Instruments and methods for measuring:

Methods of measuring geometrical parameters of objects (e.g. shape or surface configuration, measurement of volume, coordinates, height, length, width, thickness, contours, surface roughness or evenness, diameters, roundness, eccentricity, angles, alignment, deformation, displacement), devices for carrying out these methods and related calibration aspects.

Classification within G01B into the main groups is to a large extent based on the underlying measurement principle:

An exception is G01B 1/00, where documents should be classified which have aspects related to the material selected for the geometrical parameter measuring instrument.

Another exception is G01B 9/00, which is a hardware group mainly containing interferometers. Only when a distance or displacement measurement is concerned (or a related measurement, such as an orientation measurement based on distance measurements to various locations on the object), then an interferometer should be classified in G01B 9/00.

Small, hand-held mechanical devices (such as those available in hardware stores) are classified in G01B 3/00, whereas large mechanical set-ups (industrial machines, such as coordinate measuring machines) are classified in G01B 5/00.

To further support the user in consulting the main groups of this subclass, the following table summarises the properties of the electromagnetic spectrum together with the potentially relevant main groups.

Only documents with the emphasis on details of the actual geometrical measurement method, measurement apparatus and/or calibration aspects are to be classified in G01B. Documents covering devices or methods which themselves do not belong in G01B, but which use or incorporate geometrical measuring devices or steps should normally not be classified in G01B, but rather in the respective field of their application. A drill, for example, in combination with a device for measuring the distance from the drill to the object being drilled should not be classified as a distance measuring device, as long as the actual way of distance measuring is not presented as the invention. Similarly, a document about a machine for sorting articles according to their diameter should not be classified with diameter determination as long as details of the diameter determination are not the invention.

If investigating or analysing an object is concerned (e.g. determination of material properties or defect analysis for quality control purposes), then G01N has to be considered for classification.

If testing an object or apparatus is concerned, then G01M has to be considered for classification.

The general subject matters of measuring linear dimensions, distances, or angles is covered by several subclasses besides G01B:

G01C: measuring distances, levels, or bearings; surveying; navigation; gyroscopic instruments; photogrammetry or videogrammetry.

G01S: radio direction finding; radio navigation; determining distance or velocity by use of radio waves; locating or presence detecting by use of the reflection or reradiation of radio waves; analogous arrangements using other waves.

When propagation effects of waves are relevant for such measurements G01S is in general the appropriate subclass.

For measuring ground distance between points in geodesy, surveying, and navigation G01C is the appropriate subclass when no radio waves are used or when propagation effects of waves other than radio waves are not relevant.

In this subclass, the groups are distinguished by the technique of measurement which is of major importance. Thus the mere application of other techniques or means for giving a final indication does not affect the classification.

Machines operated on similar principles to the hand-held devices specified in this subclass are classified with these devices.

One or more G01B 3/00 breakdown Indexing Codes should be given when information is concerned which is more detailed than the corresponding G01B 3/00 or when assigning a G01B 3/00 is not appropriate (i.e. in cases where the geometrical measurement information is only of additional nature).

At least one G01B 2210/00 Indexing Code is compulsory for wheel alignment (G01B 2210/10), calliper-like sensors (G01B 2210/40) as well as in the following cases:

Sensors which are characterised only or in part by the material from which they are made.

Small, hand-held mechanical devices, such as those available in retail stores.

Machines operating on similar principles to the hand-held devices specified in this group are also classified here with these devices. For example, arrangements for controlling a measuring force are classified in G01B 3/008, even if they are not hand-held.

One or more G01B 3/00 Indexing Codes should only be given when information is concerned which is more detailed than the corresponding G01B 3/00 or when assigning a G01B 3/00 is not appropriate (i.e. in cases where the geometrical measurement information is only of additional nature).

Large mechanical set-ups, such as industrial machines or coordinate measuring machines, and aspects of the large mechanical set-ups.

At least one G01B 2210/00 Indexing Code has to be given when G01B 5/255 is given.

G01B 5/0011, G01B 5/0018, G01B 5/0023, G01B 5/0025, G01B 5/003, G01B 5/0035 and G01B 5/0037 also contain methods and devices other than mechanical methods and devices.

G01B 5/0035 also contains measurements of plants. Measuring of logs is not included.

G01B 5/016 covers constructional details of contacts, which are meant to refer to the actual switch contacts within the probe head (not: the probe tip for contacting an object to be measured).

G01B 5/255 also contains vehicle frame and ride height measurement.

When classifying in this group at least one G01B 2210/00 Indexing Code has to be given.

Electric, magnetic and electro-magnetic (e.g. using eddy-currents) measuring principles. Frequencies up to approximately 100 MHz.

