二十一世紀的經濟型態是以知識與創造力等無形資源為發展重心,智慧財產權即為無形資產之一。而專利是一代表智慧財產權的指標之一,其具有排他之特性,除了賦予企業專屬開發特定產品或技術的權利,同時也具保護企業智慧資本的功能。因此,如能善加利用專利資訊,必能掌握外部環境的競爭者資訊與市場機會,並且可將企業內部的資源與能力做最有效的配置與應用。 本研究使用美國專利局(USPTO)資料庫檢索RFID領域的專利資料,針對專利的引證關係,透過主路徑分析法了解其連結強度,找出技術的發展脈絡與具參考價值的專利文獻,並藉由專利分析與Logistic成長模型來觀察產業發展狀況。 本研究結果發現:RFID技術正處於成熟期,其中信號裝置(G08B)、電子數位資料處理(G06F)或數據識別(G06K)技術應用領域是RFID技術研發的重點。此外,透過主路徑分析觀察到天線以及標籤結構或相關材質等是主要的研發零組件,美國與日本是積極發展RFID產業的地區。目前,RFID的市場發展有三大特性:提供低製造成本的晶片、攜帶式RFID應答器與軟件整合系統的開發、以及RFID相關應用領域技術的開發。因此,相信在RFID晶片製造成本逐漸降低與物聯網興起的環境驅使下,未來將會有更多元性的商業利用價值與更大的市場規模。
As one of the representative indicators of intellectual property, patent not only enhances the exclusive right to develop particular product or technology, but also protects intellectual capital. Therefore, if we can properly use the patent information, we will be able to understand competitors’ strength and weakness, and assure the market opportunities. This study applies main path analysis to find the relationship among patent citation network of RFID (Radio Frequency Identification), and explore technological development trajectories and important patents related to RFID. In addition, this study also observes the RFID technological development status through logistic growth model. USPTO (United States Patent and Trademark Office) database is the source of data. The results show that RFID technology is at the matured stage. IPC G08B, G06F and G06K are the main foci of RFID technological development. Antenna and tag structure or related materials are the major components. American and Japan are the countries that contributed most to RFID development. Currently, there are three major directions in the market: providing low cost chips, developing portable RFID transponder and related integrated systems, and developing RFID application technology.