面版產業競爭版圖
財訊出版社所出版的《台灣面版產業版圖》,曾針對台灣、日本與韓國面版相關上下游產業進行分析,並提供如圖一之TFT LCD產業供應鏈。
圖一 TFT LCD產業供應鏈
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一般而言,面版產業可分為上中下游等三個產業環節,其中上游主要以原材料與關鍵零組件為主,其中重要原材料包括液晶材料,偏光版所需要的TAC與PAV膜,和背光模組裡面的關鍵光源CCFL。關鍵零組件分為五大部分,分別為玻璃基板、彩色濾光片、驅動IC、偏光版與背光模組,其中若以系統整合觀點來看,玻璃基板、彩色濾光片、驅動IC、偏光版屬於零組件層級,而背光模組屬於子系統層級。一般而言,系統層級中組裝比例越高者(較屬勞力密集),其技術含量降低,而越往上游走,競爭公司相對應的技術愈基礎,對應的專利數目也較多。當然這只是初步區分,詳細競爭狀態還有賴該公司所開發的技術內容,和所處產業的競爭狀態。
TFT LCD產業中游以面版製造商為主,當然對應的公司都是大家耳熟能詳的大企業,包括台灣面版五虎+群創光電,韓國Samsung與LPL,日本Sharp等。最後面版的應用端包括三大部分,分別為LCD監視器、NB與LCD TV,當然也包括中小面版的應用,包括車用顯示器與手機用等。
韓國TFT LCD廠商專利布局瞭解
在文【LCD-TV專利經營困境與挑戰】中,我們提到韓國顯示器產業上中下游整合較有規劃,並且以韓國政府帶頭的TFT LCD產業發展也非常積極,除了希望一舉整合上中下游產業鏈往到一吋7美元的目標前進外,對於整體TFT LCD相關設備也已經整合出相關聯盟,積極提升國內設備自製率。此外,該文中我們也強調,台灣廠商應該積極瞭解韓國廠商在韓國、美國與大陸等主要國家的專利申請與核准狀態,並深入瞭解競爭公司運作狀態。
韓國三大背光模組廠專利調查
本文調查韓國三大背光模組廠,包括Taesan LCD、Wooyoung與Kumho Electric在韓國與美國的專利布局,結果如表一到表五所示,分別為韓國Taesan LCD、Wooyoung與Kumho Electric在韓國與美國的專利布局,韓國Taesan LCD已經核准之韓國專利,韓國Wooyoung已經核准之韓國專利,韓國Kumho Electric已經核准之韓國專利,韓國Taesan LCD與Wooyoung已經核准之美國專利。由表可以看出,這些廠商布局均以韓國為主,在美國的布局非常少,至於進一步的技術分析有賴於台灣廠商更深入的調查。
韓國專利情報有待進一步探討與運用
長久以來,台灣廠商都已經意識到專利資訊與情報的重要性,然而受限於語言與專利分析工具的因素,台灣廠商均僅侷限於台灣專利與美國專利的調查。若以專利運用於市場布局考量,或許相關專利調查(美國、日本與歐盟)已經足夠,然而若是以專利當成競爭廠商的技術監控或是瞭解來看,深入該廠商之母國之專利布局,當有助於台灣公司深入瞭解其技術發展現況與脈絡,並能進一步與市場資訊結合。此外,若以技術監控來看,早期公開專利其實是一個更重要的專利情報,因為早期公開資訊可以讓我們將技術隱藏時間縮短到18個月,重要性可參考文【早期公開專利情報之重要性】。最後,對於台灣相關廠商而言(例如瑞儀、中光電與輔祥等),瞭解韓國三大背光模組廠商專利情報僅是被動作為的一環,真正要能發揮全球布局的特色,最好能夠在深入調查後,進一步將自己本身的重要專利到韓國申請,用以防堵或干擾相關競爭者的技術布局。(1420字)
表一、韓國Taesan LCD、Wooyoung與Kumho Electric在韓國與美國的專利布局 |
公司名稱
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韓國專利數目
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美國專利數目(核准)
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Taesan LCD
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核准:9件
早期公開:20件
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1
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Wooyoung
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核准:29件
早期公開:77件
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1
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Kumho Electric
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核准:24件
早期公開:87件
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0
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Source: 本文整理,WIPS
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表二、韓國Taesan LCD已經核准之韓國專利 |
Pat.No.
