Prism Technologies (PRZM) S-4/A 10 Feb 15 2014 Q3 Registration of securities issued in business combination transactions (amended) Financial data

Document_And_Entity_Informatio

Document And Entity Information (USD $)	9 Months Ended
	Sep. 30, 2014	Oct. 31, 2014	Jun. 30, 2013
Document and Entity Information [Abstract]
Entity Registrant Name	INTERNET PATENTS CORP
Document Type	S-4
Current Fiscal Year End Date	-19
Entity Common Stock, Shares Outstanding		7,751,952
Entity Public Float			$13,578,000
Amendment Flag	FALSE
Entity Central Index Key	1077370
Entity Current Reporting Status	Yes
Entity Voluntary Filers	No
Entity Filer Category	Smaller Reporting Company
Entity Well-known Seasoned Issuer	No
Document Period End Date	30-Sep-14
Document Fiscal Year Focus	2014
Document Fiscal Period Focus	Q3

Consolidated_Balance_Sheets

Consolidated Balance Sheets (USD $)	Sep. 30, 2014	Dec. 31, 2013	Dec. 31, 2012
In Thousands, unless otherwise specified
Current assets:
Cash and cash equivalents	$27,529	$30,113	$31,068
Short-term investments	1,245	249	1,497
Restricted cash equivalents and short-term investments	800	1,000	1,000
Prepaid expenses and other current assets	220	144	169
Total current assets	29,794	31,506	33,734
Property and equipment, net		1	32
Other assets	29	29	27
Total assets	29,823	31,536	33,793
Current liabilities:
Accounts payable	263	220	234
Accrued expenses	217	253	346
Total current liabilities	480	473	580
Accrued lease obligation, non-current	300	444
Income tax liability	101	101	101
Other liabilities	45	45
Total liabilities	926	1,063	681
Convertible preferred stock, $0.001 par value. Authorized: 5,000 shares; no shares issued or outstanding at 2013 and 2012	0	0
Common stock, $0.001 par value. Authorized: 25,000 shares; 11,033 shares issued and 7,752 shares outstanding at 2013 and 2012	11	11	11
Paid-in capital	221,772	221,750	221,726
Treasury stock, 3,281 shares at 2013 and 2012	-6,788	-6,788	-6,788
Unrealized loss on available-for-sale securities	-1
Accumulated deficit	-186,097	-184,500	-181,837
Total stockholders’ equity	28,897	30,473	33,112
Total liabilities and stockholders’ equity	$29,823	$31,536	$33,793

Consolidated_Balance_Sheets_Pa

Consolidated Balance Sheets (Parentheticals) (USD $)	Dec. 31, 2013	Dec. 31, 2012
Convertible preferred stock, par value (in Dollars per share)	$0.00	$0.00
Convertible preferred stock, shares authorized	5,000,000	5,000,000
Convertible preferred stock, shares issued	0	0
Convertible preferred stock, shares outstanding	0	0
Common stock, par value (in Dollars per share)	$0.00	$0.00
Common stock, shares authorized	25,000,000	25,000,000
Common stock, shares issued	11,033,000	11,033,000
Common stock, shares outstanding	7,752,000	7,752,000
Treasury stock, shares	3,281,000	3,281,000

Consolidated_Statements_of_Ope

Consolidated Statements of Operations (USD $)	3 Months Ended		9 Months Ended		12 Months Ended
Share data in Thousands, except Per Share data, unless otherwise specified	Sep. 30, 2014	Sep. 30, 2013	Sep. 30, 2014	Sep. 30, 2013	Dec. 31, 2013	Dec. 31, 2012
Revenues	$0	$0
Operating expenses:
General and administrative	738,000	598,000	1,620,000	2,211,000	2,688,000	2,959,000
Total operating expenses	738,000	598,000	1,620,000	2,211,000	2,688,000	2,959,000
Loss from operations	-738,000	-598,000	-1,620,000	-2,211,000	-2,688,000	-2,959,000
Other income	8,000	8,000	23,000	18,000	25,000	172,000
Net loss before income taxes	-730,000	-590,000	-1,597,000	-2,193,000	-2,663,000	-2,787,000
Income tax benefit					0	-61,000
Net loss	($730,000)	($590,000)	($1,597,000)	($2,193,000)	($2,663,000)	($2,726,000)
Net loss per share:
Basic and diluted (in Dollars per share)	($0.10)	($0.07)	($0.21)	($0.28)	($0.34)	($0.36)
Basic and diluted (in Shares)	7,752	7,752	7,752	7,752	7,752	7,659

Consolidated_Statements_of_Com

Consolidated Statements of Comprehensive Loss (USD $)	3 Months Ended		9 Months Ended		12 Months Ended
In Thousands, unless otherwise specified	Sep. 30, 2014	Sep. 30, 2013	Sep. 30, 2014	Sep. 30, 2013	Dec. 31, 2013	Dec. 31, 2012
Net loss	($730)	($590)	($1,597)	($2,193)	($2,663)	($2,726)
Other comprehensive loss:
Unrealized gain on available-for-sale securities	1	1
Other comprehensive gain before tax	1	1
Other comprehensive gain, net of tax	1	1
Comprehensive loss	($729)	($589)	($1,597)	($2,193)	($2,663)	($2,726)

Consolidated_Statements_Of_Sto

Consolidated Statements Of Stockholders’ Equity (USD $)	Common Stock [Member]	Additional Paid-in Capital [Member]	Treasury Stock [Member]	Retained Earnings [Member]	Total
In Thousands
Balances at Dec. 31, 2011	$10	$216,401	($6,589)	($140,499)	$69,323
Balances (in Shares) at Dec. 31, 2011	9,863		-3,256
Issuance of shares through employee stock purchase plan and stock option plan	1	5,325			5,326
Issuance of shares through employee stock purchase plan and stock option plan (in Shares)	1,170
Cash distribution, $5 per common share				-38,612	-38,612
Repurchase of shares			-199		-199
Repurchase of shares (in Shares)			-25
Net loss				-2,726	-2,726
Balances at Dec. 31, 2012	11	221,726	-6,788	-181,837	33,112
Balances (in Shares) at Dec. 31, 2012	11,033		-3,281
Share-based compensation		24			24
Net loss				-2,663	-2,663
Balances at Dec. 31, 2013	$11	$221,750	($6,788)	($184,500)	$30,473
Balances (in Shares) at Dec. 31, 2013	11,033		-3,281

