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PCE
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DIFF Subgroup
G11B 21/20

while the head is in operative position but stationary or permitting minor movements to follow irregularities in surface of record carrier

Introduced: September 1968

Full Title

Head arrangements not specific to the method of recording or reproducing > Supporting the heads; Supporting the sockets for plug-in heads > while the head is in operative position but stationary or permitting minor movements to follow irregularities in surface of record carrier

IPC and CPC are identically structured here. All 1 subcodes exist in both systems.

IPC defines codes here since 1985.

Child Classifications

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  • G11B 21/21 with provision for maintaining desired spacing of head from record carrier, e.g. fluid-dynamic spacing, slider since 1985 IPC+CPC Available in IPC and CPC

Top Applicants

Top Applicants (IPC)

Class G11,2013–2023, worldwide · Source: EPO PATSTAT

  1. MICRON TECHNOLOGY US 10,574
  2. SK HYNIX KR 9,138
  3. SAMSUNG ELECTRONICS COMPANY KR 9,004
  4. TAIWAN SEMICONDUCTOR MANUFACTURING COMPANY TW 3,739
  5. IBM (INTERNATIONAL BUSINESS MACHINES CORPORATION) US 3,443
  6. INTEL CORPORATION US 2,952
  7. SANDISK TECHNOLOGIES US 2,905
  8. WESTERN DIGITAL TECHNOLOGIES US 2,630
  9. TOSHIBA CORPORATION JP 2,593
  10. SEAGATE TECHNOLOGY US 2,472

Top Applicants (CPC)

Class G11,2013–2023, worldwide · Source: EPO PATSTAT

  1. MICRON TECHNOLOGY US 12,397
  2. SAMSUNG ELECTRONICS COMPANY KR 12,238
  3. SK HYNIX KR 11,371
  4. TAIWAN SEMICONDUCTOR MANUFACTURING COMPANY TW 4,601
  5. INTEL CORPORATION US 3,874
  6. IBM (INTERNATIONAL BUSINESS MACHINES CORPORATION) US 3,866
  7. SANDISK TECHNOLOGIES US 3,151
  8. SK HYNIX 3,143
  9. SAMSUNG ELECTRONICS COMPANY 3,073
  10. WESTERN DIGITAL TECHNOLOGIES US 2,961