|
App.Date
|
Pat.Date
|
IPC
|
Title
|
365351
|
20000914
|
20021206
|
H01J-017/49
|
Ac driven plasma display panel
|
477434
|
20030114
|
20050309
|
G02F-001/1333
|
Device of LCD moniter mold - frame of using double injector
|
437064
|
20020208
|
20040611
|
G02F-001/1335
|
Light Guide Panel having complex variable dot pattern for Back Light Unit
|
486641
|
20021120
|
20050422
|
H01L-021/02
|
Mass flow controller using a analog gain control and managing method thereof
|
502217
|
20021227
|
20050711
|
H01L-021/02
|
Mass flow controller for control purge and managing method thereof
|
437063
|
20011229
|
20040611
|
G02F-001/13357
|
Plane light source using optical fiber and method thereof
|
284569
|
19980928
|
20001220
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G02F-001/1335
|
Process for manufacturing light flat of backlighting unit
|
375228
|
20041109
|
20050128
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G02F-001/13
|
Device detecting automatically defect of backlight unit using image processing techniques
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340414
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20031030
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20040120
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B29C-045/26
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Gate structure of mold forming uniform injection molding products
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表三、韓國Wooyoung已經核准之韓國專利 |
Pat.No.
|
App.Date
|
Pat.Date
|
IPC
|
Title
|
498161
|
20010327
|
20050621
|
H01R-004/24
|
Multipurpose idc type connecting block
|
498147
|
20000504
|
20050621
|
H01R-013/514
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A idc type terminal protection base
|
497752
|
20031119
|
20050617
|
H01R-012/32
|
SIM Slide Connector and Contact Pin
|
492931
|
20020712
|
20050524
|
H01J-065/00
|
Electrode assembly for aging external electrode type fluorescent lamp
|
485325
|
20020712
|
20050415
|
G02F-001/13357
|
Lamp holder assembly and back light using the same
|
478412
|
20020620
|
20050314
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G02F-001/13357
|
Inverter for external electrode fluorescent lamp
|
433586
|
20010315
|
20040519
|
G02F-001/13357
|
Holder for external electrode discharge lamp
|
421297
|
20010807
|
20040223
|
G02F-001/13357
|
Direct-light-type plane light source structure
|
415907
|
20011101
|
20040108
|
A61B-006/00
|
Film interpretation apparatus for medical treatment
|
377063
|
19991030
|
20030310
|
G01G-019/393
|
A dual electronic scale
|
363010
|
20010315
|
20021118
|
G02F-001/13357
|
The backlight
|
351676
|
20001012
|
20020823
|
H01L-023/32
|
Contact Pin and Socket for IC Package Tester comprising the Contact Pin
|
351675
|
20001127
|
20020823
|
G01R-031/00
|
Contact Pin and Elastomer for supporting it and Socket for Module Tester with them
|
343652
|
20031121
|
20040223
|
A47G-001/00
|
Multipurpose mirror
|
340007
|
19990428
|
20020527
|
H04N-001/00
|
Prism Light Guide Panel for Image Sensor
|
326804
|
19990630
|
20020220
|
H01R-024/00
|
Protector with 10 pair insulation displacement connection terminal
|
321335
|
19990420
|
20020107
|
G06F-001/16
|
Hinge device for portable computer
|
318224
|
19990917
|
20011208
|
H01L-023/32
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Socket for IC Package Tester
|
316753
|
19991209
|
20011123
|
G09F-009/30
|
Low electric power advertisement apparatus
|
310909
|
20030129
|
20030404
|
H01R-024/02
|
Jack for three and four pole
|
304762
|
19990828
|
20010724
|
G08G-001/095
|
LED traffic signal light of bulb type
|
303240
|
19990208
|
20010710
|
G02F-001/1335
|
Prism Light Guide Panel for LCD Back Light Using Total Reflection Layer and Patterns
|
302524
|
19990630
|
20010704
|
H01R-024/00
|
Protector module
|
301715
|
20021014
|
20030108
|
H01R-024/02
|
Plug for three and four pole
|
298324
|
19990630
|
20010531
|
H01R-009/24
|
A structure of 25 pair connecting block
|
287773
|
19971104
|
20010131
|
G02F-001/1335
|
-
|
287772
|
19971104
|
20010131
|
G02F-001/1335
|
-
|
286012
|
19971010
|
20010110
|
H01R-043/00
|
-
|
174057
|
19971007
|
19991224
|
H04B-001/38
|
-
|
表四、韓國Kumho Electric已經核准之韓國專利 |
Pat.No.