Consolidated_Statements_Of_Sto1

Consolidated Statements Of Stockholders’ Equity (Parentheticals) (USD $)	0 Months Ended	12 Months Ended
	Jan. 04, 2012	Dec. 31, 2012
Cash distribution, per common share	$5	$5

Consolidated_Statements_of_Cas

Consolidated Statements of Cash Flows (USD $)	9 Months Ended		12 Months Ended
	Sep. 30, 2014	Sep. 30, 2013	Dec. 31, 2013	Dec. 31, 2012
Cash flows from operating activities:
Net loss	($1,597,000)	($2,193,000)	($2,663,000)	($2,726,000)
Adjustments to reconcile net loss to net cash used in operating activities:
Share-based compensation	21,000	24,000	24,000
Depreciation and amortization	1,000	11,000	14,000	20,000
Interest income on short-term investments			25,000	6,000
Impairment of long-lived assets		14,000	14,000
Loss on disposal of equipment		3,000	3,000
Loss on sublease		685,000	637,000
Net changes in operating assets and liabilities:
Prepaid expenses and other current assets	-76,000	-47,000	25,000	1,205,000
Other assets		-2,000	-2,000	1,000,000
Accounts payable	43,000	173,000	-14,000	-3,151,000
Accrued expenses and other current liabilities	-180,000	-274,000	-286,000	-195,000
Income taxes payable				-644,000
Other liabilities		45,000	45,000
Net cash used in operating activities	-1,788,000	-1,561,000	-2,203,000	-4,485,000
Cash flows from investing activities:
Purchases of short-term investments	-2,490,000	-1,494,000	-1,494,000	-2,229,000
Redemptions of short-term investments	1,494,000	2,742,000	2,742,000	1,954,000
Purchases of restricted cash equivalents and short-term investments		-1,000,000	-1,000,000	-1,000,000
Redemptions of restricted short-term investments	200,000	1,000,000	1,000,000
Purchases of property and equipment				-10,000
Change in interest receivable				-3,000
Net cash provided by(used in) investing activities	-796,000	1,248,000	1,248,000	-1,288,000
Cash flows from financing activities:
Proceeds from issuance of common stock through stock plans, net of repurchases				5,127,000
Distribution paid				-38,612,000
Net cash used in financing activities				-33,485,000
Net decrease in cash and cash equivalents	-2,584,000	-313,000	-955,000	-39,258,000
Cash and cash equivalents, beginning of year	30,113,000	31,068,000	31,068,000	70,326,000
Cash and cash equivalents, end of year	27,529,000	30,755,000	30,113,000	31,068,000
Treasury Stock (In January, 2012 25,000 shares were tendered to the Company from a non-employee board of director at a value of $7.95 per share).				$199,000

Consolidated_Statements_of_Cas1

Consolidated Statements of Cash Flows (Parentheticals) (USD $)	12 Months Ended
In Thousands, except Per Share data, unless otherwise specified	Dec. 31, 2012
Treasury Stock, shares tendered to the Company	25,000
Treasury Stock, value per share	$7.95

Note_1_Business_of_Internet_Pa

Note 1 - Business of Internet Patents Corporation	9 Months Ended		12 Months Ended
	Sep. 30, 2014		Dec. 31, 2013
Disclosure Text Block [Abstract]
Organization, Consolidation and Presentation of Financial Statements Disclosure [Text Block]	1. Business of Internet Patents Corporation		1.           Business of Internet Patents Corporation
	Internet Patents Corporation (“IPC”) was originally incorporated in California in February 1995 and re-incorporated in Delaware in October 1996, and is headquartered outside Sacramento, California. IPC’s headquarters mailing address is 101 Parkshore Drive, Suite 100, Folsom, CA 95630, and the telephone number at that location is (916) 932-2860. The principal IPC website is www.internetpatentscorporation.net.		Internet Patents Corporation (“IPC”) was originally incorporated in California in February 1995 and re-incorporated in Delaware in October 1996, and is headquartered outside Sacramento, California. IPC’s headquarters mailing address is 101 Parkshore Drive, Suite 100, Folsom, CA 95630, and the telephone number at that location is (916) 932-2860. The principal IPC website is www.internetpatentscorporation.net.
	From its inception through December 21, 2011, IPC operated an online insurance marketplace that electronically matched consumers and providers of automobile, property, health, term life, and small business insurance. IPC discontinued this business in connection with the sale of substantially all of its assets (the “Disposition”) to Bankrate, Inc. (“Bankrate”) in a transaction that closed on December 21, 2011 (“Disposition Date”).On the Disposition Date and in connection with the Disposition, the Company changed its name from InsWeb Corporation (“InsWeb”) to Internet Patents Corporation.		From its inception through December 21, 2011, IPC operated an online insurance marketplace that electronically matched consumers and providers of automobile, property, health, term life, and small business insurance. IPC discontinued this business in connection with the sale of substantially all of its assets (the “Disposition”) to Bankrate, Inc. (“Bankrate”) in a transaction that closed on December 21, 2011 (“Disposition Date”).
	Since the Disposition Date, IPC’s business consists solely of plans to license and otherwise enforce its portfolio of seven e-commerce patents (“Patent Licensing Business”).  From its original incorporation, IPC was among the earliest companies operating exclusively online, and we employed a significant number of software and systems engineers to develop technology leveraging the power of the internet. Although our principal business focus at that time was online insurance lead generation, the problems that our technology experts faced were common to many e-commerce companies. IPC's innovative solutions to these problems are now covered by patents, and patent applications, that we believe apply to many e-commerce activities, including:		On the Disposition Date and in connection with the Disposition, the Company changed its name from InsWeb Corporation (“InsWeb”) to Internet Patents Corporation.
	●	personalized product recommendations to web site visitors;	As a result of the Disposition, we no longer conduct the insurance lead generation business, and have agreed not to reenter that business for a period of ten years.  We intend to develop and operate a business that licenses and otherwise enforces our patented technologies. Our future revenues are expected to consist entirely of the royalties from licensing the patents and damages for past infringement. IPC cannot estimate what revenues, if any, it will receive in 2014. In addition to general and administrative expenses, including salaries and benefits, rent and utilities, we expect to incur expenses associated with patent infringement litigation.
	●	retargeting or remarketing to web site visitors;
	●	online registration and application processes and forms;
	●	maintaining consistent look and feel of web pages in multiple languages; and
	●	generating quick or even real time product rate requests.
	Under U.S. law, a patent owner is entitled to exclude others from making, selling or using the patented invention for the life of the patent, generally twenty years from its filing date, with some possible term extensions by statute. The patent holder may grant one or more licenses to the patented invention, typically allowing the licensee to make, use and/or sell the patented invention in return for a royalty paid to the patent owner. A patent owner also may sue and recover damages from unlicensed parties for past patent infringement and sometimes future royalties. Although we intend to attempt to negotiate a reasonable royalty for licenses to the patented technologies, we may not be able to reach a negotiated settlement with the accused infringer. In that case we expect to vigorously litigate our infringement claims. To date, none of the Company's patents has generated direct revenues or been subject to a final adjudication of its validity.

