Company patents

Cisco Technology, Inc.

Cisco Technology, Inc. demonstrates a surprising shift in its patent strategy, with a strong emerging focus on 'Databases & Information Retrieval,' which saw an 87.0% YoY growth in 2024 and a further 36.0% growth in 2025, alongside 'Computer Security' experiencing a 54.2% YoY growth in 2024, indicating a strategic expansion beyond its traditional core of 'Routing, Switching & QoS' (28.3% of portfolio) and 'Wireless Networks' (24.7% of portfolio), despite a general decline across most categories so far in 2026.

Patent Trend by Technology Area

Yearly patent publications since 2023

Product themes

Product-level themes inferred from filings since 2023, with category chips showing where each theme appears. Select a theme to filter the patents below.

6,948 US filings (since 2023) · 12 categories · 54 themes

Automated Network Provisioning is up +23.0% YoY. Worth a look.
Automated Network Provisioning

Systems and methods for automatically deploying, configuring, and updating network devices and services, including software updates, client onboarding, and topology management across various network types.

Network Management & Monitoring
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1,360since 2023
+23.0%YoY
Network Operations, Reliability & Traffic

Techniques and systems designed to monitor network health, diagnose issues, optimize traffic flow, and ensure continuous operation and reduced downtime in complex network environments, including cloud and storage area networks.

Routing, Switching & QoSNetwork Management & MonitoringWeb & Cloud Service Protocols
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1,274since 2023
-13.2%YoY
Network Traffic Management & QoS

Techniques and systems for optimizing network traffic flow, distributing loads across multiple paths or resources, and ensuring quality of service based on various criteria like application type, latency, or resource availability. This includes dynamic path selection, congestion control, and resource allocation.

Routing, Switching & QoS
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907since 2023
-5.2%YoY
Flexible Frame Structures & Resource Grouping

Design and configuration of adaptable frame structures, resource block groupings, and subcarrier spacings to optimize data transmission across diverse wireless environments and services, including considerations for fronthaul interfaces.

Physical Transmission & Modulation
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787since 2023
-2.5%YoY
Advanced RF & Beam Management

Techniques and hardware architectures for optimizing the radio frequency (RF) front-end, antenna systems, and beamforming strategies in wireless networks to improve signal quality, capacity, and interference mitigation.

Wireless Networks
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735since 2023
+0.9%YoY
Edge and Cloud Network Orchestration

Managing and optimizing network resources and services deployed at the edge of the network or within cloud environments, including distributed domain name resolution, resource exposure analysis, and traffic management specific to distributed architectures.

Routing, Switching & QoS
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654since 2023
+5.1%YoY
Network Data Management

Systems and methods for collecting, processing, and ensuring the quality and consistency of data used for network monitoring, asset management, and operational decision-making, including conflict detection and reliability scoring.

Network Management & Monitoring
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489since 2023
+31.4%YoY
Network Security & Access Control

Methods and systems for protecting network resources and data from unauthorized access, misuse, or attack, encompassing authentication, authorization, encryption, and traffic filtering mechanisms. This includes securing communication channels and validating network access.

Routing, Switching & QoS
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480since 2023
+15.4%YoY
IoT Device & Network Management

Methods and systems for monitoring, controlling, and managing Internet of Things (IoT) devices and their communication networks, often involving adaptive or intelligent frameworks for data acquisition, relay, and automation.

Web & Cloud Service Protocols
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466since 2023
+26.0%YoY
Physical Layer & Interface Optimization

Enhancements to the physical and data link layers of network communication, focusing on hardware components, signal integrity, power efficiency, and efficient data transfer mechanisms for specific interfaces and buses.

Routing, Switching & QoS
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391since 2023
+19.1%YoY
Distributed Cloud/Edge Processing

Techniques for distributing computational tasks, data storage, and service logic across cloud data centers, edge devices, and user equipment to improve performance, resilience, or resource utilization. This includes architectures for split rendering, decentralized ledgers, and microservices.

Web & Cloud Service Protocols
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386since 2023
0.0%YoY
Network Intrusion Detection

Systems and methods for identifying and blocking unauthorized access, malicious activities, or abnormal behavior within a network by analyzing traffic, system logs, or behavioral patterns.

Network Security & Access Control
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358since 2023
-10.7%YoY
Access Control & Identity Management

Systems and methods for authenticating users, devices, or applications, authorizing their access to resources based on policies, and managing digital identities across various platforms.

Network Security & Access ControlComputer SecurityWeb & Cloud Service Protocols
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318since 2023
+3.0%YoY
Hardware Network Acceleration

Utilizing specialized hardware components such as network processing units (NPUs) or dedicated acceleration circuits to offload and speed up network packet processing, traffic generation, or time-sensitive network operations.

Network Management & Monitoring
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245since 2023
+6.8%YoY
Virtualization & Secure Remote Access

Technologies enabling the creation and management of virtual computing environments, including virtual machines and virtual desktops, with an emphasis on secure and efficient remote access, updates, and performance.

