This paper discusses quantitative analyses of patents published for cathode active materials for lithium secondary batteries based on layer structure. Numbers of the patents analyzed were 356, 1628, 2915, 439, and 611 for Korea, USA, Japan, Europe, and PCT (WO), respectively. Trends of improved technologies and alternative technologies concerning lithium cobalt, from 1991 to 2012 were examined and the patent shares distribution of each principal countries about lithium secondary battery technologies were also scrutinized. The number of patents for the mixed structure technology and next-generation lithium secondary battery technology increased numerously in 2000. Particularly in 2005, lots of patents were also published and SANYO (34.5%), SONY (17.5%), LG (7%), and SAMSUNG (5.5%) possessed leading patent applicants. Finally, the research focus on cathode active materials for lithium secondary batteries was confirmed by bubble chart distributions for component-by-step process.

We have quantitatively analyzed 1,294 effective patents on "Quantitative Analysis of Patents Concerning Cathode Active Materials for Lithium-Ion Secondary Batteries Based on Layer Structure" from Korea, USA, Japan, Europe and PCT (WO). The importance of technological and patent values of the aforesaid patents were evaluated by the factors shown in Table 1, and 104 major and 20 core patents were selected in compliance with the evaluation from the patents. The technological flow chart over time regarding the selected major and core patents was prepared, and the applying time and development process of patents, as well as the position of core patents were established on the time scale investigated. Finally, the differentiation plans and patent avoidance strategies for the next technology development, in comparison with the technologies of patents already applied and registered, were suggested.