U.S. PATENT AND TRADEMARK OFFICE
Information Products Division
Technology Assessment and Forecast (TAF) Branch

Patenting By Geographic Region (State and Country), Breakout By Technology Class
Count of 1996 - 2000 Utility Patent Grants By Calendar Year of Grant

[Explanation of Data]

Rank Ordered Listing of Technology Classes Receiving 1 or More Utility Patents During the Period
Originating From

SOUTH KOREA

(patent origin is determined by the residence of the first-named inventor)

(technology class is determined by the primary classification assigned to the patent- see 'Explanation of Data')
 
Class Class Title 1996 1997 1998 1999 2000 Total
438 Semiconductor Device Manufacturing: Process 106 176 241 292 349 1164
365 Static Information Storage and Retrieval 63 120 185 207 240 815
257 Active Solid-State Devices (e.g., Transistors, Solid-State Diodes) 52 59 145 181 140 577
348 Television 102 89 100 104 83 478
369 Dynamic Information Storage or Retrieval 54 67 88 75 62 346
375 Pulse or Digital Communications 45 43 79 77 76 320
360 Dynamic Magnetic Information Storage or Retrieval 48 54 92 68 56 318
062 Refrigeration 25 31 88 92 64 300
327 Miscellaneous Active Electrical Nonlinear Devices, Circuits, and Systems 20 31 55 79 91 276
359 Optics: Systems (Including Communication) and Elements 29 41 70 54 71 265
430 Radiation Imagery Chemistry: Process, Composition, or Product Thereof 31 34 70 58 50 243
349 Liquid Crystal Cells, Elements and Systems 21 18 62 62 73 236
345 Computer Graphics Processing, Operator Interface Processing, and Selective Visual Display Systems 12 16 60 67 68 223
219 Electric Heating 22 27 49 65 52 215
313 Electric Lamp and Discharge Devices 23 30 49 42 42 186
399 Electrophotography 14 18 35 72 41 180
386 Television Signal Processing for Dynamic Recording or Reproducing 38 41 40 34 26 179
370 Multiplex Communications 20 19 35 45 53 172
424 Drug, Bio-Affecting and Body Treating Compositions (includes Class 514) 21 31 31 39 44 166
532 Organic Compounds (includes Classes 532-570) 28 21 29 35 52 165
361 Electricity: Electrical Systems and Devices 9 24 48 43 36 160
382 Image Analysis 8 9 39 60 39 155
520 Synthetic Resins or Natural Rubbers (includes Classes 520-528) 13 26 31 29 55 154
379 Telephonic Communications 7 6 46 65 28 152
455 Telecommunications 8 5 18 49 60 140
068 Textiles: Fluid Treating Apparatus 14 28 40 43 14 139
714 Error Detection/Correction and Fault Detection/Recovery 9 10 32 41 37 129
341 Coded Data Generation or Conversion 15 29 31 26 27 128
358 Facsimile and Static Presentation Processing 14 10 26 31 28 109
318 Electricity: Motive Power Systems 13 16 29 31 16 105
340 Communications: Electrical 9 13 23 32 27 104
315 Electric Lamp and Discharge Devices: Systems 9 15 29 32 18 103
710 Input/Output (Electrical Computers and Digital Processing Systems) 8 9 26 31 28 102
713 Support (Electrical Computers and Digital Processing Systems) 3 3 19 38 37 100
