The technology industry continues to be a hotbed of patent innovation. Activity is driven by factors such as the increasing adoption of Internet of Things (IoT) devices, the need for real-time monitoring and analytics, and the demand for cost-effective and scalable solutions thereby growing importance of technologies such as cloud computing platforms, edge computing, machine learning, and data analytics. These technologies enable efficient data collection, processing, and analysis, resulting in actionable insights and improved decision-making. As organizations strive to harness the power of sensor data, cloud innovation in virtual sensor networks plays a crucial role in unlocking the potential of IoT and driving digital transformation. 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 Cloud in technology: virtual sensor network. Buy the report here.
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According to GlobalData’s Technology Foresights, which uses over 1.6 million patents to analyze innovation intensity for the technology industry, there are 185+ innovation areas that will shape the future of the industry.
Virtual sensor network is a key innovation area in cloud
A virtual sensor network (VSN) is a distributed system that employs virtual sensors to gather data from physical sensors, enabling the monitoring and control of diverse environmental factors. Virtual sensors, which are software-based, utilise data obtained from physical sensors to generate virtual readings, facilitating the detection, tracking, and analysis of environmental changes.
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 910+ companies, spanning technology vendors, established technology companies, and up-and-coming start-ups engaged in the development and application of virtual sensor network.
Key players in virtual sensor network – 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 virtual sensor network
| Company | Total patents (2010 - 2022) | Premium intelligence on the world's largest companies |
| Motorola Solutions | 28 | Unlock Company Profile |
| Qualcomm | 161 | Unlock Company Profile |
| Toyota Motor | 109 | Unlock Company Profile |
| Yokogawa Electric | 26 | Unlock Company Profile |
| Siemens | 60 | Unlock Company Profile |
| Fraunhofer-Gesellschaft zur Forderung der Angewandten Forschung | 30 | Unlock Company Profile |
| Hyundai Motor | 24 | Unlock Company Profile |
| State Grid Corporation of China | 74 | Unlock Company Profile |
| Hitachi | 44 | Unlock Company Profile |
| DexCom | 28 | Unlock Company Profile |
| General Electric | 54 | Unlock Company Profile |
| Koninklijke Philips | 30 | Unlock Company Profile |
| Nokia | 58 | Unlock Company Profile |
| Panasonic | 38 | Unlock Company Profile |
| Omron | 44 | Unlock Company Profile |
| Telefonaktiebolaget LM Ericsson | 78 | Unlock Company Profile |
| Sony Group | 59 | Unlock Company Profile |
| Nippon Telegraph and Telephone | 37 | Unlock Company Profile |
| Boeing | 65 | Unlock Company Profile |
| IBM | 95 | Unlock Company Profile |
| Honeywell International | 57 | Unlock Company Profile |
| Toshiba | 26 | Unlock Company Profile |
| NEC | 45 | Unlock Company Profile |
| Sumitomo Electric Industries | 26 | Unlock Company Profile |
| Intel | 141 | Unlock Company Profile |
| Convida Wireless | 74 | Unlock Company Profile |
| TRAXENS | 52 | Unlock Company Profile |
| Diehl Metering Systems | 24 | Unlock Company Profile |
| Veniam | 28 | Unlock Company Profile |
| Senseware | 56 | Unlock Company Profile |
| Omron Tateisi Electronics | 55 | Unlock Company Profile |
Source: GlobalData Patent Analytics
Qualcomm is the leading patent filer in virtual sensor network, followed by FedEx and Fujitsu. Qualcomm Aware is a comprehensive IoT platform with precise and accurate positioning, edge connectivity and control, and asset conditioning monitoring solutions, delivered through a single, intelligent cloud platform to provide real-time visibility and condition monitoring for assets in transit. The platform can deliver real-time intelligence and visibility through intuitive and scalable cloud-based solutions and services using location, condition monitoring, and edge control.
Other prominent patent filers in the space include Intel and Toyota Motor.
By geographic reach, FedEx leads the pack, followed by DexCom and TRAXENS. In terms of application diversity, Johnson Controls International holds the top position, followed by Toyota Motor and Qualcomm.
Cloud innovation in virtual sensor networks has revolutionized the way sensor data is collected, analyzed, and utilized. Virtual sensor networks leverage cloud computing infrastructure to create a virtual network of sensors, enabling the collection of data from distributed sources.
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.
