本研究利用Patent Guider 2008檢索美國專利暨商標局(United States Patent and Trademark Office, USPTO)的美國核准專利資料庫(USPTO Patent Full-Text and Image Database, PATFT)中的美國半導體產業2001年至2010年有專利核准件數之155家美國半導體公司,將專利件數、國際專利分類表分析(IPC分類分析)等分析結果製成圖表,來探討美國半導體產業的專利分佈情形、技術領域、現況和發展重點。再進一步分析2006年至2010年重要公司之專利分佈情形、技術領域、現況和發展重點,來探討半導體公司技術創新之情形,並與創新相關理論相互印證。 研究發現半導體產業於製造半導體、半導體的製程裝置、設備和半導體之零部件方面等的技術,仍是美國半導體產業的主流技術,就IPC分類而言沒有顯見的創新技術,多為延續之前的技術類別持續深化技術的持續性創新。但關於資料之存取、處理和傳輸的技術以及零部件,於IPC數量變遷情形有成長的趨勢。臺灣半導體產業與美國半導體產業因國際分工模式和產業鏈關係,兩者有高度的連動性。臺灣廠商得據此延續技術能力,深化創新技術。
Using a sample of 155 US semiconductor firms, this study analyzes the number of patents granted to these firms from 2001 to 2010 to understand the evolving trends in technological development in the US semiconductor industry. Firm samples were collected from Compustat North America database. Patent data were gathered from Patent Full-Text and Image Database (PATFT) of United States Patent and Trademark Office (USPTO) by Patent Guider 2008, a patent analysis software. This study found that manufacture, process, and the technology of the semiconductor manufacturing equipment and other components were the mainstream technologies of the US Semiconductor Industry from 2001 to 2010. There were no breakthrough technologies in terms of IPC classification. New patents mainly emerged from continuous technological innovations in this industry. The technological development of semiconductor industry in Taiwan is highly related to that in the United States because of the vertical disintegration and international division of labor in the industry. The findings of this study can provide managerial implications for semiconductor companies in Taiwan.