347 Incremental Printing of Symbolic Information 11 9 16 22 36 94
073 Measuring and Testing 11 8 33 23 15 90
428 Stock Material or Miscellaneous Articles 14 12 10 19 28 83
363 Electric Power Conversion Systems 4 16 20 32 10 82
427 Coating Processes 8 11 18 20 24 81
435 Chemistry: Molecular Biology and Microbiology 12 8 15 29 14 78
242 Winding, Tensioning, or Guiding 13 17 25 15 7 77
310 Electrical Generator or Motor Structure 3 5 26 27 12 73
475 Planetary Gear Transmission Systems or Components 6 10 16 29 7 68
250 Radiant Energy 11 8 16 19 13 67
385 Optical Waveguides 3 3 19 11 31 67
324 Electricity: Measuring and Testing 7 11 18 10 20 66
708 Arithmetic Processing and Calculating (Electrical Computers) 9 8 18 23 8 66
118 Coating Apparatus 5 5 16 16 22 64
280 Land Vehicles 11 19 10 7 17 64
417 Pumps 10 8 20 15 11 64
477 Interrelated Power Delivery Controls, Including Engine Control 6 16 15 22 3 62
123 Internal-Combustion Engines 11 16 15 10 8 60
156 Adhesive Bonding and Miscellaneous Chemical Manufacture 5 5 16 14 20 60
165 Heat Exchange 4 11 15 21 9 60
210 Liquid Purification or Separation 6 12 22 15 5 60
015 Brushing, Scrubbing, and General Cleaning 8 5 15 22 8 58
326 Electronic Digital Logic Circuitry 12 9 13 8 16 58
396 Photography 10 14 13 12 7 56
704 DP: Speech Signal Processing, Linguistics, Language Translation, and Audio Compression/Decompression (Data Processing) 2 10 18 10 16 56
356 Optics: Measuring and Testing 4 7 22 6 13 52
029 Metal Working 6 6 17 11 11 51
137 Fluid Handling 4 12 15 11 6 48
381 Electrical Audio Signal Processing Systems and Devices 8 7 15 10 8 48
429 Chemistry: Electrical Current Producing Apparatus, Product, and Process 4 7 13 14 10 48
216 Etching a Substrate: Processes 8 6 14 9 9 46
701 DP: Vehicles, Navigation, and Relative Location (Data Processing) 3 6 9 14 14 46
320 Electricity: Battery or Capacitor Charging or Discharging 0 10 9 15 11 45
501 Compositions: Ceramic 8 6 9 11 10 44
204 Chemistry: Electrical and Wave Energy 4 12 9 4 14 43
372 Coherent Light Generators 8 8 12 8 7 43
711 Memory (Electrical Computers and Digital Processing Systems) 5 4 8 12 14 43
445 Electric Lamp or Space Discharge Component or Device Manufacturing 4 4 11 9 14 42
700 DP: Generic Control Systems or Specific Applications (Data Processing) 3 5 8 12 14 42
074 Machine Element or Mechanism 8 4 12 9 8 41
134 Cleaning and Liquid Contact with Solids 2 3 12 16 8 41
264 Plastic and Nonmetallic Article Shaping or Treating: Processes 6 6 13 11 3 39
271 Sheet Feeding or Delivering 0 4 3 14 18 39
323 Electricity: Power Supply or Regulation Systems 3 12 10 8 6 39
248 Supports (e.g., for holding articles, etc.) 5 7 9 6 10 37
252 Compositions 6 2 9 16 4 37
312 Supports: Cabinet Structure 3 7 14 10 3 37
400 Typewriting Machines 1 3 12 11 10 37
439 Electrical Connectors 4 5 3 12 13 37
148 Metal Treatment 9 6 7 9 5 36
353 Optics: Image Projectors 11 10 9 5 1 36
454 Ventilation 0 6 17 7 6 36
331 Oscillators 3 6 10 6 9 34