Note_2_Basis_of_Presentation

Note 2 - Basis of Presentation	9 Months Ended
	Sep. 30, 2014
Disclosure Text Block [Abstract]
Business Description and Accounting Policies [Text Block]	2. Basis of Presentation
	The consolidated financial statements include the accounts of IPC and its wholly-owned subsidiaries, Goldrush Insurance Services, Inc. and InsWeb Insurance Services, Inc. All significant inter-company accounts and transactions have been eliminated in the consolidated financial statements.
	The accompanying unaudited interim condensed consolidated financial statements have been prepared in accordance with U.S. generally accepted accounting principles for interim financial information and with the instructions to Form 10-Q and Rule 8-03 of Regulation S-X. Accordingly, they do not contain all of the information and footnotes required by U.S. generally accepted accounting principles for complete financial statements. In the opinion of management, the accompanying unaudited interim condensed consolidated financial statements reflect all adjustments, which include only normal recurring adjustments, necessary to present fairly IPC’s financial position as of September 30, 2014 and the results of operations for the three and nine months ended September 30, 2014 and 2013 and of cash flows for the nine months ended September30, 2014 and 2013. The financial data and other information disclosed in these notes to the condensed consolidated financial statements related to these periods are unaudited. The results for the three and nine months ended September 30, 2014 are not necessarily indicative of the results to be expected for any future period.
	These condensed consolidated financial statements should be read in conjunction with the consolidated financial statements and notes thereto included in IPC’s Annual Report on Form 10-K and other information as filed with the Securities and Exchange Commission. Certain information and footnote disclosures normally included in financial statements prepared in accordance with accounting principles generally accepted in the United States have been condensed or omitted pursuant to such rules and regulations. The December 31, 2013 condensed consolidated balance sheet was derived from audited financial statements, but does not include all disclosures required by accounting principles generally accepted in the United States. The Company believes the disclosures in its notes to the condensed consolidated financial statements are adequate to make the information presented not misleading. IPC has evaluated subsequent events through the time of filing these financial statements. Based upon the evaluation, there was no material impact on the accompanying condensed consolidated financial statements.
	Recently Adopted Accounting Pronouncements
	In August 2014, the FASB issued Accounting Standards Update (“ASU”) No. 2014-15, “Presentation of Financial Statements—Going Concern” (Subtopic 205-40) which amends the current guidance in ASC Topic 205 by adding Subtopic 40. Subtopic 40 requires management to evaluate whether there are conditions or events that in aggregate would raise substantial doubt about an entity’s ability to continue as a going concern for one year from the date the financial statements are issued or available to be issued. If substantial doubt existed, management would be required to make certain disclosures related to nature of the substantial doubt and under certain circumstances, how that substantial doubt would be mitigated. This amendment is effective for annual periods ending after December 15, 2016 and for subsequent interim and annual periods thereafter. Early adoption is permitted. We are evaluating the effects, if any, adoption of this guidance will have on our consolidated financial statements.

Note_3_Fair_Value_Measurements

Note 3 - Fair Value Measurements	9 Months Ended									12 Months Ended
	Sep. 30, 2014									Dec. 31, 2013
Fair Value Disclosures [Abstract]
Fair Value Disclosures [Text Block]	3.  Fair Value Measurements									4.           Fair Value Measurements
	The following table presents the assets measured at fair value on a recurring basis as of September 30, 2014 (in thousands):									The following table presents the assets and liabilities measured at fair value on a recurring basis as of December 31, 2013 (in thousands):
		September 30,									December 31,		Level 1		Level 2		Level 3
		2014		Level 1		Level 2		Level 3			2013
	Assets:									Assets:
	Cash equivalents	$	27,342	$	27,342	$	—	$	—	Cash equivalents	$	29,315	$	29,315	$	—	$	—
	Short-term investments		1,245		1,245		—		—	Short-term investments		249		249		—		—
	Restricted cash equivalents		800		800					Restricted cash equivalents		1,000		1,000
	Total assets at fair value	$	29,387	$	29,387	$	—	$	—	Total assets at fair value	$	30,564	$	30,564	$	—	$	—
	The following table presents the assets measured at fair value on a recurring basis as of December 31, 2013 (in thousands):									The following table presents the financial assets and liabilities measured at fair value on a recurring basis as of December 31, 2012 (in thousands):
		December 31,									December 31,		Level 1		Level 2		Level 3
		2013		Level 1		Level 2		Level 3			2012
	Assets:									Assets:
	Cash equivalents	$	29,315	$	29,315	$	—	$	—	Cash equivalents	$	44	$	44	$	—	$	—
	Short-term investments		249		249					Short-term investments		1,497		1,497		—		—
	Restricted cash equivalents		1,000		1,000		—		—	Restricted short-term investments		1,000		1,000
	Total assets at fair value	$	30,564	$	30,564	$	—	$	—	Total assets at fair value	$	2,541	$	2,541	$	—	$	—
	Cash equivalents, short-term investments and restricted cash equivalents include certificates of deposit, money market deposit accounts and money market funds. The carrying value of these cash equivalents, short-term investments and restricted cash equivalents approximates fair value. For these securities, IPC uses quoted prices in active markets for identical assets to determine their fair value and are considered to be Level 1 instruments.									Cash equivalents, short-term investments and restricted cash equivalents and short-term investments include certificates of deposit, money market deposit accounts and money funds. The carrying value of these cash equivalents, short-term investments and restricted cash equivalents and restricted short-term investments approximate fair value. For these securities, IPC uses quoted prices in active markets for identical assets to determine their fair value and are considered to be Level 1 instruments.

