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Electrocomponent Science and Technology1978, Vol. 5, pp. 139-140

(C) Gordon and Breach Science Publishers Ltd., 1978Printed in Great Britain

Patent News

THE DISTRIBUTION OF INVENTION INELECTRONICS

Once again shortly after the publication of the finalset of U.K. Patents for 1977 on December 28th lastyear Patintel were able to summarise the numbersof patents published in each of the seventy sectionswhich are used in their classification system coveringthe whole field of electronics, instruments, controland associated technologies. Many interesting featuresemerge from a perusal of the table below whichprovides the numbers in all of the sections for each ofthe last three years. The most outstandingcharacteristic, however, continues to be theremarkable similarity of the numbers of patentspublished in the various sections in each year. One-would, of course, expect some consistency as some ofthe subject sectors are of much greater importancein advancing technology than others. Neverthelesseven the most ardent supporter of human con-sistency and those with the greatest faith in theregularity of such statistics can hardly fail to beimpressed by the close similarity of some of thefigures which emerge.

It can be seen in the section on "Film Circuits"where there is virtually no likelihood in classifyingthe invention, the 60 specifications published in 1977compare with 62 in 1976. This quite remarkablyconsistent rate of invention is almost equalled in thecase of monolithic Integrated Circuits with 134 in1977 and 144 in the previous year, (with an equallyimpressive consistency in the higher rate of inventionfor discrete Semiconductor Devices). Optoelectronicsalso indicate a high and consistent rate of activitywith 250 in 1977 as against 265 in 1976 and Lasersachieve similar consistency with 140 last year and 148in the previous twelve months.

Not only is the annual "rate of innovation"consistent with the high technology sectors, for theEnergy Conversion section, which relates mainly tobatteries and storage cells, includes 288 specificationsas against 285 previously.

For the convenience of some of their clients,Patintel have increased the number of classified

sections (e.g. by opening up "Passive Components"to a wider range of seven sectors ranging fromConnectors to Packages) and introducing a sectionon fibre optics. The general and surprising level ofconsistency does of course provide encouragingsupport for the claims made in regard to theachievement of consistent and reliable classificationand readers might be interested to receive the weenybulletin which summarises patents in all of thesesectors and provides the patent number as well asthe name of the patentee. This valuable publicationis produced within one week of the publication of thespecifications by the Patent Office and furtherinformation is available from Patintel, 13 NorthAvenue, Gosforth, Newcastle upon TyneNE3 4DT

139

Total number of U.K. patents published annually in each ofthe subject categories used in Patintel’s weekly alerting bulletin

1977 1976 1975

Mathematics 1Circuits and Power Supplies 455General Computer Topics & Analysis 0Languages, Programming and Teaching 10Data Handling & File Organisation 0Documentation & Information 0Switching Theory 0Logic Devices & Circuits 51Digital Techniques & Logic Design 41Storage Devices & Equipment 169Data Communication & Equipment 133Computer Peripherals, O.C.R. & Image

ScanningData Processing, Equipment &

Computers 171 210Analogue Computers, A/D Conversion 36 46Test Equipment 29 17Material Testing 17 9Connectors & Terminals 187 245Printed Circuits 145 242Film Circuits 60 62Resistors, Potentiometers, Fuses 91 124Switches & Relays 297 242Transformers & Inductors 59 53Packages 26 18Thermistors, Varistors, E.R.T.’s &

Bolometers 70 39Semiconductors & Devices 339 317Integrated Circuits 134 144

0 2384 358

0 64 34 200 1

42 4453 52150 161106 125

250 274 168

22053272

726

24323155

140 PATENT NEWS

1977 1976 1975Superconductors & Cryogenics 29Dielectrics, Insulators, Capacitors 406Magnetic Materials, Devices & Equipment 199Vacuum Tubes, Gas Discharge, Display

Tubes CRT’s and Spark Gaps 214Optoelectronics, Photoelectric, LED’s,

LCD’s and I.R. Devices 250Masers, Lasers and Holography 140Acousto- & Magneto-electric Devices 41Ultrasonics, Sonics & Piezo Devices 105Radiation, Electron Beam, Particles &

Nucleonics 209Aerospace & Military Electronics 64Sonar and Underwater Electronics 24Geophysical Measurements & Equipment 52Medical Electronics & Biomedical

Engineering 150Microwave Equipment 111Cables, Transmission Lines, Waveguides,

AntennasFibre Optics and Optical WaveguidesCommunication TheoryTelecommunicationsRadar & Navigation SystemsRadio & Television, Radio Paging &

Intercom 445Audio Equipment 262Musical Equipment 39Horology 138General Domestic Equipment, Toys &

Games 178Measurement Theory & Standards 0Measurement Instruments & Techniques 385Transducers, Sensors & Encoders 262Alarm Systems 102Control & System Theory 1Control & Measurement of Particular

ParametersGeneral Control Technology, Numerical

ControlElectrical Power Networks, Lines, Cables,

H.V. SystemsPower StationsPower Equipment, Machines & Circuit

BreakersEnergy Conversion & StorageGeneral Uses of PowerApplications of Electronics and Power

in IndustryPhotography & Printing EquipmentLamps & Lighting SystemsAutomobile ElectronicsRail, Air & Sea Transport SystemsGeneral Applications of Electronics

TOTAL

61 48384 136316 197

263 286

265 234148 13638 83132 54

220 18058 2923 1849 23

174 12590 72

115 255} 251149/

0 0 1328 340 358129 149 138

426 353216 14328 28130 99

150 580

398 232160 153108 740 1

346 388 209

187 196 196

248 280 201 2 1

339 327 132288 285 291

0 0 7

462 317 83750 776 497169 181 134598 567 454106 111 10037 30 56

10,830 10,745 8,144

Note the remarkable similarity in the "rate of invention’"in consecutive years in many of the subject categories whichtogether cover all essential topics throughout the whole fieldof electronics, instruments, control and associated techno-logies.

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