R&D

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Creating future-focused innovative technologies

Research and development framework

At Hioki, our R&D teams balance the development of fundamental technologies for future innovation with the design of products that meet today’s market needs. We’ve pioneered technologies such as non-contact voltage measurement for metals as well as proprietary high-precision current sensing, high-frequency measurement, laser-based measurement, and micron-level probing techniques. These core technologies have enabled us to deliver advanced products that solve real-world challenges for our customers.

To accurately anticipate future market trends and plan the technologies and products needed, our engineers prioritize direct communication with customers. We strive to develop customer-centric products that emphasize not only functionality, but also safety and thoughtful design.

At the Hioki Innovation Center, To accurately anticipate future market trends and plan the technologies and products needed, our engineers prioritize direct communication with customers. We strive to develop customer-centric products that emphasize not only functionality, but also safety and thoughtful design.

Design policy: “Cognitive”

Our “Cognitive” design philosophy focuses on understanding and empathizing with customer experiences. It aims to create designs that enhance product value by enriching both emotional and practical experiences of use. At Hioki, we design products with careful consideration of the user’s experience and emotional response. Through product design, we aim to create meaningful experiences that help customers achieve their goals.

Intellectual Property Strategy: From “Three-in-One” to IP Landscape®

Our intellectual property (IP) strategy has promoted a “three-in-one” approach, closely integrated business strategy and development strategy. To further deepen this approach, we are now working to establish an IP Landscape® (*1), aiming to ensure that this "three-in-one" strategy contributes to corporate management.

  • *1:“IP Landscape” is a registered trademark of patent attorney Masayuki Shōbayashi (Usage Permission: April 22, 2021).
    (Based on materials posted on the Japan Patent Office, General Affairs Department, Planning and Research Division)
    It is defined as "At the times of formulating corporate or business strategy: (1) conduct the analysis that incorporates management and business information, and (2) share the analysis results (such as an overview of the current situation and future propects) with corporate executives or business managers (the analysis results prompt dialogue and two-way interactions).”

Three-in-One Strategy

Because our diverse product lineups have distinct features depending on the category, we create patent portfolios (*2) for each category and review the IP strategy in a timely manner by integrating business strategy and development strategy.

  • *2:Portfolio: A collection of materials compiled for strategic purposes, such as the company's and market's patent maps, and the results of patent research and analysis of other companies.

In our development strategy, invention discovery is discussed in the element technology review for product planning, and in our business strategy, a patent review is incorporated into the concurrent engineering process. Together, this forms an independent three-in-one strategy in practice.

[Strategic trinity] Business strategy, IP strategy, Development strategy

IP Landscape®

In the past, Japan led many industries through cutting-edge technology, but the landscape has transformed dramatically. In response, we have significantly shifted the focus of our IP strategy, which had been strengthening our base in Japan. Strategically we are waiving our domestic patents and concentrating on acquiring rights in major overseas markets.
Intellectual property rights are important intangible assets that have a direct impact on strengthening pricing power. Based on analysis of IP trends with reference to each country’s legal framework, we strengthen risk management of infringement and being infringed, closely aligning with management strategy.
In addition, in order to foster an IP mindset, we actively sharing IP-related information within the company by publishing dashboards that visualize KPI progress and.

Patent Applications and Protection Activities

As an incentive to nurture the inventive spirit of our engineers, we have established an employee invention reward program and have been supporting patent application activities over the long term.
Intellectual property rights acquired through these efforts are treated as important company assets. We work continuously to ensure their effective use and protection, enhancing overall brand value.

Patents, Designs, and Trademarks

Our products, with uncompromising pursue of safety and usability as industrial designs, have won numerous international design awards, including Japan’s Good Design Award and Germany’s iF Design Award. We also hold a significant number of design rights.

“MEMORY HiCORDER” (Memo-Hi), which bas become synonymous with waveform recording devices, is also our registered trademark. Through trademark registration of service and product names, we are working on enhancing brand value.

Patent Ownership

By working with customers to solve their problems, Hioki's strengthening the competitiveness of measurement solutions based on core technologies through "defensive" patents, and we’re expanding our business domain so that we can embrace new challenges with "offensive" patents.
We own some 1000 domestic patents covering measurement technologies, which have developed alongside Japan's advanced technologies over many years. Recognizing the need to allocate management resources to the acquisition of patent rights overseas as global markets grow, we're strengthening our overseas patent applications while carefully examining the effectiveness of domestic patents and releasing certain rights.
For overseas patents, we decide where to file applications based on a consideration of the characteristics of industries and patent programs in individual countries.

  • Number of Patents held

Penetration of Hioki's Corporate Brand

"Hioki", our corporate brand, is a registered trademark in 107(*3) countries and regions worldwide, demonstrating how our measuring instruments business has grown to encompass a variety of countries and markets. We work to manage the Hioki brand and to help it penetrate various countries worldwide so that we can provide high-quality products and unparalleled service.

  • *3:As of 2020.

Risk Management

Intellectual property comprises an important type of asset for all businesses, and associated rights should be respected. Hioki's Employee Code of Conduct includes a commitment to not infringing on other companies' intellectual property rights. We're working to strengthen our governance structures for intellectual property by putting in place rules, enhancing intellectual search support tools, and offering compliance training on an ongoing basis.