Operating Systems & Program Control
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241since 2023
-23.5%YoY
Green Network Optimization

Techniques and systems for reducing energy consumption in computer networks while maintaining or improving performance, often involving predictive modeling, simulation, and dynamic adjustments to network infrastructure.

Network Management & Monitoring
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200since 2023
+66.7%YoY
Cloud Security Posture Management

Tools and processes for assessing, monitoring, and improving the security configuration and external accessibility of resources deployed within cloud computing environments.

Network Security & Access Control
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195since 2023
+59.2%YoY
Secure Communication Protocols

Technologies for establishing and maintaining secure communication channels between devices or networks, often employing encryption, secure protocols, or virtual private networks (VPNs).

Network Security & Access Control
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189since 2023
+14.0%YoY
Granular Data Encryption & Access Control

Systems and methods for encrypting data at a fine-grained level (e.g., per data unit or based on sensitivity) and controlling access to it, often involving delegated authorization, contextual policies, or secure data sharing.

Cryptographic Mechanisms
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182since 2023
+9.3%YoY
AI/ML for Cryptographic Security

Applying artificial intelligence and machine learning techniques to enhance cryptographic systems, such as generating encryption models, improving zero-trust architectures, or enabling privacy-preserving computations like federated learning.

Computer Security
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155since 2023
+111.4%YoY
Secure Data Sharing & Rights Management

Mechanisms to facilitate the secure exchange of data between different entities or systems while enforcing usage policies, managing digital content rights, and ensuring data consistency during replication or transfer.

Computer Security
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124since 2023
+5.1%YoY
Photonic Integration & Interconnects

The design and manufacturing of integrated circuits that combine optical and electronic components, particularly for high-speed data communication between processors and memory.

Optical Elements & Systems
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115since 2023
-2.9%YoY
Cloud-Native & Microservice Managementfiltered

Technologies for deploying, managing, and governing applications and services in cloud environments, particularly focusing on containerization, microservice architectures, API gateways, and distributed data management.

Operating Systems & Program Control
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98since 2023
-21.2%YoY
Full-Duplex Communication & Self-Interference Mitigation

Techniques enabling simultaneous transmission and reception of signals on the same or adjacent frequency bands, including methods for managing and mitigating self-interference and configuring network resources for such operation.

Physical Transmission & Modulation
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98since 2023
-29.7%YoY
System Resource & Power Optimization

Methods and systems for efficiently allocating computing resources, balancing workloads, and managing power states to improve performance, reduce energy consumption, or enhance reliability in computing platforms.

Operating Systems & Program Control
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96since 2023
+73.9%YoY
Location-Aware Mobile Services

Mobile applications and systems leveraging wireless communication and location data (e.g., GPS, RFID, geo-fencing) to provide context-specific services, transactions, or user interactions.

Wireless Networks
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87since 2023
+7.4%YoY
Specialized Data Integration

Methods and systems for integrating, transforming, and managing complex or domain-specific data from disparate sources into a unified structure, often for specific applications like social networks, genomics, or business forms.

Databases & Information Retrieval
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82since 2023
+210.0%YoY
Large Model Text Generation

Techniques for generating human-like text or other content using large pre-trained models, often involving prompt engineering, speculative decoding, or multi-modal inputs for content creation.

Machine Learning & AI
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72since 2023
+1266.7%YoY
AI Information Synthesis

Systems and methods utilizing artificial intelligence, particularly large language models and neural networks, to extract, summarize, generate, or categorize information from unstructured or semi-structured data sources.

Databases & Information Retrieval
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69since 2023
+172.7%YoY
Secure Key Management & Rotation

Methods and systems for generating, distributing, updating, rotating, and securely destroying cryptographic keys to maintain data confidentiality and integrity over time, including quantum key distribution.

Cryptographic Mechanisms
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68since 2023
+25.0%YoY
Hardware-Assisted Cryptographic Operations

Utilizing dedicated hardware components, secure enclaves, or trusted execution environments to perform cryptographic operations, enhancing security, performance, or isolation from software vulnerabilities.

Cryptographic Mechanisms
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67since 2023
+64.7%YoY
Optical Fiber Sensing Systems

Systems and methods that utilize optical fibers as sensing elements or for transmitting sensing signals, often for distributed monitoring of environmental conditions, phase changes, or integrating sensing with communication.

Optical Elements & Systems
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63since 2023
-19.0%YoY
Intelligent Decision Support

Systems that process data to provide personalized recommendations, predict events, or automate decision-making processes based on learned patterns, user behavior, or environmental factors.

Databases & Information Retrieval
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44since 2023
+23.1%YoY
Reference Signal Design & Optimization

Methods for designing, transmitting, and utilizing specific reference signals (e.g., DMRS, SRS, PT-RS) to enable accurate channel estimation, interference measurement, synchronization, or sensing in wireless communication systems.

Physical Transmission & Modulation
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40since 2023
-33.3%YoY
MLOps & Model Deployment

Systems and methods for automating the lifecycle of machine learning models, including pipeline deployment, model management, versioning, and configuring for different inference environments.

