In this section, the following term is used with the meaning indicated:
"variable" (as a noun) means a feature or property (e.g., a dimension, a physical condition such as temperature, a quality such as density or colour) which, in respect of a particular entity (e.g., an object, a quantity of a substance, a beam of light) and at a particular instant, is capable of being measured; the variable may change, so that its numerical expression may assume different values at different times, in different conditions or in individual cases, but may be constant in respect of a particular entity in certain conditions or for practical purposes (e.g., the length of a bar may be regarded as constant for many purposes).
Attention is drawn to the definitions of terms or expressions used, appearing in the notes of several of the classes in this section, in particular those of "measuring" in class Fulltext... Hierarchy... Expanded...G01 and "control" and "regulation" in class Fulltext... Hierarchy... Expanded...G05.
Classification in this section may present more difficulty than in other sections, because the distinction between different fields of use rests to a considerable extent on differences in the intention of the user rather than on any constructional differences or differences in the manner of use, and because the subjects dealt with are often in effect systems or combinations, which have features or parts in common, rather than "things", which are readily distinguishable as a whole. For example, information (e.g., a set of figures) may be displayed for the purpose of education or advertising (Fulltext... Hierarchy... Expanded...G09), for enabling the result of a measurement to be known (Fulltext... Hierarchy... Expanded...G01), for signalling the information to a distant point or for giving information which has been signalled from a distant point (Fulltext... Hierarchy... Expanded...G08). The words used to describe the purpose depend on features that may be irrelevant to the form of the apparatus concerned, for example, such features as the desired effect on the person who sees the display, or whether the display is controlled from a remote point. Again, a device which responds to some change in a condition, e.g., in the pressure of a fluid, may be used, without modification of the device itself, to give information about the pressure (Fulltext... Hierarchy... Expanded...G01L) or about some other condition linked to the pressure (another subclass of class Fulltext... Hierarchy... Expanded...G01, e.g., Fulltext... Hierarchy... Expanded...G01K for temperature), to make a record of the pressure or of its occurrence (Fulltext... Hierarchy... Expanded...G07C), to give an alarm (Fulltext... Hierarchy... Expanded...G08B), or to control another apparatus (Fulltext... Hierarchy... Expanded...G05).
The classification scheme is intended to enable things of a similar nature (as indicated above) to be classified together. It is therefore particularly necessary for the real nature of any technical subject to be decided before it can be properly classified.
This class covers methods, systems, and apparatus for controlling, in general.
In this class, the following terms or expressions are used with the meanings indicated:
"controlling" means influencing a variable in any way, e.g. changing its direction or its value (including changing it to or from zero), maintaining it constant, limiting its range of variation;
"regulation" means maintaining a variable automatically at a desired value or within a desired range of values. The desired value or range may be fixed, or manually varied, or may vary with time according to a predetermined "programme" or according to variation of another variable. Regulation is a form of control;
"automatic control" is often used in the art as a synonym for "regulation".
Attention is drawn to the Notes following the title of section G, especially as regards the definition of the term "variable".
members of general applicability for mechanical control;
mechanical systems for moving members to one or more definite settings.
Systems peculiar to the control of particular machines or apparatus provided for in a single other class are classified in the relevant class for such machines or apparatus, for example:
In this group the first place priority rule is applied, i.e. at each hierarchical level classification is made in the first appropriate place. [2009.01]
G05G 1/04
·
Controlling members for hand-actuation by pivoting movement, e.g. levers [1,7]
Means for preventing, limiting or returning the movements of parts of a control mechanism, e.g. locking controlling member (Fulltext... Hierarchy... Expanded...G05G 17/00 takes precedence) [5]
P:70
G05G 7/00
Manually-actuated control mechanisms provided with one single controlling member co-operating with one single controlled member; Details thereof (controlling members Fulltext... Hierarchy... Expanded...G05G 1/00)
P:50
G05G 9/00
Manually-actuated control mechanisms provided with one single controlling member co-operating with two or more controlled members, e.g. selectively, simultaneously
P:60
G05G 11/00
Manually-actuated control mechanisms provided with two or more controlling members co-operating with one single controlled member
P:40
G05G 13/00
Manually-actuated control mechanisms provided with two or more controlling members and also two or more controlled members (interlocking Fulltext... Hierarchy... Expanded...G05G 5/00)
P:20
G05G 15/00
Mechanical devices for initiating a movement automatically due to a specific cause
P:30
G05G 17/00
Mechanical devices for moving a member after being released; Trip or release mechanisms characterised thereby
P:10
G05G 19/00
Servo-mechanisms with follow-up action, e.g. occurring in steps
P:0
G05G 21/00
Mechanical apparatus for control of a series of operations, i.e. programme control, e.g. involving a set of cams (Fulltext... Hierarchy... Expanded...G05G 5/00 takes precedence)
P:90
G05G 23/00
Means for ensuring the correct positioning of parts of control mechanisms, e.g. for taking-up play
P:120
G05G 25/00
Other details, features or accessories of control mechanisms, e.g. supporting intermediate members elastically