.

61	Beam steering:
	This subclass is indented under subclass 59.  Subject matter wherein information or intelligence from a certain direction is emphasized in the composite signal by delaying the signals from certain receivers.

62	Array weighting:
	This subclass is indented under subclass 59.  Subject matter wherein signals from certain ones of the receivers are modified in a predetermined manner before compositing.

63	With preliminary signal processing:
	This subclass is indented under subclass 59.  Subject matter wherein the signals are modified before being combined.

64	Optical processing:
	This subclass is indented under subclass 38.  Subject matter wherein an electrical signal representative of a detected acoustic wave is converted into electromagnetic radiation in the visible spectrum and is analyzed and/or corrected at least in part in that state.

65	Gain control:
	This subclass is indented under subclass 38.  Subject matter wherein the amplification or attenuation of an amplifier is variable.

66	Analog digital compatible systems:
	This subclass is indented under subclass 65.  Subject matter which may be applicable to the amplification or attenuation of either digital or analog signals. (1) Note. Disclosures classifiable in this subclass may include specific embodiments limited to, for example, analog signals but which disclosures are comprehensive enough to be applicable to digital signal gain control as well.

67	Digital:
	This subclass is indented under subclass 65.  Subject matter wherein the signal is in the form of discrete pulses.

68	Display systems:
	This subclass is indented under subclass 37.  Subject matter wherein the information or intelligence is converted from an electrical signal to a form (visually) perceptible to a human being. (1) Note. The nominal recitation or broad disclosure of display means is insufficient basis for classification in this subclass and the subclasses indented hereunder. For classification here some details of the means or steps which convert the signal from one form to another must be recited.

69	Well logging type:
	This subclass is indented under subclass 68.  Subject matter wherein the information or intelligence displayed is obtained from an acoustic wave detector which travels through a passageway in the earth.

70	Color:
	This subclass is indented under subclass 68.  Subject matter wherein the information or intelligence is displayed in various wavelengths.

71	CRT:
	This subclass is indented under subclass 68.  Subject matter wherein the information or intelligence is displayed on a cathode-ray tube.

72	3-D:
	This subclass is indented under subclass 68.  Subject matter wherein the display extends or appears to extend in three perpendicular directions in space.

73	Synthetic seismograms and models:
	This subclass is indented under subclass 37.  Subject matter wherein seismic-type signals or data are produced artifically. SEE OR SEARCH CLASS: 703,  Data Processing: Structural Design, Modeling, Simulation, and Emulation,   subclass 5 for electrical analog computer simulator of geophysical phenomena, per se.

74	Format conversion:
	This subclass is indented under subclass 37.  Subject matter wherein the information or intelligence pertaining to the discontinuity appears in an electric signal variable (e.g., amplitude) and is transferred to another signal variable (e.g., frequency).

75	Shear wave:
	This subclass is indented under subclass 37.  Subject matter wherein the acoustic waves consist of stresses in a direction or plane perpendicular to the direction of travel.

76	Telemetry:
	This subclass is indented under subclass 37.  Subject matter wherein electrical signals representative of the acoustic waves are transmitted from the detector to a remote part of the system. SEE OR SEARCH THIS CLASS, SUBCLASS: 55, for seismic telemetering systems in which a time break signal represents the instant of generation of seismic energy. SEE OR SEARCH CLASS: 340,  Communications: Electrical,   subclasses 870.01+ for generic telemetering systems.

77	Radio wave:
	This