1.AI computing chip patent competition: Taiwan is behind the United States, mainland China and Japan;
The rise of artificial intelligence and the Internet of Things has led to a huge increase in demand for massive data computing. The traditional von Neumann computer architecture, which uses data processing rules and data transfer mechanisms between the CPU and memory, has hindered the overall efficiency of operations. The processing time can no longer meet the needs of the smart device for real-time processing.
In recent years, scientists have begun to put forward many technological solutions on R&D issues of hardware and software, such as artificial intelligence computing chip solutions inspired by research on human brain neurons and synaptic mechanisms, that is, using neural network decentralized architecture. Perform massive data computation and learning, and then meet the needs of the massive data computing efficiency and shortened processing time in the era of artificial intelligence.
The literature shows that the main types of artificial intelligence computing chips can be divided into: neuromorphic chips, artificial intelligence system chips, cloud central processing system.
Neuromorphic chip: It is composed of biological nerve system, signal transmission, operation and memory function, electronic circuit materials, components, circuit simulation, circuit design, operation architecture, algorithm, system engineering simulation, such as artificial neuron, artificial nerve Synapses, pulsed neural networks, etc.
Among them, artificial neural synapses are the bridges that connect artificial neurons and allow signals to pass from one artificial neuron to another. Neuromorphic chips treat processors as artificial neurons, and memories as artificial neurites. Touch and integrate the memory and processor together, which is obviously different from the traditional computer computing architecture. The main technical development direction includes: computational architecture circuit design, algorithm, memristor, etc., typical representatives developed for IBM. TrueNorth.
Artificial Intelligence System Chip: A customized ASIC chip designed to provide artificial intelligence and machine learning operations and processing for smart devices. Its internal computing architecture is usually equipped with CPUs, GPUs, digital signal processors (DSPs) and other traditional computers. The computing architecture, and more specifically, the additional configuration is dedicated to the neural processing engine or neural network processing unit of machine learning and artificial intelligence applications. The typical representatives are Qualcomm's Xiaolong 845 and Huawei's Qilin 970.
Cloud Central Processing System: A custom ASIC chip designed to provide artificial intelligence and machine learning operations and processing for smart devices. It is configured in the hard disk drive slot of a cloud data center cabinet to perform specific computing tasks. TPU published for Google.
Industry information shows that most of the scientific and technological community’s R&D results will be protected by patent applications, systematic patent analysis and research will be conducted to grasp the scientific and technological community’s layout of R&D achievements in the artificial intelligence computing chip, and also to learn about Taiwan and other countries. Or what are the opportunities and challenges in the artificial intelligence computing chip compared with the international giants?
After analyzing the US patents for artificial intelligence computing chips, it was found that the American assignees included the most patents, followed by Korean rights holders, Japanese rights holders, etc. Among them, 35 domain items covered by patents, found American rights holders. The largest number of computing technology patents, followed by the order of basic communications programs, semiconductors, etc.; Korean rights holders are mainly located in computing technology, semiconductors; Japanese rights holders are concentrated in computing technology.
The data also shows that Chinese rights holders have obtained 2 U.S. patents, and the 35 domain items covered by the patent are mainly distributed in computing technology.
On the other hand, of the 37 technical subcategories involved in patents, American rights holders, Korean rights holders, and Japanese rights holders placed emphasis on the design of neural network hardware - using electronic means, neural network models - system construction, and The U.S. patents on digital computing components - learning machines, neural network models - learning methods, are significantly more than South Korea and Japan.
In addition, the 37 technical items involved in the 2 U.S. patents obtained by Chinese rights holders are mainly distributed in the neural network hardware design - electronic, neural network mode - system architecture, image data processing or processor architecture/ Processor Configuration, Digital Computation Element - Method or device for learning machine, application electronics for identification.
At present, it has not yet been discovered that Taiwan rights holders have obtained US patents for artificial intelligence computing chips. However, Chinese rights holders have already obtained US patents. Taiwan's deployment of this emerging technology patent has obviously fallen behind China. It is worth noting. Research also finds that IBM has received most artificial intelligence. Computing chip US patent, followed by Google, Qualcomm, Samsung and so on.
Artificial intelligence computing chips US patents related to the 35 fields of distribution, found that IBM has the most patents in computing technology, followed by semiconductors, measurement, audio-visual technology, Google and Qualcomm focused on computing technology, Samsung is mainly deployed in computing technology And semiconductors.
On the other hand, in the 37 patents involved in the distribution of technology, it was found that IBM, Qualcomm, Google, and Samsung relatively focused on the implementation of the hardware implementation of the neural network - using electronic, neural network model - system construction, and IBM in the neural network Modes - Learning Methods, Digital Computation Elements - The patented layout of learning machines is more than Qualcomm, Google and Samsung.
It is worth mentioning that the neuromorphic chip involves digital storage memory - components that mimic nerve cells (such as memristors). Technology has the most patents, followed by Samsung, the French Alternative Energies and Atomic Energy Commission, Seoul, South Korea. According to statistics from the University, there are currently no U.S. patents for artificial intelligence computing chips in Taiwan.