At least one G01B 2210/00 Indexing Code has to be given when G01B 7/315 is given.

G01B 7/001 and G01B 7/002 concern measuring heads which are not for coordinate measuring machines, whereas G01B 7/012 is for heads for coordinate measuring machines.

G01B 7/003 and G01B 7/30 should not be assigned to linear and rotary encoders or transducers, respectively. Encoders and transducers are in G01D.

G01B 7/016 covers constructional details of contacts, which are meant to refer to the actual switch contacts within the probe head (not: the probe tip for contacting an object to be measured).

If "height" is specifically mentioned as parameter being measured, then G01B 7/082 and G01B 7/102 take precedence over G01B 7/023.

G01B 7/315 also contains vehicle frame and ride height measurement.

When classifying in this group at least one G01B 2210/00 Indexing Code has to be given.

With roughness or irregularity (G01B 7/34) smaller-scale surface textures are meant, whereas with evenness (G01B 7/345) a larger-scale surface structure is meant.

Interferometers, measuring microscopes, optical projection comparators and goniometers for measuring angles between surfaces.

When classifying in G01B 9/10, also G01B 11/26 has to be considered for classification.

Optical measuring principles operating between far infrared (inclusive) and ultraviolet (inclusive), e.g. for volume measurement.

At least one G01B 2210/00 Indexing Code has to be given when G01B 11/275 or G01B 11/2755 is given.

"Pose" measurements (i.e. position plus orientation) go into G01B 11/002.

G01B 11/0625 - G01B 11/0683 should be given when the pertinent measurement principle applies, even when the object being measured is not a coating (G01B 11/0616), but, for example, a pipe wall.

G01B 11/26 should not be assigned to encoders or transducers, which are in G01D.

G01B 11/275 and G01B 11/2755 also contain vehicle frame and ride height measurement. When classifying in this group at least one G01B 2210/00 Indexing Code has to be given.

The expressions "using interferometry" G01B 11/0675, "by interferometric means" in G01B 11/161 and "using interferometry" in G01B 11/2441 are meant to refer to using an interferometric measurement arrangement, i.e. with a measurement and reference path that combine into one path to a detector (not: measuring interfering reflections from different reflectors within an object being measured). To be used if no emphasis on particular interferometer details.

G01B 11/0658 contains measurement of emissivity or reradiation, which is meant to cover fluorescence and Raman scattering.

G01B 11/0666 is meant to cover measuring thickness by exciting an object with a laser beam that generates an ultrasonic beam into the object. Reflections of the ultrasonic beam are then analysed, often using an interferometer.

G01B 11/165 contains deformation measurement by means of a grating deformed by the object. This is meant to refer to a grating being arranged on the object and its optical properties being measured as a function of deformation of the object (not: fiber Bragg gratings in general).

G01B 11/18 contains Bragg gratings in general being used for measuring deformation.

The expression "contours or curvatures" in G01B 11/24 is meant to refer to an envelope-like description of the shape or part of the shape of an object.

Measuring principles using fluids.

At least one G01B 2210/00 Indexing Code has to be given when G01B 13/195 is given.

The expression "contours or curvatures" in G01B 13/16 is meant to refer to an envelope-like description of the shape or part of the shape of an object.

When classifying in G01B 13/195 at least one G01B 2210/00 Indexing Code has to be given

With roughness or irregularity (G01B 13/22) smaller-scale surface textures are meant.

Measuring principles using wave or particle radiation, such as e- (beta), e+ (positron), gamma, X-ray, neutron, radar, microwaves, millimeter waves. Anything from about 100 MHz to far infrared as well as with a frequency higher than ultraviolet.

In case of measuring a distance or clearance between spaced objects or apertures, G01B 15/00 as well as G01B 7/14 should be assigned.

The expression "contours or curvatures" in G01B 15/04 is meant to refer to an envelope-like description of the shape or part of the shape of an object.

Measuring principles using acoustic energy, e.g. for short range distance measurement.

The expression "contours or curvatures" in G01B 17/06 is meant to refer to an envelope-like description of the shape or part of the shape of an object.

Measurements based on unspecified measurement principles or on principles covered by two or more of groups G01B 3/00 - G01B 17/00.

At least one G01B 2210/00 Indexing Code has to be given when G01B 21/26 is given.

G01B 21/04 covers processing of measurement data, e.g. outlier processing.

G01B 21/042 covers calibration and calibration artifacts, which are meant as artifacts and methods used or applied before actual measurement of the workpiece.

G01B 21/045 covers correction of measurements, which is meant as artifacts and methods used or applied during or after actual measurement of the workpiece.

When classifying in G01B 21/26 at least one G01B 2210/00 Indexing Code has to be given.