Pioneer 2009 Annual Report Download - page 13

Annual Report 2009 11
people’s driving experience. People can search the music stored on the music server
for their listening preferences using mood keywords, such as “happy” or “quiet,” or
can continuously replay only the selected parts of songs.
With further progress expected for this technology, Pioneer intends to pursue R&D
programs that will enable the technology to contribute to the development of the
Company’s audio products business and to create new forms of entertainment.
Intellectual Properties that Support Business
Pioneer owns a large number of patents in such fields as car navigation systems, optical
discs, and audio systems, and is continuously filing new patents. As a result, Pioneer
ranks 11th among approximately 17,000 companies in Japan in terms of the number of
published patent applications in the categories of displays, audios, and information
storage. (Source: Japan Patent Office Annual Report 2008, Japan Patent Office)
Furthermore, the Company does not just focus on obtaining patent rights, but also
utilizes them proactively to support business activities from the perspective of
intellectual properties. Specifically, the Company divides patent utilizing methods into
the following four categories: “exclusive-use,” “licensing,” “cross-licensing,” and
“technological appeal.” Pioneer supports business activities by choosing and
implementing the optimum patent exploitation manner among the four categories in
each business.
Going forward, we aim to build a patent portfolio that underpins business chiefly
by strengthening our patent strategies in the core fields of car electronics and
audio products, while supporting the creation of new businesses with intellectual
property assets.
Melodies Search by the mood
of songs
Automatic playback of
selected parts of songs
Harmonies
(chord progressions)
Rhythms Song structures
Sound pressure Musical interval
magnitude
Automatic
analysis
C~F~G7
Musical Waveforms
Acoustical and
Musical Elements Application Examples
Based on Pioneer’s music analysis technology, the Cyber
Navi AVIC-VH9900 model enables users to enjoy music
playback modes that select songs stored on the hard
disc drive, such as the “Link Gate Play” mode, which
selects the user’s current favorite songs at random and
the “Feeling Play” mode, which automatically selects
songs according to song mood and driving situation.
Contributing to business
The optimal patent exploitation manner is determined based on research and
analyses of Pioneer’s business environment as well as the circumstances of
patents owned by the Company and its competitors.
Exclusive-use
To ensure our competitive
advantage
Licensing
To obtain royalty income
Cross-licensing
To secure business options
Technological Appeal
Sales promotion featuring
patented technologies