Note_4_Restricted_Cash_Equival

Note 4 - Restricted Cash Equivalents and Short-Term Investments	9 Months Ended
	Sep. 30, 2014
Disclosure Text Block Supplement [Abstract]
Restricted Assets Disclosure [Text Block]	4. Restricted Cash Equivalents and Short-Term Investments
	A portion of the cash equivalents and short-term investments are used as collateral for a letter of credit of the same amount which secures the Company’s remaining obligations under the office space lease for IPC’s former corporate headquarters. As of September 30, 2014 and December 31, 2013, the portions used as collateral consisted of $0.8 million and $1.0 million each, respectively.

Note_5_Accrued_Expenses_and_Ot

Note 5 - Accrued Expenses and Other Current Liabilites	9 Months Ended
	Sep. 30, 2014
Other Liabilities and Financial Instruments Subject to Mandatory Redemption [Abstract]
Other Liabilities Disclosure [Text Block]	5. Accrued Expenses and Other Current Liabilities
	Accrued expenses and other current liabilities consist of the following (in thousands):
		September 30,		December 31,
		2014		2013
	Accrued lease obligations	$	193	$	229
	Other		24		24
		$	217	$	253
	For the quarter ended June 30, 2013, IPC recorded a net charge of $606,000 to record an accrual for its continuing lease obligations relating to IPC’s former headquarters in Rancho Cordova, California. During the quarter ended June 30, 2013, IPC discontinued using this facility and subleased the entire premises to an unrelated business for the remainder of IPC’s lease term. In evaluating our continuing lease obligations for this facility, IPC must make assumptions regarding the estimated future sublease income relative to this facility. These estimates and assumptions are affected by area-specific conditions such as new commercial development, market occupancy rates and future market prices. As a result of the current conditions in the real estate market where this IPC property is located and the inherent risks associated with its sub-lessee, the Company recorded a charge of $606,000 in the quarter ended June 30, 2013, representing the difference between IPC’s lease obligations and broker fees associated with this facility and the sub-lease income it expects to receive through February 2017, the expiration of our leasehold interest. Also included in the charge is an impaired asset for leasehold improvements of $14,000. The charge was offset by the unamortized portion of deferred rent, as rent expense was recognized on a straight-line base over the life of the lease. The Company recorded this charge in the statement of operations in general and administrative expenses. If this estimate or the related assumptions change in the future, IPC may be required to record a charge to increase its existing accrual.

Note_6_Net_Loss_Per_Share

Note 6 - Net Loss Per Share	9 Months Ended
	Sep. 30, 2014
Earnings Per Share [Abstract]
Earnings Per Share [Text Block]	6. Net Loss Per Share
	Basic net loss per share is computed using the weighted-average number of shares of common stock outstanding. Diluted net loss per share is a measure of the potential dilution that would occur if stock options had been exercised.
	The following table reconciles the numerator and denominator used to calculate basic and diluted net loss per share of common stock (In thousands, except per share amounts):
		Three months ended						Nine months ended
		September 30,						September 30,
		2014			2013			2014			2013
	Numerator for basic and diluted net loss per share:
	Net loss available to common stockholders	$	(730	)	$	(590	)	$	(1,597	)	$	(2,193	)
	Denominator for net loss per share:
	Basic and diluted —weighted average shares of common stock outstanding		7,752			7,752			7,752			7,752
	Net loss per share:
	Basic and diluted	$	(0.10	)	$	(0.07	)	$	(0.21	)	$	(0.28	)
	Potentially dilutive securities are not included in the diluted net loss calculation, because their inclusion would have been anti-dilutive given the Company’s net loss for the three and nine months ended September 30, 2014 and 2013.
	For the three and nine months ended September 30, 2014, there were no shares issuable upon the assumed exercise of stock options and therefore none were included in the calculation of diluted earnings per share, as their inclusion would have been anti-dilutive.
	For the three and nine months ended September 30, 2013, 320 and 822 shares issuable upon the assumed exercise of stock options are not included in the calculation of diluted earnings per share, as their inclusion would have been anti-dilutive.

Note_7_Commitments_and_Conting

Note 7 - Commitments and Contingencies	9 Months Ended	12 Months Ended
	Sep. 30, 2014	Dec. 31, 2013
Commitments and Contingencies Disclosure [Abstract]
Commitments and Contingencies Disclosure [Text Block]	7. Commitments and Contingencies	6.           Commitments and Contingencies
	Leases	Leases
	IPC has a non-cancelable 24 month lease through May 15, 2015 for approximately 800 square feet of office space in Folsom, California, which is currently IPC’s corporate headquarters.	IPC has a non-cancelable 24 month lease through May 15, 2015 for approximately 800 square feet of office space in Folsom, California, which is currently IPC’s corporate headquarters.
	IPC has a non-cancelable 5-year full-service lease through February 14, 2017 for approximately 16,000 square feet of office space in a building that housed IPC’s headquarters until May 2013. The facility is located in Rancho Cordova, California. The lease includes negotiated annual increases in the monthly rental payments. On April 16, 2013, IPC subleased this space for the remainder of IPC’s term. The monthly sublease rent is less than IPC’s rent obligation to the landlord. As of September 30, 2014, IPC is expected to receive $329,000 from the sub-lessee for the remainder of IPC’s lease.	IPC has a non-cancelable 5-year full-service lease for approximately 16,000 square feet of office space in a building that housed IPC’s headquarters until May 2013. The facility is located in Rancho Cordova, California. The lease includes negotiated annual increases in the monthly rental payments. IPC has two consecutive options to extend the term for five years, each at the then prevailing market rent. On April 16, 2013, IPC subleased this space for the remainder of IPC’s term. The monthly sublease rent is less than IPC’s rent obligation to the landlord. As of December 31, 2013, IPC is expected to receive $431,000 from the sub-lessee for the remainder of IPC’s lease.
	Until expiration of the lease in September 2014, IPC also leased approximately 10,000 square feet of office space in San Francisco, California. This facility was fully subleased to two tenants.	IPC also leases approximately 10,000 square feet of office space in San Francisco, California under a lease expiring in September 2014. This facility is currently fully subleased to two tenants. As of December 31, 2013, IPC is expected to receive $77,000 from the two sub-lessees during the remainder of IPC’s lease.
		Future minimum lease commitments as of December 31, 2013 are summarized as follows (in thousands):
		Years ending December 31,	Future
			minimum lease
			commitments
		2014	$	466
		2015		350
		2016		350
		2017		58
		Thereafter		—
			$	1,224
		Rent expense, net of sub-lease income and amortization of accrued lease obligations, for the years ended December 31, 2013 and 2012 was $118,000 and $274,000, respectively.
		Future minimum sub-lease payments expected to be received as of December 31, 2013 are summarized as follows (in thousands):
		Years ending December 31,	Future
			minimum sub-
			lease
			payments
		2014	$	213
		2015		136
		2016		136
		2017		23
			$	508

