Handelsblatt-专利与第四次工业革命（英文版）-2017.12-100页

报告摘要

Summary of "Patents and the Fourth Industrial Revolution"

Core Content

This document is a report by the European Patent Office (EPO) on the Fourth Industrial Revolution (4IR), focusing on patent trends and technological developments that are shaping this transformation. It outlines the key building blocks of 4IR, discusses innovation trends, and highlights Europe's role in the global 4IR landscape.

Main Viewpoints

The Fourth Industrial Revolution is characterised by the integration of information and communication technologies (ICT) with other enabling and application technologies.
It is driven by connected smart objects, data-driven value creation, and software-driven innovation.
Patents are a key indicator of technological progress and innovation trends, offering insights into the development of 4IR technologies.
The EPO has conducted a landscaping study using its patent databases (Espacenet and PATSTAT) to provide a detailed overview of 4IR innovation.

Key Information

1. The Building Blocks of the Fourth Industrial Revolution

Connected smart objects are central to 4IR. These include devices equipped with sensors, processors, and networking capabilities.
The Internet of Things (IoT) is the network of these interconnected objects, expected to have 26-30 billion devices by 2025.
5G technology will provide the communication infrastructure for 4IR, enabling faster data transmission and massive device connectivity.
Data-driven value creation is another key component, with big data and data analytics playing a crucial role in deriving insights and enabling automated decision-making.
Cloud computing supports distributed data storage and processing, allowing for scalable and efficient data services.
Artificial intelligence (AI) and cyber-physical systems (CPS) are essential for processing and interpreting data in complex environments.

2. Innovation Trends in 4IR Technologies

The number of 4IR patent applications at the EPO increased by 54% in the last three years, far outpacing the overall growth rate of 7.65%.
Connectivity and Enterprise applications have seen the highest number of patent applications, while 3D systems, Artificial intelligence, and User interfaces are the fastest-growing fields.
Core technologies (Hardware, Software, Connectivity) form the technical foundation of 4IR.
Enabling technologies (Analytics, Security, AI, Position determination, Power supply, 3D systems, User interfaces) are used in combination with connected objects.
Application domains (Home, Personal, Enterprise, Manufacturing, Infrastructure, Vehicles) represent where the potential of 4IR is being exploited.

3. Top Applicants in 4IR Technologies

The top 25 applicants at the EPO between 2011 and 2016 accounted for about half of all 4IR patent applications.
These companies are primarily from the ICT sector, with strong patent positions in application domains and enabling technologies.
Innovation in core technologies is concentrated in a few large companies, while enabling technologies and application domains are more diversified in terms of industry and country.

4. Global and European Innovation Landscape

Europe, the USA, and Japan have been leading innovation centers for 4IR since the mid-1990s.
China and Korea are rapidly catching up, with Korea's 4IR applications mostly coming from Samsung and LG, and China's from Huawei and ZTE.
Within Europe, Germany and France are the leading countries in 4IR innovation.
Germany excels in Vehicles, Infrastructure, and Manufacturing.
France leads in Artificial intelligence, Security, User interfaces, and 3D systems.
The greater Paris area and the greater Munich area are the top two innovation regions in Europe for 4IR.

5. Patent Information and Its Role

The EPO provides free access to 100 million patent documents via Espacenet.
PATSTAT offers advanced statistical analysis of patent data, helping to identify and follow technological trends.
Patents are exclusive rights granted for new and inventive inventions, which are published to ensure transparency and accessibility of technical information.
Patents support innovation, competition, and knowledge transfer, and are essential for securing market exclusivity and licensing deals.

6. Technology Convergence

4IR technologies are converging across different sectors and domains.
Core technologies are being integrated with application domains and enabling technologies to create new business models and market opportunities.
The case studies on additive manufacturing, smart sensors, smart manufacturing, and smart health highlight how these technologies are being applied in different economic sectors.

7. Implications for the Patent System

The EPO is well-prepared to handle the patentability of 4IR inventions, with a rigorous and transparent examination practice.
Legal certainty is being ensured for innovating businesses in the 4IR sector.
The EPO is alert to the implications of 4IR on its operations and the needs of users of the patent system.

Conclusion

The Fourth Industrial Revolution is marked by rapid innovation and technological convergence, with patents serving as a key indicator of these developments. The EPO's study highlights Europe's strong position in the global 4IR landscape, as well as the accelerating growth of 4IR-related patent applications. It also underscores the importance of patent information in understanding and predicting future market trends and technological advancements.