EPO – Principal Directorate Business Services – Directorate Classification
Project: C479
Subject: Light filters; Selection of
luminescent materials for light
screens
Comments
Ref.:
CPC/IPC: F21V9/00
27 July 2015
Annex 5-7 of the project file
We thank SE for the RR and JP for their draft scheme proposal with further
comments.
A) EP comments on the questions in the RR (Annex 5)
Point 1
EP believes that the title needs to be clarified. In the table, line F21V9/00,
Rapporteur suggests a reference that reads “changing the characteristics by
adjustment of parts F21V14/00” to be made, which is understood as “by mechanical
adjustment of parts, namely movement. If this reference is introduced all movable
(adjustable) arrangement would be referred out and it is not clear what would be left
in the subgroup F21V9/32 “in or on adjustable or movable components, e.g. rotating
plates“.
Point 2
EP agrees to remove the reference pointing to F21V9/16 and keeping the other
references.
Point 3
EP agrees with the proposal: “by photo-luminescent materials”
Point 4
Negative opinion against introduction of a subgroup for non-luminescent filter is kept.
Point 5
We support the approach according philosophy ‘1bis’ as proposed by JP (see
below).
B. Comments related to Annex 6 (JP comments)
General comments
Suggestion (1bis) seems to be very similar to the approach which is currently used
in the CPC, and EP experts are more in favour of that approach than of the
suggestion (1). Our experts are also of the opinion that the suggestion (1) will imply
more reclassification workload, without supplementary benefit for search.
For the proposal (1bis) JP introduced a group for materials F21V3/06, whereas IPC
break down had already a group F21V3/04 characterised by the material. EP would
prefer a further break down with some further groups (with family numbers above 50)
according existing CPC instead of the proposed F21V3/06:
F21V3/04
(1068)*
•
characterised by the material; characterised by surface
treatments or coatings
F21V3/0409
(67)
•
•
{characterised by the material}
F21V3/0418
(230)
•
•
•
{the material being glass}
F21V3/0427
(43)
•
•
•
•
F21V3/0436
(279)
•
•
•
{the material being plastics}
F21V3/0445
(139)
•
•
•
•
F21V3/0454
(8)
•
•
•
{comprising air or water bubbles, e.g. foamed
materials}
F21V3/0463
(73)
•
•
•
{comprising fluorescent or light-storing
materials}
F21V3/0472
(112)
•
•
{Coatings}
F21V3/0481
(162)
•
•
•
F21V3/049
(181)
•
•
(
{the material diffusing light, e.g.
translucent glass}
{the material diffusing light, e.g.
translucent plastics}
{provided with fluorescent or light-storing
materials}
{Patterns or structured surfaces for diffusing light,
e.g. frosted surfaces}
)* Number of families in July 2015
EP would further welcome the creation of the groups F21V1/17, F21V5/01, F21V7/22
instead of more subgroups below F21V9/16 for the photo luminescent materials.
The question was raised how EP currently classifies the different devices and the use
of group F21V9/16:
-
-
Documents disclosing only principle of light generation for general lighting,
e.g. using spatial arrangements of photo luminescent material will be classified
in F21V19/16 only.
Documents disclosing further information, e.g. the location luminescent
material integrated to lighting means on the device or parts thereof, will be
given a further classification in F21V1/00 to F21V11/00.
We added some additional comments to the proposed JP scheme in green.
The followings are JP’s supplementary comments on the scheme proposal (in blue).
EP’s supplementary comments on the scheme proposal (in green).
JP proposal (Annex 2)
C F21V 1/16 . .
C F21V 3/04 .
C F21V 5/00
C F21V 7/22 .
Comments
Rapporteur notes that the references
proposed for these four groups would
basically move all photo-luminescent
devices into F21V 9/16. This seems to
characterised by the material;
characterised by surface treatments or potentially involve quite a lot of
coatings (comprising photo luminescent reclassification.
See comments at the precious page.
materials F21V 9/22)
Refractors for light sources(comprising Dichroic mirrors are referred from
photo luminescent materials F21V 9/24; F21V 7/22 to F21V 9/15, which only
characterised by cooling arrangements covers dichroic filters?
