PlainPatent

Technology Class Leaders

Top patent holder in each of the 100 largest CPC technology subclasses, drawn from US patents granted 2015–2025 (USPTO via PatentsView). See our methodology.

The Cooperative Patent Classification (CPC) system, jointly maintained by the USPTO and European Patent Office, organizes US patents into 670 technology subclasses tracked by PlainPatent. Each subclass represents a coherent technology domain, semiconductor lithography, antibody therapeutics, internal-combustion engine valves, and so on, and the company that holds the most grants in a given subclass is, by volume, the dominant patent producer in that domain. The 100 subclasses ranked below are the 100 most active by overall grant count between 2015 and 2025.

Volume leadership does not always equal market leadership. A company can dominate a CPC subclass without leading the corresponding product category, for example, a defense contractor may hold many patents in a software subclass without selling commercial software. Treat this leaderboard as a structural map of recorded grants by assignee and class, not evidence of current filing, product strategy, or legal defensibility.

# Technology class Total patentsTop companyCompany patents
1 G06F Electric Digital Data Processing 580,551 International Business Machines Corporation 42,717
2 H04L Transmission OF Digital Information, e.g. Telegraphic Communication 373,517 International Business Machines Corporation 15,969
3 H04W Wireless Communication Networks 236,882 Qualcomm Incorporated 17,987
4 H04N Pictorial Communication, e.g. Television 191,323 Canon Kabushiki Kaisha 12,328
5 H01L Semiconductor Devices NOT Covered BY Class H10 165,178 Taiwan Semiconductor Manufacturing Company Ltd. 19,657
6 A61B DIAGNOSIS; SURGERY; Identification 162,009 Covidien LP 5,709
7 A61K Preparations FOR Medical, Dental OR Toiletry Purposes 151,067 The Regents of the University of California 1,779
8 G06Q Information AND Communication Technology [ICT] Specially Adapted FOR Administrative, Commercial, Financial, Managerial OR Supervisory PURPOSES; Systems OR Methods Specially Adapted FOR Administrative, Commercial, Financial, Managerial OR Supervisory Purposes, NOT Otherwise Provided FOR 144,635 International Business Machines Corporation 6,621
9 G06T Image Data Processing OR Generation, IN General 131,672 Samsung Electronics Co., Ltd. 4,120
10 A61P Specific Therapeutic Activity OF Chemical Compounds OR Medicinal Preparations 125,535 The Regents of the University of California 1,387
11 Y02E Reduction OF Greenhouse GAS [GHG] Emissions, Related TO Energy Generation, Transmission OR Distribution 125,003 Samsung Electronics Co., Ltd. 6,395
12 G01N Investigating OR Analysing Materials BY Determining Their Chemical OR Physical Properties 115,972 The Regents of the University of California 1,153
13 G02B Optical Elements, Systems OR Apparatus 115,576 Samsung Electronics Co., Ltd. 4,608
14 H04B Transmission 101,407 Qualcomm Incorporated 6,670
15 Y10T Technical Subjects Covered BY Former US Classification 97,850 Samsung Electronics Co., Ltd. 1,190
16 H10D Inorganic Electric Semiconductor Devices 96,746 Taiwan Semiconductor Manufacturing Company Ltd. 13,882
17 G06V Image OR Video Recognition OR Understanding 95,291 Samsung Electronics Co., Ltd. 3,022
18 G06N Computing Arrangements Based ON Specific Computational Models 88,089 International Business Machines Corporation 7,479