In addition, the neuromorphic chip developed by IBM was submitted to Samsung for development. The cooperation between the two parties started from the R&D stage, thus resulting in Samsung’s superiority in the development of neuromorphic chips compared to Taiwanese manufacturers. It is suggested that Taiwan’s semiconductor industry Manufacturers should invest in R&D as soon as possible to shorten the gap between the research and development of Korean factories.
2. Overweight technology innovation Domestic mobile phone head manufacturers no longer go with Apple;
The mobile phone market in 2018 is undergoing tremendous changes.
According to data from research firm Canalys, China's mobile phone market experienced a tremendous setback in the first quarter of 2018, with 91 million units shipped, a 21% year-on-year decline. Despite Huawei, OPPO, vivo led the domestic market, accounting for 24% and 19%, respectively. With 17% of market share, we must also face the fact that the market is getting saturated.
Although data from the China Institute of Information and Communication Technology shows that domestic mobile phone shipments ended declining in May this year, however, the overall downward trend has so far remained.
The strategic deployment of domestic mobile phone head manufacturers also followed a major transformation.
Domestic head manufacturers collective 'technology flow'
Challenge high-end range brand power
Following the release of new domestic mobile phone head brands in March this year, only two months later, the head brand has launched a new round of flagship models. This round of new machine releases, 'Technology' and 'Innovation' Become the most popular hot words. The manufacturers also seem to have riveted their skills.
Liu Qicheng, editor-in-chief of Communication World Net, pointed out that although these mobile phone manufacturers had advertised so-called 'black technology' before, their core competitiveness was still in hardware and price competition. In 2018, Huawei, OPPO, The products released by Vivo are obviously different from those of previous years, especially OPPO, vivo. OPPO has just released the Find X, Vivo has released the NEX mobile phones, have all embarked on the path of technology flow.
First, Huawei released a 'very scary technology', and then ov big companies successively released a big move. They released their own new flagship vivo NEX and oppo Find X. Although the two products have not yet officially listed, but its design and innovation Technology has long been a hot topic for netizens.
What Apple does, What does the vendor clone, What does the user buy, It seems to have been a strange circle. To the iPhone X, just think that 'Liu Haiping' at least to be followed to the end of the year, Vivo NEX, OPPO Find X ended Liu Haiping's Follow the trend.
In addition to abandoning the full screen of Liu Hai, Vivo would like to leverage NEX's many technological innovations to highlight its own strength in technological research and development. OPPO Find X pursues 'a perfect fusion of art and technology' in shape, structure, process, artificial intelligence, and take pictures. , Charging, etc., show the latest achievements of OPPO's future smart phone design and innovation technology.
The release of NEX and Find X marks that domestic mobile phone manufacturers have taken a solid step in the opposite direction of following Apple's design. However, the prices of domestic flagships are directly at iPhone X. Find X pricing is 999 euros, or about 7,500 yuan, Lamborghini Edition 1699 The euro, which is about 12,700 yuan, fell into the high end of the past, where only Apple and Samsung dared to get involved.
For the strategic transformation of OPPO and vivo this year, Sun Yanxi, dean of the First Mobile Phone Academy Research Institute, said in an exchange with a reporter from Securities Daily that the current global mobile phone market is seriously homogenous, and the Chinese mobile phone market is in a down state, so consumers Buying demand tends to focus on two points: Cost-effective machines and differentiated products. Driven by these two points, OV's explosive strategy before it began to be a bit untenable by relying on a product to hit the world. So they are now beginning to go to a condensed version of the sea tactics. 'In fact, they have also launched a cost-effective thousand Yuan machine, but it was not released.'
The prolonged consumer replacement cycle has prompted mobile phone manufacturers to add more features to attract users. At the same time, the increase in R&D investment has also pushed up the price of mobile phones. Consumers’ expectations for products have also gone up. Not only are features more powerful, but also design innovations. .
Zaker Li, a senior industry analyst at IHS Markit, also stated that 'new demand drives domestic manufacturers to make strides in design and innovation to gain more market share.'
While Apple’s innovation and leadership are declining, Sun Yanxi said that the three mobile phones that Apple is about to release this year will not have too many innovative elements. At the same time, the technology accumulation of domestic mobile phone manufacturers has also reached a certain extent.
Earlier, the director of vivo products Huang Hao also mentioned in an interview with the media, the reason for the acceleration of the new machine release, on the one hand is the mobile phone industry in the down phase, requires the company's innovative technology to stimulate the market to change the desire; the other is the new technology Outbreaks and applications take a long time to accumulate.
Domestic manufacturers have entered overseas markets one after another
Intention to share and brand upgrade
In addition to the direction of product innovation no longer follow Apple, OPPO also announced that it officially entered the European market and further expanded its OPPO overseas market operations.
