EUROPEAN PATENT OFFICE
Principal Directorate Documentation
Project: D049
Comments
25 October 2004
Subclass: H04L
Introduction
Offices were invited by the IB to make comments on the proposals for alternative main group
definition statements contained in the recent comments submitted by US (see Annex 14 to
project file D 049).
EP appreciates the US attempt to improve the definition statements of the main groups of
this subclass and agrees with many of the suggestions.
In the following, we comment on some of the proposed amendments and try to clarify some
of the points raised in Annex 14.
Main group 5/00
The definition statement, at present, recites the group title "Arrangements affording multiple
use of the transmission path".
The proposed change into "process or apparatus for permitting plural use of an information
signal path" is not seen as an improvement.
In particular, whereas "transmission path" is a well established terminology in this field (e.g.
in textbooks), it is not clear what "information signal path" defines.
The rest of the proposal does not seem to add to the clarity or precision of the existing
sentence.
In conclusion, EP would prefer to maintain the current definition statement.
Main group 9/00
EP agrees with US amendment.
In particular, decryption is seen by EP as included in the scope of main group 9/00.
Main groups 25/00 and 27/00
US correctly noticed that ECLA titles of these two main groups respectively refer to “DC” and
“AC” systems.
The only reason for this is that said titles are outdated, and still correspond to IPC6.
The responsible EP examiners are in the process of bringing this part of ECLA in conformity
with the most up-to-date IPC titles which, more correctly refer to “Baseband” and “Modulatedcarrier” systems, respectively.
Main group 25/00
A possible modification of the definition statement could be:
- Baseband aspects of data transmission, e.g. baseband equalisers
Main group 27/00
According to EP practice, this main group is used to classify “passband aspects of data
transmission”. Possibly, this wording could be introduced into the definition statement,
resulting into:
- Passband aspects of data transmission, e.g. modulating and demodulating of signals,
arrangements for provision and recovery of carriers
The above-mentioned proposals for groups 25/00 and 27/00, in the opinion of EP experts,
also better describe the relationship between the subject matters respectively covered by
such groups.
Main group 29/00
Firstly, EP has historically used this main group not necessarily for combination of systems
but more as a residual group for techniques which were deemed not to correctly fit any of the
other main groups.
From an historical point of view, in the 80’s, main group 12/00 was seen as the correct place
to classify data network lower layer protocols (e.g. access mechanisms relating to the
topology of the networks themselves).
When, in the 90’s, a huge growth was witnessed in the domain of higher layer protocols, EP
experts decided to keep such new aspects separated from the aspects classified in group
12/00. That’s why they started using group 29/00 and, in particular, they decided to develop
a whole ECLA classification structure under group 29/06.
This is also the reason why, as US correctly noticed, EP practice has been not to use some
of the subgroups of 29/00.
Recently, discussions have taken place in EP circles on the desirability/possibility to bring
some of the subject matter currently classified by EP in 29/06 under main group 12/00.
Such a move is seen as technically compatible with the general title of 12/00.
EP experts informed me that this would require a major operation, and EP position is that it
would not be appropriate to start such a project without consultation and agreement with
other Offices and, in particular, with the Trilateral Offices (possibly initiating a Harmony
Project).
We understand that this may not the proper framework for putting forward this initiative, but
we hope that this short digression helps clarifying the support the EP gives to the present
version of definition statement for group 29/00.
P. Foglia