This is the generic class for apparatus and corresponding
methods for performing data processing operations, in
which there is a significant change in the data or for performing calculation operations wherein the apparatus or
method is uniquely designed for or utilized in the practice,
administration, or management of an enterprise,
or in the processing of financial data.
This class also provides for apparatus and corresponding methods
for performing data processing or calculating operations in which a charge
for goods or services is determined.
This class additionally provides for subject matter described
in the two paragraphs above in combination with cryptographic apparatus
or method.
SCOPE OF THE CLASS
1. The arrangements in this
class are generally used for problems relating to administration
of an organization, commodities or financial transactions.
2. Mere designation of an arrangement as a "business machine" or
a document as a "business form" or "business
chart" without any particular business function will not
cause classification in this class or its subclasses.
3. For classification herein, there must be significant claim
recitation of the data processing system or calculating computer
and only nominal claim recitation of any external art environment.
Significantly claimed apparatus external to this class, claimed
in combination with apparatus under the class definition, which
perform data processing or calculation operations are classified in
the class appropriate to the external device unless specifically
excluded therefrom.
4. Nominally claimed apparatus external to this class in combination
with apparatus under the class definition is classified in this
class unless provided for in the appropriate external class.
5. In view of the nature of the subject matter included herein,
consideration of the classification schedule for the diverse art
or environment is necessary for proper search.
OTHER CLASSIFICATION SYSTEMS
Each subclass definition may contain an OTHER CLASSIFICATION
SYSTEMS listing that is to be used for informational purposes only.
These classification listings may change at any time after their
publication and are therefore not guaranteed to be current. In
addition, the classification listing does not necessarily indicate
the sole relationship between the U.S. Patent Classification System
and foreign classifications. Even where a single classification
is listed for a single U.S. subclass, a one-to-one correlation should
not be inferred. As a result, information contained therein is considered
to be only a guide to related subject matter.
Types of other classification systems may include:
• IPC7 , which indicates an
International Patent Classification (seventh edition) of the World
Intellectual Property Organization (WIPO),
• JPO/FI, which indicates the Japanese
Patent Office and its File Index (FI is a subdivision of the IPC
with related subject matter) classifications, or
• European Patent Classification (ECLA), which indicates
the European Patent Office s classification and also further subdivides
the IPC into related subject matter, or
• Derwent, which indicates a classification from
the Derwent Classification System.
Registers, various subclasses for basic machines and associated indicating
mechanisms for ascertaining the number of movements of various devices
and machines, plus machines made from these basic machines alone
(e.g., cash registers, voting machines), and in combination with
various perfecting features, such as printers and recording means.
In addition, search Class 235 for various data bearing record controlled
systems. Search
subclasses 375 through 386for a system having a detail of a record-sensing
device in combination with a system utilized for banking, determining
credit, maintaining an inventory, access control, vending, voting,
time or operations analysis and having no more than a nominal recitation
of a computer or data processing arrangement. Search subclasses
7+ for cash register; and subclass 61 for mechanically computing
a cost/price ratio. Note that a nominally claimed record
or card sensor is considered to be a peripheral of the data processing system.
Electrical Transmission or Interconnection Systems, various subclasses for generic residual electrical
transmission or interconnection systems and miscellaneous circuits.
Communications: Electrical, various subclasses for residual electrical communication systems,
subclasses 5 .1-5.92 for communication details including authorization,
vending, credit and access control; and see related classes elsewhere;
particularly subclasses 5.4-5.42 for credit authorization control,
and subclasses 5.9-5.92 for intelligence comparison for commodity
controlling (e.g., vending).
Computer Graphics Processing and Selective Visual
Display Systems,
subclasses 418 through 475for data presentation/computer graphics
processing; subclasses 581-618 for data presentation processing;
and subclasses 1.1-111 for the selective control of two or more light
generating or light controlling display elements in accordance with
a received image signal.
Dynamic Magnetic Information Storage or Retrieval, which is an integral part of Class 369 following
subclass 18 , for record carriers and systems wherein information
is stored and retrieved by interaction with a medium and there is
relative motion between a medium and a transducer, for example,
magnetic disk drive devices and control thereof, per se.
Static Information Storage and Retrieval, various subclasses for addressable static singular storage
elements or plural singular storage elements of the same type.
Dynamic Information Storage or Retrieval, various subclasses for record carriers and systems
wherein information is stored and retrieved by interaction with
a medium and there is relative motion between a medium and a transducer.
