G01S - Definition 
Definition statement
This subclass covers:
Methods or apparatus for determining positions, directions and distances by use of radio waves.
Methods or apparatus for determining velocities of solid objects/bodies by use of radio waves, unless the body is moving relative to some fluid and the influence of the streaming medium on the wave propagating therein is measured.
Methods or apparatus for locating solid objects/bodies, or detecting their presence by use of reflection or reradiation of radio waves.
Methods or apparatus for navigation by use of radio waves (attention is drawn to the limited scope of the term navigation, given below in the section Glossary of Terms).
Analogous methods or apparatus using other waves than radio waves, e.g. infrared, visible or ultraviolet light, or acoustic waves. Certain restrictions and priorities apply as regards other subclasses (see sections "Relationships between larger subject matter areas" and "References relevant to classification in this subclass" below).
Radar, Lidar, Sonar systems in general and specially adapted for specific applications if not specifically designed for geophysical use.
Relationship between large subject matter areas
The general subject matters direction-finding, navigation, determining distances, or velocities, locating, or presence-detecting are covered by several subclasses besides G01S: G01B, G01C, G01P, G01V.
G01S necessarily requires the use of waves (attention is drawn to the section "Glossary of terms").
Therefore, the use of static or time-varying fields that do not obey a wave equation is not sufficient for subject matter to be classified in G01S.
G01S specially emphasizes radio waves. Thus, this subclass is always the appropriate place when radio waves are used for determining directions, bearings, or distances. It is also always appropriate when radio waves are used for determining velocities of solid objects or bodies as well as for locating such bodies or detecting their presence. It is also always appropriate for navigation by using radio waves (attention is drawn to the limited scope of the term navigation, given below in the section "Glossary of terms").
As regards the use of other waves than radio waves, the part "analogous arrangements using other waves" of the title requires careful consideration of G01B, G01C, G01P, and G01V which all cover the use of such waves for the measuring of similar variables like distance, velocity, direction, or location.
When propagation effects of waves are relevant (see definition below in the section "Glossary of terms") G01B, G01C, and G01P all refer to G01S as being the appropriate place; however, there are some exceptions where propagation effects are relevant but the subject matter is classified elsewhere (see section "References relevant to classification in this subclass" below).
It is to be noted that this emphasis on propagation effects does not preclude subject matter from being classified in G01S when propagation effects are irrelevant to that subject matter.
Radar, Sonar, Lidar, or analogous systems specifically designed for geophysical use are classified in G01V. However, they are also classified in G01S if they are of general interest.
References relevant to classification in this subclass
This subclass does not cover:
Measuring a linear dimension of an object | G01B |
Measuring distances by optical means between spaced objects when propagation effects are irrelevant | G01B 11/14 |
Passive optical systems for measuring distances in line of sight or transverse to line of sight, respectively | G01C 3/00, G01C 5/00 |
Passive triangulation systems using a parallactic triangle | G01C 3/10, G01C 3/22, G01C 3/24, G01C 3/26 |
Navigation not using radio waves when propagation effects are not relevant; navigation beyond position fixing, determining velocity of a vehicle or craft or its direction of velocity | G01C 21/00 |
Determining velocities by optical means when propagation effects are not relevant | G01P 3/36 |
Determining presence, absence, or direction of movement | G01P 13/00 |
Prospecting by optical means; detecting the presence of objects or masses by optical means, e.g. by interruption of beams, i.e. light barriers | G01V 8/00 |
Measuring volume flow of fluids or fluid solids by propagation effects of electromagnetic or other waves | G01F 1/66 |
Measuring direction or velocity of flowing fluids or of solid bodies relative to fluids using propagation effects of waves | G01P 5/00 |
Radar, Sonar, Lidar, or analogous systems specifically designed for geophysical use | G01V |
Active systems for generating focusing signals | G02B 7/28 |
Navigation systems for traffic control purposes, i. e. systems in which the navigation is not performed autonomously by or in the vehicles, but where the vehicles are guided by instructions transmitted to them | G08G |
Proximity switches | H03K 17/945, H03K 17/965 |
Informative references
Attention is drawn to the following places, which may be of interest for search:
Measuring linear dimensions, e.g. length, thickness, and distances between spaced objects | G01B |
Measuring distances, levels, bearings; surveying; navigation | G01C |
Measuring acoustic waves per se | G01H |
Measuring light per se | G01J |
Investigating materials by optical radiation, microwaves or acoustic waves | G01N |
Measuring linear or angular speed, indicating presence, absence, or direction of movement | G01P |
Detecting masses or objects by methods not involving reflection or reradiation of radio, acoustic, or other waves; prospecting | G01V |
Optical systems | G02B |
Control of position, course, altitude or attitude | G05D |
Detecting the presence of objects for the purpose of counting them | G06M 7/00, G06M 11/00 |
Traffic control systems; anti-collision systems | G08G |
Glossary of terms
In this subclass, the following terms or expressions are used with the meaning indicated:
| Waves | is the mechanism by which energy is transported without the transfer of matter. Waves may be either electromagnetic waves, which do not require a medium to propagate, or mechanical waves, which require a medium, e.g. acoustic waves. Waves are most easily defined in mathematical terms as obeying a so-called wave equation. |
| Propagation effects | are relevant if the outcome of a measurement depends on the actual value of a physical quantity characterising the propagation of the wave, i.e. its wavelength, frequency, velocity, or phase. The mere presence or direction of a wave are not considered a propagation effect or to contribute to a propagation effect. To put it in another way, propagation effects are irrelevant, if the radiation may be looked upon as a beam of radiation whose wave nature can be ignored. Examples of measurements where propagation effects are relevant include e.g. measurements of propagation time, phase difference, phase delay, measurements using the Doppler effect, or interference. |
| Navigation | is in this subclass limited to position fixing, or determining the velocity or direction of velocity of vehicles or crafts or their distance from other objects. |
| Reflection | means the general physical phenomenon that propagating waves are being scattered by any object, body or target in their path. Scattering can be elastic (i.e. the frequencies of the incoming and outgoing waves are the same) or inelastic (i.e. the respective frequencies are different). Other properties of the wave may change as well. Reflection can be specular or diffuse depending on surface properties of the scattering object. Reradiation further includes the mechanism characteristic of a transponder, i.e. receiving a wave and then transmitting an answering wave. |
| Transponder | means an arrangement which reacts to an incoming interrogating or detecting wave by emitting a specific answering or identifying wave. |
| Active systems | means systems comprising an artificial source for emitting waves. The propagating waves interact with at least one object and are eventually detected by the system. The interaction may consist in e.g. a reflection. |
| Passive systems | means systems detecting waves that are not emitted by the measuring system itself (e.g. by the sun). |
| Object | an entity that is not part of the measuring device. |