EPO – Principal Directorate Business Services – Directorate Classification
Subject: Electric lamps using
semiconductor devices as light
generating elements
Project: F036
Comments
Ref.:
CPC/IPC: F21K9/00
F21Y
20 February 2015
Annex 8 of the project file
The EPO has added a column for its comments. The EPO agrees with all comments
and modifications proposed by the Rapporteur, except for subclass F21Y where a
comment has been added concerning the title of group F21Y105/18.
The EPO also proposes to introduce three new subgroups below F21Y105/10
(highlighted in yellow in the table below). The EPO would like to receive comments
about this new proposal.
The USPTO has added a further column for its comments. The USPTO agrees with all
comments and supports also the proposals introduced by EPO.
Expected Dots Title
IPC
SE comments
JP comments
EP comments
US
Comments
F21K
Note
In this subclass, it is
desirable to add the
indexing codes of
subclasses F21W
and F21Y
ok
ok
N F21K9/00
Light sources using
semiconductor
devices as light
generating elements,
e.g. using light
emitting diodes
[LED] or lasers
ok
ok
N Note
1. In this group the
following expression
is used with the
meaning indicated:
- “Light source”
means a light
generating
component intended
for installation in a
fitting or holder
incorporated in a
lighting device.
- ”Retrofit light
source” means a
light source
comprising
1. Although not a
Ok with rapporteur‘s
fundamental
comments
problem, we think
this definition of
"Light source" is
more restricted than
is desirable in F21K
2/00 and F21K 5/00.
This could be an
argument for
creating a new
subclass, rather than
a new main group.
R is open to creating
a new subclass, but
tentatively keeps it
ok
Expected Dots Title
IPC
substantially the
same attachment
means as those of
incandescent lamps
or fluorescent lamps.
“Retrofit light source”
is specially adapted
for replacing or
substituting those
lamps.
2. Semiconductor
devices per se, or
packages thereof,
specially adapted for
light emission, e.g.
for use in light
sources, are covered
by subclass H01L,
e.g. H01L33/00 or
H01L51/50, or by
subclass H01S.
3. Lighting devices
or systems in which
light sources are
used are covered by
subclass F21L or
F21S.
4. When classifying
in this group,
classification is also
made in F21V if
detail aspects
covered by that
subclass are of
interest.
SE comments
JP comments
EP comments
US
Comments
as a new main group
in view of the
number of
subgroups (not so
many).
The second
sentence is perhaps
not necessary, but if
it is we think the
word "rare" should
be avoided:
“Light sources” are
in most cases
replaceable but can
also be
permanently
installed in the
fitting or holder.
R deleted the
second sentence.
2. We propose:
Semiconductor
devices per se, or
packages thereof,
specially adapted
for light emission,
e.g. for use in light
sources, are
covered by
subclass H01L, e.g.
H01L33/00 or
H01L51/50, or by
subclass H01S.
Thanks.
R added a bullet for
“retrofit light source”
in order to simplify
the title of F21K9/13
(9/23) and F21K9/17
(9/27). All the
previous Annexes
were reviewed. See
Annex 7.
N F21K9/20
.
Light sources
comprising
attachment means
ok
ok
N F21K9/23
..
Retrofit light sources We think it would be
for lighting devices
better to focus on
with a single fitting
the lighting device
ok
ok
Expected Dots Title
IPC
for each light source,
e.g. for substitution
of incandescent
lamps with bayonet
or screw based
fittings
SE comments
JP comments
EP comments
US
Comments
than the
replacement:
specially adapted
for lighting devices
with a single fitting
for each light
source, e.g. for
substitution of
incandescent
lamps with bayonet
or threaded fittings
Thanks. See Annex
7.
N F21K9/232
...
specially adapted for
generating an
essentially omnidirectional light
distribution, e.g. with
a glass bulb
ok
ok
N F21K9/233
...
specially adapted for
generating a spot
light distribution, e.g.
for substitution of
reflector lamps
ok
ok
N F21K9/235
...
Details of bases or
See F21K9/272.
caps, i.e. the parts
that connect the light
source to a fitting;
Arrangement of
components within
bases or caps
(F21K9/238 takes
precedence)
ok
ok
N F21K9/237
...
Details of housings See F21K9/275.
or cases, i.e. the
parts between the
light generating
element and the
bases; Arrangement
of components
within housings or
cases (F21K9/238
takes precedence)
ok
ok
N F21K9/238
...
Arrangement or
mounting of circuit
elements integrated
in the light source
ok
ok
N F21K9/27
..
Retrofit light sources
for lighting devices
with two fittings for
each light source,
e.g. for substitution
ok
ok
We think it would be
better to focus on
the lighting device
than the
replacement:
Expected Dots Title
IPC
SE comments
JP comments
of fluorescent tubes
specially adapted
for lighting devices
with two fittings for
each light source,
e.g. for substitution
of fluorescent
tubes
Thanks. See Annex
7.
EP comments
US
Comments
N F21K9/272
...
