Appendix 1: Patent indicators
Patent application
To obtain a patent, an application must be filed at the appropriate patent office together with all the necessary documents and payment of fees. The patent office will conduct an examination to decide whether to grant or reject the application. Patent applications are generally published 18 months after the earliest priority date of the application. Prior to publication, the application remains confidential. Only published patent applications have been studied in this report.
Patent applicant/assignee
When a person is applying for a patent, the word "applicant" refers to the assignee, that is, the person to whom the inventor is under an obligation to assign the invention, or the person who otherwise shows sufficient proprietary interest in the matter. Also called a patent owner or patent assignee; typically, it is the inventor’s employer.
Patent classification
Patent classification is a system for examiners of IP offices or other people to code documents, such as published patent applications, according to the technical features of their content. The International Patent Classification (IPC) is agreed internationally. The European Patent Office (EPO) and United States Patent and Trademark Office (USPTO) launched a joint project to create the Cooperative Patent Classification (CPC) in order to harmonize the patent classifications systems between the two offices.
Patent family (Fampat)
Defined as an “invention-based family,” this family definition from Questel incorporates the EPO’s strict family rule (same priority application(s)) with additional rules (applications falling outside the 12 months filing limit; links between EP and PCT publications, etc.). This is a reasonable compromise between strict family and extended family.
PCT (WIPO)
The Patent Cooperation Treaty (PCT) is an international patent law treaty concluded in 1970, administered by the World Intellectual Property Organization (WIPO), between more than 140 Paris Convention countries. The PCT makes it possible to seek patent protection for an invention simultaneously in each of a large number of countries by filing a single “international” patent application instead of filing several separate national or regional patent applications. The granting of patents remains under the control of the national or regional patent offices in which is called the “national phase.”
European patent (EP)
A European patent can be obtained for all the EPC countries by filling a single application at the EPO in one of three official languages (English, French or German). European patents granted by the EPO have the same legal rights and are subject to the same conditions as national patents (granted by the national patent office). A granted European patent is a “bundle” of national patents, which must be validated at the national patent office to be effective in member countries. The validation process could include submission of a translation of the specification, payment of fees and other formalities at the national patent office. Once a European patent is granted, competence is transferred to the national patent offices. Other regional patents or procedures also exist: the Eurasian patent (EA), ARIPO patent (AP) for English-speaking Africa and OAPI patent (OA) for French-speaking Africa.
International patent family (IPF)
An international patent family is defined as a patent family that has been filed and published in two or more jurisdictions (sometimes also known as foreign-oriented patent families or extended patent families). This contrasts with a domestic-only patent family or a non-international patent family, which consists of a patent family filed in only a single jurisdiction (often known as a “singleton”). Analysis by IPFs serves to highlight innovations with a universal application, control for the difference in the propensity to file multiple patent applications for a single invention between patent offices, and exclude singletons.
Priority filing
The first location in which a particular invention has a patent application filed, also known as the office of first filing.
Compound annual growth rate (CAGR)
Compound annual growth rate (CAGR), initially used to calculate and determine the rate of investment return, it represents the average annual growth rate between two dates in the report.
Relative Specialization Index (RSI)
Relative Specialization Index (RSI), as defined by the World Intellectual Property Organization (WIPO), is an analytical tool used to assess the specialization of a country's research profile. It compares the share of a specific field or technology within a country's overall research output to the global average in that field. This index helps in identifying the degree to which a country is specialized in a certain area of research and innovation relative to others.
Appendix 2: Search strategy
All patent searches for this report were conducted using the Questel Orbit Intelligence database.
A.2.1 Prediction technology area
Statistics-based analysis
In occupational health and safety, statistics-based analysis uses statistical modeling, predictive analytics, data trend analysis, and risk assessment tools to identify potential workplace hazards before they occur.
Machine learning
Machine learning, in the context of occupational health and safety, leverages artificial neural networks, decision trees, deep learning algorithms, and pattern recognition systems to predict and prevent workplace injuries or illnesses.
Behavior-based analysis
Behavior-based analysis enhances occupational health and safety by employing user behavior analytics, activity monitoring systems, anomaly detection, and predictive behavioral modeling to anticipate unsafe worker actions.
General filter
A.2.2 Detection technology area
Safety software solutions
In occupational health and safety, safety software solutions include incident management software, real-time monitoring platforms, compliance tracking systems, and hazard identification tools to proactively manage workplace risks.
Fire detection and prevention systems
Fire detection and prevention systems, within occupational health and safety, consist of smoke detectors, heat sensors, flame detectors, and automatic sprinkler systems to protect workers from fire-related incidents.
