The technology industry continues to be a hotbed of patent innovation. Activity is driven by factors such as the increasing focus on energy conservation, the demand for sustainable building solutions, and the need for personalized comfort and smart home automation. The growing importance of technologies such as smart sensors for detecting light levels and temperature, actuators for adjusting screen position and opacity, and IoT (Internet of Things) platforms for connectivity and centralized control is further driving innovation in the technology industry. These technologies enable dynamic control of sunlight, heat, and privacy, contributing to energy savings, improved indoor comfort, and user-friendly automation. As the demand for energy-efficient and intelligent building solutions grows, IoT innovation in smart window screens plays a pivotal role in transforming the way windows are utilized for sustainable and comfortable living environments. 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 Internet of Things in technology: smart window screens. 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, predictive collision detection, real-time fault monitoring and smart inspection are disruptive technologies that are in the early stages of application and should be tracked closely. D2D communication, low-power NFC and fog computing are some of the accelerating innovation areas, where adoption has been steadily increasing. Among maturing innovation areas is NFC broadcasting, which is now well established in the industry.
Innovation S-curve for Internet of Things in the technology industry
Smart window screens is a key innovation area in Internet of Things
Smart window screens are advanced window coverings capable of autonomously regulating the ingress of light and heat into a room based on factors such as external conditions and the time of day. These window screens are typically crafted from materials such as mesh or film and employ sensors, motors, and connected technology to dynamically adjust shading levels.
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 135+ companies, spanning technology vendors, established technology companies, and up-and-coming start-ups engaged in the development and application of smart window screens.
Key players in smart window screens – 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 smart window screens
Source: GlobalData Patent Analytics
View is the leading patent filer in smart window screens. One of the company’s patents focuses on optically switchable devices and their control systems. The apparatus includes an interface for communication with window controllers, and one or more processors are configured to process status information received from the window controller. The status information indicates the tint status of optically switchable devices, and in response, tint commands are sent to the window controller via the interface.
Other prominent patent filers in the space include Ocado Group and Lutron Electronics.
By geographic reach, Newtonoid Technologies leads the pack, followed by Alphamicron and Ocado Group. In terms of application diversity, Ocado Group holds the top position, followed by View and Lutron Electronics.
IoT innovation in smart window screens has revolutionized the way windows are managed for enhanced energy efficiency, comfort, and convenience. Smart window screens leverage IoT technology to integrate sensors, actuators, and connectivity, enabling automated control of window shading and tinting.
To further understand the key themes and technologies disrupting the technology industry, access GlobalData’s latest thematic research report on Internet of Things.
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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.