Details of end parts,
i.e. the parts that
connect the light
source to a fitting;
Arrangement of
components within
end parts
(F21K9/278 takes
precedence)
IPC plural, unclear
ok
meaning of "therein":
Details of the end
parts, i.e. the parts
that connect the
light source to a
fitting;
Arrangement of
components within
end parts
(F21K9/177 takes
precedence)
Thanks.
ok
N F21K9/275
...
Details of bases or
housings, i.e. the
parts between the
light generating
element and the end
caps; Arrangement
of components
within bases or
housings
(F21K9/278 takes
precedence)
IPC plural, unclear
ok
meaning of "therein":
Details of bases or
housings, i.e. the
parts between the
light-generating
elements and the
end caps;
Arrangement of
components within
bases or housings
(F21K9/177 takes
precedence)
Thanks.
ok
N F21K9/278
...
Arrangement or
mounting of circuit
elements integrated
in the light source
ok
ok
ok
N F21K9/60
.
Optical
arrangements
integrated in the light
source, e.g. for
improving the colour
rendering index or
the light extraction
ok
ok
N F21K9/61
..
..
using light guides
ok
ok
using mixing
ok
ok
N F21K9/62
Expected Dots Title
IPC
SE comments
JP comments
EP comments
US
Comments
ok
ok
chambers, e.g.
housings with
reflective walls
N F21K9/64
..
using wavelength
conversion means
distinct or spaced
from the light
generating element,
e.g. a remote
phosphor layer
N F21K9/65
..
specially adapted for
changing the
characteristics or the
distribution of the
light, e.g. by
adjustment of parts
We still think
ok
"adjustment" is
better, since
"movement" implies
something that is
going on all the time.
"e.g. by moving
parts" would
perhaps be better
than "e.g. by
movement of parts"
Thanks.
ok
N F21K9/66
..
Details of globes or
covers forming part
of the light source
Delete the first "the": ok
Details of globes or
covers forming
part of the light
source
Thanks.
ok
N F21K9/68
..
Details of reflectors
forming part of the
light source
Delete the first "the": ok
Details of reflectors
forming part of the
light source
Thanks.
ok
N F21K9/69
..
Details of refractors
forming part of the
light source
Delete the first "the": ok
Details of
refractors forming
part of the light
source
Thanks.
ok
N F21K9/90
.
Methods of
manufacture
ok
ok
ok
ok
ok
ok
ok
ok
C F21K99/00
Subject matter not
provided for in other
groups of this
subclass
U F21S2/00
Systems of lighting
devices, not
See Annex 7.
Expected Dots Title
IPC
SE comments
JP comments
EP comments
US
Comments
provided for in main
groups F21S 4/00F21S 10/00 or F21S
19/00, e.g. of
modular construction
C F21W
INDEXING
SCHEME
ASSOCIATED WITH
SUBCLASSES
F21K, F21L, F21S
and F21V,
RELATING TO
USES OR
APPLICATIONS OF
LIGHTING
DEVICES OR
SYSTEMS
ok
ok
M F21W
Note
This subclass
constitutes an
indexing scheme
associated with
subclasses F21K,
F21L, F21S and
F21V, relating to
uses or applications
of lighting devices or
systems.
ok
ok
C F21Y
INDEXING
SCHEME
ASSOCIATED WITH
SUBCLASSES
F21K, F21L, F21S
and F21V,
RELATING TO
LIGHT SOURCES
Since we also talk
about colour we
think it would be
enough to say:
INDEXING
SCHEME
ASSOCIATED
WITH
SUBCLASSES
F21K, F21L, F21S
and F21V,
RELATING TO
LIGHT SOURCES
The formulation
ok
“relating to the light
sources” is too broad
and could be
erroneously
interpreted.
We would prefer to
keep the current
formulation and add
“to the form, the kind
and/or the color of
the light sources”
M F21Y
Note
This subclass
constitutes an
indexing scheme
associated with
subclasses F21K,
F21L, F21S and
F21V, relating to
light sources.
See above:
This subclass
constitutes an
indexing scheme
associated with
subclasses F21K,
F21L, F21S and
F21V, relating to
light sources.
ok
ok
Expected Dots Title
IPC
C F21Y101/00
D F21Y101/02
SE comments
JP comments
Point-like light
sources
.
C F21Y103/00
Miniature, e.g. light
emitting diodes
(LED)
Transferred to
F21Y101/00,
F21Y115/10
Elongated light
sources, e.g.
fluorescent tubes
EP comments
US
Comments
ok
ok
ok
ok
ok
ok
D F21Y103/02
.
curved
Transferred to
F21Y103/30.
ok
ok
D F21Y103/02
5
..
U-shaped
Transferred to
F21Y103/37.
ok
ok
N F21Y103/10
.
comprising a linear
array of point-like
light generating
elements
ok
ok
N F21Y103/20
.
of polygonal shape,
e.g. square or
rectangular
ok
ok
.
N F21Y103/33 ..
