Claim-based patent indicators: A novel approach to analyze patent content and monitor technological advances

This paper proposes a new method for developing patent indicators by text mining patent claims according to their drafting structure. We apply the method on nanocellulose as a case of study, although any subject could be the target of investigation. The results show that patent claims are a more reliable source of key terms to develop technical indicators than, for example, patent titles and abstracts. Indicators from patent claims in combination with other traditional indicators developed from bibliographic patent data may contribute significantly to the analytical process of technological forecasting, monitoring and competitive intelligence studies.