Principal Directorate Patent Grant Automation - Directorate Classification
Project: C474
Subject: Image analysis
Comments
Ref.
IPC range: G06T 7/00
Date: 24-October-2014
Annex 21 of C0474
Annex 22 of C0474
Annex 23 or C0474
EP would like to thank GB for the consolidated scheme proposal and KR and JP for their
comments.
Re Annex 21:
In response to KR objections to the structure of G06T7/0079-0097, EP would like to pick up
on the idea of KR to indexing codes. Thus EP proposes to reduce the scheme to classification
of the segmentation type, i.e. to G06T7/0081, 0083 and 0085. The image processing
operation used therefor (G06T7/0086-7/0097) could be represented by an indexing scheme
(e.g. G06T107/00 and subgroups; cf. Guide to the IPC, paragraphs 108-114).
At present in CPC the image processing operations are represented by main trunk CPC
symbols as well as by orthogonal codes, which is confusing. If and when the indexing codes
are introduced the corresponding main trunk CPC symbols are to be replaced by orthogonal
codes.
The following orthogonal codes could advantageously also be introduced as IPC indexing
codes in addition to the above ones.
- edge growing; edge linking (CPC: G06T2207/20136)
- region growing; region merging; connected component labelling (CPC:
G06T2207/20141)
- foreground-background segmentation (CPC: G06T2207/20144)
Re Annex 22:
EP would like to propose a modified text for the definitions under the heading relationship
between large subject-matter areas to overcome the concern of JP.
Concerning the relationship with application fields, G06T 7/00 covers image
processing algorithms in application fields, insofar it deals with the related image
processing algorithms per se.
If the image processing is functionally linked to specific acquisition or display
hardware or processes it is classified in the application place field, otherwise it is
classified in G06T7. , e.g. image processing functionally linked to scanners, printers
or fax machines (H04N 1/00), to photographic or TV cameras using electronic image
sensors (H04N 5/00, H04N 7/00), to stereoscopic cameras and displays (H04N
13/00), to Magnetic Resonance Imaging [MRI] (G01R 33/56), to Computed
Tomography [CT] (A61B 6/00) or to acquisition and lighting setups for industrial
inspection (G01N 21/00).
Documents that only mention the use of image processing as a “black box” but do not
provide any details on how the underlying image processing algorithm works, are to
be classified in the application place.
Re Annex 23:
GB proposes as a title for G06T7/0002:
Inspection of images, e.g. for flaw detection (G06T 7/004 takes precedence), or for
biomedical purposes
Concerning the limiting reference, EP would like to refer to the definitions which contradict
the precedence rule. In the special rules of classification within the group (7/0002) the
following is stated:
This subgroup is an application-oriented group. Therefore, documents classified
herein should also be classified in a function-oriented group, if they contain a
considerable contribution on the respective function.
Thus the special rule requires double classification. In fact this is practiced at the EPO. Hence
EP requests the precedence rule to be.
Concerning “analysis” (the detailed study or examination of something in order to understand
more about it; the result of the study (Oxford dictionary)) and “inspection” (the act of looking
closely at something/somebody, especially to check that everything is as it should be (Oxford
dictionary)), EP considers the former to be more general, in the sense that analysis can be
used as part of inspection. As biomedical image inspection is a group under 7/0002 it
preferably should not be in the list of examples. Hence EP would like to propose the
following title for 7/0002:
Inspection of images, e.g. for flaw detection.
As the flaw detection is merely an example it is not necessarily linked to biomedical image
inspection, which would be a concern of GB. Alternatively the example could be omitted. EP
agrees with the titles for T7/0004 (Industrial image inspection) and T7/0012 (Biomedical
image inspection).
[PJN]