SCADA System Patent Landscape 2026
SCADA System Patent Landscape in 2026
The SCADA system patent space is highly concentrated, with Strong Force IoT Portfolio 2016 LLC alone commanding the top position by a wide margin over established industrial automation incumbents such as Siemens and General Electric. Annual filing volume peaked in 2018 and has eased considerably since, signalling a field past its initial land-grab phase rather than one still expanding at pace.
Strong Force dominates; industrials form a dense second tier
Strong Force IoT Portfolio 2016 LLC leads all filers with 373 patent records, more than double the next-ranked applicant, Siemens AG at 157 records. General Electric Co (145), ASML Netherlands BV (127), and ABB (Schweiz) AG (123) complete the top five.
The top five filers account for 32% of the combined total across the hundred largest filers, a level of concentration that indicates meaningful portfolio power at the top while leaving substantial room for mid-tier challengers. The gap between rank one and ranks two through five is the most striking structural feature of this landscape.
| # | Applicant | Patent records | Share |
|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | Strong Force IoT Portfolio 2016 LLC | 373 | |
| 2 | Siemens AG | 157 | |
| 3 | General Electric Co | 145 | |
| 4 | ASML Netherlands BV | 127 | |
| 5 | ABB (Schweiz) AG | 123 | |
| 6 | Rockwell Automation Technologies Inc | 119 | |
| 7 | Toshiba Corporation | 91 | |
| 8 | AVEVA Software LLC | 82 | |
| 9 | Honeywell International Inc | 76 | |
| 10 | Schneider Electric USA Inc | 66 |
| # | Applicant | Patent records | Share |
|---|---|---|---|
| 11 | Mitsubishi Electric Corporation | 61 | |
| 12 | Schneider Electric Systems USA Inc | 61 | |
| 13 | Vestas Wind Systems A/S | 55 | |
| 14 | LS Electric Co Ltd | 53 | |
| 15 | ABB Research Ltd | 47 | |
| 16 | Saudi Arabian Oil Company (Saudi Aramco) | 45 | |
| 17 | Hitachi Energy Ltd | 45 | |
| 18 | GE Infrastructure Technology LLC | 42 | |
| 19 | Hitachi Ltd | 37 | |
| 20 | Strong Force VCN Portfolio 2019 LLC | 35 |
Strong Force’s lead reflects an IP-aggregation strategy rather than organic R&D output, while the cluster of industrial automation incumbents — Siemens, GE, ABB, Rockwell, Honeywell, Schneider Electric — signals that defensive portfolio depth remains commercially important for hardware and software vendors in this space.
Filing counts for 2024 and 2025 are likely under-reported due to the typical 18–24 month patent publication lag; the apparent steep drop in those years should not be read as a structural decline beyond what the broader trend already indicates.
Post-2018 cool-down with control systems firmly at the core
Annual filing activity crested in 2018 and has trended downward since, while the technology composition reveals a dominant core in control and regulating systems flanked by a broad spread of digital and communications classes.
Annual filing trend
Filings surged to a peak of 398 records in 2018 before retreating steadily to 237 in 2022 and 190 in 2023. Figures for 2024 (145) and 2025 (96) are subject to publication lag and will revise upward; 2026 (9 records) reflects only the earliest-published filings of that year and should be treated as a placeholder.
↗ Hover for values · click a bar to ask EurekaTechnology composition
G05B (Control & regulating systems) is overwhelmingly dominant, confirming that core supervisory control logic remains the primary innovation focus. Adjacent classes — G06F (electric digital data processing), H04L (digital information transmission), and G06N (AI/computing models) — each carry meaningful volume, pointing to active integration of data processing, networking, and machine-learning capabilities into SCADA architectures.
↗ Hover for values · click a bar to ask EurekaHighly cited patent families surfaced by the query
Citation-heavy patent families returned by the query. Use this section as citation context, not as a curated list of the most topic-specific patents.
Supervisory control system, method and computer pr…
A supervisory control system includes a display unit for displaying an overview picture including at least one object. The supervisory control system further includes a display view displaying in an integrated manner the overview picture including overview information and a detailed information view including detailed information. A corresponding method and… (excerpt from the patent abstract)
| # | Patent | Citations |
|---|---|---|
| 1 | Methods and systems for data collection, learning,… | 960 |
| 2 | Monitoring system for an industrial process using … | 770 |
| 3 | Object-oriented computer program, system, and meth… | 760 |
| 4 | Platform for facilitating development of intellige… | 721 |
| 5 | Intelligent vibration digital twin systems and met… | 694 |
| 6 | Methods and systems for industrial internet of thi… | 577 |
| 7 | Methods, systems, kits and apparatuses for monitor… | 546 |
| 8 | Methods and systems for data collection, learning,… | 506 |
Ranked by total forward citations. Citation counts favour older and broadly cited patent families, and broad or adjacent patents may appear when they match the search scope. Treat this section as citation context, not as a curated list of the most topic-specific patents. Some patent titles may be shown in their original, non-English language where an accurate translation could not be guaranteed.
