Skip to content
PCE
Search Classifications
Search for IPC and CPC classification codes or keywords
IPC Subclass
H04B

TRANSMISSION

Introduced: September 1968

Last revised: January 1985

Classification Context

Section:
ELECTRICITY
Class:
ELECTRIC COMMUNICATION TECHNIQUE
Subclass:
TRANSMISSION

Description

H04B covers the technical systems and methods for transmitting signals, data, and information through various communication media and channels. This subclass encompasses transmission techniques across multiple frequency ranges, including radio transmission, wire-based transmission, optical transmission, and hybrid systems. It includes aspects such as signal modulation, amplification, filtering, impedance matching, and transmission line design, as well as technologies for managing bandwidth, noise, and signal quality. Adjacent classes address reception techniques (H04B15), specific communication protocols and applications (H04L-H04W), and individual component design.

Filing statistics

IPC subclass H04B recorded 440,404 patent applications worldwide between 2013 and 2023. Annual filings grew from 35,964 in 2013 to 39,968 in 2023 (+11%), peaking at 45,523 applications in 2020. The most active applicants in class H04 are QUALCOMM (97,396 applications), HUAWEI TECHNOLOGIES COMPANY (96,502 applications) and SAMSUNG ELECTRONICS COMPANY (86,981 applications).

Source: EPO PATSTAT, worldwide filings

In class comparison

H04B ranks 4th of 11 subclasses with filings in H04, with 440,404 applications between 2013 and 2023, 9.4% of the class. Annual filings grew 11% from 2013 to 2023, below the class as a whole (+25%).

Top 10 of 11 subclasses of class H04 by patent applications, 2013–2023
RankSubclassTitleApplicationsShare
1H04L, Transmission of Digital Information, e.g. Telegraphic CommunicationTransmission of Digital Information, e.g. Telegraphic Communication1,397,39730.0%
2H04W, Wireless Communication NetworksWireless Communication Networks1,086,70423.3%
3H04N, Pictorial Communication, e.g. TelevisionPictorial Communication, e.g. Television1,015,36121.8%
4H04BTransmission440,4049.4%
5H04M, Telephonic CommunicationTelephonic Communication292,1166.3%
6H04R, Loudspeakers, Microphones, Gramophone Pick-Ups or Like Acoustic Electromechanical Transducers; Electric Hearing Aids; Public Address SystemsLoudspeakers, Microphones, Gramophone Pick-Ups or Like Acoustic Electromechanical Transducers; Electric Hearing Aids; Public Address Systems244,7145.3%
7H04Q, SelectingSelecting75,2651.6%
8H04J, Multiplex CommunicationMultiplex Communication58,4681.3%
9H04S, Stereophonic SystemsStereophonic Systems22,5050.5%
10H04H, Broadcast CommunicationBroadcast Communication20,9190.4%

Source: EPO PATSTAT, worldwide filings

Related Keywords

reducing DISTORTION in transmission systemHYBRIDS for radio or line transmissionRADIO receivers; RADIO transmittersradio RECEIVERSREPEATERS in telecommunication transmission systemsinductive-loop transmission systemsline transmission systemsradio communication systemstransmission of TELECOMMUNICATION signals in generalradio TRANSMITTERS

10 direct subcodes

Child Classifications

Navigate with arrow keys, Enter to open

  • H04B 11/00 Transmission systems employing ultrasonic, sonic or infrasonic waves

Top Applicants

Top 10 applicants by patent filingsfor class H04, 2013–2023, worldwide · Source: EPO PATSTAT

  1. QUALCOMM US 97,396
  2. HUAWEI TECHNOLOGIES COMPANY CN 96,502
  3. SAMSUNG ELECTRONICS COMPANY KR 86,981
  4. TELEFONAKTIEBOLAGET LM ERICSSON (PUBL) SE 55,869
  5. HUAWEI TECHNOLOGIES COMPANY 55,349
  6. LG ELECTRONICS KR 53,649
  7. CANON 33,341
  8. SONY CORPORATION JP 32,761
  9. ZTE CORPORATION CN 32,274
  10. GUANGDONG OPPO MOBILE TELECOMMUNICATIONS CORPORATION 28,327