|
App.Date
|
Pat.Date
|
IPC
|
Title
|
476060
|
20020723
|
20050302
|
H01K-001/00
|
Lamp assembly for traffic signal light
|
438311
|
20011009
|
20040622
|
H01J-061/30
|
A fluorescent lamp
|
407784
|
20011009
|
20031119
|
G08G-001/095
|
Lighting device of traffic signal
|
406120
|
20010306
|
20031105
|
G02F-001/13357
|
back light of display system
|
387752
|
20001130
|
20030603
|
H01K-001/32
|
The far infrared incandescent lamp and the appliance
|
374820
|
20041109
|
20050125
|
H05B-041/02
|
A ballast
|
367349
|
20040816
|
20041101
|
F21V-014/04
|
An illuminating apparatus
|
367150
|
20040809
|
20041030
|
F21V-021/005
|
A connecting structure for CCFL illuminating apparatus
|
367149
|
20040809
|
20041030
|
F21V-021/005
|
A connecting structure for CCFL illuminating apparatus
|
355030
|
20000324
|
20020918
|
H01J-061/04
|
Structure of electrode for cold cathode fluorescent lamp
|
319899
|
19990816
|
20011222
|
H01J-061/42
|
A light apparatus for outside environment
|
293905
|
20020722
|
20021021
|
F21S-013/10
|
street lamp by solar cell
|
291418
|
19980113
|
20010312
|
G02F-001/1335
|
-
|
288464
|
20020524
|
20020828
|
H01J-061/96
|
LED lamp
|
265718
|
19980724
|
20000616
|
H01J-061/00
|
MANUFACTURING METHOD OF STEMLESS FLUORESCENT LAMP
|
231741
|
19970224
|
19990831
|
H01J-061/20
|
-
|
195523
|
19960325
|
19990212
|
H01J-061/00
|
-
|
194514
|
19951016
|
19990209
|
H01J-061/00
|
-
|
180582
|
19971105
|
20000218
|
H01J-061/00
|
-
|
173034
|
19970911
|
19991216
|
H01J-061/00
|
-
|
173033
|
19971024
|
19991216
|
H01J-061/00
|
-
|
157048
|
19970829
|
19990622
|
B65D-085/42
|
-
|
154049
|
19961028
|
19990514
|
F21V-007/12
|
-
|
141672
|
19940905
|
19980324
|
H01J-061/35
|
-
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表五、韓國Taesan LCD與Wooyoung已經核准之美國專利 |
Publication
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Title
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Assignee
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Pub. Date
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Filed
|
Priority
|
IPC Code
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US6843122
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Mass flow controller for control purge and managing method of the same
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Taesan LCD. Co., Ltd.
|
2005-01-18
|
2003-05-07
|
2002-12-27
|
G01F 1/68
|
US6572388
|
Socket for testing IC package
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Wooyoung Co. Ltd.
|
2003-06-03
|
2001-07-26
|
2000-10-12
|
H01R 12/00
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