IPC Definitions - January 01, 2012
G01C - Definition
This subclass covers:
Compasses in general;
Gyroscopes and other turn-sensitive devices, e.g. optical gyrometers using the Sagnac effect;
Optical rangefinders;
Instruments and methods for
Combined measuring devices for measuring two or more variables of movement, e.g. distance, speed, acceleration;
Manufacturing, calibrating, maintaining such instruments.
Relationship between large subject matter areas
The general subject matters of determining length, distance, height, level, direction, movement or angle is covered by several subclasses besides G01C:
G01B for measuring length, thickness, or similar linear dimensions, measuring angles; measuring areas; measuring irregularities of surfaces or contours (of individual objects).
G01P for measuring linear or angular speed, acceleration, deceleration, or shock; indicating presence, absence, or direction of movement.
G01S for 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 (by use of propagation effects - e.g. Doppler effect, propagation time).
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 or for measuring distance traversed on the ground by any moving objects including e. g. vehicles, or persons G01C is the appropriate subclass when no radio waves are used or when propagation effects of waves other than radio waves are not relevant.
References relevant to classification in this subclass
This subclass does not cover:
Measuring liquid level | G01F |
Traffic control systems | G08G |
Attention is drawn to the following places, which may be of interest for search:
Arrangements of nautical instruments or navigational aids for ships | B63B 49/00 |
Marking of navigation routes for ships other than with buoys | B63B 51/00 |
Arrangements or adaptations of instruments for aircrafts | B64D 43/00 |
Aiming means with range finders | F41G 3/00 |
Measuring speed by using the gyroscopic effect | G01P 9/00 |
Measuring acceleration, deceleration, shock by making use of gyroscopes | G01P 15/14 |
Arrangements or instruments for measuring magnetic variables (measuring intensity or direction of magnetic fields, other than the earth's field, in general) | G01R 33/00 |
Measuring magnetic field characteristics of the earth, e.g. declination, deviation for purposes other than navigation, surveying | G01V 3/00 |
Rangefinders coupled with focussing arrangements of cameras | G03B 13/20 |
Stereoscopic photography | G03B 35/00 |
Photographing extended surfaces, e.g. surveying cameras | G03B 37/00 |
Taximeter | G07B 13/00 |
Registering or indicating the working of vehicles | G07C 5/00 |
Traffic control systems for road vehicles involving transmission of navigation instructions to the vehicle | G08G 1/0968 |
Maps, globes | G09B |
Models or demonstration devices for surveying | G09B 25/06 |
In this subclass, the following terms or expressions are used with the meaning indicated:
Navigation | means determining the position and course of land vehicles, ships, aircraft, and space vehicles |
Propagation effects | are relevant if the outcome of a measurement depends on the actual value of a physical quantity characterising the propagation of the wave, i.e. its wavelength, frequency, velocity, or phase. The mere presence or direction of a wave are not considered a propagation effect or to contribute to a propagation effect. To put it in another way, propagation effects are irrelevant, if the radiation may be looked upon as a beam of radiation whose wave nature can be ignored. Examples of measurements where propagation effects are relevant include e.g. measurements of propagation time, phase difference, phase delay, measurements using the Doppler effect, or interference. |