Error Detection/Correction and Fault
Detection/Recovery, various subclasses for generic electrical pulse
or pulse coded data error detection and correction.
Telephonic Communications, various subclasses for two-way electrical communication of
intelligible audio information of arbitrary content over a link
including an electrical conductor. In addition, search
subclasses 111 through 132for a computer controlled telephone traffic and
charge determining arrangement; subclass 284 for a processor controlled central
switching arrangement.
Cryptography, appropriate subclasses for cryptographic apparatus
or method in general and foreign art collections FOR 103 through
FOR 150 for related foreign patents/nonpatent literature.
Image Analysis, appropriate subclasses for operations performed
on image data with the aim of measuring a characteristic of an image, detecting
variations, detecting structures, or transforming the image data,
and for procedures for analyzing and categorizing patterns present
in image data.
Education and Demonstration,
subclasses 107 through 110,219+ and 306 for education or demonstration
of business or economics, occupations and voting, subclasses 322+ for
question or problem eliciting response.
Amusement Devices: Games,
subclasses 1+ , when there is a recitation (according to paragraph
3, under Scope of the Class, in the Class Definition of this class
(705)) of a method or apparatus for moving or processing information
specified as game or contest information, especially subclasses
16+, where game or contest information relates to a chance-type
game (i.e., one that involves an award or prize based upon the occurrence
of a chance happening or event; e.g., lottery, keno, slot machine,
etc.). However, in order for the specified information to be considered
significant for placement in Class 463, there must be significant
game processing. For example, the mere printing of a selected lottery number is not significant
unless there is also included an element of a game for Class 463
(e.g., a determination of whether the number is a winning number,
such as by lot matching, a determination of an award or prize value
associated with a number, etc.). A "coupon" or
price adjustment given to a patron basedupon an item purchased or another predetermined
or nonrandom criteria is not considered to be a chance event or
happening appropriate for Class 463.
Data Processing: Generic Control Systems or Specific
Applications,
subclasses 90 through 306for devices or methods for controlling the processing
or manufacturing of, or being responsive to a physical or mechanical
condition of, a product or material, and. subclasses 245-264 for
robot control.
Data Processing: Speech Signal Processing, Linguistics,
Language Translation, and Audio Compression/Decompression,
subclasses 231+ for a speech recognition system.
Electrical Computers: Arithmetic Processing and
Calculating,
subclasses 100+ for electrical digital calculating computer combined
with diverse art device such as a checkbook or calendar or with
inputs or outputs specialized for a particular environment including
business.
Electrical Computers and Digital Processing Systems:
Multicomputer Data Transferring or Plural Process Synchronization, appropriate subclassesfor multicomputer data transferring.
Electrical Computers and Digital Processing Systems:
Support,
subclasses 150 through 194for cryptographic computer and digital processing
system support and foreign art collections FOR 123 and FOR 125 for
related foreign patents/nonpatent literature.
Electronic Funds Transfer, for art collections including a detail of a security
measure, an ATM machine, a terminal or an identifier used in an
electronic funds transfer.
SECTION III - REFERENCES TO OTHER CLASSIFICATION SYSTEMS
IPC G06F, for electric digital processing.
ECLA G06F, for electric digital data processing.
Derwent T01, for digital computers.
SECTION IV - GLOSSARY
ARRANGEMENT
Either a device or a
method of use of a device for
performing the indicated process.
CALCULATING OPERATIONS
Arithmetic or some limited logic operations performed upon
or with signals representing numbers or values.
COMPUTER
A machine that inputs data,
processes data, stores data, and outputs data.
CRYPTOGRAPHY
Secret information storage or communication. This includes
equipment or process which (a) conceals or obscures intelligible
information by transforming such information so as to make the information
unintelligible to a casual or unauthorized recipient, or (b) extracts intelligible
information from such a concealed representation, including breaking
of unknown codes and messages.
DATA
Representation of information in a coded manner suitable
for communication, interpretation, or processing.
DATA PROCESSING
(For the purpose of this class) A systematic operation
on data in accordance with a set
of rules which results in a significant change in the data.
DEVICE
An assemblage of components at a single location or which
may have its several components at geos:graphically distinct locations,
i.e., a network.
ENTERPRISE
A conventional business organization, a governmental organization
or a nonprofit organization.
