DEUTSCHES PATENT- UND MARKENAMT
Class/Subcl.:
German Patent and Trade Mark Office
Date : 11.11.2005
DE - Comments — D 058
Re: D 058 - comment to rappoteur proposals and report (Annex 6-8)
DE thanks EP for its elaboration.
G08G:
DE agrees with EP’s proposal in Annex 7.
B60W:
Please find enclosed a copy of the RP (Annex 8) with comments of DE
(comments are in italic, proposals are underlined). The comments are based
on the results of a test-classification carried out with 8 examiners from 3
different patent departments which are affected by new B60W.
Due to these results DE deems it necessary to have a definition of the terms
“automatic(ally)” and “driving parameters” in the glossary and to state clearly
that:
1. the term “road vehicle drive control systems not related to the
control of a particular sub-unit” encompasses drive control systems
 when two or more sub-units are conjointly controlled
 and also when it is not specified which sub-unit is controlled or
which sub-units are controlled
2. at main-group level (B60W 10/00 – 50/00) multi aspect
classification is applied, i.e. if appropriate, a classification symbol
from the hierarchy of every main-group B60W 10/… to B60W 50/…
should be given,
3. multi aspect classification is also applied within main-group B60W
10/…,
4. but within every main-group B60W 20/… - B60W 50/…the first
place priority rule is applied, i.e. multi aspect classification, which is
applied at main-group level, is not applied within these maingoups.
5. (If indexing codes are introduced: Indexing codes should be used
for additional classification if useful for search pruposes.)
Example for cipher 2 and 3:
A drive control system
 specially adapted for a hybrid vehicle (B60W 20/00)
 with the conjoint control of the braking system (B60W10/18) and
the combustion engine (B60W10/06) and the electric propulsion
unit (B60W 10/08)
 and the purpose of vehicle driving stability (B60W30/02)
 and the calculation of driving parameters related to vehicle motion
(B60W 40/10)
should be classified in B60W 20/00, B60W10/06, B60W 10/08,
B60W10/18, B60W30/02 and B60W 40/10.
Thomas Belz
Title - B60W
Conjoint control of vehicle sub-units of different type or different
function;
Control systems specially adapted for hybrid vehicles;
Road vehicle drive control systems for purposes not related to the
control of a particular sub-unit.
Definition statement
This subclass covers:

Control systems for conjoint control of vehicle sub-units of different type or different
function

Control systems specially adapted for hybrid vehicles

Conjoint control in vehicles for a special purpose or use
In DE’s view, the wording could be misinterpreted since the wording encompasses
the conjoint control even of “not intended sub-units”, e.g. headlights, wiper blades, air
conditioning, entertaining systems, ... .
Since there has been a lot of confusion among DE experts about the scope of the
subclass titles in B60W DE would like to have a more detailed explanation
(Alternitively or additionally the term “road vehicle drive control systems not related to
the control of a particular sub-unit” could be defined in the glossary):

Road vehicle drive control systems for a special purpose or use not related to any
particular sub-unit

Estimation or calculation of driving parameters, specially adapted for conjoint control
of diverse sub-units of a road vehicle

Estimation or calculation of driving parameters, specially adapted for road vehicle
drive control systems not related to any particular sub-unit

Handling or monitoring of signals for controllers, specially adapted for conjoint control
of diverse sub-units of a road vehicle

Handling or monitoring of signals for controllers, specially adapted for road vehicle
drive control systems not related to any particular sub-unit

Purposes of road vehicle drive control systems not related to the control of a
particular sub-unit, i.e.


when two or more particular sub-units are conjointly controlled

or when it is not specified which sub-unit is controlled or which sub-units are
controlled.
Estimation or calculation of driving parameters for road vehicle drive control systems
not related to the control of a particular sub-unit, i.e.

when two or more particular sub-units are conjointly controlled

or when it is not specified which sub-unit is controlled or which sub-units are
controlled.

Details of control systems for road vehicle drive control not related to the control of a
particular sub-unit, i.e.

when two or more particular sub-units are conjointly controlled

or when it is not specified which sub-unit is controlled or which sub-units are
controlled.
This subclass does not cover:
This paragraph is in contrast to the Guidelines for “Drafting Classification Definitions”
stipulated in D000-Annex 1: “The definition statement should provide a positive description
… rather than a negative … .” and “The appropriate classification places for excluded subject
matter are found under “limiting references”.”

