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DIFF Subclass Not Allocatable
H04S

STEREOPHONIC SYSTEMS

Introduced: January 1980

Description

H04S covers the transmission, reception, and processing of stereophonic audio signals, including systems for creating, encoding, and reproducing sound with spatial dimension using multiple channels. This classification encompasses stereophonic microphone techniques, stereo signal encoding and decoding methods, and equipment for stereo broadcasting and reproduction. It includes systems for both analog and digital stereophonic transmission, as well as related technologies for surround sound and spatial audio reproduction.

Additional Content IPC

Glossary

Stereophonic system stereophonic systems two- or more channel system, e.g. quadraphonic, ambisonic or similar systems

Application references

Circuits or components specially adapted for stereophonic broadcast systems Broadcast systems for the distribution of stereophonic information Circuits or components specially adapted for stereophonic broadcast receiving

Of 6 combined children, 4 exist in both systems.

2 codes are CPC-only extensions.

Note: 2 CPC extensions are marked as secondary classification only.

2 shared codes have differing titles between IPC and CPC.

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