KEY
A formula, word or signal used to define a code in encryption
or decryption of the information. Such a signal is often a digital
signal having a predetermined or pseudorandom content
PRACTICE
A function directly related to the commercial activity
of an enterprise (e.g. the exchange,
buying or selling of commodities).
This class additionally provides for subject matter described
in the two paragraphs above in combination with cryptographic apparatus
or method.
AUTOMATED ELECTRICAL FINANCIAL OR BUSINESS PRACTICE OR MANAGEMENT
ARRANGEMENT:
This subclass is indented under the class definition. Subject matter wherein an electrical apparatus and its corresponding
methods perform the data processing operations,
in which there is a significant change in the data or for performing calculation operations wherein the apparatus
or method is uniquely designed for or utilized in the practice, administration, or management
of an enterprise, or in the processing
of financial data.
(1)
Note. The term "arrangement" as used in this
and its indented subclasses refers to either a device or to a method
of use of a device for performing the indicated process. Further,
a device may be an assemblage of components at a single location or
may have its several components at geographically distinct locations,
i.e., a network.
(2)
Note. The term "enterprise" as used in this
and its indented subclasses is intended to include governmental
and nonprofit organizations, as well as conventional business organizations.
(3)
Note. The arrangements in this and its indented subclasses
are generally used for problems relating to administration of an
organization, commodities, financial transactions, or recreation.
(4)
Note. Mere designation of an arrangement as a "business
machine" or a document as a "business form" or "business chart" without
any particular business function will not cause classification in this
or its indented subclasses.
Registers,
subclasses 379 through 383and 385 for a system having a detail of a record-sensing
device in combination with a system utilized for banking, determining
credit or maintaining an inventory, and having no more than a nominal
recitation of a computer or data processing arrangement. Note that
a nominally claimed record or card sensor is considered to be a
peripheral of the data processing system.
Telephonic Communications, 111-132 for a computer controlled telephone traffic and
charge determining arrangement;
subclass 284 for a processor controlled central switching arrangement.
Amusement Devices: Games,
subclasses 1+ , when there is a recitation (according to the (3)
Note of Section III of the Class 705 Definition) of a method or
apparatus for moving or processing information specified as game
or contest information, especially subclasses 16+, where
game or contest information relates to a chance-type game (i.e.,
one that involves an award or prize based upon the occurrence of
a chance happening or event; e.g., lottery, keno, slot machine,
etc.). However, in order for the specified information to be considered
significant for placement in Class 463, there must be significant game
processing. For example, the mere printing of a selected lottery number
is not significant unless there is also included an element of a
game for Class 463 (e.g., a determination of whether the number
is a winning number ,such as by lot matching, a determination of
an award or prize value associated with a number, etc.}. A "coupon" or
price adjustment given to a patron basedupon an item purchased or another predetermined
or nonrandom criteria is not considered to be a chance event or
happening appropriate for Class 463.
Data Processing: Generic Control Systems or Specific
Applications,
subclasses 90 through 306for a device which either controls the processing
of, or is responsive to a physical or mechanical condition of a product
or material.
OTHER CLASSIFICATION SYSTEMS:
Type:
Class/Subclass:
Group:
Description:
IPC7
G06F
17/60
for administrative, commercial, managerial, supervisory,
or forecasting purposes.
IPC7
G07F
1/12
for electronic cash registers other than digital
data-processing aspects thereof.
ECLA
G06F
17/60
for administrative, commercial, managerial, supervisory,
or forecasting purposes.
ECLA
G07F
1/12
for administrative, commercial, managerial, supervisory,
or forecasting purposes.
DERWENT
T01-J05
for administration, commerce, or information retrieval.
This subclass is indented under subclass 1. Subject matter drawn to a computer implemented system or
method particularly adapted for a health care management or delivery
organization.
(1)
Note. The terms "medical" and "health care" are
intended to cover all type of treatment or diagnosis of the human body,
such as dentistry, podiatry, pharmaceuticals, etc.
(2)
Note. The term "particularly adapted" refers
to having an element peculiar to a health care system. Incidental
use of a business arrangement of general utility, in a health care
environment will not be classified in this or its indented subclasses.
(3)
Note. Billing systems based on entered medical codes, for
example, ICDA codes (International Classification of Diseases Abstracted),
are included herein.
OTHER CLASSIFICATION SYSTEMS:
Type:
Class/Subclass:
Group:
Description:
ECLA
G06F
17/60A
for office automation (e.g., groupware, office work
in progress, etc.).
