IPC Definitions - January 01, 2012

G01C - Definition fr

Definition statement

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

Informative references

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

Glossary of terms

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.