Using patent analysis to construct technology networks: A case study of unmanned vessel technologies

In this thesis, unmanned vessel technologies (UVTs) are examined by the use of patent analysis. At the begining of this study, the keywords related to the UVTs are determined to retrieve patent documents from the patent database. Expert opinion, publications and patents are used to determine the keywords in this thesis. All patent documents are retrieved from the USPTO (United States Patent and Trademark Office), which is extensively used for patent research in the literature. Free trial version of a patent research and anaalysis software, namely AcclaimIP software, is also used for the analysis. S-curve is drawn to determine the current technology stage. It is concluded that the UVT is at the growth stage of its technology life cycle. Therefore, it is an acceptable technology for investment.Simple lineer regression analysis is then performed in this study to find the answer to the question of which sub-technology related to UVTs should be selected for investment? The SPSS (Statistical Package for the Social Sciences) is used for the simple lineer regression analysis.The relations among the IPC (International PAtent Classification) codes related to the UVTs are found through the simple lineer regression analysis. A social network analysis software, namely Gephi, is also used to draw technology network for the UVTs as well as strategic technology code networks for the IPC codes. The results of this thesis show that the UVTs is an emerging technology and can be invested in the near future. It is expect that the results obtanied from this thesis will contribute to the orientation of the investment planning for decision makers and investors to construct innovation-based country in Turkey. Keywords: Unmanned vessel technologies, Patent analysis, S-curve, Lineer regression analysis, Technology network