how technology companies measure innovation :patents vs rd spends

Patent Grants and Innovation by Technology Brands

 How do technology companies measure innovation. Does investment on Research and development  an indicator for innovation ?or granting of patent the real metric of measuring innovation.?

If you look at the chart above  which has been compiled by CBinsights, collective patent applications from these technology giants has consistently risen on an annual basis, as each company broadens the scope of its research activities.Microsoft began the decade with the most patent applications by a wide margin, but patent applications from Google and Apple have skyrocketed since. Google’s activity dramatically increased from 2011-2013 as the company reversed its early anti-patent bias.

Collectively, these  technology IP powerhouses have applied for more than 52,000 patents since 2009. Total applications have steadily risen as each company diversifies its research activities, with annual combined applications nearing 10,000 in 2013.Microsoft has filed for the most patents, this decade by applying for over 16,800 since 2009, with second-place Google applying for more than 14,500. Apple was in 3rd and Amazon 4th, with Facebook lagging significantly behind.