19 Y02T Climate Change Mitigation Technologies Related TO Transportation 81,138 Toyota Jidosha Kabushiki Kaisha 5,468
20 C12N Microorganisms OR ENZYMES; Compositions THEREOF; Propagating, Preserving, OR Maintaining MICROORGANISMS; Mutation OR Genetic ENGINEERING; Culture Media 68,530 Monsanto Technology LLC 1,335
21 Y02P Climate Change Mitigation Technologies IN THE Production OR Processing OF Goods 65,929 Samsung Electronics Co., Ltd. 2,477
22 H01M Processes OR Means, e.g. Batteries, FOR THE Direct Conversion OF Chemical Energy Into Electrical Energy 63,620 Samsung Electronics Co., Ltd. 3,657
23 G09G Arrangements OR Circuits FOR Control OF Indicating Devices Using Static Means TO Present Variable Information 62,527 Samsung Electronics Co., Ltd. 9,877
24 H05K Printed CIRCUITS; Casings OR Constructional Details OF Electric APPARATUS; Manufacture OF Assemblages OF Electrical Components 62,449 Samsung Electronics Co., Ltd. 3,596
25 C07K Peptides 58,046 The Regents of the University of California 894
26 A61M Devices FOR Introducing Media Into, OR Onto, THE Body ; Devices FOR Transducing Body Media OR FOR Taking Media From THE Body ; Devices FOR Producing OR Ending Sleep OR Stupor 57,639 Becton, Dickinson and Company 1,249
27 C07D Heterocyclic Compounds 54,914 Samsung Electronics Co., Ltd. 847
28 G11C Static Stores 53,783 Micron Technology, Inc. 7,566
29 G01R Measuring Electric VARIABLES; Measuring Magnetic Variables 53,716 Samsung Electronics Co., Ltd. 1,236
30 B29C Shaping OR Joining OF PLASTICS; Shaping OF Material IN A Plastic State, NOT Otherwise Provided FOR; After-treatment OF THE Shaped Products, e.g. Repairing 53,431 The Boeing Company 1,808
31 G02F Optical Devices OR Arrangements FOR THE Control OF Light BY Modification OF THE Optical Properties OF THE Media OF THE Elements Involved THEREIN; Non-linear OPTICS; Frequency-changing OF LIGHT; Optical Logic ELEMENTS; Optical ANALOGUE/DIGITAL Converters 52,876 Samsung Electronics Co., Ltd. 5,656
32 G01S Radio DIRECTION-FINDING; Radio NAVIGATION; Determining Distance OR Velocity BY USE OF Radio WAVES; Locating OR Presence-detecting BY USE OF THE Reflection OR Reradiation OF Radio WAVES; Analogous Arrangements Using Other Waves 52,756 Qualcomm Incorporated 1,673
33 A61F Filters Implantable Into Blood VESSELS; PROSTHESES; Devices Providing Patency TO, OR Preventing Collapsing OF, Tubular Structures OF THE Body, e.g. STENTS; Orthopaedic, Nursing OR Contraceptive DEVICES; FOMENTATION; Treatment OR Protection OF Eyes OR EARS; Bandages, Dressings OR Absorbent PADS; Firs 50,959 The Procter & Gamble Company 1,426
34 H10K Organic Electric Solid-state Devices 50,923 Samsung Electronics Co., Ltd. 12,550
35 H02J Circuit Arrangements OR Systems FOR Supplying OR Distributing Electric POWER; Systems FOR Storing Electric Energy 49,883 Samsung Electronics Co., Ltd. 1,729
36 H04M Telephonic Communication 49,631 Samsung Electronics Co., Ltd. 4,133
37 G05B Control OR Regulating Systems IN GENERAL; Functional Elements OF Such SYSTEMS; Monitoring OR Testing Arrangements FOR Such Systems OR Elements 46,942 Fanuc Corporation 1,835
38 Y02D Climate Change Mitigation Technologies IN Information AND Communication Technologies [ICT], I.E. Information AND Communication Technologies Aiming AT THE Reduction OF Their OWN Energy USE 45,676 Intel Corporation 3,144
39 B01D Separation 43,096 Saudi Arabian OIL Company 598
40 B60R Vehicles, Vehicle Fittings, OR Vehicle Parts, NOT Otherwise Provided FOR 42,931 Ford Global Technologies, LLC 3,270
