In technology approach patent and non-patent literature is used to extract information about the technology profile of various assignees such as
'''1)''' * Years in this activity
'''2)''' * Type of batteries used
'''3)''' * Battery charging system
'''4)''' * Type of HEV (Series (SHV)/Parallel (PHV)/Composite (SPHVS))
'''5)''' * Technology strength based on citation analysis
'''6)''' * Product Vs patent identification
'''7)''' * Battery management solutions proposed (i.e. current control/cut-off system and SOC detection
technique)
'''8)''' * Scientific literature and technology news to strengthen the report, since patent activity is a slow process.
=== Toyota Motors ===
'''Findings:'''
'''1)''' * JP10295045 (1997):- Battery management system, received 21 forward citations from all big names in a span of 5 years and self- cited twice the same technology indicating strong technology strength and building on its own technology.
'''2)''' * Patent and non-patent information indicate that Nissan’s has focused much on circuit arrangements for charging or depolarizing batteries or for supplying loads from batteries (H02J 7/00).
'''3)''' * Jointly worked with Sony corp. (1998) developing high power density Li-ion battery for parallel HEV.
'''4)''' * Proposed a novel charge/discharge control system based on car navigation information.