343 Communications: Radio Wave Antennas 3 2 9 7 13 34
128 Surgery (includes Class 600) 1 5 7 6 14 33
330 Amplifiers 3 3 5 8 14 33
002 Apparel 4 2 4 7 15 32
008 Bleaching and Dyeing; Fluid Treatment and Chemical Modification of Textiles and Fibers 1 7 7 11 6 32
414 Material or Article Handling 1 7 9 10 5 32
099 Foods and Beverages: Apparatus 4 7 7 5 6 29
423 Chemistry of Inorganic Compounds 6 1 8 9 5 29
725 Interactive Video Distribution Systems 4 4 6 4 10 28
180 Motor Vehicles 2 3 11 8 3 27
187 Elevator, Industrial Lift Truck, or Stationary Lift for Vehicle 4 1 2 13 7 27
384 Bearings 0 1 4 16 6 27
502 Catalyst, Solid Sorbent, or Support Therefor: Product or Process of Making 3 5 6 5 8 27
702 DP: Measuring, Calibrating, or Testing (Data Processing) 1 4 4 8 10 27
709 Multiple Computer or Process Coordinating (Electrical Computers and Digital Processing Systems) 2 2 8 8 6 26
228 Metal Fusion Bonding 2 3 2 6 12 25
333 Wave Transmission Lines and Networks 1 2 6 6 10 25
473 Games Using Tangible Projectile 6 2 7 9 1 25
206 Special Receptacle or Package 3 6 5 4 6 24
307 Electrical Transmission or Interconnection Systems 3 2 8 6 5 24
362 Illumination 4 6 4 5 5 24
060 Power Plants 7 5 5 5 1 23
084 Music 8 6 3 4 2 23
418 Rotary Expansible Chamber Devices 5 6 5 0 7 23
426 Food or Edible Material: Processes, Compositions, and Products 4 2 7 4 6 23
174 Electricity: Conductors and Insulators 2 2 4 6 8 22
016 Miscellaneous Hardware 2 1 3 6 9 21
380 Cryptography 1 2 9 5 4 21
034 Drying and Gas or Vapor Contact with Solids 4 4 2 3 7 20
222 Dispensing (apparatus and process) 1 1 5 11 2 20
706 DP: Artificial Intelligence (Data Processing) 3 6 10 0 1 20
296 Land Vehicles: Bodies and Tops 4 1 5 1 8 19
303 Fluid-Pressure and Analogous Brake Systems 2 9 4 2 2 19
425 Plastic Article or Earthenware Shaping or Treating: Apparatus 4 1 4 5 5 19
235 Registers (e.g., cash registers, calculators, devices for counting movements of devices, etc.) 0 0 6 3 9 18
606 Surgery (instruments) 1 4 7 3 2 17
070 Locks 0 3 4 4 5 16
251 Valves and Valve Actuation 4 2 2 3 5 16
420 Alloys or Metallic Compositions 1 3 4 5 3 16
451 Abrading 1 3 3 6 3 16
091 Motors: Expansible Chamber Type 4 4 6 1 0 15
117 Single-Crystal, Oriented-Crystal, and Epitaxy Growth Processes; Non-Coating Apparatus Therefor 0 1 3 7 4 15
200 Electricity: Circuit Makers and Breakers 3 0 3 7 2 15
355 Photocopying 0 4 5 3 3 15
377 Electrical Pulse Counters, Pulse Dividers, or Shift Registers: Circuits and Systems 4 1 5 3 2 15
419 Powder Metallurgy Processes 2 2 2 6 3 15
434 Education and Demonstration 2 3 4 3 3 15
712 Processing Architectures and Instruction Processing, e.g., Processors (Electrical Computers and Digital Processing Systems) 1 1 4 4 5 15
072 Metal Deforming 1 3 4 3 3 14
192 Clutches and Power-Stop Control 0 6 4 3 1 14
236 Automatic Temperature and Humidity Regulation 1 0 7 5 1 14
431 Combustion 1 2 4 4 3 14
132 Toilet 1 2 1 2 7 13
135 Tent, Canopy, Umbrella, or Cane 2 3 4 2 2 13
