Multiplex and VoIP - Top 20

Multiplex and VoIP Ranks as the #3 Technology Area in the 2019 Patent 300 Report

By Rocky Berndsen

The 2019 Patent 300™ Report details the top 300 companies, organizations, and universities obtaining patents in the United States.  Data from the report shows that nearly 70% of the U.S. patents obtained in 2018 were for electrical, software, or computer-related technologies.  The top 10 technology areas, which represent 49% of the 167,164 U.S. patents obtained by Patent 300 companies in 2018, are dominated by electrical technologies.

Chart 1 shows the Multiplex and VoIP technology area ranked 3rd largest in 2018, where 9,875 patents were issued for Patent 300 companies in the U.S.  Multiplex and VoIP technology covers United States Patent & Trademark Office (USPTO) technology classifications related to simultaneous transmission of two or more information signals in either or both directions over the same transmission medium.  Transmission in this manner allows discrete recovery of information signals.

Chart 1 – Top 10 Technology Areas for Patent 300 (2018 U.S. Patents)

RankPatent 300 Technology Area2018 U.S. PatentsPercentage of Total 2018 U.S. Patents
1Semiconductors/Memory15,1539%
2Electrical Circuits and Systems13,2158%
3Multiplex and VoIP9,8756%
4Optics9,0035%
5Printing/Measuring and Testing8,6415%
6Thermal & Combustion Technology, Motive & Fluid Power Systems7,0174%
7Selective Visual Display Systems4,8553%
8Telecommunications: Analog Radio Telephone; Satellite and Power Control; Transceivers, Measuring and Testing; Bluetooth; Receivers and Transmitters; Equipment Details4,7613%
9Computer Networks4,5443%
10Cryptography and Security4,3113%

The top 20 companies in the Multiplex and VoIP area, shown in Chart 2, are large global technology companies.  They include LG Electronics (#1), Huawei (#2), Ericsson (#3), Qualcomm (#4), and others.  Despite a 19% decrease from 2017, LG Electronics tops the list having obtained 894 U.S. patents. Huawei had a 17% increase over 2017 at 882 U.S. patents.  Ericsson, at 747, was down 5% from 2017. The top 20 companies represent a cross-section of the technology sector.  Included are device makers, chip makers, and telecommunications companies.

Chart 2 – Top 20 Companies by U.S. Patents in Multiplex and VoIP

Patent 300 Company NamePatent 300 Rank in Multiplex and VoIPMultiplex and VoIP Patents 2018% of Company's 2018 U.S. PatentsMultiplex and VoIP Patents 2017Change from 2017 Patents
LG Electronics189436%1060-19%
Huawei288240%73217%
Ericsson374754%784-5%
Qualcomm471930%7003%
Samsung56118%5746%
Intel654216%5243%
Cisco730435%400-32%
Nokia830334%350-16%
AT&T924019%21212%
Softbank1021231%17816%
Sony112019%14926%
IBM121932%214-11%
Apple131879%1832%
ZTE1418138%212-17%
NEC1517922%215-20%
Fujitsu1617313%243-40%
Dell171638%14014%
Interdigital1815842%185-17%
ETRI1913626%10523%
Broadcom2013439%147-10%

For more detailed information about this technology area, or any other data related to the 2019 Patent 300™ Report, please visit harrityllp.com/patent300/ or contact Rocky Berndsen directly via email at rberndsen@harrityllp.com.