Analyzing Patent Information To Genearte Patent Maps

Posted on December 6, 2007

There are two primary ways of analyzing patent information: Qualitative and Quantitative. The qualitative method shows more closely the content of the individual patent documents. The quantitative method results in statistical processing. These two methods have quite different objectives and different ranges of applications. Patent analysis can be displayed by visual representation
using bar graphs, polygonal line graphs, pie charts and other charts/graphs, which are called ‘Patent Maps’.

Reasons for using Patent Information

• A tool for creative thinking (Allow researchers and inventors to find new solutions to technical problem – TRIZ)
• Input for licensing strategy (licensing in or out)
• Supporting Mergers and Acquisitions (M&A)
• Guiding management of R&D (Life cycle of a technology, trend of technology change, expansion of existing technology)
• Human Resources Management (Identify key inventors in other companies)

Patent Map

Patent Map is the visualized expression of total patent analysis results to understand complex and various patent information easily and effectively. The patent map is produced by gathering related patent information of a target technology field, analyzing these data by different criteria and presenting results by using graphical tools. However, the type of patent map is created depends upon the question that is trying to be answered.

The patent maps are usually graphical representations of either the interaction between one particular patent and related patents, or of a company’s entire portfolio and the patent of other companies.

Patent maps allow us to identify:
• Acquisition target
• Patent cross-licensing targets
• Future competitive treats
• Potential of licensing in and out

What’s can you do with Patent Map?

• Track the global activities of your competitors
• Monitor R&D trends worldwide
• Discover the latest technological advances in your field
• Spot potential gaps in the marketplace
• Assess the novelty of your company’s inventions
• Guard against infringements of your patents
• See the extent to which an invention has been protected

Applications of Patent Mapping
• Industry Patent Mapping Report
• Provide the top players, top sub-technology and the significant invention in a particular field
• Determine the pace of innovation
• Keys: Assignee, Classification, Time series
• Country Patent Mapping Report
• Provide top players within a specific country
• Keys: Country code, Patent Family
• Company Patent Mapping Report
• Provide specific and detailed insights into patenting activities of specific company
• Keys: Assignee, Classification, Time series, Citation

Vinod Kr. Singh

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