Note_8_Options_and_Equity

Note 8 - Options and Equity	9 Months Ended
	Sep. 30, 2014
Stockholders' Equity Note [Abstract]
Stockholders' Equity Note Disclosure [Text Block]	8. Options and Equity
	As of September 30, 2014, there was no unrecognized compensation cost for all stock options outstanding, as all options became fully vested on December 11, 2011, which was ten days prior to the Disposition Date, in accordance with the IPC Stock Option and Executive Plans. All subsequent grants have been fully vested on the date of issuance.
	The 2008 Stock Option Plan provides that each non-employee director receive a fully-vested option to purchase 5,000 shares of common stock on July 1st (or the first business day thereafter) of each year in which the director remains in office. Pursuant to the Option Plan, on July 1, 2014 and July 1, 2013, fully-vested options to purchase 5,000 shares of common stock were granted to each of the three non-employee directors with exercise prices of $3.15 and $3.56 respectively. The Company recognized $21,000 in stock compensation expense for the three and nine months ended September 30, 2014 and $24,000 for the comparable periods in 2013.
	During the three and nine months ended September 30, 2014 and 2013 there were no common share issuances associated with the exercise of stock options.

Note_9_Subsequent_Event

Note 9 - Subsequent Event	9 Months Ended
	Sep. 30, 2014
Subsequent Events [Abstract]
Subsequent Events [Text Block]	9. Subsequent Event
	On November 11, 2014 IPC announced that it had entered into a definitive agreement to merge with Prism Technologies, a Nebraska limited liability company. Following the acquisition, Prism will be a wholly owned subsidiary of IPC and will operate the patent enforcement business for all Prism and IPC patents.
	Prism and its subsidiaries currently own or have rights to a patent portfolio consisting of nine patent families incorporating 61 issued and six pending patents in the computer and network security, semiconductors and medical technology spaces. Prism continues to develop and acquire new technologies and is committed to ongoing research and development efforts in several fields, including computer and network security, wearable computing, and secure transaction processing. Prism has been granted several new key patents on its inventions and has several open patent applications. Prism began its licensing efforts in 2004 and has extensive relationships with law firms specializing in patent licensing and patent infringement litigation. To date, it has licensed its technology to over 30 companies, including Microsoft, Research-In-Motion, VeriSign, Adobe, National Instruments, Bank of America and Harris Bancorp.
	Pursuant to the terms of the Merger Agreement, in exchange for all of the outstanding equity of Prism, IPC will pay $16.5 million in cash, less any debt that is not related to the acquisition of patents and issue 3.5 million shares of its common stock to Prism security holders at closing.  IPC has also agreed to share future revenue related to Prism’s patents with Prism’s former security holders. Under the terms of the Merger Agreement, IPC, through ownership of Prism, will retain the first $16.5 million in Prism Patent Proceeds received after Closing, less any cash remaining in Prism at the time of closing. Prism’s former security holders will receive 70% of subsequent Prism Patent Proceeds, up to $55 million. The maximum revenue share of $55 million to be paid to Prism’s former security holders would be reduced by any distributions of Prism Patent Proceeds that are made by Prism prior to closing. After the maximum earnout is achieved, IPC will retain all future Prism Patent Proceeds.  Prism Patent Proceeds is defined in the Merger Agreement as total recoveries from litigation, licensing, and patent sales minus production expenses (e.g. legal fees and costs paid to third parties); and minus cash operating expenses incurred by Prism.
	Immediately following the closing of the transaction,  Prism’s former equity owners are expected to own approximately 31% of the outstanding common stock of the combined company (or approximately 34% of the outstanding common stock of the combined company calculated on a fully diluted basis).
	Completion of the transaction, which is expected to occur in the first quarter of 2015, will be subject to approval by IPC's shareholders, the members of Prism, and other customary closing conditions.

