CIPHERING OR DECIPHERING APPARATUS FOR CRYPTOGRAPHIC OR OTHER PURPOSES INVOLVING THE NEED FOR SECRECY

Description

G09C covers mechanical, electromechanical, and electronic apparatus designed to encrypt, decrypt, or otherwise process information requiring confidentiality. This includes rotor-based cipher machines (such as Enigma-type devices), electromechanical encryption systems, and early electronic cryptographic equipment used for secure communication. The classification encompasses both the hardware apparatus itself and the functional mechanisms for generating, applying, or reversing cryptographic transformations. Related cryptographic algorithms, mathematical methods, or software-based encryption systems are typically classified elsewhere (e.g., H04L for digital encryption in telecommunications).

Filing statistics

IPC subclass G09C recorded 7,763 patent applications worldwide between 2013 and 2023. Annual filings declined from 680 in 2013 to 264 in 2023 (-61%), peaking at 951 applications in 2015. The most active applicants in class G09 are SAMSUNG DISPLAY (16,046 applications), BOE TECHNOLOGY GROUP COMPANY (13,766 applications) and BOE TECHNOLOGY GROUP COMPANY (12,804 applications).

Source: EPO PATSTAT, worldwide filings

Additional Content

Secret communication Arrangements for conditional access to broadcast information or to broadcast-related services using cryptography Secret digital communication