See comments in F21V9/15.
F21V 29/504)
If these references are desirable, should
characterised by the material;
characterised by surface treatments or there also be one for light guides
coatings (comprising photo luminescent (F21V 8/00)?
Yes, but noting that CPC does not have
materials F21V 9/26; dichroic mirrors
F21V8/00, JP does not want go into
F21V 9/15)
depths regarding light guides in this
project.
characterised by the material
(comprising photo luminescent
materials F21V 9/20)
If the philosophy (1bis) is taken, the
following new subgroups are proposed
without scope changes in the left
columns:
F21V1/17 (3) : the material comprising
photo-luminescent
materials
F21V3/06 (2) : the material comprising
photo-luminescent
materials
F21V5/01 (1) : comprising photoluminescent materials
F21V7/22 (2) : the material comprising
photo-luminescent
materials
EP supports the new groups according
philosophy (1bis)
C F21V 9/00
N F21V 9/01 .
JP proposal (Annex 2)
Comments
Modifying spectral or polarisation
characteristics or intensity of the
light emitted, e.g. by filters (coloured
shades F21V 1/00; characterised by
cooling arrangements F21V 29/502)
EP: We believe there will be some
overlap with group F21V 14/00 and a
limiting reference might be needed here.
taking into account psychological
characteristic, e.g. for promoting
melatonin release or for reducing
eyestrain
EP: F21V 9/01 seems to be related to
vague concepts, which are, to our
understanding, more related to chromotherapy or medical fields than general
lighting. Unless illustrated and justified,
EP is not in favour of the creation of
such a group.
Rapporteur agrees. A reference could
read worded (changing the
characteristics by adjustment of parts
F21V 14/00). There is a reference
pointing back from F21V 14/00 to
F21V 9/10, but Rapporteur doesn't see
this as a contradiction.
See point 1 under A, the new reference
could empty the group F21V9/32
Rapporteur thinks this is likely to be a
valid concept, but notes that neither
melatonin release nor eye strain are
psychological effects. Would this be a
better title:
for achieving physiological effects,
e.g. for promoting melatonin release
or for reducing eyestrain
JP’s proposed title was indeed a typo
and “physiological” was intended.
Thanks!
EP does not see the relevance of this
group because documents with such
information are usually classified in other
parts of the IPC. When documents relate
to general lighting purposes and are
used in addition for achieving
physiological effects, they would be
classified in two places, in F21 and in
the related medical subclass.
C F21V 9/02 .
for simulating daylight(F21V 9/04,
F21V 9/06 take precedence)
U F21V 9/04 .
for filtering out infra-red radiation(using
liquid-filled chambers F21V 9/12)
C F21V 9/06 .
for filtering out ultra-violet radiation
C F21V 9/08 .
for producing coloured light, e.g.
monochromatic; for reducing intensity
of light
JP proposal (Annex 2)
U F21V 9/10 . .
with provision for variation of the colour
or intensity(F21V 9/12 takes
precedence)
U F21V 9/12 . .
with liquid-filled chambers
U F21V 9/14 .
for producing polarised light
N F21V 9/15 .
by dichroic filters
Comments
EP: F21V 9/15 is not clear. We propose:
(one dot) “by dichroic filters, i.e. optical
colour filters operating on the principle of
wave interference”.
Dichroic filters and dichroic mirrors are
the same. They are called different
names depending on emphasis, passed
wavelengths or reflected wavelengths.
For example, see Wikipedia1
We also think that the title is better if it is
focused on the result achieved by the
filter rather than the inherent optical
mechanism of the filter.
The modified proposal is:
by dichroic filters or dichroic mirrors,
i.e. filters passing specific range of
wavelengths while reflecting others
EP thanks JP for the clarification of the
intended scope and fully agrees with the
modified proposal.
C F21V 9/16 .
1
by photo luminescent materials
http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Dichroic_filter
EP agrees with this proposal
N F21V 9/18 . .
JP proposal (Annex 2)
Comments
characterised by the arrangement
EP experts disagree with creation of
subdivisions in F21V 9/18-9/28 related
to the use, since F21V relates to the
details of parts involved in light emission
or distribution. Therefore, they consider
that subgroups of F21V 1/00, 3/00, 5/00
and 7/00 covering the optical
components could easily serve for
multiple classifications.
