H04H BROADCAST COMMUNICATION (multiplex communication H04J; pictorial communication aspects of broadcast systems H04N)
Description
H04H covers technologies for transmitting information simultaneously to multiple recipients through electromagnetic waves or similar broadcast media. This subclass encompasses radio broadcasting, television transmission, digital broadcast systems, and related infrastructure for one-way mass communication. Included are modulation techniques, broadcast standards, receiver designs, and transmission protocols specific to broadcast applications. Related but distinct transmission methods such as point-to-point telecommunications (H04B) and closed circuit systems are classified elsewhere.
Filing statistics
CPC subclass H04H recorded 18,791 patent applications worldwide between 2013 and 2023. Annual filings declined from 2,325 in 2013 to 705 in 2023 (-70%), peaking at 2,551 applications in 2014. The most active applicants in class H04 are HUAWEI TECHNOLOGIES COMPANY (101,476 applications), QUALCOMM (101,139 applications) and SAMSUNG ELECTRONICS COMPANY (96,655 applications).
Source: EPO PATSTAT, worldwide filings
4 direct subcodes
Child Classifications
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- H04H 20/00 Arrangements for broadcast or for distribution combined with broadcast
- H04H 2201/00 Aspects of broadcast communication
- H04H 40/00 Arrangements specially adapted for receiving broadcast information
- H04H 60/00 Arrangements for broadcast applications with a direct linking to broadcast information or broadcast space-time; Broadcast-related systems
Top Applicants
Top 10 applicants by patent filingsfor class H04, 2013–2023, worldwide · Source: EPO PATSTAT
- HUAWEI TECHNOLOGIES COMPANY CN 101,476
- QUALCOMM US 101,139
- SAMSUNG ELECTRONICS COMPANY KR 96,655
- TELEFONAKTIEBOLAGET LM ERICSSON (PUBL) SE 57,744
- LG ELECTRONICS KR 55,253
- HUAWEI TECHNOLOGIES COMPANY 54,181
- SONY CORPORATION JP 35,309
- ZTE CORPORATION CN 32,950
- INTEL CORPORATION US 27,533
- GUANGDONG OPPO MOBILE TELECOMMUNICATIONS CORPORATION CN 27,498