IPC Definitions - January 01, 2012
H04L 12/00 - Definition
This main group covers:
Transfer of information having been supplied in digital form in data switching networks, e.g.
References relevant to classification in this main group
This main group does not cover:
Interconnection of, or transfer of information or other signals between, memories, input/output devices or central processing units | G06F 13/00 |
Interprocessor communication using networks | G06F 15/173 |
Attention is drawn to the following places, which may be of interest for search:
Communication control | H04L 29/02 |
Data transfer characterised by protocol | H04L 29/06 |
Multiplexing systems in general | H04J |
Selecting equipment | H04Q |
Conferences, e.g. video conferences | H04N 7/15 |
Automatic or semi-automatic exchanges | H04M 3/00 |
Manual exchanges | H04M 5/00 |
Telephony conferences arrangements | H04M 3/56 |
Computer aided management of electronic mail | G06Q 10/10 |
In this main group, the following terms or expressions are used with the meaning indicated:
Circuit switching | A system in which a communication path is physically permanent during the communication. |
Packet switching | A system in which information is divided into discrete data units, characterised by a data payload and an address part known as a header part. The data units are able to travel over different communication paths to the destination. |
Message switching systems | A system in which a message is sent into a network with the address of its destination added and it is routed to its destination through the network, e.g. electronic mail network systems. |
Hybrid switching | Combinations of different switching systems (e.g. packet switching systems and circuit switching systems). |
Gateway | Arrangements for connecting between networks having different types of switching systems. |
In patent documents the following expressions/words "packet", "cell" and "frame" are often used as synonyms.