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IPC Subclass
F21K

NON-ELECTRIC LIGHT SOURCES USING LUMINESCENCE; LIGHT SOURCES USING ELECTROCHEMILUMINESCENCE; LIGHT SOURCES USING CHARGES OF COMBUSTIBLE MATERIAL; LIGHT SOURCES USING SEMICONDUCTOR DEVICES AS LIGHT-GENERATING ELEMENTS; LIGHT SOURCES NOT OTHERWISE PROVIDED FOR

Introduced: September 1968

Classification Context

Section:
MECHANICAL ENGINEERING; LIGHTING; HEATING; WEAPONS; BLASTING
Class:
LIGHTING
Subclass:
NON-ELECTRIC LIGHT SOURCES USING LUMINESCENCE; LIGHT SOURCES USING ELECTROCHEMILUMINESCENCE; LIGHT SOURCES USING CHARGES OF COMBUSTIBLE MATERIAL; LIGHT SOURCES USING SEMICONDUCTOR DEVICES AS LIGHT-GENERATING ELEMENTS; LIGHT SOURCES NOT OTHERWISE PROVIDED FOR

Description

Subclass F21K encompasses non-electric and alternative light sources including luminescent materials, electrochemiluminescent systems, combustion-based lighting, and semiconductor light-emitting devices. This classification covers light generation technologies that do not rely on traditional electric filament or gas discharge methods, such as phosphorescent paints, chemiluminescent reactions, LED and laser diodes, and flame-based lighting systems. It serves as a residual category for innovative light sources that do not fit established classifications within the broader F21 lighting section. Adjacent classes in F21 cover electric incandescent lamps (F21B), fluorescent and discharge lamps (F21C/D), and electric lamp details and accessories (F21V/S).

Filing statistics

IPC subclass F21K recorded 53,788 patent applications worldwide between 2013 and 2023. Annual filings declined from 4,776 in 2013 to 2,391 in 2023 (-50%), peaking at 8,647 applications in 2016. The most active applicants in class F21 are PANASONIC INTELLECTUAL PROPERTY (3,883 applications), VALEO VISION (2,797 applications) and KOITO MANUFACTURING COMPANY (2,531 applications).

Source: EPO PATSTAT, worldwide filings

In class comparison

F21K ranks 5th of 7 subclasses with filings in F21, with 53,788 applications between 2013 and 2023, 3.8% of the class. Annual filings declined 50% from 2013 to 2023, below the class as a whole (+7%).

Subclasses of class F21 by patent applications, 2013–2023
RankSubclassTitleApplicationsShare
1F21V, Functional Features or Details of Lighting Devices or Systems Thereof; Structural Combinations of Lighting Devices With Other Articles, Not Otherwise Provided forFunctional Features or Details of Lighting Devices or Systems Thereof; Structural Combinations of Lighting Devices With Other Articles, Not Otherwise Provided for583,20441.3%
2F21S, Non-Portable Lighting Devices; Systems Thereof; Vehicle Lighting Devices Specially Adapted for Vehicle ExteriorsNon-Portable Lighting Devices; Systems Thereof; Vehicle Lighting Devices Specially Adapted for Vehicle Exteriors342,34824.2%
3F21Y, Indexing Scheme Associated With Subclasses , , and , Relating to the Form or the Kind of the Light Sources or of the Colour of the Light EmittedIndexing Scheme Associated With Subclasses , , and , Relating to the Form or the Kind of the Light Sources or of the Colour of the Light Emitted269,19319.1%
4F21W, Indexing Scheme Associated With Subclasses , , and , Relating to Uses or Applications of Lighting Devices or SystemsIndexing Scheme Associated With Subclasses , , and , Relating to Uses or Applications of Lighting Devices or Systems138,5009.8%
5F21KNon-Electric Light Sources Using Luminescence; Light Sources Using Electrochemiluminescence; Light Sources Using Charges of Combustible Material; Light Sources Using Semiconductor Devices as Light-Generating Elements; Light Sources Not Otherwise Provided for53,7883.8%
6F21L, Lighting Devices or Systems Thereof, Being Portable or Specially Adapted for TransportationLighting Devices or Systems Thereof, Being Portable or Specially Adapted for Transportation25,5941.8%
7F21H, Incandescent Mantles; Other Incandescent Bodies Heated by CombustionIncandescent Mantles; Other Incandescent Bodies Heated by Combustion160.0%

Source: EPO PATSTAT, worldwide filings

Additional Content

Light source Light sources The entity (e.g. light bulb, gas mantle, combustible charge) that generates light for a lighting device.

4 direct subcodes

Child Classifications

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  • F21K 99/00 Subject matter not provided for in other groups of this subclass

Top Applicants

Top 10 applicants by patent filingsfor class F21, 2013–2023, worldwide · Source: EPO PATSTAT

  1. PANASONIC INTELLECTUAL PROPERTY 3,883
  2. VALEO VISION FR 2,797
  3. KOITO MANUFACTURING COMPANY 2,531
  4. OPPLE LIGHTING COMPANY 2,343
  5. SIGNIFY HOLDING NL 2,275
  6. TOSHIBA LIGHTING & TECHNOLOGY CORPORATION 1,982
  7. KOITO MANUFACTURING COMPANY JP 1,766
  8. LG INNOTEK COMPANY KR 1,651
  9. SUZHOU OPPLE LIGHTING COMPANY 1,633
  10. MITSUBISHI ELECTRIC CORPORATION 1,591