41 G16H Healthcare Informatics, i.e. Information AND Communication Technology [ICT] Specially Adapted FOR THE Handling OR Processing OF Medical OR Healthcare Data 42,899 Koniniklijke Philips N.V. 1,161
42 E21B Earth OR Rock DRILLING; Obtaining OIL, GAS, Water, Soluble OR Meltable Materials OR A Slurry OF Minerals From Wells 39,943 Halliburton Energy Services, Inc. 6,516
43 B60W Conjoint Control OF Vehicle Sub-units OF Different Type OR Different FUNCTION; Control Systems Specially Adapted FOR Hybrid VEHICLES; Road Vehicle Drive Control Systems FOR Purposes NOT Related TO THE Control OF A Particular Sub-unit 39,530 Toyota Jidosha Kabushiki Kaisha 4,033
44 B32B Layered Products, i.e. Products Built-up OF Strata OF Flat OR Non-flat, e.g. Cellular OR Honeycomb, Form 39,314 Samsung Electronics Co., Ltd. 923
45 G05D Systems FOR Controlling OR Regulating Non-electric Variables 37,264 Toyota Jidosha Kabushiki Kaisha 905
46 C08L Compositions OF Macromolecular Compounds 36,183 LG Chem, Ltd. 1,120
47 B01J Chemical OR Physical Processes, e.g. Catalysis OR Colloid CHEMISTRY; Their Relevant Apparatus 35,809 Basf SE 754
48 H01R Electrically-conductive CONNECTIONS; Structural Associations OF A Plurality OF Mutually-insulated Electrical Connecting ELEMENTS; Coupling DEVICES; Current Collectors 35,523 Sumitomo Wiring Systems, Ltd. 1,543
49 G10L Speech Analysis Techniques OR Speech SYNTHESIS; Speech RECOGNITION; Speech OR Voice Processing TECHNIQUES; Speech OR Audio Coding OR Decoding 35,471 Google LLC 2,230
50 Y02B Climate Change Mitigation Technologies Related TO Buildings, e.g. Housing, House Appliances OR Related End-user Applications 34,811 LG Electronics Inc. 654
51 B60K Arrangement OR Mounting OF Propulsion Units OR OF Transmissions IN VEHICLES; Arrangement OR Mounting OF Plural Diverse Prime-movers IN VEHICLES; Auxiliary Drives FOR VEHICLES; Instrumentation OR Dashboards FOR VEHICLES; Arrangements IN Connection With Cooling, AIR Intake, GAS Exhaust OR Fuel Supply 34,645 Toyota Jidosha Kabushiki Kaisha 2,885
52 H02M Apparatus FOR Conversion Between AC AND AC, Between AC AND DC, OR Between DC AND DC, AND FOR USE With Mains OR Similar Power Supply SYSTEMS; Conversion OF DC OR AC Input Power Into Surge Output POWER; Control OR Regulation Thereof 33,952 Mitsubishi Electric Corporation 1,101
53 H04R Loudspeakers, Microphones, Gramophone Pick-ups OR Like Acoustic Electromechanical TRANSDUCERS; Deaf-aid SETS; Public Address Systems 33,502 Apple Inc. 1,244
54 H05B Electric HEATING; Electric Light Sources NOT Otherwise Provided FOR; Circuit Arrangements FOR Electric Light Sources, IN General 33,418 Samsung Electronics Co., Ltd. 835
55 C07C Acyclic OR Carbocyclic Compounds 32,521 Basf SE 654
56 Y02A Technologies FOR Adaptation TO Climate Change 32,476 Monsanto Technology LLC 369
57 G01C Measuring Distances, Levels OR BEARINGS; SURVEYING; NAVIGATION; Gyroscopic INSTRUMENTS; Photogrammetry OR Videogrammetry 32,360 Here Global B.V. 826
58 C12Q Measuring OR Testing Processes Involving Enzymes, Nucleic Acids OR Microorganisms ; Compositions OR Test Papers THEREFOR; Processes OF Preparing Such COMPOSITIONS; Condition-responsive Control IN Microbiological OR Enzymological Processes 32,189 The Regents of the University of California 581
59 H10B Electronic Memory Devices 31,904 Samsung Electronics Co., Ltd. 3,987
