INDEXING SCHEME ASSOCIATED WITH SUBCLASSES , , and , RELATING TO THE FORM OR THE KIND OF THE LIGHT SOURCES OR OF THE COLOUR OF THE LIGHT EMITTED

Description

F21Y is an indexing classification used to supplement and cross-reference documents related to light sources and light emission characteristics within the F21 lighting branch. It organizes patents by specific attributes such as the physical form of light sources (incandescent, fluorescent, LED, laser) and the color or spectral properties of emitted light. This classification facilitates retrieval and grouping of related technologies that share common source types or light characteristics across multiple primary lighting subclasses. F21Y does not independently classify inventions but serves as an auxiliary tool for systematic indexing and patent family navigation in the lighting field.

Filing statistics

IPC subclass F21Y recorded 269,193 patent applications worldwide between 2013 and 2023. Annual filings declined from 22,195 in 2013 to 18,660 in 2023 (-16%), peaking at 32,832 applications in 2017. 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

Additional Content

Light source Light sources The entity (e.g. light bulb, gas mantle, combustible charge) that generates light for a lighting device or apparatus. The light source of the lighting devices or lighting apparatus may be electrically powered (e.g. power is supplied by electric batteries, electric cells, electric generators, flexible cables for electric mains constructions), non-electrically powered (e.g. power is created by combustible fuels, triboluminescence) or a naturally occurring source of light (e.g. sunlight).