Generation and Application of Patent Claim Map: Text Mining and Network Analysis

Despite the fact that patents are under intensive scrutiny for years, patent claim, the most ample source of information has been relatively unexplored. Patent claims mean the right over a patent. Their overlaps by subsequently granted patents indicate the erosion of patent rights. In that regard, the issue of patent valuation and competitor strategy is very closely related with it. In addition, claims could be used to recognize technology relatedness. Therefore, in this research, an exploratory method to deal with patent claims using text-mining and network analysis has been proposed. First, a claim overlap profile is constructed to identify whether a specific claim overlaps another by applying text mining and domain expert knowledge. Secondly, network analysis is used to generate three kinds of patent claim map. This could help researchers, R&D managers and policy makers to evaluate patents and analyse competitors more accurately, and develop patent strategy more efficiently. In the long run, the patent claim profile and map could contribute to the overall technology management including new technology development, strategic positioning of technology and technology alliance.