The technology industry continues to be a hotbed of patent innovation. Activity is driven by digitalization and mobility, and growing importance of technologies such as electromagnetic resonance (EMR), Bluetooth connectivity, pressure sensitivity, optical recognition and digital pens that can integrate with cloud-based platforms, enabling seamless storage, backup, and access to handwritten content across multiple devices and locations. In the last three years alone, there have been over 1.5 million patents filed and granted in the technology industry, according to GlobalData’s report on Innovation in technology: digital pens. Buy the report here.
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However, not all innovations are equal and nor do they follow a constant upward trend. Instead, their evolution takes the form of an S-shaped curve that reflects their typical lifecycle from early emergence to accelerating adoption, before finally stabilizing and reaching maturity.
Identifying where a particular innovation is on this journey, especially those that are in the emerging and accelerating stages, is essential for understanding their current level of adoption and the likely future trajectory and impact they will have.
185+ innovations will shape the technology industry
According to GlobalData’s Technology Foresights, which plots the S-curve for the technology industry using innovation intensity models built on over 1.6 million patents, there are 185+ innovation areas that will shape the future of the industry.
Within the emerging innovation stage, non-volatile flash memory, neuromorphic computing, and haptic feedback interfaces are disruptive technologies that are in the early stages of application and should be tracked closely. RAID transmission error detection, projector-camera system, and optimized vector processing are some of the accelerating innovation areas, where adoption has been steadily increasing. Among maturing innovation areas are resistive touch displays and digital watermarking, which are now well established in the industry.
Innovation S-curve for the technology industry
Digital pens is a key innovation area in technology
Digital pens are writing instruments equipped with integrated sensors that enable users to write on physical paper while simultaneously capturing and storing their handwriting digitally. Typically accompanied by software, they facilitate the conversion of handwritten content into digital text or images for further processing and storage.
GlobalData’s analysis also uncovers the companies at the forefront of each innovation area and assesses the potential reach and impact of their patenting activity across different applications and geographies. According to GlobalData, there are 95+ companies, spanning technology vendors, established technology companies, and up-and-coming start-ups engaged in the development and application of digital pens.
Key players in digital pens – a disruptive innovation in the technology industry
‘Application diversity’ measures the number of applications identified for each patent. It broadly splits companies into either ‘niche’ or ‘diversified’ innovators.
‘Geographic reach’ refers to the number of countries each patent is registered in. It reflects the breadth of geographic application intended, ranging from ‘global’ to ‘local’.
Patent volumes related to digital pens
Source: GlobalData Patent Analytics
Samsung Group is the leading patent filer in digital pens, followed by Wacom and Memjet Technology. Other prominent patent filers in the space include Hon Hai Precision Industry and Microsoft.
By geographic reach, Memjet Technology leads the pack, followed by Staedtler Mars and Nintendo. In terms of application diversity, Memjet Technology holds the top position, followed by Societe BIC and Samsung Group.
Digital pens enable users to seamlessly capture, digitize, and store handwritten notes, sketches, and annotations. They enhance productivity, organization, and collaboration, while preserving the natural and intuitive experience of writing by hand.
To further understand the key themes and technologies disrupting the technology industry, access GlobalData’s latest thematic research report on Technology.
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GlobalData, the leading provider of industry intelligence, provided the underlying data, research, and analysis used to produce this article.
GlobalData’s Patent Analytics tracks patent filings and grants from official offices around the world. Textual analysis and official patent classifications are used to group patents into key thematic areas and link them to specific companies across the world’s largest industries.