Note_2_Summary_of_Significant_

Note 2 - Summary of Significant Accounting Policies	12 Months Ended
	Dec. 31, 2013
Accounting Policies [Abstract]
Significant Accounting Policies [Text Block]	2.           Summary of Significant Accounting Policies
	Basis of presentation
	The consolidated financial statements include the accounts of IPC and its wholly-owned subsidiaries, Goldrush Insurance Services, Inc. and InsWeb Insurance Services, Inc. All significant inter-company accounts and transactions have been eliminated in the consolidated financial statements.
	IPC recognizes in the financial statements the effects of all subsequent events that provide additional evidence about conditions that existed at the date of the balance sheet. For non-recognized subsequent events that must be disclosed to keep the financial statements from being misleading, an entity is required to disclose the nature of the event as well as an estimate of its financial effect, or a statement that such an estimate cannot be made.
	Use of estimates
	The preparation of financial statements in conformity with United States generally accepted accounting principles requires management to make estimates and assumptions that affect the reported amounts of assets and liabilities and disclosure of contingent assets and liabilities at the date of the financial statements and the reported amounts of revenues and expenses during the reporting period. Actual results could differ from those estimates.
	Cash, cash equivalents and short-term investments
	IPC considers all highly liquid investments with original maturities of three months or less at the date of purchase to be cash equivalents. Investments with maturities greater than three months at the date of purchase but less than one year are classified as short-term investments. Cash, cash equivalents and short-term investments are stated at cost, which approximates fair value, given the relatively short duration of the underlying securities.
	Revenue recognition
	The Company has not yet determined the methodology it will use for recognizing revenues from royalties for licensing its patents or from damages for past infringement, as no agreements related to these types of revenue streams had been entered into as of December 31, 2013.
	Property and equipment and other long-lived assets
	Property and equipment are stated at cost less accumulated depreciation. Depreciation on computer and office equipment, furniture and fixtures and purchased software is calculated using the straight-line method over the estimated useful lives of the assets, generally two to five years. Amortization on leasehold improvements is calculated using the straight-line method over the estimated useful lives of the improvements or the remaining term of the lease, whichever is shorter. Expenditures for maintenance and repairs are charged to expense as incurred.
	IPC evaluates the recoverability of its long-lived assets, including intangible assets subject to amortization in accordance with Financial Accounting Standards Board ("FASB") Accounting Standards Codification ("ASC") Topic 360, Property, Plant and Equipment. ASC 360 requires the recognition of impairment losses related to long-lived assets in the event the net carrying value of such assets exceeds fair value. IPC assesses the impairment of its long-lived assets annually or when events or changes in circumstances indicate that the carrying value of an asset may not be recoverable. An impaired asset charge of $14,000 related to leasehold improvements at IPC’s former headquarters in Rancho Cordova, California was recognized for the year ended December 31, 2013. No such indicators of impairment were identified as of December 31, 2012.
	Concentration of risk—credit
	Financial instruments that potentially subject IPC to concentrations of credit risk, as defined by ASC 825, “Financial Instruments,” consist principally of cash, cash equivalents and short-term investments. IPC deposits its cash, cash equivalents and short-term investments with various domestic financial institutions. Such deposits may exceed federal deposit insurance limits.
	IPC’s cash equivalents and investments consist of diversified investment grade securities. IPC’s investment policy limits the amount of credit exposure to investments in any one issue, and IPC believes no significant concentration of credit risk exists with respect to these investments.
	During the years ended December 31, 2013 and 2012, we had no customers or accounts receivable. Pursuant to the terms of the asset purchase agreement, Bankrate was required to pay us amounts it received from customers for the insurance lead generation business we conducted prior to the Disposition Date. The amount that IPC received from Bankrate in 2012 for accounts receivable purchased from IPC was approximately $67,000. No payments were received during 2013, and no additional payments in the future are expected.
	Share-Based Payments
	IPC accounts for share-based compensation in accordance with ASC 718 “Compensation – Stock Compensation.” Under the provisions of ASC 718, share-based compensation cost is generally estimated at the grant date based on the award’s fair value as calculated by the Black-Scholes-Merton (BSM) option-pricing model. The BSM option-pricing model requires various highly judgmental assumptions including expected option life, volatility, and forfeiture rates. If any of the assumptions used in the BSM option-pricing model change significantly, share-based compensation expense may differ materially in the future from that recorded in the current period. Generally, compensation cost is recognized over the requisite service period. However, to the extent performance conditions affect the vesting of an award, compensation cost will be recognized only if the performance condition is satisfied. Compensation cost will not be recognized, and any previously recognized compensation cost will be reversed, if the performance condition is not satisfied.
	IPC recognizes compensation costs for stock-based payments to employees and its Board of Directors, based on their grant-date fair value on a straight-line approach over the service period for which such awards are expected to vest. The fair value of stock options granted pursuant to the IPC’s 1997 and 2008 Stock Option Plans and Employee Stock Purchase Plan (“ESPP”), respectively, is determined using the BSM option-pricing model. The determination of fair value is affected by IPC’s stock price, as well as assumptions regarding subjective and complex variables such as expected employee exercise behavior and our expected stock price volatility over the expected term of the award. Generally, IPC’s assumptions are based on historical information and judgment is required to determine if historical trends may be indicators of future outcomes. The key assumptions for the BSM option-pricing model calculation are:
	Expected term. The expected term represents the period that IPC’s share-based awards are expected to be outstanding. IPC’s expected term was determined based on historical experience of similar awards, giving consideration to the contractual terms of the share-based awards, vesting schedules and expectations of future employee behavior.
	Expected volatility. IPC uses the trading history of its common stock in determining an estimated volatility factor when using the Black-Scholes option-pricing formula to determine the fair value of options granted.
	Risk-free interest rate. IPC bases the risk-free interest rate used in the BSM option-pricing model on the implied yield currently available on U.S. Treasury zero-coupon issues with the same or substantially equivalent remaining term.
	Expected dividend. Historically IPC has not declared or paid cash or stock dividends. Therefore, IPC uses a zero value for the expected dividend value factor when using the Black-Scholes option-pricing formula to determine the fair value of options granted.
	Estimated forfeitures. ASC 718 requires forfeitures to be estimated at the time of grant and revised, if necessary, in subsequent periods if actual forfeitures differ from initial estimates. When estimating forfeitures, IPC considers historical voluntary and involuntary termination behavior as well as analysis of actual option forfeitures.
	Employee stock-based compensation expense is calculated based on awards ultimately expected to vest and is reduced for estimated forfeitures. Forfeitures are revised, if necessary, in subsequent periods if actual forfeitures differ from those estimates and an adjustment to stock-based compensation expense will be recognized at that time.
	Changes to our underlying stock price, our assumptions used in the BSM option-pricing model calculation and the IPC’s forfeiture rate, as well as future equity granted or assumed through acquisitions could significantly impact the compensation expense we recognize.
	In conjunction with the Disposition, all of the Company’s outstanding and unvested stock options vested. As of December 31, 2013 and 2012, the Company had no outstanding unrecognized stock-based compensation.
	Income taxes
	Under the asset and liability method prescribed under ASC 740, “Income Taxes,” IPC recognizes deferred tax assets and liabilities for the future tax consequences attributable to differences between financial statement carrying amounts of assets and liabilities and their respective tax bases. Deferred tax assets and liabilities are measured using enacted tax rates expected to apply to taxable income in the years in which those temporary differences are expected to be realized or settled.
	Net income per share
	Basic and diluted net income per share is computed using the weighted-average number of shares of common stock outstanding. Diluted earnings per share is a measure of the potential dilution that would occur if stock options had been exercised.
	The following table reconciles the denominator used to calculate basic and diluted net loss per share of common stock:
		Year Ended December 31,
	(In thousands)	2013			2012
	Numerator for basic and diluted net loss per share:
	Net loss available to common shareholders:	$	(2,663	)	$	(2,726	)
	Denominator for net loss per share:
	Basic and diluted—weighted average shares of common stock outstanding		7,752			7,659
	Potentially dilutive securities are not included in the diluted net income calculation, because the Company had a net loss from operations, net of tax. The antidilutive securities that are not included in the calculation above are employee stock options to purchase shares totaling 371 as of December 31, 2013 and 673 as of December 31, 2012.
	Recently Issued Accounting Pronouncements
	In February 2013, the FASB issued guidance requiring entities to provide information about the amounts reclassified out of accumulated other comprehensive income (“AOCI”) by component. In addition, it requires entities to present, either on the face of the statement where net income is presented or in the notes, significant amounts reclassified out of AOCI by the respective line items of net income if the amount reclassified is required under GAAP to be reclassified to net income in its entirety in the same reporting period. This guidance is effective prospectively for annual and interim reporting periods beginning after December 15, 2012, with early adoption permitted. The adoption of this guidance did not have a material impact on the financial statements.
	In July 2013, the FASB issued an amendment to the accounting guidance related to the financial statement presentation of an unrecognized tax benefit when a net operating loss carryforward, a similar tax loss or a tax credit carryforward exists. The guidance requires an unrecognized tax benefit to be presented as a decrease in a deferred tax asset where a net operating loss, a similar tax loss, or a tax credit carryforward exists and certain criteria are met. This guidance is effective prospectively for annual and interim reporting periods beginning after December 15, 2013. The Company is currently evaluating the potential impact of the adoption of this guidance on its consolidated financial statements.

