JAPAN PATENT OFFICE
Project: D248
May 24, 2012
Subclass: G03B
JP Comment
JP would like to express our appreciation to CA Rapporteur for the revised set of
documents (Annex18 - 20). As to the definitions in Annex 20, JP would like to
comment on the following points.
1. Definition statement
With regard to Definition statement, it contains the following description.
“This subclass covers: --- Details of such image projectors or viewers, insofar as
they are not peculiar to the presence of the ESLM, like cooling, beam shaping,
remote control, or opto-mechanical keystone correction”
JP is slightly concerned that this description implicitly contains a demarcation
line between subclasses of G03B and H04N due to the wording of “insofar as”,
which can not be introduced based on the current scheme. This statement can
implicitly has the meaning that “This subclass does not cover: --- Details of such
image projectors or viewers, when they are peculiar to the presence of the ESLM,
which are covered by subclass H04N”, since the wording of “insofar as” defines
the applicable degree or extent.
As we mentioned in our comment (Annex 16), the Note(s) of Class G03 contains
a Limiting reference to H04N by saying:
"This class does not cover reproduction of pictures or patterns by scanning and
converting into electrical signals, which is covered by subclass H04N.
[2011.01]"
In JP’s understanding, projectors characterised by the “reproduction of pictures
or patterns” onto ESLM should be classified in H04N, whereas projectors
characterised by optical systems or illumination systems should be classified in
G03B, irrespective of whether being peculiar to the presence of ESLM or not,
because they are not characterised by the “reproduction of pictures or patterns”
onto ESLM.
JP therefore would like to suggest that the description concerned should be
modified as follows;
“This subclass covers: --- Details of such image projectors or viewers,
especially when they are not peculiar to the presence of the ESLM, like cooling,
beam shaping, remote control, or opto-mechanical keystone correction”
JP also would like to note that “affect” is missing in the sentence of “Apparatus or
methods for projecting or viewing images, either from film or slides, or where the
image source – film, slide, or electronic spatial light modulator [ESLM] – does not
significantly (affect) its operation, in particular:”
2. Relationship between large subject matter areas
2.1 Elements directly performing the spatial modulation of the light
According to the proposed table on projectors, “Elements directly performing
the spatial modulation of the light” is classified in H04N. However, JP is of the
opinion that elements per se directly performing the spatial modulation of the light
should be classified in relevant places in the IPC, neither in H04N nor in G03B.
(For example, LCD per se should be classified in G02F.) JP therefore does not
consider this entry is appropriate.
2.2 Illumination systems emitting information-content-modulated light
According to the said table, “Illumination systems emitting information-content
-modulated light” is classified in H04N. However, JP is also concerned that
illumination systems emitting information-content-modulated light could cover
techniques not related to reproduction of pictures or patterns onto ESLM such as
materials, optical properties or manufacturing processes of illumination systems.
Accordingly, this subject matter would not or only partially fit into the scope of
H04N. JP does not consider this entry is an appropriate example either.
R. Arai
[END]