After the domestic market slowed down or even declined, major domestic mobile phone manufacturers have accelerated the expansion of overseas markets since last year. Huawei’s glory mobile phones set a strategy to go overseas at the end of last year, with the goal of becoming a global player for three years. Fives.
Another domestic mobile phone manufacturer, Xiaomi, also announced its formal entry into Western Europe in November last year. The first stop was in Spain.
OPPO's first European markets include France, Italy, Spain, and the Netherlands. Starting from these four countries, they will gradually carry out 'deep and deep plowing' in Europe.
However, according to Wu Qian, vice president of OPPO, the OPPO's entry into the European market has nothing to do with the actions of other manufacturers. It is completely natural.
'Europe's annual sales volume exceeds 100 million units. It is a blank market for the OPPO and it has a strong appeal.' Vice President Qiang Wu Qiang said in an interview with the Securities Daily and other media. He said that the OPPO earlier years The Blu-ray player has accumulated a very good reputation and reputation among the high-end people in the European market. With the accumulation of markets in Southeast Asia and other markets, choosing to enter the European market at this time is a matter of course.
Wu Qiang was formerly the person in charge of the OPPO China marketing business. Since May of this year, he has been responsible for the overall business of the OPPO overseas market. The OPPO’s determination to expand overseas business is evident.
As a matter of fact, OPPO started overseas business as early as 2009. Its business covers 31 countries and regions in China, Southeast Asia, South Asia, the Middle East, Africa and Oceania. It has more than 400,000 sales points to provide product sales. and service.
It is reported that in order to gain a deeper understanding of the actual needs of local consumers in Europe, OPPO will, as always, form a localization team and plan to have more than 90% of its employees come from Europe.
IDC 2017 data show that in the global market, OPPO’s market share is 7.6%, which is the fourth in the world. Counterpoint 2017 data show that OPPO’s market share ranks first in Asian market.
The OPPO entered the European market with Find X. In addition to market share considerations, what is more important is the brand's 'order'. The European market has always been regarded as a high-end market. OPPO Find X can show the strong product power of OPPO. To stand firm in Europe, for the OPPO, it will be a jump in brand power.
Mobile phone companies go to sea
Patent preparation first
Previously, the experience of many mobile phone brands encountering patent lawsuits overseas has made clear that mobile phone companies go out and patents are the key.
Is the OPPO ready?
From the data, as of June 7 of this year, the number of OPPO global patent applications has exceeded 26,000, and the number of authorizations has exceeded 5,000; at home, according to the situation of the invention patent grant issued by the State Intellectual Property Office of China in May this year, OPPO 169 ranked second; in terms of data processing technology, OPPO held the highest number of 101 licenses.
In addition, according to Wu Qiang, in order to enter the European market, the OPPO and the partners on the one hand jointly negotiated to solve the corresponding patent issues. On the other hand, it also began to lay out European patents two or three years ago. The patents for some of the core technologies of the OPPO are in Europe. Layout, registration application. In addition, OPPO also adopted some other strategies, such as acquisition methods, and patent layout in key countries and markets. Wu Qiang said that OPPO currently enters the European market and there are no obstacles in terms of patents.
It can be seen that the OPPO's going out to the sea still continues the company's pragmatic and pragmatic style. When asked about the sales forecast for this new product, Wu Qiang said that the OPPO itself does not care about the sales target and focuses on how to do a good job and provide better products. Service. 'Sales and share are the result of doing these things before.'
This is also what OPPO CEO Chen Mingyong said: “The meal is a bite to eat”, and the expansion of market operations is a natural result of all the work done. Securities Daily
3. U.S. Secretary of Commerce: U.S. basic strategy is to let China feel more pain
U.S. Secretary of Commerce Ross said at the hearing held by the US Senate Finance Committee on the 20th that the basic strategy for the United States to impose tariffs on Chinese goods is to let China feel more pain.
When asked by the U.S. senator about the overall strategy of the Trump administration to impose tariffs on Chinese goods, Rose said at the hearing that the basic strategy of the U.S. is to exert sufficient pressure on those 'misbehaving' parties to let them Recognizing that the continuation of the current behavior will feel 'more pain' than agreeing to the request of the US to respect intellectual property rights.
Rose pointed out that the United States and China have had intellectual property dialogues for many years. President Trump has decided that the U.S. needs more action than negotiating. Now is the time to act. He said that unless the U.S. exerts enough pressure, Let the Chinese feel that the continuation of those practices will be 'more painful', otherwise the United States will not succeed.
When asked how to protect the interests of U.S. farmers who suffered from tariff retaliation, Rose said that the U.S. can not control how another country retaliated. What Trump has done is to try to prevent revenge. He said that when China announced the same scale of countermeasures against the U.S. When the 500 billion U.S. dollars of Chinese goods were imposed with tariff measures, Trump threatened to impose additional tariffs on an additional 200 billion U.S. dollars of Chinese goods, 'this is a considerable figure'. Xinhua News Agency