G02F - Definition

Definition statement

This subclass covers:

Devices or arrangements for the control of light beams, wherein the operation of said devices or arrangements is modified by changing the optical properties of the medium of said devices or arrangements by influence or control of physical parameters, where

• said control of light beams includes switching, gating, modulating, focussing, deflecting;
• said optical properties of the medium of said devices or arrangements include refractive index, colour;
• said physical parameters include electric field or current, magnetic field, sound or mechanical vibrations, stress, thermal effects.

The following optic elements are therefore covered, the list being not exhaustive:

• thermo-optic elements;
• electro-optic elements;
• magneto-optic elements;
• piezo-optic (photo-elastic) elements;
• acousto-optic elements;
• liquid crystal devices;
• electrochromic elements;
• electrophoretic elements.

Non-linear optics, i.e. devices or arrangements in which the electric or magnetic field component of the light beam influences the optical properties of the medium.

Control of light beams by electromagnetic waves, e.g. radio waves, or by electrons or other elementary particles.

Optical analogue/digital converters, i.e. devices performing the digitalisation of an optical analogue signal, insofar these converters are based in substantial manner on elements which are provided for under the bullets above.

Demodulating light.

Transferring the modulation of modulated light, i.e. transferring the information from one optical carrier of a first wavelength to a second optical carrier of a second wavelength.

Frequency changing of light, e.g. by quantum counters.

Optical logic elements.

Optical bistable devices, i.e. devices exhibiting two different optical output states for a same optical input value.

Relationship between large subject matter areas

Group G02B 26/00 covers optical devices or arrangements for controlling light using movable or deformable elements, as opposed to subclass G02F that covers devices or arrangements involving a modification or control of the optical properties of the medium of said devices or arrangements.

Group G05D 25/00 covers control of light in general, e.g. by using electric or mechanical means, as opposed to subclass G02F that covers devices or arrangements involving a modification or control of the optical properties of the medium of said devices or arrangements.

Group G09F 9/35 covers indicating arrangements in which characters are formed on a support by combining individual liquid crystal elements, as opposed to group G02F 1/13 that covers devices or arrangements for the control of the intensity, phase, polarization or colour based on liquid crystals. Classification should be given in G09F 9/35 when the emphasis is on the indicating aspects, and in the relevant subgroups of G02F 1/13 when the emphasis is on the devices or arrangements aspects of the liquid crystal cells involved.

References relevant to classification in this subclass

This subclass does not cover:

Informative references

Attention is drawn to the following places, which may be of interest for search:

Synonyms and Keywords

In patent documents the following abbreviations are often used: