Journal of the Korean Society of Mineral and Energy Resources Engineers (한국자원공학회지)

The Korean Society of Mineral and Energy Resources Engineers (한국자원공학회)
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Patent Trend and Characteristics of Major Companies in the Field of Seismic Nodal System

탄성파 탐사 무선 수진기 특허동향 및 주요 기업의 기술 분석

  • Park, Jung Kyu (Korea Institute of Geoscience and Mineral Resources)
  • 박정규 (한국지질자원연구원 북방지질자원전략센터)
  • Received : 2018.11.20
  • Accepted : 2018.12.20
  • Published : 2018.12.31
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Abstract

This study analyzed patent trends of seismic nodal systems and the technical characteristics of core patents of three major companies, including Fairfield, Sercel, and Wireless Seismic, to examine the focus of technology development of each company. From the analysis, the patent application growth rate of seismic nodal systems has steadily increased since early to mid-2000s and has recently shown a higher growth rate. Over the same period, the patent application growth rate of the three major companies examined was higher than that of the global trend, and patent infringement cases was also examined to evaluate market competition in this field. Analysis of the technical characteristics of the three companies' 33 core patents showed that they are generally focused on seismic signal detection. Sub-technologies included improved reliability of data acquisition, data transmission efficiency, and overall operating of the seismic nodal system. New entrants in field of technology development or manufacturing of seismic nodal systems where the market is growing must closely analyze the contents of major companies' products and patents to prevent possible patent disputes or duplicate research.

본 연구는 탄성파 탐사 수진기의 특허동향을 분석하였다. 또한 수진기 제조사인 페어필드, 서셀, 와이어리스 사이스믹 등 3개 주요 기업의 탄성파 탐사 수진기 특허동향 및 핵심특허의 기술특징을 분석하여 각 기업의 기술개발 세부분야를 살펴보았다. 탄성파 수진기의 특허동향은 2000년 초 중반 이후로 출원 증가율이 지속적으로 높아지고 있으며 최근 더욱 높은 증가율을 보여 동 분야의 성장세를 확인하였다. 동 기간에 주요기업의 특허 출원증가율은 글로벌 동향보다 높게 나타났으며 특허침해소송 사례를 확인하여 동 분야의 활발한 시장경쟁을 확인하였다. 핵심특허 33건의 기술특징을 분석한 결과 주요기업은 대체로 탄성파 신호감지 분야에 집중하여 특허를 보유하는 것으로 나타났다. 세부기술은 자료획득의 신뢰도 향상, 자료전송 효율 향상, 무선수진기의 운용 시스템 개량기술 분야로 구분되었다. 시장이 성장하고 있는 동 분야의 기술개발 및 제조 관련 신규 진입자는 향후 발생할 수 있는 특허분쟁 또는 중복연구 등을 미연에 방지하기 위하여 주요 기업의 제품 및 특허의 청구항을 면밀하게 분석할 필요가 있겠다.

Keywords

Acknowledgement

Supported by : 한국에너지기술평가원(KETEP)

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