Monitoring technology trends through patent analysis: a case study of thin film

The trends and directions of an important area, thin film technology, is explored through analysis of US patents, comparing activity in 1989, 1993 and 1997, and 1993–1997 in detail. A classification system for all the patents in our data set under technological sector(s) and subsector(s) helps determine the major application areas of thin film technology, and thence broader subunits. The commonality and specificity of these sub-units over the time periods are delineated. The profiles of companies active in this technology are examined, including major application areas, changes in their application profile over the time periods, their main operational areas, international rankings, etc. Detailed inspection of the profile in 1993–1997 shows what the future trend might be in this technology. Copyright , Beech Tree Publishing.