60 H10F Inorganic Semiconductor Devices Sensitive TO Infrared Radiation, Light, Electromagnetic Radiation OF Shorter Wavelength OR Corpuscular Radiation 31,010 Samsung Electronics Co., Ltd. 1,601
61 A61N ELECTROTHERAPY; MAGNETOTHERAPY; Radiation THERAPY; Ultrasound Therapy 30,889 Medtronic, Inc. 2,200
62 H03K Pulse Technique 30,872 Texas Instruments Incorporated 1,140
63 F05D Indexing Scheme FOR Aspects Relating TO Non-positive-displacement Machines OR Engines, Gas-turbines OR Jet-propulsion Plants 30,682 General Electric Company 4,320
64 B60L Propulsion OF Electrically-propelled Vehicles ; Supplying Electric Power FOR Auxiliary Equipment OF Electrically-propelled Vehicles ; Electrodynamic Brake Systems FOR Vehicles IN General ; Magnetic Suspension OR Levitation FOR VEHICLES; Monitoring Operating Variables OF Electrically-propelled Vehicl 29,944 Toyota Jidosha Kabushiki Kaisha 2,338
65 H01Q Antennas, i.e. Radio Aerials 29,793 Samsung Electronics Co., Ltd. 1,717
66 C23C Coating Metallic MATERIAL; Coating Material With Metallic MATERIAL; Surface Treatment OF Metallic Material BY Diffusion Into THE Surface, BY Chemical Conversion OR SUBSTITUTION; Coating BY Vacuum Evaporation, BY Sputtering, BY ION Implantation OR BY Chemical Vapour Deposition, IN General 29,488 Applied Materials, Inc. 2,196
67 B62D Motor VEHICLES; Trailers 29,451 Ford Global Technologies, LLC 1,751
68 B65D Containers FOR Storage OR Transport OF Articles OR Materials, e.g. Bags, Barrels, Bottles, Boxes, Cans, Cartons, Crates, Drums, Jars, Tanks, Hoppers, Forwarding CONTAINERS; Accessories, Closures, OR Fittings THEREFOR; Packaging ELEMENTS; Packages 29,449 The Procter & Gamble Company 471
69 C08G Macromolecular Compounds Obtained Otherwise Than BY Reactions Only Involving Unsaturated Carbon-to-carbon Bonds 29,133 DOW Global Technologies LLC 661
70 C09K Materials FOR Miscellaneous Applications, NOT Provided FOR Elsewhere 29,124 Samsung Electronics Co., Ltd. 1,766
71 C08K Use of inorganic or non-macromolecular organic substances as compounding ingredients 28,505 LG Chem, Ltd. 865
72 F16H Gearing 27,860 Hyundai Motor Company 1,326
73 C09D Coating Compositions, e.g. Paints, Varnishes OR LACQUERS; Filling PASTES; Chemical Paint OR INK REMOVERS; INKS; Correcting FLUIDS; WOODSTAINS; Pastes OR Solids FOR Colouring OR PRINTING; USE OF Materials Therefor 27,394 Seiko Epson Corporation 578
74 G06K Graphical Data Reading ; Presentation OF DATA; Record CARRIERS; Handling Record Carriers 27,107 Canon Kabushiki Kaisha 1,345
75 G08G Traffic Control Systems 27,080 Toyota Jidosha Kabushiki Kaisha 1,228
76 H02K Dynamo-electric Machines 26,848 Mitsubishi Electric Corporation 996
77 G03G ELECTROGRAPHY; ELECTROPHOTOGRAPHY; Magnetography 26,691 Canon Kabushiki Kaisha 7,776
78 B41J TYPEWRITERS; Selective Printing Mechanisms, i.e. Mechanisms Printing Otherwise Than From A FORME; Correction OF Typographical Errors 26,654 Seiko Epson Corporation 5,146
79 G08B Signalling OR Calling SYSTEMS; Order TELEGRAPHS; Alarm Systems 25,403 Google LLC 654
80 H10H Inorganic Light-emitting Semiconductor Devices Having Potential Barriers 25,379 Samsung Electronics Co., Ltd. 2,127
81 A61L Methods OR Apparatus FOR Sterilising Materials OR Objects IN GENERAL; Disinfection, Sterilisation OR Deodorisation OF AIR; Chemical Aspects OF Bandages, Dressings, Absorbent Pads OR Surgical ARTICLES; Materials FOR Bandages, Dressings, Absorbent Pads OR Surgical Articles 25,308 The Procter & Gamble Company 378
82 F01D Non-positive Displacement Machines OR Engines, e.g. Steam Turbines 24,492 General Electric Company 3,837
