Patent Portfolio Analysis Using Share and Rank by Technical Classification

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Solution Overview

Problem

Conventional techniques struggle to identify the characteristics of a specific applicant's technical portfolio effectively.

Innovation Solution

An information processing apparatus and method that acquires patent information, identifies the number of patents held by each applicant and a specific applicant for predetermined technical classifications, and calculates shares and ranks to visualize and quantify the characteristics of the technical portfolio.

Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles

VSEngineering Contradiction Analysis

1Measurement precision

If conventional patent analysis techniques are used to calculate aggregated values and growth rates, then it is possible to obtain general patent strength metrics, but it becomes difficult to identify the specific characteristics of an applicant's technical portfolio

Engineering Contradiction:
Improveidentification precision of technical portfolio characteristicsVSAvoidloss of specific applicant characteristics
Core Design Contradiction:
Measurement precisionVSLoss of information

Solution Approach 1:

The patent segments the technical portfolio analysis by dividing it into multiple technical classifications and further into individual patent levels. This segmentation allows the system to calculate shares and ranks at different granularities, enabling precise identification of an applicant's characteristics in specific technical fields while preserving detailed information about their patent portfolio composition.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #1Segmentation

Solution Approach 2:

The patent introduces new parameters (share and rank calculations) to transform the analysis from aggregated values to relative positioning metrics. By calculating the share of patents within each technical classification and the rank among other applicants, the system converts raw patent data into meaningful comparative parameters that reveal specific applicant characteristics.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #35Parameter changes

2Measurement precision

If detailed patent information is analyzed for each technical classification, then the characteristics of the technical portfolio can be identified, but the complexity of the analysis process increases

Engineering Contradiction:
Improveidentification precision of technical portfolio characteristicsVSAvoidcomplexity of information processing system
Core Design Contradiction:
Measurement precisionVSDevice complexity

Solution Approach 1:

The patent creates a universal analysis framework that handles multiple technical classifications and applicants through a single standardized process. The share and rank calculation mechanisms work uniformly across different technical fields and applicant combinations, reducing system complexity despite the detailed analysis performed.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #6Universality (Multi-functionality)

Solution Approach 2:

The system automatically performs the complex calculations of shares and ranks without requiring manual intervention. The processor autonomously computes the proportion of patents in each technical classification and determines relative standings, eliminating the need for manual analysis complexity while maintaining high precision.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #25Self-service

3Measurement precision

If the number of patents held by each applicant is calculated for multiple technical classifications, then comprehensive portfolio characteristics can be obtained, but the amount of data processing required increases

Engineering Contradiction:
Improvecompleteness of portfolio characterizationVSAvoidprocessing efficiency
Core Design Contradiction:
Measurement precisionVSProductivity

Solution Approach 1:

The patent performs preliminary grouping and classification of patents by technical classification and applicant before the final share and rank calculations. This preliminary organization of data structures allows for more efficient processing, as the system only needs to compute shares and ranks within already-grouped categories rather than processing all patent data from scratch.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #10Preliminary action

Data Source

PatentEP4654118A1Information processing device, information processing method, and program
Publication Date: 2025.11.26 ALPS ALPINE CO LTD
  • EP4654118A1 patent drawingFigure 1
  • EP4654118A1 patent drawingFigure 2
  • EP4654118A1 patent drawingFigure 3

AI summary

A technique is provided that enable identification of characteristics of a technical portfolio of a specific applicant. An information processing apparatus (1) includes an acquirer (10), an identifier (20), and a calculator (30). The acquirer (10) acquires patent information related to a plurality of patents. The identifier (20) identifies first information based on the patent information. The first information includes information related to the number of patents held by each applicant for a predetermined technical classification, and the number of patents held by a specific applicant for the predetermined technical classification. The calculator (30) calculates second information based on the first information. The second information includes information related to at least one of a share or a rank of the specific applicant for a predetermined technical classification.