HYBRID COMPUTING ARRANGEMENTS

Description

G06J covers computing systems that combine analog and digital processing components to perform calculations or control functions. These hybrid arrangements integrate continuous variable analog circuits with discrete-state digital logic to leverage the advantages of both technologies, such as analog's speed in signal processing and digital's precision and flexibility. Typical applications include control systems, real-time data processing, and scientific computation where both analog and digital processing are essential. This subclass excludes purely analog computing devices (G06E) and purely digital computing systems (G06F).

Filing statistics

IPC subclass G06J recorded 179 patent applications worldwide between 2013 and 2023. Annual filings declined from 16 in 2013 to 6 in 2023 (-62%), peaking at 43 applications in 2020. 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

Additional Content

Optical hybrid computing devices