Ricoh 2014 Annual Report Download - page 51

Overview Action Data & Prole
Innovation
Ricoh Group Sustainability Report 2014 50
• Number of patents registered in Japan and overseas
• Changes in R&D investment
Other Basic Research
20142012 2013
A
D
B
89.7 84.1 92.2
10.3 8.1 5.0
2.2
C
16.7
18.0 17.7
116.2
119.0 112.0
1.1
C
1.6
C
Imaging and Solutions Industrial Products
(JPY billions)
(Number of patents)
2012 2013 2014
Japan Overseas
22,423
18,036
40,459 45,604 48,446
20,127
25,477 26,666
21,780
➤ WEB3Initiatives in intellectual property: www.ricoh.com/about/company/technology/rd/ip.html
➤ WEB4White Paper: www.ricoh.com/about/company/technology/whitepaper/
Continuous investment in R&D
The Ricoh Group consistently invests around 5% to
6% of sales in R&D to continue bringing forth inno-
vations. R&D expenses for scal 2014 (ended March
31, 2014) were 116.2 billion yen (about 5.3% of
sales).Over15%ofthisinvestment,or17.7billion
yen, went to basic research.
Initiatives in intellectual property
Intellectual property—the fruit of our R&D—is one of
our most valuable resources and a vital component
ofRICOHBrandBenets.Wearealsoactivein
acquiring and exploiting intellectual property that
protects and grows our business.
Our intellectual property activities began with a
camerapatentapplicationin1947.Ourrstpatent
management section was set up in 1958, with a rst
patent specialist. Since then, we have reinforced the
intellectual property department, expanding it as
business grew. Intellectual property experts, who
handle the intellectual property needs of operating
and R&D divisions, keep close contact with key R&D
divisions globally to facilitate activities that lead to
the quick and timely application for patents and
resulting rights over an invention.
In scal 2014, about 4,180 patent applications
of Ricoh were published in Japan and, as of March 31,
2014, Ricoh retains rights to more than 26,000
patents in Japan and more than 21,000 patents
overseas. ➤ WEB3
We will continue to promote patent acquisition,
paralleling entry into new domains as well as
globalization through business expansion in emerging
markets.
In addition, we aim to enhance the organiza-
tional capabilities that support intellectual property
activities through training programs. These matched
to engineers’ years of experience will raise the over-
all level of such activities. Those people tasked with
intellectual property activities will improve their skills
and create opportunities to boost global intellectual
property skills through overseas postings.
White papers
Ricoh publishes white papers that reveal our approach to innovation, as
well as background on our products, services and R&D initiatives. They
also provide our views on various topics, including technology and mar-
ket trends. These publications help our customers and partners better
understand the value the Ricoh Group provides. ➤ WEB4
•DevelopmentProcessInnovation-AConceptforIncreasingCustomer
Value
•CreatingaSustainableSocietythroughEnvironmentalManagement
•Ricoh’sUniedCommunicationBringsRenominationtoCollaboration
•Ricoh’sNext-GenerationMachineVision:AWindowontheFuture