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Main path analysis for technological development using SAO structure and DEMATEL based on keyword causality

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Abstract

Main path analysis (MPA) is a method for efficiently analyzing technological trends, which change rapidly in competitive environments. In general, MPA is based on citation networks, and it is used to derive the most key path in a complex network. However, the existing studies using MPA do not use important textual information of patents, except for citation data. In this paper, we suggest a new MPA based on patent documents to identify the main path of technological evolution. For this purpose, first, we used the subject-action-object structure to derive core keywords based on causal relationships in patent claims. Second, the DEcision-MAking Trial and Evaluation Laboratory (DEMATEL) technique was applied to draw link weights between patents where causal relationships of keywords were reflected. Finally, a main path in a patent network was identified using the global main path and key-route main path analysis methods. In this paper, we collected and analyzed patent data related to self-driving car technologies, and we verified the technical changes in the main path obtained based on the proposed approach. We found that the generic technologies of the self-driving operation had the strongest influence on the other self-driving car technologies in the sensing-planning-acting steps.

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Funding

This work was supported by the National Research Foundation of Korea under Grant NRF-2021R1I1A2045721.

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Authors and Affiliations

  1. Dongguk University, Seoul, Republic of Korea

    Myeongji Oh, Hye** Jang, Sunhye Kim & Byungun Yoon

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  1. Myeongji Oh
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  2. Hye** Jang
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Correspondence to Byungun Yoon.

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Appendix: Searching formulas

Appendix: Searching formulas

  1. (a)

    recognition: “TAC = ((("RADAR" OR "radio detection and ranging" OR "radio waves" OR "millimeter wave" OR "SRR" OR "Short Range Radar" OR "LRR" OR "Long Range Radar" OR "Laser radar") OR ("ultraviolet" OR "near infrared" OR "LASER" OR "Light Amplification by the Stimulated Emission of Radiation" OR "LIDAR" OR "Lager Imaging Detection And Ranging") OR "Ultrasonic") AND ((auto* OR robotic OR driverless OR "self drivinig") W/5 (vehicle OR car)))”, “TAC = ("camera" AND ((auto* OR robotic OR driverless OR "self drivinig") W/5 (vehicle OR car)))”, and “TAC = (("telematics" OR "V2X" OR "V2V" OR "vehicle-to-vehicle" OR "vehicle-to-infrastructure" OR "Vehicular communication" OR "connected car" OR "connected vehicle" OR "wireless communication" OR "bluetooth" OR "Wi Fi" OR "short range communication" OR "internet of things" OR "in-car networking" OR "connectivity") AND ((auto* OR robotic OR driverless OR "self driving") W/5 (vehicle OR car)))”.

  2. (b)

    judgment: “TAC = ((((self OR vehicle OR driving) AND (plan* OR diagnos* OR monitor*)) OR "On board diagnos*" OR "OBD") AND ((auto* OR robotic OR driverless OR "self drivinig") W/5 (vehicle OR car)))”, and “TAC = (((adaptive OR super OR smart) AND (cruise OR decision OR act*)) AND ((auto* OR robotic OR driverless OR "self drivinig") W/5 (vehicle OR car)))”.

  3. (c)

    control: “TAC = ((((touch OR active front OR active independent front OR car) AND steering) OR steering) AND ((auto*OR robotic OR driverless OR "self drivinig") W/5 (vehicle OR car)))”, “TAC = ((speed AND (control OR adapt* OR advice OR device)) AND ((auto* OR robotic OR driverless OR "self drivinig") W/5 (vehicle OR car)))”, and “TAC = (((("automotive power" OR "vehicle stability" OR engine) AND control) OR "active safety") AND ((auto* OR robotic OR driverless OR "self drivinig") W/5 (vehicle OR car)))”.

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Oh, M., Jang, H., Kim, S. et al. Main path analysis for technological development using SAO structure and DEMATEL based on keyword causality. Scientometrics 128, 2079–2104 (2023). https://doi.org/10.1007/s11192-023-04652-2

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