198 Conveyors: Power-Driven 0 0 4 6 3 13
205 Electrolysis: Processes, Compositions Used Therein, and Methods of Preparing the Compositions 3 2 3 5 0 13
220 Receptacles 3 2 5 2 1 13
336 Inductor Devices 0 3 5 3 2 13
707 DP: Database and File Management, Data Structures, Or Document Processing (Data Processing) 0 0 1 6 6 13
049 Movable or Removable Closures 2 1 4 0 5 12
052 Static Structures (e.g., Buildings) 1 3 1 3 4 12
065 Glass Manufacturing 0 2 0 7 3 12
095 Gas Separation: Processes 1 1 2 5 3 12
211 Supports: Racks 2 1 7 2 0 12
224 Package and Article Carriers 2 0 3 4 3 12
292 Closure Fasteners 0 6 1 4 1 12
294 Handling: Hand and Hoist-Line Implements 0 1 3 1 7 12
297 Chairs and Seats 1 1 5 5 0 12
338 Electrical Resistors 2 0 2 2 6 12
415 Rotary Kinetic Fluid Motors or Pumps 4 0 2 4 2 12
422 Chemical Apparatus and Process Disinfecting, Deodorizing, Preserving, or Sterilizing 0 2 4 5 1 12
036 Boots, Shoes, and Leggings 2 0 2 4 3 11
055 Gas Separation 1 2 1 3 4 11
075 Specialized Metallurgical Processes, Compositions for Use Therein, Consolidated Metal Powder Compositions, and Loose Metal Particulate Mixtures 0 2 3 5 1 11
332 Modulators 4 2 3 1 1 11
342 Communications: Directive Radio Wave Systems and Devices (e.g., Radar, Radio Navigation) 1 1 2 4 3 11
024 Buckles, Buttons, Clasps, Etc. 2 0 4 4 0 10
106 Compositions: Coating or Plastic 2 1 0 5 2 10
285 Pipe Joints or Couplings 2 1 2 2 3 10
374 Thermal Measuring and Testing 1 1 3 3 2 10
604 Surgery (Medicators and Receptors) 4 0 0 5 1 10
096 Gas Separation: Apparatus 0 1 2 3 3 9
101 Printing 1 0 2 5 1 9
181 Acoustics 0 3 3 1 2 9
221 Article Dispensing 2 0 0 3 4 9
267 Spring Devices 4 1 1 0 3 9
376 Induced Nuclear Reactions: Processes, Systems, and Elements 0 1 4 2 2 9
392 Electric Resistance Heating Devices 0 0 4 2 3 9
432 Heating 0 1 3 3 2 9
474 Endless Belt Power Transmission Systems or Components 0 1 4 2 2 9
504 Plant Protecting and Regulating Compositions 3 3 3 0 0 9
033 Geometrical Instruments 2 1 0 1 4 8
119 Animal Husbandry 0 2 1 1 4 8
188 Brakes 1 1 3 2 1 8
239 Fluid Sprinkling, Spraying, and Diffusing 1 1 1 2 3 8
436 Chemistry: Analytical and Immunological Testing 2 0 1 2 3 8
505 Superconductor Technology: Apparatus, Material, Process 2 2 1 1 2 8
800 Multicellular Living Organisms and Unmodified Parts Thereof and Related Processes 0 2 2 2 2 8
044 Fuel and Related Compositions 2 0 0 2 3 7
092 Expansible Chamber Devices 2 1 1 3 0 7
164 Metal Founding 1 4 1 0 1 7
184 Lubrication 0 1 1 3 2 7
226 Advancing Material of Indeterminate Length 1 0 6 0 0 7
403 Joints and Connections 0 1 3 2 1 7
510 Cleaning Compositions for Solid Surfaces, Auxiliary Compositions Therefor, or Processes of Preparing the Compositions 0 0 2 3 2 7
530 Chemistry: Natural Resins or Derivatives; Peptides or Proteins; Lignins or Reaction Products Thereof 1 1 1 4 0 7
005 Beds 2 2 0 0 2 6
110 Furnaces 2 0 3 1 0 6
122 Liquid Heaters and Vaporizers 0 1 2 3 0 6
218 High-Voltage Switches with Arc Preventing or Extinguishing Devices 0 0 0 5 1 6
261 Gas and Liquid Contact Apparatus 1 1 2 2 0 6
269 Work Holders 0 0 2 3 1 6
335 Electricity: Magnetically Operated Switches, Magnets, and Electromagnets 0 0 3 2 1 6
351 Optics: Eye Examining, Vision Testing and Correcting 0 1 0 2 3 6
442 Fabric (Woven, Knitted, or Nonwoven Textile or Cloth, Etc.) 2 0 0 3 1 6
585 Chemistry of Hydrocarbon Compounds 0 1 0 3 2 6
601 Surgery: Kinesitherapy 2 1 0 2 1 6
004 Baths, Closets, Sinks, and Spittoons 1 0 1 2 1 5
037 Excavating 0 1 3 1 0 5
083 Cutting 0 0 2 1 2 5
089 Ordnance 0 1 2 2 0 5
126 Stoves and Furnaces 0 1 2 0 2 5
131 Tobacco 3 0 0 1 1 5
141 Fluent Material Handling, with Receiver or Receiver Coacting Means 0 1 2 0 2 5
162 Paper Making and Fiber Liberation 0 0 3 0 2 5
178 Telegraphy 1 2 0 1 1 5
266 Metallurgical Apparatus 0 1 0 1 3 5
378 X-Ray or Gamma Ray Systems or Devices 0 0 2 3 0 5
404 Road Structure, Process, or Apparatus 0 0 1 2 2 5
416 Fluid Reaction Surfaces (i.e., Impellers) 2 2 0 1 0 5
433 Dentistry 0 0 1 2 2 5
703 DP: Structural Design, Modeling, Simulation, and Emulation (Data Processing) 2 1 0 1 1 5
716 DP: Design and Analysis of Circuit or Semiconductor Mask (Data Processing) 0 0 2 0 3 5
717 DP: Software Development, Installation, and Management (Data Processing) 0 0 0 4 1 5
001 ** Classification Undetermined ** 0 1 0 0 3 4
053 Package Making 0 1 0 1 2 4
173 Tool Driving or Impacting 0 0 1 0 3 4
177 Weighing Scales 2 0 1 0 1 4
194 Check-Actuated Control Mechanisms 0 0 0 4 0 4
215 Bottles and Jars 0 1 2 0 1 4
223 Apparel Apparatus 0 0 0 1 3 4
227 Elongated-Member-Driving Apparatus 0 1 2 0 1 4
244 Aeronautics 0 0 3 0 1 4
270 Sheet-Material Associating 1 2 0 1 0 4
329 Demodulators 1 1 1 0 1 4
367 Communications, Electrical: Acoustic Wave Systems and Devices 2 0 0 2 0 4
401 Coating Implements with Material Supply 0 0 0 1 3 4
409 Gear Cutting, Milling, or Planing 0 0 1 2 1 4
446 Amusement Devices: Toys 0 0 3 0 1 4
463 Amusement Devices: Games 0 2 0 1 1 4
607 Surgery: Light, Thermal, and Electrical Application 0 1 0 0 3 4
623 Prosthesis (i.e., Artificial Body Members), Parts Thereof, or Aids and Accessories Therefor 1 0 1 1 1 4
030 Cutlery 2 0 0 1 0 3
066 Textiles: Knitting 0 0 1 0 2 3
071 Chemistry: Fertilizers 0 2 0 0 1 3
081 Tools 1 1 0 0 1 3
082 Turning (e.g., for metal working) 2 0 0 1 0 3
100 Presses 1 2 0 0 0 3
144 Woodworking 0 0 0 2 1 3
150 Purses, Wallets, and Protective Covers 0 0 0 0 3 3
160 Flexible or Portable Closure, Partition, or Panel 0 3 0 0 0 3
169 Fire Extinguishers 0 0 1 0 2 3
209 Classifying, Separating, and Assorting Solids 2 0 0 0 1 3
229 Envelopes, Wrappers, and Paperboard Boxes 1 0 0 0 2 3
241 Solid Material Comminution or Disintegration 0 0 2 1 0 3
273 Amusement Devices: Games 0 0 0 3 0 3
281 Books, Strips, and Leaves 0 1 1 0 1 3
293 Vehicle Fenders 0 0 1 0 2 3
408 Cutting by Use of Rotating Axially Moving Tool 1 0 0 2 0 3
483 Tool Changing 0 1 2 0 0 3
