Exploring BIM technology development using patent citation analysis: USA case study
Abstract
Broadening the perspective on technology and stakeholders within the construction sector, this study aims to uncover the trajectories of BIM’s technological progression, alongside the interconnected industries and knowledge networks. Information in Derwent Innovation’s patent database originates from the United States Patent Database (USPTO). Initially, 1,062 patents related to BIM were gathered to form a patent citation network. The subsequent stage of expanding patent citations involved accumulating a total of 9,755 patents. The main path is composed of three streams: Stream I is used for the construction and application of 3D models, Stream II is used for the presentation of 3D images, and Stream III is used for the automatic analysis of architectural information. This study also uses edge-betweenness clustering for cluster analysis and conducts a more in-depth main path study of the specific patent clusters on the main path. These findings are: (1) Energy consumption management control, (2) 3D building modeling for design and construction, (3) Asset tracking, monitoring, and security monitoring. The development of BIM should be directed towards the integration and application of transformative information and communication technologies. Integration with innovative technologies such as the Internet of Things, big data, artificial intelligence, and 5G is an important trend.
First published online 20 December 2024
Keyword : building information modeling, main path analysis, cluster analysis, citation network, patent analysis
How to Cite
Weng, K.-C., Chen, J.-H., Cho, R. L.-T., Wei, H.-H., & Yu, T. (2024). Exploring BIM technology development using patent citation analysis: USA case study. Journal of Civil Engineering and Management, 1-15. https://doi.org/10.3846/jcem.2024.22424
This work is licensed under a Creative Commons Attribution 4.0 International License.
References
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Alcácer, J., & Gittelman, M. (2006). Patent citations as a measure of knowledge flows: The influence of examiner citations. The Review of Economics and Statistics, 88(4), 774–779. https://doi.org/10.1162/rest.88.4.774
Almeida, P. (1996). Knowledge sourcing by foreign multinationals: Patent citation analysis in the U.S. semiconductor industry. Strategic Management Journal, 17(S2), 155–165. https://doi.org/10.1002/smj.4250171113
Ansell, L., Arad, R., Branch, D., Lee, H., Pasha, A., & Robinson, P. (2018). PwC 2018 patent litigation study. PwC.
Babič, N. Č., Podbreznik, P., & Rebolj, D. (2010). Integrating resource production and construction using BIM. Automation in Construction, 19(5), 539–543. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.autcon.2009.11.005
Bamakan, S. M. H., Babaei Bondarti, A., Babaei Bondarti, P., & Qu, Q. (2021). Blockchain technology forecasting by patent analytics and text mining. Blockchain: Research and Applications, 2(2), Article 100019. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.bcra.2021.100019
Batagelj, V., & Mrvar, A. (1998). Pajek-program for large network analysis. Connect, 21, 47–57.
Breschi, S., Lissoni, F., & Balconi, M. (2004). Networks of inventors and the role of academia: An exploration of Italian patent data. Research Policy, 33, 127–145. https://doi.org/10.1016/S0048-7333(03)00108-2
Bruck, P., Réthy, I., Szente, J., Tobochnik, J., & Erdi, P. (2016). Recognition of emerging technology trends. Class-selective study of citations in the U.S. Patent Citation Network. Scientometrics, 107, 1465–1475. https://doi.org/10.1007/s11192-016-1899-0
Cho, R. L.-T., Liu, J. S., & Ho, M. H.-C. (2021). The development of autonomous driving technology: Perspectives from patent citation analysis. Transport Reviews, 41(5), 685–711. https://doi.org/10.1080/01441647.2021.1879310
Cho, R. L. T., Liu, J. S., & Ho, M. H. C. (2023). Exploring a patent’s essentiality to the HEVC standard: A retrospective view. IEEE Transactions on Engineering Management, 70(12), 4035–4047. https://doi.org/10.1109/TEM.2021.3111963
Eastman, C. (1975). The use of computers instead of drawings in building design. AIA Journal, 63, 46–50.
Eastman, C. M. (1999). Building product models: computer environments supporting design and construction. Boca Raton: CRC Press.
