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Journal of library and information science in agriculture

   

Structural Characteristics and Evolutionary Patterns of Smart Library Technology Innovation in China: A Multi-dimensional Empirical Analysis Based on Patent Mining

DING Shuxin1, HE Ziming1, ZHANG Ke1,2,3, YANG Ruixian1,2,3()   

  1. 1. School of Information Management, Zhengzhou University, Zhengzhou 450000
    2. Henan Province Data Governance Research Center, Zhengzhou 450000
    3. Research Center for "double world-class project" of Henan Province, Zhengzhou 450000
  • Received:2026-01-27 Online:2026-03-27
  • Contact: YANG Ruixian

Abstract:

[Purpose/Significance] Driven by a new wave of technological innovation and industrial restructuring, the construction of smart libraries has become essential for promoting high-quality development and the preservation of public culture. It is crucial to clarify the structural characteristics and evolutionary patterns of their technological innovation in order to realize library digital transformation and achieve the strategy of building a culturally strong nation. Method/Process] Using smart library technology patents in China as the data source, this study constructs a systematic analytical framework of "data-driven → structural analysis → pattern exploration → problem and countermeasure." This study uses methods such as patentometrics, latent Dirichlet allocation (LDA) topic modeling, and logistic curves to delve into the structural characteristics of four dimensions - time, space, subject, and theme - and trace their evolutionary trajectory. [Results/Conclusions] The study reveals the structural characteristics of technological innovation in China's smart libraries comprehensively. The innovation process exhibits distinct "phased leap" features. It has gone through four stages - embryonic, slow development, rapid development, and gradual maturity - and has now entered a period of stock optimization. The spatial distribution presents an unbalanced pattern characterized by "density in the east and sparsity in the west." Although technology diffusion has begun spreading from eastern coastal areas to central and western regions, this fundamental pattern has not yet been substantially altered. Regarding the innovation subject structure, a distinctive "dual-core drive" model has emerged, with universities and enterprises serving as primary innovation engines. However, the collaboration network exhibits a notable characteristic of "strong individual subjects but weak network connections." In terms of technological structure, four main thematic clusters have been identified: smart identification and positioning, data processing and transmission, information retrieval and service interaction, and smart facilities with system collaboration. These four clusters constitute a mature full-chain technological system supporting comprehensive smart library development. Furthermore, the study identifies several key evolutionary patterns. The lifecycle follows an S-shaped growth curve, with projections indicating technology will approach saturation around 2029. The spatial pattern has evolved from initial concentration in eastern regions to gradual diffusion westward. Innovation subject evolution exhibits "peak-and-valley alternation," with complementary oscillations between university basic research and enterprise application transformation. Technological theme evolution reveals four representative paths, collectively demonstrating a progressive logic of "perception → connectivity → intelligence → service." Finally, three major structural bottlenecks are diagnosed: persistent spatial imbalance with impeded diffusion mechanisms; weak collaborative ecosystems among innovation subjects; and lagging integration of cutting-edge technologies. In response, this study proposes targeted countermeasures, including optimizing technological innovation layout, strengthening multi-subject collaboration, and encouraging exploration of high-end technologies. These insights provide valuable references for promoting breakthroughs in smart library technological innovation, accelerating industry digital transformation, and improving the modernization of China's public cultural service system.

Key words: patent mining, smart library technology, technological innovation, structural characteristics, evolution patterns

CLC Number: 

  • G250

Fig.1

Research path"

Fig.2

Patent data screening process"

Fig.3

Annual number of patent applications related to smart library technology in China from 2001 to 2025"

Fig.4

Regional distribution of technology-related patents for smart libraries in China"

Fig.5

Distribution of applicants for technology-related patents of smart libraries in China"

Fig.6

Research and development collaboration network of smart library technology in China"

Fig.7

Topic-perplexity and topic-coherence changes"

Fig.8

Visualization of clustering results when the number of topics is 4"

Table 1

Core themes of smart library technology in China and its top 20 keywords"

序号 主题1-智能标识与定位技术 主题2-数据处理与传输技术 主题3-信息检索与服务交互技术 主题4-智能设施与系统协同技术
1 标签 书架 RFID 服务器
2 识别 存放 借阅 机构
3 照片 数据库 终端 自助
4 驱动 感应 检索 分拣
5 电机 显示 座位 扫描
6 底座 查询 采集 信号
7 推荐 大数据 机器人 监控
8 阅读 分类 存储 电子标签
9 物联网 定位 智能书架 控制器
10 检测 传感器 升降 预约
11 门禁 监管 无线 芯片
12 电源 读取 计算机 发送
13 传输 书签 盘点 天线
14 网络 过滤 电动 隔层
15 电性 空间 射频 滑块
16 推车 读写器 实时 滑槽
17 云计算 架体 保护 摄像头
18 身份 书柜 记录 防尘
19 旋转 传动 图形用户界面 螺纹
20 降低 储存 箱体 微处理器

Table 2

Parameter estimates of the logistic model"

参数 估计值 标准误差 95%置信区间
下限 上限
K 1 375.845 15.584 1 343.436 1 408.254
a 1 287.590 108.880 1 061.162 1 514.018
r 0.373 0.006 0.361 0.385

Fig.9

Trend of cumulative patent applications related to smart library technology in China"

Fig.10

Evolution of the regional distribution of technology-related patents for smart libraries in China"

Fig.11

Evolution of entities applying for smart library technology patents in China"

Table 3

Themes and characteristic terms of each stage of smart library technology in China"

时期 主题名称 前10特征词

技术萌芽

和缓慢发展期

Topic0-终端信息采集 终端、书架、天线、验证、接口、采集、识读、手机、显示、读卡器
Topic1-服务器通信系统 服务器、无线、识别、查询、信号、标签、阅读器、证件、计算机、物联网
Topic2-图书馆信息管理系统 RFID、标签、视图、借阅、定位、网络、自助、读写器、门禁、存储
快速发展期 Topic0-自助信息识别 终端、RFID、自助、采集、识别、服务器、机构、书架、借阅、传感器
Topic1-借阅资源管理 服务器、RFID、标签、借阅、数据库、识别、电机、扫描、分拣、升降
Topic2-馆藏数据云计算 自助、机构、数据库、书架、借阅、标签、服务器、云计算、存储、分类
Topic3-图书馆物联系统 采集、电机、传感器、信号、分类、芯片、电源、定位、机器人、传输
逐步成熟期 Topic0-数字资源管理 存放、RFID、书架、预约、驱动、信息化、采集、螺纹、滑块、清理
Topic1-智能交互服务 标签、自助、机构、终端、机器人、显示、定位、门禁、座位、照片
Topic2-图书智能调度与推荐 借阅、查询、盘点、分类、识别、推荐、存储、分拣、降低、阅读

Table 4

Similarity of technical themes between the nascent and slow development periods and the rapid development period"

主题 Topic0 Topic1 Topic2 Topic3
Topic0 0.444 5 0.454 2 0.339 5 0.401 5
Topic1 0.434 8 0.431 8 0.359 7 0.423 9
Topic2 0.383 8 0.548 5 0.498 0 0.375 8

Table 5

Similarity of technical topics between the rapid development phase and the gradual maturation phase"

主题 Topic0 Topic1 Topic2
Topic0 0.419 4 0.439 7 0.450 1
Topic1 0.544 9 0.330 1 0.476 9
Topic2 0.417 5 0.456 7 0.377 2
Topic3 0.395 6 0.377 2 0.443 5

Fig.12

Dynamic evolution path of technology themes in smart libraries in China"

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