705 DP: Financial, Business Practice, Management, or Cost/Price Determination (Data Processing) 0 0 0 0 3 3
014 Bridges 0 1 0 1 0 2
019 Textiles: Fiber Preparation 1 1 0 0 0 2
040 Card, Picture, or Sign Exhibiting 1 0 0 1 0 2
043 Fishing, Trapping, and Vermin Destroying 0 2 0 0 0 2
104 Railways 1 0 1 0 0 2
108 Horizontally Supported Planar Surfaces 0 0 1 0 1 2
136 Batteries: Thermoelectric and Photoelectric 0 0 0 2 0 2
140 Wireworking 0 0 0 1 1 2
172 Earth Working 0 0 2 0 0 2
191 Electricity: Transmission To Vehicles 0 2 0 0 0 2
203 Distillation: Processes, Separatory 0 1 0 1 0 2
208 Mineral Oils: Processes and Products 1 0 0 1 0 2
237 Heating Systems 1 0 0 1 0 2
249 Static Molds 1 1 0 0 0 2
277 Seal for a Joint or Juncture 0 1 0 0 1 2
299 Mining or In Situ Disintegration of Hard Material 0 2 0 0 0 2
301 Land Vehicles: Wheels and Axles 0 0 1 1 0 2
368 Horology: Time Measuring Systems or Devices 0 1 1 0 0 2
405 Hydraulic and Earth Engineering 1 0 0 0 1 2
440 Marine Propulsion 1 0 0 0 1 2
482 Exercise Devices 1 0 0 0 1 2
508 Solid Anti-Friction Devices, Materials Therefor, Lubricant or Separate Compositions for Moving Solid Surfaces, and Miscellaneous Mineral Oil Compositions 0 1 1 0 0 2
602 Surgery: Splint, Brace, or Bandage 0 0 2 0 0 2
028 Textiles: Manufacturing 0 1 0 0 0 1
042 Firearms 0 0 0 1 0 1
047 Plant Husbandry 0 0 0 1 0 1
057 Textiles: Spinning, Twisting, and Twining 0 0 0 0 1 1
059 Chain, Staple, and Horseshoe Making 0 1 0 0 0 1
063 Jewelry 0 0 1 0 0 1
102 Ammunition and Explosives 0 0 1 0 0 1
125 Stone Working 0 0 0 0 1 1
138 Pipes and Tubular Conduits 0 0 0 0 1 1
139 Textiles: Weaving 0 0 0 1 0 1
149 Explosive and Thermic Compositions or Charges 1 0 0 0 0 1
152 Resilient Tires and Wheels 0 1 0 0 0 1
182 Fire Escape, Ladder, or Scaffold 0 0 0 1 0 1
196 Mineral Oils: Apparatus 0 0 0 1 0 1
238 Railways: Surface Track 0 0 0 0 1 1
283 Printed Matter 0 1 0 0 0 1
290 Prime-Mover Dynamo Plants 0 0 1 0 0 1
337 Electricity: Electrothermally or Thermally Actuated Switches 0 0 1 0 0 1
346 Recorders 1 0 0 0 0 1
366 Agitating (e.g., of articles and materials) 0 0 1 0 0 1
407 Cutters, for Shaping 0 0 0 1 0 1
411 Expanded, Threaded, Driven, Headed, Tool-Deformed, or Locked-Threaded Fastener 0 0 0 0 1 1
450 Foundation Garments 0 0 0 0 1 1
453 Coin Handling 1 0 0 0 0 1
464 Rotary Shafts, Gudgeons, Housings, and Flexible Couplings for Rotary Shafts 0 0 1 0 0 1
472 Amusement Devices 1 0 0 0 0 1
492 Roll or Roller 1 0 0 0 0 1
588 Hazardous or Toxic Waste Destruction or Containment 0 0 0 0 1 1
ALL ALL CLASSES 1493 1891 3259 3562 3314 13519



TAF Contacts

Questions regarding these reports should be directed to:

U.S. Patent and Trademark Office
Information Products Division - TAF Branch
PK3- Suite 441
Washington, DC 20231

tel: (703) 306-2600
FAX: (703) 306-2737
email: oeip@uspto.gov

address of TAF Internet pages : http://www.uspto.gov/web/offices/ac/ido/oeip/taf/tafp.html
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Last Modified: April 30, 2001