N F21Y103/37 ..
curved
ok
ok
ring-shaped
ok
ok
U-shaped
ok
ok
C F21Y105/00
Planar light sources
ok
ok
N F21Y103/30
N F21Y105/10
.
comprising a two
dimensional array of
point-like light
generating elements
ok
ok
N F21Y105/15
..
characterised by the
geometrical
disposition of the
light generating
elements, e.g. the
spacing of light
generating elements
to create different
densities or the
arrangement of the
light generating
elements of different
colours in a specific
pattern
ok
ok
N F21Y105/18
..
Characterized by the
overall shape of the
two dimensional
array
EP proposes the
ok
creation of these
groups because we
fear that
F21Y105/10 will
contain too many
documents.
Creating sub-
Expected Dots Title
IPC
SE comments
JP comments
EP comments
US
Comments
groups relating to
the shape of the
LED array could be
helpful to
differentiate the
light panels using a
rectangular array
from the spot light
using a circular or
disk-shaped array.
Moreover, there
would be more
consistency with
sub groups of
F21Y103
N F21Y105/18
5
...
The array or its
external contour
being square or
rectangular shaped,
e.g. for light panels
ok
ok
N F21Y105/18
8
...
The array or its
external contour
being circular, diskshaped, or being
polygonal other than
rectangular or
square, e.g. for
spotlights or for
generating an axially
symmetrical light
beam
ok
ok
Light sources of form
not covered by
groups F21Y101/00
to F21Y105/00, e.g.
non-planar or threedimensional
arrangements
ok
ok
C F21Y111/00
N F21Y111/09
.
with light generating
elements disposed
on a concave
support or substrate,
e.g. on the inner side
of a bowl shaped
support
ok
ok
N F21Y111/18
.
with light generating
elements disposed
on a convex support
or substrate, e.g. on
the outer surface of
a portion of a sphere
ok
ok
N F21Y111/27
.
with light generating
ok
ok
Expected Dots Title
IPC
SE comments
JP comments
EP comments
US
Comments
elements disposed
on the outer surface
of a cylindrical
surface, e.g. a rod
shaped support
having a circular or a
polygonal cross
section
N F21Y111/36
.
with light generating
elements disposed
on the sides of a
polyhedron, e.g. a
cube or a pyramid
ok
ok
N F21Y111/45
.
with light generating
elements disposed
on a planar
substrate or support,
but arranged in
different planes or
with differing
orientation, e.g. on a
plate-shaped
support with steps
on which light
generating elements
are mounted
We propose:
ok
with light
generating
elements disposed
on a planar
substrate or
support, but
arranged in
different planes or
with differing
orientation, e.g. on
a plate-shaped
support with steps
on which light
generating
elements are
mounted
ok
N F21Y111/55
.
Assemblies
consisting of stacked
substrates
supporting the light
generating elements
We note that in the
ok
current IPC there are
14 cases of "lightemitting" and 15
cases of "light
emitting"… We
prefer hyphenation,
but leave the
question to Englishspeakers.
R also leaves it to
English-speakers.
US suggests
Hyphenation.
N F21Y111/64
.
with light generating
elements disposed
on a flexible or
deformable support
or substrate, e.g. for
changing the light
source into a desired
form
ok
ok
N F21Y111/73
.
with light generating
elements disposed
ok
ok
Expected Dots Title
IPC
SE comments
JP comments
EP comments
US
Comments
on an articulated,
e.g. hinged, support
or substrate
N F21Y111/82
.
with light generating
elements disposed
on two opposite
sides of a support or
substrate
ok
ok
N F21Y111/91
.
with light generating
elements disposed
on a transparent or
translucent support
or substrate, e.g. for
light distribution
through the support
or substrate
ok
ok
Combination of light
sources
ok
ok
ok
ok
C F21Y113/00
D F21Y113/02
.
N F21Y113/10
of different form
Transferred to
F21Y113/20.
.
N F21Y113/13 ..
of different colours
ok
ok
comprising an
assembly of pointlike light sources
ok
ok
N F21Y113/17
...
forming a single
encapsulated light
source
ok
ok
N F21Y113/20
.
of different form
ok
ok
Light generating
elements of
semiconductor light
sources
ok
ok
Light emitting diodes
[LED]
ok
ok
..
N F21Y115/17 ..
Laser diodes
ok
ok
Organic light
emitting diodes
[OLED]
ok
ok
N F21Y115/20
Electroluminescent
[EL] light sources
ok
ok
III. In this section,
the following
special cases
occur:
ok
ok
N F21Y115/00
N F21Y115/10
.
N F21Y115/13
M H section
Note
.
c.In the case of
lighting, this
mechanical aspect
should be taken to
Expected Dots Title
IPC
SE comments
JP comments
EP comments
cover the material
arrangement of the
various electric
elements, i.e., their
geometrical or
physical position in
relation to one
another; this
aspect is covered
by various
subclasses of
class F21 subclass
F21V, the elements
themselves and the
primary circuits
remaining in
section H. The
same applies to
electric light
sources, when
combined with
light sources of a
different kind.
These are covered
by subclass H05B,
whereas the
physical
arrangement which
their combination
constitutes is
covered by the
various subclasses
of class F21;
--Hasso Mende, Jérôme Terrier de la Chaise, (EPO, Classification Board members)
Eric Prévot (EPO expert)
[end]
US
Comments