For the last 23 years, International Business Machines Corp., has dominated the U.S. patents rankings. This year was no different, with IBM once more taking the top spot of patent analysis firm IFI Claims Patents Services' list, with 7,355 utility patents in 2015 under the company's name, according to Reuters.

IFI Claims released the data on Wednesday, which showed 298,407 utility patents being granted during the past year. Such patents are those which cover function over design. 

As for IBM, its stellar patent results represent the company's powerful thrust into a diverse range of inventions. The company has recently focused on developing cognitive solutions and cloud computing, as it braces itself for a new, incoming era of computing, reports E-Week News.

Among IBM's patents, more than 2,000 were granted in areas that are related to cognitive computing and the tech giant's cloud platform. Such technologies include developments in artificial intelligence and prominent upgrades to cloud technology.

Ginni Rometty, IBM's chairman, president and CEO, is optimistic about the results of IFI Claims' list. "During IBM's 23 years atop the patent list, the company's inventors have received more than 88,000 U.S. patents. IBM's investments in R&D continue to shape the future of computing through cognitive computing and the cloud platform that will help our clients drive transformation across multiple industries," he said, according to PR Newswire.

"IBM's patent leadership demonstrates our unparalleled commitment to the fundamental R&D necessary to drive progress in business and society," he added.

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