Machine Learning & AI
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38since 2023
+1600.0%YoY
Secure Data Storage & Provenance

Techniques for protecting data at rest or in backup, ensuring its integrity, confidentiality, and verifiable origin, often involving encryption, unique identifiers, or secure repositories.

Network Security & Access ControlComputer Security
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38since 2023
+60.0%YoY
Workflow Automation & Orchestration

Systems and methods for automating multi-step tasks, business processes, or service interactions, often involving AI agents, programmable interfaces, or formal orchestration languages to streamline operations.

Operating Systems & Program Control
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37since 2023
+166.7%YoY
Physical Layer Impairment Detection & Mitigation

Techniques and circuits designed to detect, estimate, and mitigate various physical layer signal impairments such as frequency spurs, phase noise, or non-linear distortions, thereby improving overall signal quality and system performance.

Physical Transmission & Modulation
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37since 2023
+33.3%YoY
Federated & Distributed ML

Methods for training machine learning models across multiple decentralized devices or servers while keeping data localized, often involving aggregation of model parameters and secure communication.

Machine Learning & AI
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34since 2023
+233.3%YoY
Data Integration & Content Delivery Platforms

Platforms and methods for aggregating data from diverse sources, generating dynamic content, and delivering it efficiently to users, often involving social media, programmatic advertising, or interactive experiences within cloud environments.

Web & Cloud Service Protocols
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31since 2023
+275.0%YoY
Advanced Modulation & Coding Schemes

Techniques for encoding digital data onto analog carrier signals using complex constellation diagrams, multi-level signaling, or layered approaches, often combined with error correction codes, to achieve higher data rates, improved spectral efficiency, or extended range.

Physical Transmission & Modulation
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31since 2023
0.0%YoY
Compliance & Transaction Validation

Systems and methods designed to ensure adherence to regulatory rules, corporate policies, or contractual agreements, often involving automated validation of electronic transactions, smart contract enforcement, or API governance.

Operating Systems & Program Control
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25since 2023
+28.6%YoY
Operational Technology (OT) Security

Specialized cybersecurity solutions designed to protect industrial control systems (ICS), SCADA networks, and other operational technology environments from cyber threats and unauthorized access.

Computer Security
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23since 2023
+66.7%YoY
Channel State Information & Beamforming

Methods for acquiring and utilizing accurate channel state information (CSI), including channel estimation and reciprocity transforms, to enable advanced spatial processing techniques like beamforming for improved signal quality and spectral efficiency.

Physical Transmission & Modulation
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21since 2023
+25.0%YoY
Emergency & Safety Communication Systems

Technologies for transmitting critical alerts and information during emergencies, often involving wireless networks, specialized devices, and protocols to ensure timely and targeted communication to users or emergency services.

Wireless Networks
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20since 2023
+80.0%YoY
Blockchain for Secure Transactions & Identity

Focuses on using distributed ledger technology (DLT) like blockchain to secure financial transactions, manage digital identities, or ensure data integrity and traceability across various applications.

Cryptographic Mechanisms
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20since 2023
+14.3%YoY
Airspace & Drone Traffic Management

Systems and methods for monitoring, controlling, and optimizing the movement of unmanned aerial vehicles (UAVs) and other aircraft, including real-time connectivity, flight planning, and route modification.

Wireless Networks
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19since 2023
+100.0%YoY
Multimodal Data Fusion

Techniques for combining and analyzing information from multiple distinct data modalities (e.g., text, image, video, audio, sensor data) to derive richer insights or improve system performance and decision-making.

Machine Learning & AIDatabases & Information Retrieval
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14since 2023
+100.0%YoY
Metasurface & Diffractive Optics

Engineering of artificial subwavelength structures (meta-atoms) to create metasurfaces that manipulate light properties (phase, polarization, wavelength) for multi-functional optical devices.

Optical Elements & Systems
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11since 2023
+66.7%YoY
Quantum Machine Learning

Developing and applying machine learning algorithms that leverage quantum computing principles, such as quantum circuits or autoencoders, for tasks like simulation or data processing.

Machine Learning & AI
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11since 2023
0.0%YoY
Advanced Optical Imaging & Lens Design

Development of sophisticated optical lens assemblies and computational methods to achieve high-resolution, precise, or specialized imaging, often for medical or scientific applications.

Optical Elements & Systems
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8since 2023
new
AI/ML Hardware Acceleration

Specialized hardware, architectural designs, and computational methods to improve the speed, efficiency, and security of artificial intelligence and machine learning model execution, particularly for inference and data processing.

Machine Learning & AI
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6since 2023
+300.0%YoY
AI for Medical Diagnostics

Utilizing machine learning, particularly deep learning, to analyze medical data such as images, sensor readings, or physiological signals for disease prediction, diagnosis, or treatment assessment.

Machine Learning & AI
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5since 2023
+100.0%YoY
Connected Vehicle Communication (V2X)

Systems enabling wireless communication between vehicles (V2V), vehicles and infrastructure (V2I), or vehicles and other entities (V2X) to share information for traffic management, safety, and navigation.

Wireless Networks
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4since 2023
n/a

Patents

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