What the structure means for SCADA R&D investment
Four structural signals — maturity, concentration, collaboration patterns, and geographic coverage — shape where defensible IP gaps remain and where incumbents have already fortified their positions.
Past-peak: filed hard through 2018, now consolidating
The lifecycle evidence places SCADA system patents in a decline stage, with annual volume easing back from the 2018 peak of 398 records. On a multi-year basis the corpus remains substantial at 2,185 patent families, but the pace of new filings has contracted roughly 36% in the recent window. R&D teams entering now face a denser prior-art landscape in core control systems and should target differentiated sub-domains rather than broad platform claims.
Lifecycle: DeclineOne portfolio aggregator atop a tier of industrials
The top five filers hold 32% of the hundred largest filers’ combined total, with Strong Force IoT Portfolio 2016 LLC’s 373-record lead reflecting IP aggregation rather than product R&D. Below that, a tight cluster of industrial automation incumbents — Siemens (157), GE (145), ABB (123), Rockwell (119) — creates a formidable defensive perimeter in G05B control systems. New entrants with product-specific innovations may find more freedom to operate in adjacent classes such as AI integration or wireless networking.
High concentrationCo-filing is clustered around Toshiba and Siemens ecosystems
The most active co-filing pair is Toshiba and Tokyo Electric Power Holdings (6 joint filings), followed by Siemens AG with Siemens China (4), ABB (Schweiz) with Hitachi Energy Switzerland (4), and Toshiba with Meidensha (4). Siemens also co-files with its own corporate research arm (3 joint records). The pattern shows that collaboration in this field is predominantly intra-group or between long-standing industrial partners rather than cross-sector or academic in nature, with one exception: ASML co-files with Eindhoven University of Technology (2 records).
Intra-group dominantUS-centric filings with broad European and Asian coverage
The United States is the leading jurisdiction by patent records, followed by the EPO (Europe), WIPO/PCT, China, and Japan. Germany, India, Canada, and Australia each carry meaningful record counts. The breadth of PCT and EPO filings indicates that leading applicants treat SCADA IP as globally strategic, and that freedom-to-operate analysis must span at minimum the US, EP, and key Asian jurisdictions. Emerging markets such as India and Australia show notable filing activity relative to their typical share in industrial automation.
US-led, globally filedGo beyond the landscape: Eureka’s TRIZ Solution agent breaks down an R&D problem and returns patented concept solutions, each with a technical approach and cited patent & literature evidence.
| Applicant | Collaborator | Co-filings |
|---|---|---|
| Toshiba Corporation | Tokyo Electric Power Holdings Inc | 6 |
| Siemens AG | Siemens China Ltd | 4 |
| ABB (Schweiz) AG | Hitachi Energy Switzerland AG | 4 |
| Toshiba Corporation | Meidensha Corporation | 4 |
| Siemens AG | Siemens Corporate Research Inc | 3 |
| Toshiba Corporation | Japan Atomic Power Company | 3 |
| General Electric Co | GE DIGITAL HLDG LLC | 2 |
| ASML Netherlands BV | Eindhoven University of Technology | 2 |
| ABB (Schweiz) AG | Hitachi Energy Ltd | 2 |
| Toshiba Corporation | Toshiba Engineering Corporation | 2 |
Co-filing pairs, ranked by the number of jointly-filed patent families.
Strong Force leads; Rockwell is the only top filer with recent momentum
Most top applicants have seen filing rates contract since the 2018 peak, but Rockwell Automation stands out with a +50% recent-period uptick, while Strong Force and the European industrials have all pulled back sharply.
Strong Force IoT Portfolio 2016 LLC
Ranks first with 373 patent records, concentrated heavily in G05B control and regulating systems and G06N AI-based computing. As an IP-aggregation vehicle, its portfolio is broad-based rather than product-line-specific. Recent-period filings are down 55% versus the prior window, consistent with the post-aggregation slowdown typical of licensing portfolios once the acquisition phase matures.
patent records: 373Rockwell Automation Technologies Inc
Ranks sixth with 119 patent records and is the only major filer among the top applicants showing a recent upward trajectory, with filings up 50% in the recent period versus the prior three years. Its technology focus is tightly anchored in G05B control and regulating systems across multiple subclasses, reflecting organic R&D investment in core PLC and supervisory control capabilities rather than portfolio acquisition.
patent records: 119| Applicant | Recent (3 yrs) | Trend |
|---|---|---|
| Strong Force IoT Portfolio 2016 LLC | 64 | ▼ -55% |
| Siemens AG | 15 | ▼ -67% |
| ASML Netherlands BV | 18 | ▼ -70% |
| Rockwell Automation Technologies Inc | 60 | ▲ +50% |
| ABB (Schweiz) AG | 12 | ▼ -72% |
| Honeywell International Inc | 5 | ▼ -62% |
| AVEVA Software LLC | 10 | ▼ -77% |
Under-served routes in AI integration, business analytics, and power grid interfaces
Several IPC classes appear at lower relative share alongside the dominant G05B core. Three of these have plausible technical value for next-generation SCADA architectures and realistic entry paths for teams with differentiated capabilities.