The control of a single sub-unit, or same type multiple sub-units for the same purpose
or use DE thinks that it is sufficient to state this issue in “relationship between large
subject matter areas”.

General detecting means, e.g. ultrasonic radar, TV camera, image processing, or
measuring means in general, which are covered by the relevant subclass. DE would
like to move this to “limiting references”.

Control systems for control of position, course, or attitude generally applicable to any
vehicle, such as land, water, air, or space vehicles. DE would like to move this to
“limiting references”.

Traffic control systems i.e. systems transmitting information to a plurality of vehicles
simultaneously in order to co-ordinate the flow of vehicles or systems controlling
platoons of vehicles. DE would like to move this to “limiting references”.
Relationship between large subject matter areas
B60W is the general application-oriented place covering methods or apparatus for conjoint
control of diverse vehicle sub-units vehicle drive control systems not related to a particular
sub-unit. The control of a single particular sub-unit, or same type multiple sub-units for the
same purpose are not covered by this subclass and have to be classified in the relevant
class for the sub-unit, e.g. F02D or F16H. Where a single particular sub-unit is controlled by
signal or commands from other sub-units, the control of this single particular sub-unit is
classified in the relevant place for this sub-unit. For example the control of variable ratio
gearing by means of signals from the engine or accelerator is classified in the subclass for
gearing F16H.
Conjoint control of driveline units, e.g. engines, and variable-ratio gearing occurring only
transiently during ratio shift and being also characterized by the control of the gearing is also
classified in the subclass for gearing F16H.
B60W20/00 is intended for all control systems specially adapted for hybrid vehicles. This
group also covers control systems specially adapted for hybrid vehicles that do not reveal
any use of conjoint control. The arrangement or mounting of plural diverse prime-movers for
common propulsion of a hybrid vehicle will be classified in the subclass B60K.
The scopes of the groups B60W30/00, B60W40/00 and B60W50/00 are not limited to
conjoint control systems only. They also cover road vehicle drive control systems not related
to any particular sub-unit, i.e. which do not disclose when it is not specified which sub-unit is
activated or actuated by the control system.
Limiting references
This subclass does not cover:
Arrangement or mounting of plural diverse prime-movers for mutual or
common propulsion, e.g. hybrid propulsion systems
B60K6/00
Vehicle fittings for automatically controlling vehicle speed by acting on a
single sub-unit
B60K31/00
Electrical circuits for triggering safety arrangements to protect or prevent
injuries to occupant or pedestrians
B60R21/01
Brake control systems for vehicle drive stability
B60T8/1755
Propulsion of purely electrically-propelled vehicles with power supplied
within the vehicle
B60L 11/00
DE prefers the wording of the reference under main-group title of B60W
10/00: “purely electrically-propelled”
Control systems for control of position, course, altitude, or attitude of land,
water, air, or space vehicles
G05D1/00
DE prefers the term “control systems for control of” (see subclass-title of
G05D: systems) instead of “control of” used in the information references for
G01D1/00.
Traffic control systems i.e. systems transmitting information to a plurality of
vehicles simultaneously in order to co-ordinate the flow of vehicles or systems
controlling platoons of vehicles
G08G
General detecting means, e.g. ultrasonic radar, TV camera, image processing,
or measuring means in general, which are covered by the relevant subclass.
G01
Informative references
Attention is drawn to the following places, which may be of interest for search:
Controlling combustion engines, such controlling being peculiar to the devices
driven thereby, the devices being other than parts or accessories essential to
engine operation, e.g. controlling of engines by signals external thereto
F02D29/00
Combinations of clutches and brakes
F16D67/00
Control functions within change-speed- or reversing-gearings for conveying
rotary motion
F16H61/00
Control of position, course, altitude, or attitude of land, water, air, or space
vehicles DE would like to move this to “limiting references”.
G05D1/00
Anti-collision systems
G08G1/16
Special rules of classification
Multi aspect classification

Multi aspect classification is applied at main-group-level, i.e. if the control system is
related to one or more of the following aspects a classification must be made in every
appropriate main-group to identify every aspect the control system is related to:
 Conjoint control of vehicle sub-units of different type or different function (B60W 10/…)
 Specially adapted for hybrid vehicles (B60W 20/…)
 Purposes (B60W 30/…)
 Estimation or calculation of driving parameters (B60W 40/…)
 Details (B60W 50/…)
 e.g. when classifying in group B60W10/00 classification must also be made in groups
B60W20/00 –50/00 in order to identify the purpose or use of the control.

