When people think of Sony products, they usually think of audio, visual, and storage devices. That is because a majority of Sony’s products fall into one of these categories. However, Sony’s recent patent activity suggests that it may be considering an expansion into the field of AI/Biotech diagnostics.
Up until 2014, Sony did not have any patent documents in the AI/Biotech Diagnostics Sectors. Then from 2014-2017, the company's portfolio grew to include two documents, a patent for a Muscle-Activity Diagnostic device, and an application for an Activity Tracking Device.
Since April of 2020, the company has tripled the size of its IP portfolio in the AI/Biotech diagnostics Sector to include 6 new documents during that time. Interestingly, Sony does not seem to have a specific category of focus within the AI/Biotech Diagnostics field yet. Its most recent applications include a device for mental health detection, a blood flow detector, a medical sensor device, an endoscopic imaging device, and a nucleic acid quantification method.
Whether Sony is just testing the waters, or is about to make a large entrance into the AI/Biotech field is yet to be determined. However, the patent data certainly seems to indicate that the company is devoting resources to research and development outside of its traditional categories, and has taken an interest in the AI/Biotech field. If Sony does make a run in the AI/Biotech sector, they will be entering a market with many well established competitors such as IBM, Philips, and Boston Scientific. To gain an interactive view of all of Sony's Patents and Applications, check out the AI/Biotech Diagnostics Patent Radian®.
