G01V GEOPHYSICS; GRAVITATIONAL MEASUREMENTS; DETECTING MASSES OR OBJECTS; TAGS
Introduced: September 1968
Last revised: January 1995
Classification Context
- Section:
- PHYSICS
- Class:
- MEASURING; TESTING
- Subclass:
- GEOPHYSICS; GRAVITATIONAL MEASUREMENTS; DETECTING MASSES OR OBJECTS; TAGS
Description
G01V covers instruments and methods for measuring and analyzing properties of the Earth and subsurface materials, including seismic surveys, gravitational and magnetic field measurements, and electromagnetic prospecting techniques used in oil and gas exploration, mineral detection, and geological mapping. The subclass also encompasses systems for detecting buried objects, underground structures, and mass distributions through non-invasive geophysical methods, as well as identification systems using tags for object tracking and positioning. Adjacent classifications in G01 (measuring and testing) are distinguished from G01V by the latter's specific focus on Earth science applications and subsurface investigation rather than general dimensional or material property measurement.
Filing statistics
IPC subclass G01V recorded 114,396 patent applications worldwide between 2013 and 2023. Annual filings grew from 8,094 in 2013 to 12,282 in 2023 (+52%), peaking at 13,122 applications in 2020. The most active applicants in class G01 are SGCC(STATE GRID CORPORATION OF CHINA) (41,447 applications), CHINESE ACADEMY OF SCIENCES (32,952 applications) and ROBERT BOSCH (16,470 applications).
Source: EPO PATSTAT, worldwide filings
In class comparison
G01V ranks 11th of 18 subclasses with filings in G01, with 114,396 applications between 2013 and 2023, 2.4% of the class. Annual filings grew 52% from 2013 to 2023, below the class as a whole (+138%).
| Rank | Subclass | Title | Applications | Share |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | G01N, Investigating or Analysing Materials by Determining Their Chemical or Physical Properties | Investigating or Analysing Materials by Determining Their Chemical or Physical Properties | 1,640,918 | 34.9% |
| 2 | G01R, Measuring Electric Variables; Measuring Magnetic Variables | Measuring Electric Variables; Measuring Magnetic Variables | 598,083 | 12.7% |
| 3 | G01B, Measuring Length, Thickness or Similar Linear Dimensions; Measuring Angles; Measuring Areas; Measuring Irregularities of Surfaces or Contours | Measuring Length, Thickness or Similar Linear Dimensions; Measuring Angles; Measuring Areas; Measuring Irregularities of Surfaces or Contours | 395,662 | 8.4% |
| 4 | G01S, Radio Direction-Finding; Radio Navigation; Determining Distance or Velocity by Use of Radio Waves; Locating or Presence-Detecting by Use of the Reflection or Reradiation of Radio Waves; Analogous Arrangements Using Other Waves | Radio Direction-Finding; Radio Navigation; Determining Distance or Velocity by Use of Radio Waves; Locating or Presence-Detecting by Use of the Reflection or Reradiation of Radio Waves; Analogous Arrangements Using Other Waves | 358,214 | 7.6% |
| 5 | G01M, Testing Static or Dynamic Balance of Machines or Structures; Testing of Structures or Apparatus, Not Otherwise Provided for | Testing Static or Dynamic Balance of Machines or Structures; Testing of Structures or Apparatus, Not Otherwise Provided for | 339,843 | 7.2% |
| 6 | G01C, Measuring Distances, Levels or Bearings; Surveying; Navigation; Gyroscopic Instruments; Photogrammetry or Videogrammetry | Measuring Distances, Levels or Bearings; Surveying; Navigation; Gyroscopic Instruments; Photogrammetry or Videogrammetry | 271,474 | 5.8% |
