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IPC Subclass
G06D

DIGITAL FLUID-PRESSURE COMPUTING DEVICES

Introduced: September 1968

Classification Context

Section:
PHYSICS
Class:
COMPUTING OR CALCULATING; COUNTING
Subclass:
DIGITAL FLUID-PRESSURE COMPUTING DEVICES

Description

G06D covers computing or calculating devices that employ digital fluid-pressure systems, utilizing pneumatic or hydraulic signals to perform logical operations and arithmetic computations. These devices represent an alternative computing technology to purely electronic systems, operating through the controlled flow and pressure of fluids (air or liquid) to create binary logic states and perform calculations. Typical applications include pneumatic logic controllers, hydraulic computing circuits, and fluid-based automation systems developed before electronic computing became dominant. This subclass excludes purely mechanical computing devices (G06C) and electronic digital computers (G06F).

Filing statistics

IPC subclass G06D recorded 107 patent applications worldwide between 2013 and 2023. Annual filings declined from 19 in 2013 to 4 in 2023 (-79%). 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

In class comparison

G06D ranks 12th of 12 subclasses with filings in G06, with 107 applications between 2013 and 2023, 0.0% of the class.

Top 10 of 12 subclasses of class G06 by patent applications, 2013–2023
RankSubclassTitleApplicationsShare
1G06F, Electric Digital Data ProcessingElectric Digital Data Processing2,990,09146.1%
2G06Q, Information and Communication Technology [ICT] Specially Adapted for Administrative, Commercial, Financial, Managerial or Supervisory Purposes; Systems or Methods Specially Adapted for Administrative, Commercial, Financial, Managerial or Supervisory Purposes, Not Otherwise Provided forInformation and Communication Technology [ICT] Specially Adapted for Administrative, Commercial, Financial, Managerial or Supervisory Purposes; Systems or Methods Specially Adapted for Administrative, Commercial, Financial, Managerial or Supervisory Purposes, Not Otherwise Provided for1,187,96618.3%
3G06T, Image Data Processing or Generation, in GeneralImage Data Processing or Generation, in General689,85110.6%
4G06N, Computing Arrangements Based on Specific Computational ModelsComputing Arrangements Based on Specific Computational Models613,2429.5%
5G06K, Graphical Data Reading; Presentation of Data; Record Carriers; Handling Record CarriersGraphical Data Reading; Presentation of Data; Record Carriers; Handling Record Carriers601,5809.3%
6G06V, Image or Video Recognition or UnderstandingImage or Video Recognition or Understanding380,0965.9%
7G06M, Counting Mechanisms; Counting of Objects Not Otherwise Provided forCounting Mechanisms; Counting of Objects Not Otherwise Provided for11,1120.2%
8G06G, Analogue ComputersAnalogue Computers5,1730.1%
9G06E, Optical Computing DevicesOptical Computing Devices1,6610.0%
10G06C, Digital Computers in Which All the Computation Is Effected MechanicallyDigital Computers in Which All the Computation Is Effected Mechanically1,2830.0%
12G06DDigital Fluid-Pressure Computing Devices1070.0%

Source: EPO PATSTAT, worldwide filings

Related Keywords

COMPUTING by fluid-pressure meansHYDRAULIC(S) elements used in fluid pressure digital computersPNEUMATIC(S) elements used in fluid pressure digital computers

4 direct subcodes

Child Classifications

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  • G06D 3/00 Computing devices characterised by the interrelationship of the functional units and having at least one moving part
  • G06D 5/00 Computing devices characterised by the interrelationship of the functional units and having no moving parts
  • G06D 7/00 Computing devices characterised by the combination of hydraulic or pneumatic functional elements with at least one other type of functional element

Top Applicants

Top 10 applicants by patent filingsfor class G06, 2013–2023, worldwide · Source: EPO PATSTAT

  1. SAMSUNG ELECTRONICS COMPANY KR 66,669
  2. IBM (INTERNATIONAL BUSINESS MACHINES CORPORATION) US 62,313
  3. MICROSOFT TECHNOLOGY LICENSING US 41,918
  4. GOOGLE US 32,969
  5. SGCC(STATE GRID CORPORATION OF CHINA) 30,822
  6. INTEL CORPORATION US 30,010
  7. TENCENT TECHNOLOGY (SHENZHEN) COMPANY 28,235
  8. HUAWEI TECHNOLOGIES COMPANY CN 26,079
  9. APPLE US 21,891
  10. HUAWEI TECHNOLOGIES COMPANY 20,505