83 H01J Electric Discharge Tubes OR Discharge Lamps 24,482 Applied Materials, Inc. 2,108
84 F21V Functional Features OR Details OF Lighting Devices OR Systems THEREOF; Structural Combinations OF Lighting Devices With Other Articles, NOT Otherwise Provided FOR 23,679 Signify Holding B.V. 604
85 H10N Electric Solid-state Devices NOT Otherwise Provided FOR 23,338 International Business Machines Corporation 1,422
86 C08F Macromolecular Compounds Obtained BY Reactions Only Involving Carbon-to-carbon Unsaturated Bonds 23,159 LG Chem, Ltd. 1,243
87 B29L Indexing Scheme Associated With Subclass B29c, Relating TO Particular Articles 23,135 The Boeing Company 960
88 B82Y Specific Uses OR Applications OF NANOSTRUCTURES; Measurement OR Analysis OF NANOSTRUCTURES; Manufacture OR Treatment OF Nanostructures 23,042 Taiwan Semiconductor Manufacturing Company Ltd. 1,724
89 B29K Indexing Scheme Associated With Subclasses B29b, B29c OR B29d, Relating TO Moulding Materials OR TO Materials FOR ; Moulds, ; Reinforcements, Fillers OR Preformed Parts, e.g. Inserts 22,850 The Boeing Company 618
90 G01B Measuring Length, Thickness OR Similar Linear DIMENSIONS; Measuring ANGLES; Measuring AREAS; Measuring Irregularities OF Surfaces OR Contours 22,043 Mitutoyo Corporation 434
91 B64D Equipment FOR Fitting IN OR TO AIRCRAFT; Flight SUITS; PARACHUTES; Arrangement OR Mounting OF Power Plants OR Propulsion Transmissions IN Aircraft 21,967 The Boeing Company 2,280
92 G03B Apparatus OR Arrangements FOR Taking Photographs OR FOR Projecting OR Viewing THEM; Apparatus OR Arrangements Employing Analogous Techniques Using Waves Other Than Optical WAVES; Accessories Therefor 21,728 Canon Kabushiki Kaisha 1,705
93 H01F MAGNETS; INDUCTANCES; TRANSFORMERS; Selection OF Materials FOR Their Magnetic Properties 21,711 Murata Manufacturing Co., Ltd. 1,164
94 G03F Photomechanical Production OF Textured OR Patterned Surfaces, e.g. FOR Printing, FOR Processing OF Semiconductor DEVICES; Materials THEREFOR; Originals THEREFOR; Apparatus Specially Adapted THEREFOR; 21,670 Asml Netherlands B.V. 2,290
95 B25J MANIPULATORS; Chambers Provided With Manipulation Devices 21,590 Fanuc Corporation 999
96 G11B Information Storage Based ON Relative Movement Between Record Carrier AND Transducer 21,500 Seagate Technology LLC 1,922
97 C08J WORKING-UP; General Processes OF COMPOUNDING; After-treatment NOT Covered BY Subclasses C08b, C08c, C08f, C08g or C08h 21,338 LG Chem, Ltd. 749
98 H03M CODING; DECODING; Code Conversion IN General 21,338 Samsung Electronics Co., Ltd. 1,180
99 B23K Soldering OR UNSOLDERING; WELDING; Cladding OR Plating BY Soldering OR WELDING; Cutting BY Applying Heat Locally, e.g. Flame CUTTING; Working BY Laser Beam 21,060 Illinois Tool Works Inc. 976
100 G07C Time OR Attendance REGISTERS; Registering OR Indicating THE Working OF MACHINES; Generating Random NUMBERS; Voting OR Lottery APPARATUS; Arrangements, Systems OR Apparatus FOR Checking NOT Provided FOR Elsewhere 20,919 Ford Global Technologies, LLC 681

Top 100 of 670 active technology classes. Source: USPTO PatentsView 2015–2025.

All 670 classes →

Every figure on PlainPatent is rendered directly from USPTO source data, no number is typed in by an editor. This page draws directly on USPTO source data, no figure is typed in by an editor. See our editorial standards & corrections policy, the methodology behind these numbers, or report a data error.