IBM said it topped the U.S. patent record chart in 2011 with over 6,000 patents awarded.

The firm said more than 8,000 IBMers residing in 46 different U.S. states and 36 countries are responsible for the company's record-breaking 2011 patent tally. IBM inventors who reside outside the U.S. contributed to more than 26% of the company's 2011 patents.

2011 U.S. Patent Leaders

1         IBM                           6,180

2         Samsung                   4,894

3         Canon                       2,821

4         Panasonic                 2,559

5         Toshiba                     2,483

6         Microsoft                    2,311

7         Sony                          2,286

8         Seiko Epson              1,533

9         Hon Hai                     1,514

10       Hitachi                      1,465