Siemens 2006 Annual Report Download - page 33

Research and Development 33
property, we’re helping shape the tech-
nologies of tomorrow and expanding our
position as a leading innovator.
Numerous prizes and awards testify to
the success of our R&D activities. For our
innovative piezo fuel injection technology,
which makes diesel and gasoline engines
cleaner and more efficient, we received
the 2005 German Future Prize from the
President of Germany. In the medical field,
Siemens engineers have been honored
with the prestigious German Business
Innovation Prize for developing the revo-
lutionary total imaging matrix (TIM) tech-
nology used in magnetic resonance sys-
tems.
www.siemens.com/innovation
Intellectual property worldwide
A large number of outstanding inventions
and patent applications reflect our innova-
tive prowess and patent strength world-
wide.
In fiscal 2006, our researchers submit-
ted over 10,000 invention reports, roughly
17 percent more than in fiscal 2005. We
filed patent applications for about two-
thirds of these innovations.
In Europe and the Americas, we gener-
ated a double-digit percentage increase
in patent applications compared to fiscal
2005. In Asia, the expansion of our patent
portfolio was driven by strong sales growth
and the increasing significance of intellec-
tual property – particularly in China.
In fiscal 2006, we filed over 36 percent
more patent applications in China than
the year before. Our leadership in the
international patent statistics is further
testimony to our power of innovation. In
first-time patent applications, we’re No. 1
in Germany, No. 2 in Europe and among
the top ten in the United States. Our
patent portfolio comprises more than
62,000 patents worldwide.
Our strong competitive position will
continue to depend not only on the cre-
ativity of our people but also on the
strategic management of our patent port-
folio. A Company-wide, globally oriented
patent initiative is driving our concerted
efforts to systematically protect our inno-
vations and leverage them in the face of
stiff global competition. Patents provide
our customers with unrestricted access
to all key markets and support the entire
innovation process.
www.siemens.com/
intellectual_property
Can Siemens technologies
help control rising health-
care costs?
The REMIND system
developed by Dr. Bharat
Rao of Siemens Medical
Solutions is already making
an important contribution.
By integrating disparate
healthcare information
sources and recommending
appropriate treatment, the
system enables healthcare
professionals to tailor care to
patient needs and optimize
patient outcomes.
Information and
Communications
Automation
and Control
Power
Transportation
Other
in billions of euros
2006
4%
4%
16%
20%
9%
19%
28%
2005
4%
14%
21%
9%
19%
29%
4%
5.7
5.2
Research and development*
Lighting
Medical