Integrating Business, R&D and IP Activities
Essential to the Mitsubishi Electric Group's pursuit of global business development is the rigorous promotion and protection of intellectual property (IP) rights.
Recognizing IP as a vital resource that underpins corporate strength, the Mitsubishi Electric Group continues to integrate its business, R&D and IP activities. With approximately 37,000 patents and about 9,000 new applications filed each year in Japan and overseas, our extensive portfolio forms the wellspring of our global competitive advantage.
Structure of the Intellectual Property Division
The Group's IP-related operations are the direct responsibility of the president and overseen by our IP division at headquarters under an appointed IP executive officer. Day-to-day issues are handled by IP departments at relevant facilities and R&D centers. Focusing on integration as the means to improve the structure and effectiveness of our IP network, we coordinate activities at each level. The IP division at headquarters formulates strategies for the entire Group, promotes critical IP-related projects, and coordinates interaction with the patent office. At the facility and R&D center level, IP departments pursue specific objectives in line with the Group's overall IP strategies.
IP Strategy
In all our IP-related activities, we strive to enhance IP capabilities in response to business conditions based on effective utilization of the IP creation cycle. Specifically, the IP division and its departments identify critical IP-related themes in connection with mainstay businesses and important R&D projects. In strategically promoting IP activities, we further reinforce the Group's global competitiveness.
In the face of rapid technological standardization worldwide, the Group is working to obtain certified patents for standards, with an aim to increase recognition of our technologies as international standards. In patents related to MPEG¹, DVD and ARIB² digital broadcasting standards, we have taken the industry lead in the management of patent pool organizations such as MPEG LA and DVD 6C. These IP activities are contributing to the improvement and expansion of our business performance.
Moreover, in response to further business globalization, Group IP representatives in the United States, Europe and China actively work to strengthen IP capabilities and to accelerate our global IP activities.
In the critical area of protecting IP rights, we work closely with relevant industry associations and government agencies to prevent IP infringements and eradicate counterfeiting. In-house, we continually update and enforce internal controls for the appropriate management of confidential IP material.
| SEGMENT | FIELD | CORE TECHNOLOGIES/PATENTS/PRODUCTS |
|---|---|---|
| Energy and Electric Systems | Power Systems | Power generation systems, Substation systems, Power distribution systems, Insulation technology, Large-current control systems |
| Transportation Systems | Propulsion control systems, Transportation planning and control systems, Train information systems | |
| Elevators/Escalators | AXIEZ series - Operating and space efficient elevators, Elevator group control systems, Motion Search | |
| Supervisory Control Systems | Multiple large-screen display technology, Network visual monitoring systems, Security System Integration Platform (DIGUARD NET) | |
| Industrial Automation Systems | Industrial Automation Products and Systems | Programmable controllers, Human machine interfaces, AC servo systems, Inverters, Low-voltage circuit breakers, Computerized numerical controllers, Electrical discharge machines, Laser processing machines |
| Measurement and Control Systems | Energy diagnosis technology, Power meters, EcoMonitor | |
| Automotive Electric & Electronic Products and Car Multimedia Systems | Electrical power steering, High-efficiency alternators, High-power starters, Onboard ETC equipment, Car navigation systems | |
| Information and Communication Systems | Wireless Base Stations | Digital modulation and demodulation technology, Wireless access control technology, Error detection and correction technology, Amplifier circuit technology |
| Closed Circuit Television Systems | Video storage technology, Video encoding and decoding technology, Sensor information processing technology, Speech coding technology | |
| Space, Satellite Communication Systems | Satellites, Positioning augmentation services (PAS3), Posture control technology | |
| Antennas and Radar Devices | Antennas, Microwave and millimeter wave technology, Tracking and signal processing technology | |
| Information Communications Network Systems | Information security technology, Encryption algorithms (MISTY), Data management technology, Optical access technology, Optical network technology, Optical transmission systems | |
| Electronic Devices | Power Devices | Power transistors, Power modules, SiC power devices |
| High Frequency and Optical Devices | Semiconductor lasers, MMIC4, Optical transmission modules, High-frequency MEMS5 switch | |
| LCD modules | Display image processing technology, 3D LCDs | |
| Home Appliances | Air Conditioning Systems | Heat pump technology, Air conditioners, S-wing fan residential ventilator |
| Solar Power Generation Systems | Solar battery cells, Power conditioners | |
| Projection TVs | Thin DLP®6 optical engine, Wide color range and 6 primary color rear projection TVs, Digital broadcast receiver technology | |
| DVD Recorders and Players | Blu-ray Disc recorder, Highlight replay technology, Optical disc recording and play technology, MPEG1 encoding technology |
- 1
- MPEG: Moving Picture Experts Group
- 2
- ARIB: Association of Radio Industries and Businesses
- 3
- PAS: Positioning Augmentation Services
- 4
- MMIC: Monolithic Microwave Integrated Circuit
- 5
- MEMS: Micro Electro Mechanical Systems
- 6
- DLP® is a registered trademark of Texas Instruments Incorporated, U.S.A.