Gas detection equipment
Gas Detection Equipment supports occupational health and safety with portable gas detectors, fixed gas monitoring systems, multi-gas analyzers, and leak detection sensors to safeguard workers from hazardous gas exposure.
Temperature monitoring system
Temperature monitoring systems in occupational health and safety use infrared thermometers, thermal imaging cameras, temperature sensors, and overheat detection systems to prevent heat-related illnesses in the workplace.
Noise level monitoring
Noise level monitoring, in the context of occupational health and safety, employs sound level meters, noise dosimeters, acoustic sensors, and real-time noise tracking devices to protect workers from hearing loss.
Radiation detection equipment
Radiation detection equipment enhances occupational health and safety with Geiger counters, dosimeters, scintillation detectors, and ionization chambers to monitor and mitigate radiation exposure risks for workers.
Location-based safety systems
Location-based safety systems in occupational health and safety feature GPS tracking devices, proximity sensors, geofencing systems, and worker location monitors to ensure employee safety in hazardous zones.
A.2.3 Protection technology area
Respiratory protection technologies
Respiratory protection technologies, in occupational health and safety, consist of N95 respirators, self-contained breathing apparatus (SCBA), powered air-purifying respirators (PAPRs), and gas masks with filters to protect workers from airborne contaminants.
Hearing protection technologies
Hearing protection technologies support occupational health and safety with earplugs, earmuffs, custom-molded ear protection, and acoustic filters to prevent noise-induced hearing loss in noisy work environments.
Personal protection equipment
Personal protection equipment, in the context of occupational health and safety, includes safety helmets, protective gloves, body armor, and high-visibility clothing to shield workers from physical workplace injuries.
Thermal protection equipment
Thermal protection equipment enhances occupational health and safety with fire-resistant suits, insulated clothing, heat shields, and cooling vests to protect workers from burns or heat stress.
Mechanical safeguards
Mechanical safeguards in occupational health and safety feature machine guards, lockout-tagout systems, safety interlocks, and barrier shields to reduce the risk of machinery-related accidents.
Ventilation and filtration systems
Ventilation and filtration systems, applied to occupational health and safety, include air purifiers, exhaust fans, HEPA filtration systems, and dust collection units to ensure clean air and reduce respiratory hazards for workers.
Ergonomic workspaces
Ergonomic workspace solutions in occupational health and safety encompass adjustable desks, ergonomic chairs, anti-fatigue mats, and wrist supports to minimize musculoskeletal disorders among employees.
Fall protection
Fall protection, within occupational health and safety, involves safety harnesses, guardrails, lanyards, and fall arrest systems to prevent worker injuries from falls at height.
Wearable devices
Wearable devices in occupational health and safety include smart helmets, fitness trackers, exoskeletons, and vital signs monitors to enhance worker safety and monitor health conditions in real time.
A.2.4 Industrial sectors
Industrial sectors include various activities:
Construction: Building and maintaining structures and infrastructure.
Manufacturing: Producing goods from raw materials
Healthcare: Providing medical services and products
Agriculture: Cultivating plants and rearing animals for food and resources
Services: Offering intangible value and expertise
Logistics: Managing the movement and flow of goods
Mining: Extracting minerals and geological materials.
Construction
This sector encompasses activities related to the building, modification, and maintenance of structures and infrastructure like roads, bridges, and utility systems.
Manufacturing
Manufacturing is an industrial sector that involves the production of goods from raw materials through various processes, including design, assembly, and finishing.
Healthcare
This sector encompasses a broad range of companies and organizations that provide medical services, manufacture medical equipment or drugs, offer health insurance, or otherwise facilitate the provision of healthcare to individuals.
Agriculture
The agriculture sector encompasses a broad range of activities related to the cultivation of plants and the rearing of animals for food, fiber, medicinal plants, and other products used to sustain and enhance human life.
Service
The services sector, also known as the tertiary sector, is characterized by activities that do not produce tangible goods but instead provide intangible value such as expertise, convenience, access, or entertainment.
Logistics
The logistics sector refers to the industry that deals with the planning, implementation, and management of the movement, storage, and flow of goods, services, and information throughout the supply chain—from the point of origin to the point of consumption. It encompasses various activities, including transportation, warehousing, inventory management, packaging, materials handling, and distribution.
Mining
This sector focus on the extraction of minerals, metals, and other geological materials from the Earth's crust. These resources include ores, coal, precious metals, stones, oil shale, gemstones, limestone, and other materials essential for manufacturing and energy production.
