A forecasting system of patent application counts is studied in this paper. The optimization model proposed in the research is based on support vector machines (SVM), in which cross-validation algorithm is used for preferences selection. R esults of data simulation show that the proposed method has higher forecasting p recision power and stronger generalization abi1ity than BP neural network and RB F neural network. In addition, it is feasible and effective in forecasting paten t application counts.