Using Patent Analysis to Construct Technology Networks

The creation of technology networks is quite important with respect to the development of technologies. In this study, technology network is drawn based on patent documents. Unmanned vessel technologies (UVTs) are examined by the use of patent analysis. All patent documents are retrieved from the USPTO (The United States Patent and Trademark Office), which is extensively used for patent research in the literature. S-curve is drawn to determine the current technology stage. It is concluded that the UVT is at the growth stage of its technology life cycle. Therefore, it is an acceptable technology for investment. Simple linear regression analysis is then performed in this study to find the answer to the question of which sub-technology related to UVTs should be selected for investment? The relations among the IPC (International Patent Classification) codes for the UVTs are found through the simple linear regression analysis. A social network analysis software, namely Gephi, is also used to draw technology network for the UVTs as well as strategic technology code networks for the IPC codes. The results of this study show that the UVTs is an emerging technology and can be invested in the future