COMPUTING OR CALCULATING; COUNTING

Description

G06 encompasses apparatus and methods for computing, calculating, and counting functions across analog, digital, and hybrid systems. This class covers foundational computing technologies including mechanical calculators, electronic computers, data processing equipment, and specialized computing devices used for mathematical operations and numerical analysis. The classification includes both the physical hardware components and operational principles underlying computational systems, spanning from basic arithmetic devices to complex processing architectures. Adjacent classes address specific computing applications (such as G07 for checking/signaling devices and G11 for information storage), whereas G06 focuses on the core computing and calculation mechanisms themselves.

Filing statistics

IPC G06 recorded 6,482,341 patent applications worldwide between 2013 and 2023, summed across its 12 subclasses. Annual filings grew from 309,969 in 2013 to 902,154 in 2023 (+191%). The most active applicants in class G06 are SAMSUNG ELECTRONICS COMPANY (66,669 applications), IBM (INTERNATIONAL BUSINESS MACHINES CORPORATION) (62,313 applications) and MICROSOFT TECHNOLOGY LICENSING (41,918 applications).

Source: EPO PATSTAT, worldwide filings