Omron 2004 Annual Report Download - page 25

23
FY2001
R&D expenses
(Billions of yen)
R&D expenses ratio (%)
R&D staff (persons)
Number of patents (cases)
* R&D expenses of AEC were included in ECB in fiscal 2001.
R&D INVESTMENT
R&D investment was ¥46.5 billion in fiscal
2003, representing a 0.4% rise over the
previous year to 7.9% in the percentage of
R&D. R&D is the most important factor for
boosting our growth potential, and we will
continue active investment in R&D. The
total investment for fiscal 2004 is expected
to reach ¥49.0 billion (8% level in terms of
percentage of R&D expenses to net sales).
INVESTMENT IN PROPRIETARY
TECHNOLOGICAL DOMAINS
Proprietary technological domains that the
Group is designating for ongoing attention
include ultra-precision 3D fabrication and
replication technology and MEMS; lightwave
control; vision, optical, and radio wave sens-
ing; and knowledge and information control.
Lightwave control technology, for exam-
ple, is based on the miniaturization and
increased integration of various optical ele-
ments for greater accuracy in the control of
lightwaves. The Omron Group is currently
developing micro lens arrays (MLAs) for dra-
matically improving the brightness of liquid
crystal used for projectors and cellular
phones, replicated polymer optical wave-
guides (SPICA) for realizing outstanding cost
reductions in optical communications
devices, and lightwave control devices such
as Double Reflection-LEDs and flat type
LEDs.
APPROACH TO R&D BASED ON
COLLABORATIVE INNOVATION
The Omron Group is taking part in a joint
project with participants from industry, aca-
demia, and government involving the fusion
of nanotechnology, biotechnology, and IT.
The project seeks to enhance industrial
capabilities centered on medical applica-
tions by developing materials and products
to substitute for or supplement human
physical functions, such as ergonomic
materials and sensors that replicate the five
human senses. This approach combines
nanotechnology, controlling the structures
and functions of materials at the nano level,
with biotechnology and IT.
The Group’s main contributions in the
R&D sector consist of proprietary visual
sensing technology such as face recogni-
tion technology, and nano level ultra-preci-
sion 3D fabrication and replication technol-
ogy developed through research on light-
wave control devices. R&D in this field
requires integration of extensive areas of
science and technology ranging from basic
science to applied industrial technology.
Against that backdrop, we will be actively
promoting collaborative innovation to com-
mercialize new technologies in this field
with participating partners that possess a
high level of specialized knowledge in each
field.
The principal theme of GD2010 New Phase 2 is construction of a platform for growth. The Omron Group
will continue the efforts needed to ensure that its core technologies are ever more advanced, centered
on “Sensing & Control.” In collaboration with partners, moreover, the Group will energetically promote
the creation of new technological value, i.e., R&D based on collaborative innovation, as it aims to estab-
lish “creative technology” for winning out among 21st century competition.
Total . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .
IAB . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .
ECB . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .
AEC . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .
SSB . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .
HCB . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .
Other businesses (Business Development
Group and other segments) . . . . . . . . . . . . . .
Total
Total
Total applications . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .
Patents obtained . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .
Number of patents . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .
41.4
14.7
9.2
*
7.4
2.9
7.2
7.8%
141.0
1,134
437
3,794
40.2
13.4
6.0
4.0
5.4
2.5
8.9
7.5%
137.8
1,141
543
4,068
FY2002
46.5
14.5
6.7
5.2
7.6
2.7
9.8
7.9%
159.4
1,170
580
4,154
FY2003
49.0
15.7
8.0
5.8
6.5
2.9
10.1
8.0%
168.0
1,190
610
—
FY2004 Projected
RESEARCH & DEVELOPMENT
Point Light Source High Efficiency Backlight
Wins Invention Award
Omron researchers won the 2004 Ministry of Education, Culture,
Sports, Science and Technology Prize for invention of a high effi-
ciency backlight to be used for point light source used for LCD
lighting devices in mobile equipment applications. The new back-
light is already starting to be used widely around the world
together with the increased use of color displays for cellular
phones. We will apply the product to general lighting in the future
with the aim of contributing to greater energy conservation.