利用文字探勘方法找出專利跨業應用

Abstract

「跨業應用」是指和企業本身所屬領域完全不同的應用。近年來管理者逐漸重視找尋跨業應用，主要是因為跨業應用有著相當程度的策略意涵。實務上，企業擁有價值無法彰顯的專利是很常見的狀況，這種情形通常是因為企業在投入新產品開發前，並沒有評估好市場需求。於是為這些專利找出它們的跨業應用就是很重要的一項工作，因為它代表著為這些專利重新定位目標市場。另外，找出專利的跨業應用將幫助企業從所擁有的專利中，發現存在已久，卻沒人注意到可以進入新市場的關鍵技術。企業還可以透過跨業授權的方式將技術應用到其他市場，以賺取更多的授權收入。 雖然現在有些找尋跨業應用的研究，但是他們提出的方法總是需要專家參與其中，不僅耗時也耗力。所以這次我們的研究，利用文字探勘技術和reverse TRIZ理論，建立了一個自動化系統'CROAP Explorer'，幫助企業有效率地找出專利跨業應用。

Cross-sectoral application is applying technologies to completely different industries from firms’ own business activities. In recent years, managers have taken identification of cross-sectoral applications more seriously, because identification of cross-sectoral applications has quite strategic implications. In practice, firms may have some worthless patents due to inappropriate evaluation of industrial needs before starting product development, and identification of cross-sectoral applications for these patents will be essential because it indicates market reposition. Furthermore, cross-sectoral applications for patents imply existing but neglected key techniques to enter new markets. Firms also can exploit their technologies into other markets and earn more out-license fees by means of cross-sectoral out-licensing. Although few researches have been undertaken to identify cross-sectoral applications, their methods usually require the involvement of experts and thus are time-consuming and costly. Therefore, in this research, we build a system called ‘CROAP Explorer’ based on text mining techniques and reverse TRIZ theory, in order to help firms effectively identify cross-sectoral applications for patents.