Note_3_ShareBased_Payments

Note 3 - Share-Based Payments	12 Months Ended
	Dec. 31, 2013
Disclosure of Compensation Related Costs, Share-based Payments [Abstract]
Disclosure of Compensation Related Costs, Share-based Payments [Text Block]	3.           Share-Based Payments
	In July 1997, IPC authorized the 1997 Stock Option Plan (the “Option Plan”) and the Senior Executive Option Plan (the “Executive Plan”). Under the Option Plan, the Board of Directors may issue incentive stock options to employees of IPC and its subsidiaries and may also issue nonqualified stock options to employees, officers, directors, independent contractors and consultants of IPC and its subsidiaries. Under the Executive Plan, the Board of Directors may issue nonqualified stock options to employees, officers and directors of IPC and its subsidiaries.
	In May 2003, the Option Plan was amended, with stockholder approval, to provide that each director would receive a fully-vested option to purchase 5,000 shares of common stock on July 1st (or the first business day thereafter) of each year in which the director remains in office. Pursuant to the Option Plan, on July 1, 2013 fully vested options to purchase 5,000 shares of common stock were granted to each of the three non-employee directors with an exercise price of $3.56. The Board of Directors agreed to forgo their equity grants in 2012.
	The Option Plan provided for an automatic annual increase in the share reserve, to be effective on the first day of each fiscal year, by a number of shares equal to 5% of the number of common shares outstanding as of the last day of the preceding fiscal year. With the expiration of the 1997 Stock Option Plan and Senior Executive Option Plan, in July 2007, IPC’s Board of Directors authorized and shareholders approved the 2008 Stock Option Plan in February 2008, and options to purchase 1,500,000 shares of common stock were authorized under this plan. These options have a contractual term ranging from two to five years.
	Options granted under the above plans are priced at the common stock’s fair market value on the date of grant and generally vest ratably over the requisite service period. No option grants were awarded to employees in either 2012 or 2013.
	The Company has reserved common shares for issuance in conjunction with the issuance of options underlying the Option Plan and the Executive Plan.
	Options outstanding and currently exercisable by exercise price at December 31, 2013 are as follows:
											Options Outstanding				Options Currently Exercisable
		Exercise Prices									Number		Weighted Average		Number		Weighted Average
											Outstanding		Remaining Contractual		Outstanding		Exercise Price
													Life (in years)
		(in thousands, except contractual life and exercise price amounts)
		$	3.25	-	$5.10							28		2.95		28	$	3.79
		$	5.25	-	$5.25							2		1.25		2		5.25
		$	7	-	$7.00							31		1.96		31		7
		$	7.22	-	$7.70							33		2.04		33		7.62
												94		2.27		94	$	6.25
	Share-based compensation expense resulting from stock options and the Purchase Plan for the years ended December 31, 2013 and 2012 were included in income in the amount of $24,000 and $0, respectively. There was no unrecognized compensation expense related to options as of the year ended December 31, 2013.
	The fair value of share-based awards granted pursuant to IPC’s stock option plans was estimated using the BSM option-pricing model with the following weighted average assumptions for the years ended December 31, 2013 and 2012:
			Year Ended December 31
			2013			2012
	Expected term (in years)			3			—
	Expected volatility			0.69			—
	Risk-free interest rate			0.65	%		—	%
	Expected dividend			—			—
	Weighted-average fair value at grant date		$	1.61		$	—
	Activity under all of IPC’s stock option plans is as follows:
	(in thousands, except exercise price amounts)		Shares Available			Shares			Weighted Average
			for Grant			Outstanding			Exercise Price
	Balances, December 31, 2012			673			231		$	8.12
	Additional shares reserved			155			—			—
	Granted			(15	)		15			3.56
	Canceled/forfeited			152			(152	)		8.54
	Balances, December 31, 2013			965			94		$	5.42
	There were no unvested options at December 31, 2013 and December 31, 2012.
	The aggregate intrinsic values of options outstanding and exercisable at December 31, 2013 and 2012 were $0 and $3,000, respectively. Aggregate intrinsic value represents the total intrinsic value (the aggregate difference between the closing stock price of IPC’s common stock of $3.12 and $3.55 on December 31, 2013 and 2012, respectively and the exercise price for in-the-money options) that would have been received by the option holders if all options had been exercised on December 31, 2013 and 2012, respectively. The total intrinsic value of options exercised for the years ended December 31, 2013 and 2012 were $0 and $4,174,000, respectively. The weighted-average remaining contractual terms of options outstanding and exercisable at December 31, 2013 and 2012 were 2.27 and 1.83 years, respectively.
	Cash received from stock option exercises and purchases under the Purchase Plan for December 31, 2013 and 2012 were $0 and $5,326,000, respectively.
	In January 2012, one of the Company’s Board Members exercised 42,416 options at an exercise price of $4.94 per share. In a cashless exercise, 25,000 shares were tendered to the Company in satisfaction of the exercise price of the options, at a value of $7.95 per share, based on the closing price of the Company's common stock on the date of exercise. The 25,000 shares tendered have been accounted for by the Company as treasury stock in the accompanying consolidated balance sheet.