This subclass is indented under subclass 2. Subject matter wherein the system processes the records
of diagnosis or treatment of a patient.
(1)
Note. Included herein is processing the records of diagnosis
or treatment as contrasted to processing information to obtain
the diagnosis or treatment, which processing is classified elsewhere.
This subclass is indented under subclass 1. Subject matter drawn to a computer implemented system or
method for writing an insurance policy or processing an insurance
claim.
(1)
Note. Included herein is a system for administering an insurance
backed security, investment or credit card.
OTHER CLASSIFICATION SYSTEMS:
Type:
Class/Subclass:
Group:
Description:
ECLA
G06F
17/60D
for financial accounting; calculating earned income,
interest, insurance premium, and taxes.
This subclass is indented under subclass 1. Subject matter drawn to a computerized record keeping system
for recording allocation of space in advance of use (e.g., airplane,
train or concert reservation).
(1)
Note. The term "space" is intended to include
seating.
(2)
Note. Such allocation includes airplane, train, or concert
seating, as well as hotel room assignment.
This subclass is indented under subclass 5. Subject matter wherein the processing system coordinates
multiple distinct reservations for a single itinerary.
(1)
Note. The term "multiple distinct reservations" is
not intended to include a plurality of similar reservations (e.g., reservations
for a plurality of seats).
OTHER CLASSIFICATION SYSTEMS:
Type:
Class/Subclass:
Group:
Description:
ECLA
G06F
17/60C8D
[for organizing, forecasting, or planning] of
routes, e.g., traveling salesman.
This subclass is indented under subclass 1. Subject matter drawn to a computerized arrangement for the
systematic and scientific analysis and evaluation of a the operation
of an organization or the programmed scheduling of an organization.
Registers,
subclass 376 for record-sensing devices in combination with systems
utilized for operations analysis.
OTHER CLASSIFICATION SYSTEMS:
Type:
Class/Subclass:
Group:
Description:
ECLA
G06F
17/60C
for organizing, forecasting, or planning
ECLA
G606F
17/60C8
for optimization.
ECLA
G06F
15/46
for optimization during production.
DERWENT
T01-J05A2
for administration and management tools including
management, resource allocation, business, education, government,
marketing and law; also includes decision support, MIS, stock control,
and workflow.
This subclass is indented under subclass 7. Subject matter for the distribution of resources or for
scheduling in a business or commercial environment.
Data Processing: Generic Control Systems or Specific
Applications,
subclasses 95 through 212for this subject matter combined with a step of,
or structure for product manufacture or parts assembly or allocation.
This subclass is indented under subclass 7. Subject matter including processing of market data in order
to predict future demand of a product or service.
(1)
Note. Use of a data processing arrangement in surveying or
polling in order to obtain data is included in this subclass.
This subclass is indented under subclass 7. Subject matter which evaluates the efficiency or productivity
of an employee or other entity employed by an organization.
Registers,
subclass 386 for a system which reads sheets bearing hand-coded
indicia representative of various categories and provides a total
for each category.
OTHER CLASSIFICATION SYSTEMS:
Type:
Class/Subclass:
Group:
Description:
ECLA
G06F
17/60R
for betting on an outcome of an event, e.g., a
race, an election, etc.; totalisators.
DERWENT
T05-F
for voting and lottery apparatus, generating random
numbers.
This subclass is indented under subclass 1. Subject matter controlling access to a vehicle or vehicle
related facility in response to payment or other precondition for
such access.
(1)
Note. The term "vehicle related facility" designates
a location for which payment for vehicle admission is required.
(1)
Note. The reference to "other precondition" is
intended to include passenger or baggage inspection.
This subclass is indented under subclass 1. Subject matter particularly designed for price reduction
of, or premium credit resulting from, the purchase of a commodity
or service.
(1)
Note. A coupon dispensing or redeeming electronic cash register
is classified in this subclass.
(2)
Note. A display or advertising system is included herein.
Amusement Devices: Games,
subclasses 1+ , when there is a recitation (according to the (3)
Note of the Class 705 Class Definition) of a method or apparatus
for moving or processing information specified as game or contest
information, especially subclasses 16+, where game or contest
information relates to a chance-type game (i.e., one that involves
an award or prize based upon the occurrence of a chance happening
or event; e.g., lottery, keno, slot machine, etc.). However, in
order for the specified information to be considered significant
for placement in Class 463, there must be significant game processing. For
example, the mere printing of a selected lottery
number is not significant unless there is also included an element
of a game for Class 463 (e.g., a determination of whether the number
is a winning number, such as by lot matching, a determination of
an award or prize value associated with a number, etc.}.
