Smart Speakers

Objective

• Perform a landscape search in the area of Smart Speakers
• Use PCS to derive insights and gain competitive perspective
• Understand the value chain and recent M&A activities

Introduction

A smart speaker is a type of wireless speaker and smart device that utilizes Wi-Fi, Bluetooth and other standards to extend usage beyond audio playback. This can include, but not be limited to, features such as compatibility across a number of services and platforms, peer-to-peer connection through mesh networking, intelligent personal assistants, and others. Each can have its own designated interface and features in-house, usually launched or controlled via application or home automation software.

Search in PCS

A search on PCS for Smart speaker was performed with the following search strategy:

(tac:speaker AND tac:home automation ) OR (tac:music system and tac:user-interaction ) OR (tac:speaker AND tac:user interaction and text:home ) OR (tac:speaker AND tac:voice command and text:smart-home ) OR (tac:speaker and tac:automation and text:music ) OR ((tac:bluetooth speaker OR tac:wireless speaker OR tac:NFC connected speaker OR tac:wifi speaker OR tac:wifi connected speaker ) and text:smart home ) OR (tac:smart speaker OR tac:intelligent speaker OR tac:networked speaker OR tac:talking speaker or tac:interactive speaker ) OR (tac:user interactive music system ) OR (tac:speaker and text:on demand music ) OR (tac:speaker and tac:user tracking and text:home ) OR (tac:speaker and tac:intelligent user-interface ) OR (tac:music and text:intelligent user-interface ) OR (tac:speaker and tac:user-interaction ) OR (text:voice controlled speaker ) OR (text:voice controlled music system) OR (text:speech controlled speaker) OR (text:speech controlled music system)

Top Assignee

• All Top Players have Smart speakers products in market.

• Sonos - The Home Sound System
• Sony - BSP60
• Qualcomm - APQ8009/APQ8017 platform based etc

Top Assignee Insights

A) MIcrosoft technology Licensing

• Microsoft has patents related to smart speakers as shown below

B) Sony

• Patents from Sony mentions about connecting speakers wirelessly

Bibliographic Analytics

Main CPC’s:

• H04R - Electric communication technique---> loudspeakers, microphones, gramophone pick-ups or like acoustic electromechanical transducers/deaf-aid sets/public address systems

IP Activity:

Geographical Distribution

Technical Insights: CPC Distribution in Top Assignees:

CPC Distribution:

Technical Insights: Concepts vs Top Assignees

Technology Concepts: