A Study on the Identification of Cutting-Edge ICT-Based Converging Technologies

Abstract

It is becoming increasingly difficult to identify promising technologies due to the influx of new technologies and the high level of complexity involved in many of these technologies. Identifying promising information and communications technology (ICT)‐based converging technologies holds the key to finding new sources of economic growth and forward momentum. The goal of this study is to identify cutting‐edge ICT‐based converging technologies by examining the latest trends in the US patent market. Analyzing the US patent market, the most competitive of such markets in the world, can yield certain clues about which of the ICT‐based converging technologies may be the next revolutionary technologies. For a classification of these technologies, this study follows the International Patent Classification system. As for ICT, there are 58 related fields at the subclass level and 831 fields at the main‐group level. For emerging and converging technologies, there are 75 at the main‐group level. From these technologies, a final selection for cutting‐edge ICT‐based converging technologies is made using a composite index reflecting the converging coefficient, emerging coefficient, and technology impact index.

Will Huawei surpass ZTE? Analysis of patent data

“…The patent data of this study are from the Chinese Intellectual Property Press's website. Since both Huawei and ZTE operate mainly in ICT industry, we focus on the patent differences between the two companies according to technology classification of ICT industry (Kim and Hwang, 2012). Obviously, Huawei and ZTE are the assignees used to collect patent data from Chinese Intellectual Property Press data base in this study.…”

“…As for ICT, there are 58 related fields at the subclass level and 831 fields at the main-group level. We use the classification method in which various ICT industries matched with corresponding main-class IPC categories and subclass categories proposed by Kim and Hwang (2012). Patent applications of Huawei and ZTE related to ICT industry are matched with corresponding main-class IPC categories and subclass categories.…”

Characteristics of ICT‐Based Converging Technologies

“…This study includes information or communication devices and software and parts in the ICT industry. Table 2 shows the 58 technologies within the subclass IPC categories included in the ICT industry [17].…”

“…A patented technology is considered a homogeneous converging technology when it has plural subclass categories belonging to the ICT industry without any other category belonging to a non-ICT industry. On the other hand, a patented technology is considered a heterogeneous converging technology when it has one or more subclass categories belonging to a non-ICT industry, while its main subclass IPC belongs to an ICT industry [17].…”

“…The patent literature has authoritative advantages over any other form of scientific publications because it is already systematized to a high degree. Patent analysis has been undertaken in the context of technologydriven convergence of ICT, biotechnology, and other technologies [7], [17], [22], [33]- [36]. Technological convergence can be found in patent data through an increase in patent citations between different subclass categories of the IPC system [37].…”