Technology Fields Association Study Using Patent Co-classification Analysis Method

With the development of science and technology, the ability of explore the world is extending to a deeper and wider field. New technologies emerge rapidly, when the network structure of science and technology becomes increasingly sophisticated. Patent statistical analysis, patent citation analysis, co-classification analysis and patent mapping are becoming the hot topics of technology management in both academia and industry fields.Based on the co-classification analysis method in patent metrics, the author analyzes all the patent database of Derwent Innovation Index database from1991to2010, and build a large patent co-occurrence matrix of188Derwent Manual Code.First of all, we identified a field of technology which has the fastest change in the number of patents by comparing each5-year period of time. Then we analyze the patent co-occurrence matrix with social network analysis method using the software. We also explore the network structure; analyze the links and trends of the various fields of technology. Finally, the significant nodes with the highest centrality degree are identified with UCINET, when the function of connection, expanding, clustering and fusion of the technology network in different fields are also analyzed.As a result, we found that,1. Technology fields are not isolate. Different technology areas are inextricably linked, which constituted the entire technology network connection by the key nodes. Taking the patent co-classification network of1991-1995as example, the key node G06(photographic materials and processes) from the cluster of general chemistry connect the computer&communication technology cluster, dye technology cluster, polymer technology cluster and electricity technology cluster.2. The foundation of the key generic technology in the network by analyzing the centrality of the nodes is also identified. For example, the node E10(aromatic and cyclo aliphatic, aliphatic) from the general chemistry cluster and the node A12(polymer applications) provide support to the innovation of other technology fields.3. Every field has different function in the network of technology. Over time, the links between technology fields become more closely, when the convergence of technology networks continue to increase. During the period of1991-1995, general chemistry cluster is the core of the whole network. When the network of1996-2000shows that the instrument technology cluster and textile technology cluster have convergence development with computer&communication cluster.