Rapporteur wonders about the meaning
of "the arrangement" – presumably it
means "the arrangement of the
luminescent material"?
It seems that JP should have proposed
the following clearer title though it looks
a bit tautological.
characterised by the arrangement of
photo-luminescent materials
If the philosophy (1bis) is taken, limiting
references pointing to new subgroups
proposed in the right columns of
F21V7/22 would be added.
N F21V 9/20 . . . in or on shades
See comments related to the philosophy
(1bis). JP’s intention was not necessarily
to move all modification of light
characteristics by photo-luminescent
material into F21V 9/16, but to create
specific “arrangement” subgroups
somewhere.
N F21V 9/22 . . . in or on globes, bowls or cover glasses
Idem
N F21V 9/24 . . . in or on refractors
Idem
N F21V 9/26 . . . in or on reflectors
Idem
N F21V 9/28 . . . in or on light guides
EP refers to the JP comment under
F21V7/22
EP: A further example “focal point of a
N F21V 9/30 . . . at focal points, e.g. of refractors, of
reflectors or of an array of light sources lens” should be included in the title.
JP proposal (Annex 2)
N F21V 9/32 . . . in or on adjustable or movable
components, e.g. rotating plates
Comments
EP: F21V 9/32 will have considerable
overlap with group F21V 14/00. We
would prefer to create this group under
main group 14/00 with a title that could
read:
(one dot) “provided with means of the
spectral characteristics, e.g. adjustments
for colour rendering or color mixing
Rapporteur agrees that there is overlap.
The intended scope was not necessarily
changing the characteristic, but JP sees
EP’s and SE’s points and needs time to
consider this issue.
EP refers to the comments in point 1
under A
N F21V 9/34 . .
characterised by selection of the
material
N F21V 9/36 . . . comprising two or more photo
luminescent materials
characterised by selection of the
photo-luminescent materials
EP thinks that the term “selection of the
material” could lead to misunderstanding
because the material per se would be
classified in C09K11/00. Even
documents characterising the type of
phosphor or light converting material
used should be better classified in
C09K. Consequently EP experts would
prefer to create only group F21V9/36
with two dots and delete F21V9/34.
Change to two dot group
N F21V 9/38 . .
JP proposal (Annex 2)
Comments
characterised by the shape
EP experts believe that group F21V 9/38
is rather general and not needed,
because the luminescent materials are
generally on either a lens, a globe or
cover glass, or a reflector, for which
subgroups defining the shapes already
exist.
Rapporteur tends to agree. It is not
clear what "the shape" refers to – the
shape of what? It can hardly be the
shape of the luminescent material.
The intended title is actually:
characterised by the shape, e.g.
contour or thickness, of the photoluminescent materials
JP thinks that if luminescent materials
are simply arranged on a lens etc. the
luminescent materials aren’t
characterised by the shape at all and
this group is not allocated.
Examples below would facilitate the
understanding of the intended scope.
EP understands the point of view of JP,
but does not know how JP would
classify a device where the photo
luminescent particles are within the
material forming a lens or glass cover
having thickness variation. It seems to
EP that this group is only relevant in
case of photo luminescent material
being coated. Could JP give examples
to illustrate the group?
JP proposal (Annex 2)
N F21V 9/40 . . . for producing desired light distribution
H. Mende
Comments
EP finds it difficult to determine what the
“desired light distribution” will be and
therefore has not a clear view of
intended scope of group F21V 9/40.
To JP, the proposed title is clear
enough. However, if the distinction
between F21V9/38 and 9/40 is difficult,
this group could be removed and “for
producing desired light distribution”
could be added in F21V9/38 as an
example.
EP has the impression that by “desired
light distribution”, is meant “for forming
desired light patterns”. In that case it
seems to be more related to decoration
purposes (see example given by JP)
than for general lighting. EP wonders
how many documents related to general
lighting will be relevant for this scope. In
the second example it seems that the
light distribution is more determined by
the shape of the screen comprising the
photo-luminescent material than by the
photo-luminescent material itself.