A "coupon" or price adjustment given to a patron basedupon an
item purchased or another predetermined or nonrandom criteria is
not considered to be a chance event or happening appropriate for
Class 463.
OTHER CLASSIFICATION SYSTEMS:
Type:
Class/Subclass:
Group:
Description:
ECLA
G06F
17/60B2
for promotions, coupons, services, and market research.
This subclass is indented under subclass 1. Subject matter particularly designed for use in an establishment
serving food or drink to buyers.
(1)
Note. Classification in this subclass requires some relationship
to either the preparation or serving of food or drink. Incidental
placement of a system in such an environment (e.g., an electronic
cash register in a restaurant) does not of itself cause classification
in this subclass.
This subclass is indented under subclass 1. Subject matter drawn to a computerized arrangement for including
a mechanism for effecting a transaction and determining the amount
of a sale which may also be a terminal in a system.
(1)
Note. The mechanism for effecting a transaction may include
a mechanism for handling cash, or debiting an account or prepaid
card.
(2)
Note. The sale may include a plurality of goods at different
prices.
Electrical Pulse Counters, Pulse Dividers, or
Shift Registers: Circuits and Systems,
subclass 14 for an electrical register for registering counts for
different monetary amounts.
Electronic Funds Transfer, subcollection 22 for a cross-reference art collection
of disclosures of a point of sale terminal absent significant claimed data
processing.
Amusement Devices: Games,
subclasses 1+ , when there is a recitation (according to the (3)
Note of the Class 705 Class Definition) of a method or apparatus
for moving or processing information specified as game or contest
information, especially subclasses 16+, where game or contest
information relates to a chance-type game (i.e., one that involves
an award or prize based upon the occurrence of a chance happening
or event; e.g., lottery, keno, slot machine, etc.). However, in
order for the specified information to be considered significant
for placement in Class 463, there must be significant game processing. For
example, the mere printing of a selected lottery
number is not significant unless there is also included an element
of a game for Class 463 (e.g., a determination of whether the number
is a winning number, such as by lot matching, a determination of
an award or prize value associated with a number, etc.}.
A "coupon" or price adjustment given to a patron based upon an item purchased or another predetermined
or nonrandom criteria is not considered to be a chance event or
happening appropriate for Class 463.
OTHER CLASSIFICATION SYSTEMS:
Type:
Class/Subclass:
Group:
Description:
ECLA
G06F
17/60B
for data processing in a buying-selling transaction.
ECLA
G06F
17/60B4
for exchange business, e.g., quotations or sales
transactions of stock or other commodities
ECLA
H04L
12/18B
for stock quotation systems.
DERWENT
T05-L
for point-of-sale equipment, EFT, and other currency
handling systems.
This subclass is indented under subclass 16. Subject matter further including an arrangement for reading
a customer associated payment effecting data bearing record or carrier.
(1)
Note. Such a data bearing record is intended to include a
credit card, debit card, or a value bearing ticket.
This subclass is indented under subclass 16. Subject matter having an arrangement to either prevent unauthorized
use of, or access to, the cash register; or to identify the user
of the cash register.
Amusement Devices: Games,
subclasses 1+ , when there is a recitation (according to the (3)
Note of Section III of the Class 705 Definition) of a method or
apparatus for moving or processing information specified as game
or contest information, especially subclass 29 for access or authorization
to enter or select a game.
Electrical Computers and Digital Processing Systems:
Support, appropriate subclasses and particularly
subclasses 182 through 186for system access control based on cryptographic user
identification.
This subclass is indented under subclass 16. Subject matter including a feature of a memory or file arrangement
for looking up the price of an item being purchased where an item
designator is entered into the terminal.
This subclass is indented under subclass 16. Subject matter wherein two or more spaced apart electronic
cash registers (ECRs) are connected for cooperation therebetween;
or a connection to an ECR is connected for cooperation with a host
computer spaced apart therefrom.
(1)
Note. The ECR’s are most often connected in a network
configuration.
Electrical Computers and Digital Processing Systems:
Multicomputer Data Transferring or Plural Processor Synchronization, appropriate subclassesfor a plural computer network of general utility.