Number of patents cited by subsequent patents

Answer: b

In the same technical field, the more times a patent is cited, the more ideological basis there will be for later inventors, and the more valuable it will be, that is, it can be used to evaluate the patent value and reflect the importance of patented technology. Because patent citation data is easy to obtain and standardize, analysts can easily establish patent citation models, so patent citation analysis methods are widely used to predict competitors' main new products, find technology gaps, tap technology developers, evaluate the costs and benefits of developing new technologies and information product platforms, and provide strategic positioning for enterprises.