The technology industry continues to be a hotbed of patent innovation. Activity is driven by the need for prolonged battery life and improved network efficiency, and growing importance of technologies such as advanced signaling and protocol enhancements to allow devices to enter low-power states during periods of inactivity, conserving energy without compromising connectivity, which is crucial for the proliferation of IoT devices and the seamless integration of mobile technology into various industries. In the last three years alone, there have been over 4.1 million patents filed and granted in the technology industry, according to GlobalData’s report on 5G in technology: LTE discontinuous reception (DRX). Buy the report here.

According to GlobalData’s Technology Foresights, which uses over 1.5 million patents to analyze innovation intensity for the technology industry, there are 190+ innovation areas that will shape the future of the industry.

LTE discontinuous reception (DRX) is a key innovation area in 5G

LTE discontinuous reception (DRX) is an energy-conserving method implemented in LTE networks, enabling user devices to enter a low-power state when there’s no data communication from the base station, effectively lowering energy usage.

GlobalData’s analysis also uncovers the companies at the forefront of each innovation area and assesses the potential reach and impact of their patenting activity across different applications and geographies. According to GlobalData, there are 210+ companies, spanning technology vendors, established technology companies, and up-and-coming start-ups engaged in the development and application of LTE discontinuous reception (DRX).

Key players in LTE discontinuous reception (DRX) – a disruptive innovation in the technology industry

‘Application diversity’ measures the number of applications identified for each patent. It broadly splits companies into either ‘niche’ or ‘diversified’ innovators.   

‘Geographic reach’ refers to the number of countries each patent is registered in. It reflects the breadth of geographic application intended, ranging from ‘global’ to ‘local’.  

Patent volumes related to LTE discontinuous reception (DRX)

Company	Total patents (2010 - 2022)	Premium intelligence on the world's largest companies
ZTE	751	Unlock Company Profile
Qualcomm	3185	Unlock Company Profile
Spreadtrum Communications (Shanghai)	89	Unlock Company Profile
Telefonica	93	Unlock Company Profile
InterDigital	800	Unlock Company Profile
MediaTek	314	Unlock Company Profile
Apple	1880	Unlock Company Profile
Hon Hai Precision Industry	150	Unlock Company Profile
Mitsubishi Electric	121	Unlock Company Profile
Nokia	945	Unlock Company Profile
Panasonic	209	Unlock Company Profile
Kyocera	284	Unlock Company Profile
Telefonaktiebolaget LM Ericsson	1782	Unlock Company Profile
Sony Group	753	Unlock Company Profile
Sharp	322	Unlock Company Profile
Nippon Telegraph and Telephone	521	Unlock Company Profile
Broadcom	96	Unlock Company Profile
SK Telecom	69	Unlock Company Profile
ASUSTeK Computer	85	Unlock Company Profile
BlackBerry	663	Unlock Company Profile
NEC	666	Unlock Company Profile
Intel	3187	Unlock Company Profile
China Mobile Communications Group	83	Unlock Company Profile
Convida Wireless	73	Unlock Company Profile
Guangdong Oppo Mobile Telecommunications	1630	Unlock Company Profile
Vivo Communication Technology	506	Unlock Company Profile
Ofinno Technologies	130	Unlock Company Profile
Sun Patent Trust	136	Unlock Company Profile
Vivo Mobile Communication	125	Unlock Company Profile

Among the companies innovating in LTE discontinuous reception (DRX), Intel is one of the leading patents filers. The company’s patent pertains to legally intercepting a proximity service, such as device-to-device (D2D) communication, provided to user equipment (UEs). For instance, a method involves an evolved Node B (eNB) sending a proximity service setup message to a first UE to establish D2D communication with a second UE. Subsequently, the eNB transmits a lawful interception message to either the first UE or the second UE to facilitate legal interception of the D2D communication. The eNB then receives packets related to the D2D communication from the first UE or the second UE and conveys these received packets from both UEs to the core network (CN) for duplication. Other prominent patent filers in the space include Qualcomm and Apple. 

In terms of application diversity, Intel leads the pack, while Apple and Ofinno Technologies stood in second and third positions, respectively. By means of geographic reach, Sun Patent Trust held the top position, followed by Intel and InterDigital.                    

 LTE discontinuous reception (DRX) plays a crucial role in power efficiency within 5G technology. By allowing user devices to periodically enter a low-power sleep mode when there is no data transmission, it significantly extends battery life, making it especially important for IoT devices and mobile devices striving for optimal power management. 

To further understand the key themes and technologies disrupting the technology industry, access GlobalData’s latest thematic research report on 5G.

Premium Insights

From

The gold standard of business intelligence.

Blending expert knowledge with cutting-edge technology, GlobalData’s unrivalled proprietary data will enable you to decode what’s happening in your market. You can make better informed decisions and gain a future-proof advantage over your competitors.

Be better informed