A Patent Analysis on Biometrics Technology

Biometrics, an information technology, has developed significantly in recent years. Biometrics technology identifies or verifies unique physiological or behavioral charateristics in humans, e.g. fingerprint, facial, hand, iris, retina, vein, signature, keystroke, voice, gait, etc. The technology is now been applied in many fields like computer systems and peripherials, credit card, passport, ID card, access control, and e-commerce. After the 9/11 terrorist attacks, governments worldwide have initiated several biometrics schemes and thus stimulated market growth tremendously. As future information technology trends lie in biometrics, thorough survey and analysis of biometrics development are by all means necessary. Patent information stands for one of the best sources for tracing science and technology development. By analyzing biometrics patent information, technology inventory analysis and technology forecast can be reached. Futhermore, patent and industry strategies can also be generated.

The methodology developed for this empirical study is quantitative analysis which uses patent indicators to analyze biometrics development trends. USPTO and EPO patents are both selected as patent information sources. This study aims to analyze biometrics patent growth, technology impact, science strength, and technology cycle time in country, assignee and technology aspects. This study also aims to explore relevant issues concerning USPTO and EPO patents.

Summary of key findings of this study is as follows: 1. The patent numbers of biometrics worldwide are still growing. 2. The United States is the leading country of biometrics technology patents and Japan follows. 3. The IBM ranks top of biometrics assignees and NEC ranks second. 4. Fingerprint recognition serves as the major biometrics technology, with facial and voice recognition following. 5. The United States has the highest technology impact on fingerprint, facial, voice and general technology recognition. 6. The United States tops in science strength of fingerprint, facial, voice and general technology recognition. 7. Bimetrics has stronger linkage with scientific research. 8. Fingerprint, facial and general technology recognition are in the mature stage of technology development, whereas voice recognition has faster technology cycle time. 9. In spite of the US and Japan, European countries show better performance in EPO, whereas Asian countries perform better in USPTO. 10. The time delay effects in USPTO and EPO do affect the patent growth trends of biometrics. 11. In USPTO, the main technology content of biometrics lies in “recognition of data“; In EPO, “speech analysis or sysnthesis” stands for the main biometrics technology content.