Eastman, C. M., & Siabiris, A. (1995). A generic building product model incorporating building type information. Automation in Construction, 3(4), 283–304. https://doi.org/10.1016/0926-5805(94)00028-L
Érdi, P., Makovi, K., Somogyvári, Z., Strandburg, K., Tobochnik, J., Volf, P., & Zalányi, L. (2013). Prediction of emerging technologies based on analysis of the US patent citation network. Scientometrics, 95(1), 225–242. https://doi.org/10.1007/s11192-012-0796-4
Garfield, E., Sher, I. H., & Torpie, R. J. (1964). The use of citation data in writing the history of science (Technical report). Philadelphia Institute of Scientific Information. https://doi.org/10.21236/AD0466578
Hall, B. H., Jaffe, A. B., & Trajtenberg, M. (2000). Market value and patent citations: A first look. National Bureau of Economic Research Cambridge, Mass., USA. https://doi.org/10.3386/w7741
Hosseini, M. R., Maghrebi, M., Akbarnezhad, A., Martek, I., & Arashpour, M. (2018). Analysis of citation networks in building information modeling research. Journal of Construction Engineering and Management, 144(8), Article 04018064. https://doi.org/10.1061/(ASCE)CO.1943-7862.0001492
Hu, A. G. Z., & Jaffe, A. B. (2003). Patent citations and international knowledge flow: The cases of Korea and Taiwan. International Journal of Industrial Organization, 21(6), 849–880. https://doi.org/10.1016/S0167-7187(03)00035-3
Hummon, N. P., & Dereian, P. (1989). Connectivity in a citation network: The development of DNA theory. Social Networks, 11(1), 39–63. https://doi.org/10.1016/0378-8733(89)90017-8
Jaffe, A. B., Trajtenberg, M., & Fogarty, M. S. (2000). Knowledge spillovers and patent citations: Evidence from a survey of inventors. American Economic Review, 90(2), 215–218. https://doi.org/10.1257/aer.90.2.215
Kamardeen, I. (2010). D BIM modeling tool for accident prevention through design. In Proceedings of 26th Annual ARCOM Conference (pp. 281–289). Association of Researchers in Construction Management Leeds.
Kim, Y. G., Suh, J. H., & Park, S. C. (2008). Visualization of patent analysis for emerging technology. Expert Systems with Applications, 34(3), 1804–1812. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.eswa.2007.01.033
Khudhair, A., Li, H, Ren, G., & Liu, S. (2021). Towards future BIM technology innovations: A bibliometric analysis of the literature. Applied Science, 11(3), Article 1232. https://doi.org/10.3390/app11031232
Lee, S., Yoon, B., & Park, Y. (2009). An approach to discovering new technology opportunities: Keyword-based patent map approach. Technovation, 29(6), 481–497. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.technovation.2008.10.006
Liu, J. S., & Lu, L. Y. Y. (2012). An integrated approach for main path analysis: Development of the Hirsch index as an example. Journal of the American Society for Information Science and Technology, 63(3), 528–542. https://doi.org/10.1002/asi.21692
Liu, J. S., Lu, L. Y. Y., & Ho, M. H.-C. (2019). A few notes on main path analysis. Scientometrics, 119(1), 379–391. https://doi.org/10.1007/s11192-019-03034-x
Mazlumi, S. H. H., & Kermani, M. A. M. (2022). Investigation the structure of the Internet of things (IoT) patent network using social network analysis. IEEE Internet of Things Journal, 9(15), 13458–13469. https://doi.org/10.1109/JIOT.2022.3142191
Newman, M., & Girvan, M. (2004). Finding and evaluating community structure in networks. Physical Review E, 69, Article 026113. https://doi.org/10.1103/PhysRevE.69.026113
Park, Y.-N., Lee, Y.-S., Kim, J.-J., & Lee, T.-S. (2018). The structure and knowledge flow of building information modeling based on patent citation network analysis. Automation in Construction, 87, 215–224. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.autcon.2017.12.023
Park, Y.-N, Lee, H.-J., Lee, S.-H., & Choi, H.-S. (2020). Analysis of BIM technology structure and core technology using patent co-classification network analysis. Journal of KIBIM, 10(2), 1–11.
Pan, X., Zhong, B. Wang, X., & Xiang, R. (2021). Text mining-based patent analysis of BIM application in construction. Journal of Civil Engineering and Management, 27(5), 303–315. https://doi.org/10.3846/jcem.2021.14907
Sacks, R., Koskela, L., Dave, B. A., & Owen, R. (2010). Interaction of lean and building information modeling in construction. Journal of Construction Engineering and Management, 136(9), 968–980. https://doi.org/10.1061/(ASCE)CO.1943-7862.0000203
Shanie, T., Suprijadi, J., & Zulhanif. (2017). Text grouping in patent analysis using adaptive K-means clustering algorithm. AIP Conference Proceedings, 1827(1), Article 020041. https://doi.org/10.1063/1.4979457
Sharma, P., Tripathi, R., & Tripathi, R. C. (2016). Patent citation network analysis for measuring the ICT patent progress in India. In Proceedings of 2016 International Conference on Computer Communication and Informatics (ICCCI), Coimbatore, India. https://doi.org/10.1109/ICCCI.2016.7479980
Son, C., Suh, Y., Jeon, J., & Park, Y. (2012). Development of a GTM-based patent map for identifying patent vacuums. Expert Systems with Applications, 39(3), 2489–2500. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.eswa.2011.08.101
Verspagen, B. (2007). Mapping technological trajectories as patent citation networks: a study on the history of fuel cell research. Advances in Complex Systems, 10(1), 93–115. https://doi.org/10.1142/S0219525907000945