G06N · AI and machine-learning models in SCADA
G06N holds 499 patent records at a 5% share of the technology composition, making it the largest adjacent branch relative to the G05B core. Applying AI models — neural networks, reinforcement learning, anomaly detection — directly within SCADA supervisory loops is technically well-motivated and aligns with the top-cited patents’ themes around intelligent digital twins and data-collection learning systems. Entry paths exist through predictive-maintenance algorithms, adaptive control, and AI-driven alarm management, areas where incumbent filings remain sparse relative to the commercial interest.
Search this in Eureka →H02J · Power supply and grid-interface systems
H02J (power supply and grid systems) registers 224 patent records at a 2% share, low given the centrality of SCADA to electrical grid management. As distributed energy resources — wind, solar, battery storage — proliferate and grid-edge SCADA becomes architecturally critical, coverage in this branch remains relatively thin. Teams with expertise in grid-tied control, microgrid management, or demand-response orchestration may find meaningful filing opportunities here, particularly at the intersection of H02J and G05B not already occupied by the established utility-sector filers.
Search this in Eureka →How leaders differ by technology route
Strength of each leader across the main technology routes.
| Player | G05B 19 · Control & regulating systems | G05B 23 · Control & regulating systems | G05B 13 · Control & regulating systems | H04L 29 · Digital information transmission | G06N 3 · Computing based on AI models |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Strong Force IoT Portfolio 2016 LLC | Strong · 372 | Strong · 343 | Strong · 307 | Strong · 231 | Strong · 312 |
| General Electric Co | Strong · 138 | Strong · 87 | Emerging · 14 | Emerging · 24 | Absent |
| Siemens AG | Strong · 134 | Moderate · 46 | Absent | Emerging · 22 | Absent |
| ASML Netherlands BV | Strong · 109 | Absent | Emerging · 19 | Absent | Emerging · 13 |
| ABB (Schweiz) AG | Strong · 76 | Strong · 40 | Absent | Absent | Emerging · 2 |
| Rockwell Automation Technologies Inc | Strong · 107 | Absent | Emerging · 9 | Absent | Absent |
| AVEVA Software LLC | Strong · 51 | Strong · 34 | Absent | Emerging · 8 | Absent |
Frequently asked questions
The corpus contains 2,185 patent families in scope. This figure is the basis for trend and composition analysis, while applicant rankings are reported in patent records, which can differ because a single family may generate multiple records across jurisdictions.
Strong Force IoT Portfolio 2016 LLC leads with 373 patent records, more than double the next-ranked filer, Siemens AG at 157 records. Strong Force is an IP-aggregation entity rather than a product manufacturer, which distinguishes its position from the industrial automation incumbents that follow it in the ranking.
Annual filings reached their highest recorded level in 2018 at 398 patent records. Since then, activity has trended downward, reaching 237 in 2022 and 190 in 2023. Figures for 2024 and 2025 are subject to publication lag and will revise upward, but the overall directional trend since 2018 is a contraction of roughly 36% in the recent window.
G05B (Control and regulating systems) is by a wide margin the largest IPC class in the corpus. Adjacent classes with meaningful volume include G06F (electric digital data processing), H04L (digital information transmission), and G06N (computing based on AI models), reflecting the integration of networking and machine-learning capabilities into modern SCADA platforms.
The United States is the leading jurisdiction by patent records, followed by the EPO (Europe), WIPO/PCT, China, and Japan. Germany, India, Canada, and Australia also show significant filing activity. The breadth of PCT and EPO coverage indicates that leading applicants treat SCADA IP as globally strategic assets.
Among the major filers tracked, Rockwell Automation Technologies Inc is the only one with a positive recent-period trajectory, showing filings up 50% compared to the prior period. Most other top applicants — including Strong Force (down 55%), Siemens (down 67%), ASML (down 70%), and ABB (down 72%) — have seen recent filing rates contract, consistent with the broader post-2018 cool-down.
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Disclaimer. This page is generated from PatSnap Eureka data drawn from a limited snapshot of global patent and scientific-literature records, and is provided for general information and reference only.
Patent data carries inherent limitations: recent filings (typically the most recent 18–24 months) are under-counted due to standard publication lag; counts may be reported at either a patent-family or a patent-record basis and are not always directly comparable; classification, applicant-name, and citation data may contain errors, duplicates, or omissions; and the underlying search query defines and constrains the scope shown. As a result, the analysis may be incomplete or inaccurate and may not reflect the full technology landscape.
Nothing on this page constitutes an exhaustive prior-art, novelty, freedom-to-operate, or validity search, nor does it constitute legal, financial, investment, or professional advice, and it should not be relied upon as such. Any patent, commercial, or strategic decision should be verified independently and reviewed with qualified patent, legal, and domain professionals. PatSnap makes no warranties, express or implied, as to the accuracy, completeness, or fitness for any particular purpose of the information presented.