Multi aspect classification is also applied within main-goup B60W 10/…, i.e. when
classifying the structure of the conjoint control in main group B60W10/…, for each
controlled sub-unit an obligatory classification should be given.
Further or different aspects of the invention in the scope of a lower group could also be given
as classification. DE is not sure about the intended statement of this sentence, but it might be
encompassed by our proposal above.
When classifying in these groups classification has also to be made in the group B60W10/00
for the diverse controlled sub-units if appropriate.
Priority rules
Since there has been some confusion among DE experts about the meaning of the wording,
which seems to be ambiguous, DE would like to change the wording slightly:
In groups B60W20/00 –50/00 the first place priority rule is applied, i.e. at each hierarchical
level, classification is made in the first appropriate place
Within every main-group B60W 20/… - B60W 50/…the first place priority rule is applied, i.e.
multi aspect classification, which is applied at main-goup level, is not applied within these
main-groups. (Provisions for applying the first place priority rule are outlined in paragraphs
147 – 150 of the Guide.)
Glossary
In this subclass, the following terms or expressions are used with the meaning indicated:
auxiliary drives means drives of auxiliary or external machines or devices from the
propulsion unit, transmission or other parts of the vehicle
The term “auxiliary drives” does neither exist in the wording of B60W (at least not in the
approved core level) nor in the wording of the proposed definition statement. The wording of
note 5. and of B60W 10/30 contains the term “auxiliary equipment”.
conjoint control
means that a programmed or condition-responsive automatic
controller on-board the vehicle, embodying control logic for vehicle sub-units of
different type or different function, sends control signals to actuators of two or more
vehicle sub-units, so that the sub-units act together to solve a particular problem or in
response to a particular driving condition
conjoint control of diverse vehicle sub-units means such control of different sub- units
within the same vehicle for those vehicles defined under note to class B60, and of
general applicability to different types of vehicles normally under the control of a
human driver
cruise control means a system for automatically controlling vehicle speed, which may
include additional functions e.g. control of distance between vehicles, so-called
“Adaptive Cruise Control” (ACC)
drive control system means an electronic system in a road vehicle for automatically
controlling the movement of that vehicle in order to take certain actions
road vehicle
means a vehicle normally under the control of a human driver for
transportation on roads, e.g. an automobile, truck or bus
sub-unit means one of the following vehicle systems: propulsion systems; clutch system;
change-speed gearing system; system for distributing drive torque between front and
rear axles; axle differential system; brake system; steering system or suspension
system; energy storage means; fuel cells or auxiliary equipments
automatic(ally) means full- and semi-automatic(ally)
DE experts would like to have the “automatic”-definition above since there are lot of
control systems with an interaction between the driver and the control systems, e.g.
control systems which assist the driver in controlling the vehicle movement which
means the vehicle movement is semi-automatically controlled.
driving parameter
DE has some questions about the meaning of the term “driving parameters” in B60W
40/… and would like to have a definition in the glossary:

Does the term “driving parameter” have the meaning as the term “propelling
parameter (torque, revolution)” and does it then encompass “power parameters of
the driveline” (B60W 30/187-30/1876) and “drive line ratio” (B60W 30/18230/1826) and if so, are the sopes of B60W 30/187-30/1876 and B60W 30/182-


30/1826 proposed in TO14 rather a matter of “estimation or calculation” (B60W
40/…) than of “purposes” (B60W 30/…)?
If “driving parameter” meant “propelling parameter (torque, revolution)” would the
estimation or calculation of the following parameters be encompassed by the
scope of B60W 40/…: speed and acceleration of the vehicle, braking force,
steering angle, suspension parameters, clutch actuating force, voltage of energy
storage means,…?
Does B60W 40/062 mean that the road friction coefficient is estimated or
calculated and if so, is the “road friction coefficient” a “driving parameter”? Or
does B60W 40/062 mean that a “driving parameter” is calculated on basis of a
road friction coefficient?
Proposal:
For reasons of a clear multi-aspect classification DE would prefer a strict separation
of purposes (B60W 30/…) and estimation or calculation of parameters (B60W 40/…)
and proposes the following definition:
driving parameter means all parameters used by the road vehicle drive control
system to control sub-units of the type defined in this glossary, e.g. torques,
revolutions, drive line ratios, engine power output, steering angles, braking forces,
vehicle speeds and accelerations (longitudinal, lateral, vertical), suspension
parameters, parameters for energy storage means, …