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DIFF Subclass Not Allocatable
H04K

SECRET COMMUNICATION; JAMMING OF COMMUNICATION

Introduced: September 1968

Description

H04K covers technologies for concealing communication content and deliberately disrupting electromagnetic signals. This includes encryption methods, steganography, spread spectrum techniques, and frequency hopping systems designed to prevent unauthorized signal interception or eavesdropping. The class also encompasses jamming devices and countermeasures that intentionally interfere with wireless or wired transmissions to deny communication access. Applications range from military and government secure communications to commercial privacy protection and anti-theft systems.

Additional Content IPC

Glossary

Secret communication Secret line and radiation transmission systems, i.e., those in which the signal is modified at the transmitting station in such a way that the information cannot be intelligibly received without corresponding modification at the receiving station. Jamming of communication jamming of communications Apparatus, circuits or systems purposefully trying to interfere with the physical transmission and reception of communication. Frequency scrambling transposing or inverting parts of the frequency band or by inverting the whole band Follower jammer Jammer adapted to determine and follow the frequency of a jamming target signal that uses frequency hopping techniques Look-through mode Operation mode wherein jamming and monitoring of the jamming target alternate Reactive jammer Jammer wherein jamming is activated only when a target has been detected RCIED Remote Controlled Improvised Explosive Device

Application references

Means for anti-jamming used in radar or analogous systems Jamming means used in radar or analogous systems Counter-measures or counter-counter-measures used in lidar or analogous systems Counter measures or counter-counter-measures used in sonar or analogous systems Arrangements for the secret or secure communication of digital information Secrecy systems used in scanning, transmission or reproduction of documents Analogue secrecy systems or analogue subscription systems for television

Of 3 combined children, 2 exist in both systems.

1 codes are CPC-only extensions.

Note: 1 CPC extensions are marked as secondary classification only.

Child Classifications

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Top Applicants

Top Applicants (IPC)

Class H04,2013–2023, worldwide · Source: EPO PATSTAT

  1. QUALCOMM US 97,396
  2. HUAWEI TECHNOLOGIES COMPANY CN 96,502
  3. SAMSUNG ELECTRONICS COMPANY KR 86,981
  4. TELEFONAKTIEBOLAGET LM ERICSSON (PUBL) SE 55,869
  5. HUAWEI TECHNOLOGIES COMPANY 55,349
  6. LG ELECTRONICS KR 53,649
  7. CANON 33,341
  8. SONY CORPORATION JP 32,761
  9. ZTE CORPORATION CN 32,274
  10. GUANGDONG OPPO MOBILE TELECOMMUNICATIONS CORPORATION 28,327

Top Applicants (CPC)

Class H04,2013–2023, worldwide · Source: EPO PATSTAT

  1. HUAWEI TECHNOLOGIES COMPANY CN 101,476
  2. QUALCOMM US 101,139
  3. SAMSUNG ELECTRONICS COMPANY KR 96,655
  4. TELEFONAKTIEBOLAGET LM ERICSSON (PUBL) SE 57,744
  5. LG ELECTRONICS KR 55,253
  6. HUAWEI TECHNOLOGIES COMPANY 54,181
  7. SONY CORPORATION JP 35,309
  8. ZTE CORPORATION CN 32,950
  9. INTEL CORPORATION US 27,533
  10. GUANGDONG OPPO MOBILE TELECOMMUNICATIONS CORPORATION CN 27,498