| 7 | G01D, Measuring Not Specially Adapted for a Specific Variable; Arrangements for Measuring Two or More Variables Not Covered by a Single Other Subclass; Tariff Metering Apparatus; Transferring or Transducing Arrangements Not Specially Adapted for a Specific Variable; Measuring or Testing Not Otherwise Provided for | Measuring Not Specially Adapted for a Specific Variable; Arrangements for Measuring Two or More Variables Not Covered by a Single Other Subclass; Tariff Metering Apparatus; Transferring or Transducing Arrangements Not Specially Adapted for a Specific Variable; Measuring or Testing Not Otherwise Provided for | 207,395 | 4.4% |
| 8 | G01F, Measuring Volume, Volume Flow, Mass Flow, or Liquid Level; Metering by Volume | Measuring Volume, Volume Flow, Mass Flow, or Liquid Level; Metering by Volume | 157,084 | 3.3% |
| 9 | G01L, Measuring Force, Stress, Torque, Work, Mechanical Power, Mechanical Efficiency, or Fluid Pressure | Measuring Force, Stress, Torque, Work, Mechanical Power, Mechanical Efficiency, or Fluid Pressure | 145,069 | 3.1% |
| 10 | G01K, Measuring Temperature; Measuring Quantity of Heat; Thermally-Sensitive Elements Not Otherwise Provided for | Measuring Temperature; Measuring Quantity of Heat; Thermally-Sensitive Elements Not Otherwise Provided for | 118,108 | 2.5% |
| 11 | G01V | Geophysics; Gravitational Measurements; Detecting Masses or Objects; Tags | 114,396 | 2.4% |
Source: EPO PATSTAT, worldwide filings
Additional Content
Glossary
tags tag means arrangements cooperating with a detecting field, e.g. near field, and designed to produce a specific detectable effect; "tags" also means active markers or labels capable of generating a detectable field; tags are not to be confused with transponders (cf Glossary of ).
Limiting references
Means for indicating the location of accidentally buried, e.g. snow-buried, persons Locating or presence-detecting by the use of radio, acoustic or other waves involving reflection and reradiation of waves Burglar, theft, or intruder alarms actuated by interference with electromagnetic radiation or fields. ,
Application references
Detecting or locating foreign bodies for diagnostic, surgical or person-identification purposes
Related Keywords
11 direct subcodes
Child Classifications
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- G01V 1/00 Seismology; Seismic or acoustic prospecting or detecting
- G01V 11/00 Prospecting or detecting by methods combining techniques covered by two or more of main groups
- G01V 13/00 Manufacturing, calibrating, cleaning, or repairing instruments or devices covered by groups
- G01V 15/00 Tags attached to, or associated with, an object, in order to enable detection of the object
- G01V 20/00 Geomodelling in general
- G01V 3/00 Electric or magnetic prospecting or detecting; Measuring magnetic field characteristics of the earth, e.g. declination or deviation
- G01V 5/00 Prospecting or detecting by the use of ionising radiation, e.g. of natural or induced radioactivity
- G01V 7/00 Measuring gravitational fields or waves; Gravimetric prospecting or detecting
- G01V 8/00 Prospecting or detecting by optical means
- G01V 9/00 Prospecting or detecting by methods not provided for in groups
- G01V 99/00 Subject matter not provided for in other groups of this subclass
Top Applicants
Top 10 applicants by patent filingsfor class G01, 2013–2023, worldwide · Source: EPO PATSTAT
- SGCC(STATE GRID CORPORATION OF CHINA) 41,447
- CHINESE ACADEMY OF SCIENCES 32,952
- ROBERT BOSCH DE 16,470
- SAMSUNG ELECTRONICS COMPANY KR 10,052
- SINOPEC (CHINA PETROCHEMICAL CORPORATION) 9,573
- ZHEJIANG UNIVERSITY 9,529
- GUANGDONG POWER GRID CORPORATION 8,615
- TSINGHUA UNIVERSITY 7,805
- HALLIBURTON ENERGY SERVICES GROUP US 7,796
- QUALCOMM US 7,171