It seems that technology that Apple is really concerned about is ‘voice recognition and audio signal process’ field because ‘Self-Citation’ field is rapidly increasing. Self-citation is an act of citing prior technology that one possesses and utilizing it in applying for new patents, which means that it is continuously doing R&D on corresponding technology.
According to IP Nomics report ‘What is Apple’s Next Weapon?’ that was co-published by Etnews ETRC and Patentpia (CEO Kang Min Soo), Apple self-cited its 31,142 patents in last 6 years (2009~2014). Apple concentrated on self-citing touch panel, pocket type, and video and audio equipments fields that Apple has high levels of competitiveness in.
There are 42 fields of technologies where Apple increased self-citation more than 100% in past 2 years (2013~2014). Out of technologies, ‘voice recognition and audio signal process’ area had the fastest speed of growth.
Recently Apple greatly increased self-citation of technologies for creating patterns for matching, silence decision, and linear prediction through Natural Language. After mechanically processing voice, it focused on developing technologies that connect to variety of optional services such as speech to image, image to speech, and synthesis.
Self-citations of ‘Voice Control System’ that actually processes voice mechanically increased from 9 in 2013 to 108 in 2014, which is about 12 times. Self-citations of technology that connects speech and image newly appeared last year about 30 times when there was none previously. Besides this, self-citations in 13 technology groups regarding voice recognition increased more than 2 times.
One can see that Apple worked on innovating technology on voice recognition service called Siri extensively. Due to it, Siri came out this year more advanced compared to previous years.
At Worldwide Developers Conference (WWDC) that was recently held, Apple announced ‘Siri’ service that provides variety of information according to each person. Not only it can perform basic search function, but it implemented suggestion function that shows pictures or applications based on time and location. It is a prime example that connects actual service to efforts in innovating technology through self-citation.
Besides this, TVs, image fields, and data processing for cars are fields that Apple is greatly increasing self-citations in.
*Detailed information can be found on Ip Nomics’ homepage (http://www.ipnomics.co.kr)
Staff Reporter Lee, Kangwook | wook@etnews.com