Twin Peaks Analysis Map

<p>Overview

A map built on twin peaks analysis is commonly used and compares favorably with a Time

Series Map in terms of capacity. Twin peaks analysis involves dividing up a cluster of patents as the

parent population according to some aspect and can reveal some new aspect that would otherwise

remain hidden. The simplest way is to divide up a cluster of patents by applicants, and to use

technical elements and patent classification as aspects for the analysis.

 How to Read the Map

Figure 3-10 is a Twin Peaks Map for optical disk technology.

Patent applications relating to optical disk technology started to be filed in the 1970s, with the

number filed growing slowly until the early 1980s.

First, there was an increase in the number of patent applications relating to “optical disk

substrate” or technology related to the recording layer, substrate materials and substrate structure.

Then, in 1982, there was an increase in the number of patent applications relating to the

“principles of record reproduction” including data access and data processing involved in retrieving

data from an optical disk substrate.</p>