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Patent sleeping beauties: evolutionary trajectories and identification methods

Author

Listed:
  • Jianhua Hou

    (Sun Yat-sen University)

  • Xiucai Yang

    (Dalian University)

Abstract

Sleeping Beauties in Science have attracted a lot of attention in scientometrics and beyond. However, sleeping beauties also appear in patent. In this paper, we put forward the concept of patent sleeping beauties. Since the evolution trajectory of patents after public announcement includes citation, transformation and license, we have defined the evolution trajectories of patents through three indicators including early sudden awakening (the “Flash in the pan”), early gradual awakening (the “Pea Princess”), delay gradual awakening (the “Ugly Duckling”), delay sudden awakening (the “sleeping beauty”) and sleeping patent. Furthermore, this paper constructs a quantitative model to identify patent sleeping beauties. Taking the graphene technology patent of China as an example, this paper identified the patent sleeping beauties in graphene technology, and found that the number of sleeping beauty patents accounted for only 0.59% of all patents. In the aspect of patent awakening mode, the awakening of patents with gradual awakening is mainly caused by both cited and transferred or cited and licensed. However, both the flash-in-the-pan and the sleeping beauty patents are mainly caused by transferring or licensing single factor. At the same time, through investigation, we found that patent invalidation will not hinder patent awakening, patent awakening will extend the effective life of patents. At last, we provide policy implications for researchers and managers.

Suggested Citation

  • Jianhua Hou & Xiucai Yang, 2019. "Patent sleeping beauties: evolutionary trajectories and identification methods," Scientometrics, Springer;Akadémiai Kiadó, vol. 120(1), pages 187-215, July.
    • Handle: RePEc:spr:scient:v:120:y:2019:i:1:d:10.1007_s11192-019-03123-x
    DOI: 10.1007/s11192-019-03123-x
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    2. Pezzoni, Michele & Veugelers, Reinhilde & Visentin, Fabiana, 2022. "How fast is this novel technology going to be a hit? Antecedents predicting follow-on inventions," Research Policy, Elsevier, vol. 51(3).
    3. Elena M. Tur & Evangelos Bourelos & Maureen McKelvey, 2022. "The case of sleeping beauties in nanotechnology: a study of potential breakthrough inventions in emerging technologies," The Annals of Regional Science, Springer;Western Regional Science Association, vol. 69(3), pages 683-708, December.
    4. Hou, Jianhua & Yang, Xiucai, 2020. "Social media-based sleeping beauties: Defining, identifying and features," Journal of Informetrics, Elsevier, vol. 14(2).
    5. Jianhua Hou & Xiucai Yang & Yang Zhang, 2023. "The effect of social media knowledge cascade: an analysis of scientific papers diffusion," Scientometrics, Springer;Akadémiai Kiadó, vol. 128(9), pages 5169-5195, September.
    6. Song, Haoyang & Hou, Jianhua & Zhang, Yang, 2023. "The measurements and determinants of patent technological value: Lifetime, strength, breadth, and dispersion from the technology diffusion perspective," Journal of Informetrics, Elsevier, vol. 17(1).
    7. Anthony F. J. van Raan, 2021. "Sleeping beauties gain impact in overdrive mode," Scientometrics, Springer;Akadémiai Kiadó, vol. 126(5), pages 4311-4332, May.
    8. Jianhua Hou & Hao Li & Yang Zhang, 2023. "Altmetrics-based sleeping beauties: necessity or just a supplement?," Scientometrics, Springer;Akadémiai Kiadó, vol. 128(10), pages 5477-5506, October.
    9. Sepideh Fahimifar & Elmira Janavi & Fatemeh Fadaei, 2024. "Awakening the beauty: a journey through dormant gems in strategic management literature," Quality & Quantity: International Journal of Methodology, Springer, vol. 58(4), pages 3331-3362, August.
    10. Jianhua Hou & Xiucai Yang & Haoyang Song & Haiyue Yao, 2023. "Will patent family be dormant? Research on the identification and characteristics of sleeping beauty’s patent family," Scientometrics, Springer;Akadémiai Kiadó, vol. 128(10), pages 5361-5387, October.
    11. Wang, Chang & Geng, Hongjun & Sun, Rui & Song, Huiling, 2022. "Technological potential analysis and vacant technology forecasting in the graphene field based on the patent data mining," Resources Policy, Elsevier, vol. 77(C).

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