Note_5_Consolidated_Financial_

Note 5 - Consolidated Financial Statement Details	12 Months Ended
	Dec. 31, 2013
Disclosure Text Block Supplement [Abstract]
Additional Financial Information Disclosure [Text Block]	5.           Consolidated Financial Statement Details
	Cash, cash equivalents and short-term investments
	Cash and cash equivalents consist of the following (in thousands):
		December 31,
		2013			2012
	Cash	$	798		$	31,024
	Money market deposit accounts		28,022			—
	Money market funds		1,293			44
		$	30,113		$	31,068
	IPC accounts for its short-term investments under ASC 320, “Investments - Debt and Equity Securities”. Management determines the appropriate classification of its debt securities at the time of purchase and reevaluates such designation as of each balance sheet date. IPC had short-term investments of $0.2 million at December 31, 2013 and $1.5 million at December 31, 2012.
	At December 31, 2013, the contractual maturities of IPC’s investment portfolio are less than one year. The gains and losses from the sale of available-for-sale securities have not been significant to date.
	Restricted cash equivalents and restricted short-term investments
	As of December 31, 2013 and December 31, 2012, restricted cash equivalents and restricted short-term investments consisted of $1.0 million each, respectively. The $1.0 million is used as collateral for a letter of credit of the same amount, which secures the Company’s obligations under the office space lease for IPC’s former corporate headquarters.
	Prepaid expenses and other current assets
	Prepaid expenses and other current assets consist of the following (in thousands):
		December 31,
		2013			2012
	Prepaid insurance	$	84		$	60
	Prepaid rent		41			39
	Prepaid taxes		16			50
	Other		3			20
		$	144		$	169
	Property and equipment
	Property and equipment, net, consists of the following (in thousands):
		December 31,
		2013			2012
	Computer and office equipment	$	35		$	35
	Furniture and fixtures		360			365
	Leasehold improvements		23			23
	Software		23			24
			441			447
	Less accumulated depreciation		(440	)		(415	)
		$	1		$	32
	Depreciation expense was $14,000 and $20,000 for the years ended December 31, 2013 and 2012, respectively.
	Accrued expenses
	Accrued expenses consist of the following (in thousands):
		December 31,
		2013			2012
	Deferred rent	$	—		$	226
	Accrued lease obligations (see Note 6)		229			95
	Other		24			25
		$	253		$	346
	During the year ended December 31, 2013, IPC discontinued using this facility and subleased the entire premises to an unrelated business for the remainder of IPC’s lease term. In evaluating our continuing lease obligations for this facility, IPC must make assumptions regarding the estimated future sublease income relative to this facility. These estimates and assumptions are affected by area-specific conditions such as new commercial development, market occupancy rates and future market prices. As a result of the current conditions in the real estate market where this IPC property is located and the inherent risks associated with its sub-lessee, the Company recorded a charge of $606,000 in the year ended December 31, 2013, representing the difference between IPC’s lease obligations and broker fees associated with this facility and the sub-lease income it expects to receive through February 2017, the expiration of our leasehold interest. Also included in the charge is an impaired asset for leasehold improvements of $14,000. The charge was offset by the unamortized portion of deferred rent, as rent expense was recognized on a straight-line base over the life of the lease. The Company recorded this charge in the statement of operations in general and administrative expenses. If this estimate or the related assumptions change in the future, IPC may be required to record a charge to increase its existing accrual.
	In 2012, IPC subleased the entire facility to two unrelated entities for the remainder of IPC’s lease term, at a formerly occupied facility in San Francisco, California. In evaluating its continuing lease obligations, IPC must make assumptions regarding the estimated future sublease income relative to this facility. These estimates and assumptions are affected by area-specific conditions such as new commercial development, market occupancy rates and future market prices. As a result of the current conditions in the real estate market where this IPC property is located and the inherent risks associated with its sub-lessees, the Company recorded a charge of $95,000 in 2012, representing the difference between IPC’s lease obligations for this facility and sub-lease income it expects to receive, based on sub-leases entered into, for the duration of the lease. If this estimate or the related assumptions change in the future, IPC may be required to record a charge to increase its existing accrual. See also Note 6.

Note_7_Income_Taxes

Note 7 - Income Taxes	12 Months Ended
	Dec. 31, 2013
Income Tax Disclosure [Abstract]
Income Tax Disclosure [Text Block]	7.           Income Taxes
	The components of the deferred tax assets and liabilities are presented below (in thousands):
		December 31,
		2013			2012
	Net operating loss carry forwards	$	48,133		$	47,335
	Tax credit carry forwards		981			981
	Accruals and allowances		296			90
	Other		46			162
	Total deferred tax asset		49,456			48,568
	Less valuation allowance		(49,456	)		(48,568	)
	Net deferred tax asset	$	—		$	—
	Due to uncertainty surrounding the realization of the favorable tax attributes in future tax returns, IPC has recorded a valuation allowance against its deferred tax asset. The valuation allowance recorded for the year ended December 31, 2013 increased by $888,000 and for the year ended December 31, 2012 increased by $124,000.
	The valuation allowance in both 2013 and 2012 includes $2.7 million related to excess tax benefits of stock option deductions prior to the adoption of ASC Topic 718. The benefits will increase additional paid-in capital when realized.
	For tax return purposes, IPC had net operating loss carry forwards at December 31, 2013 of approximately $142.9 million and $64.4 million for federal income tax and state income tax purposes, respectively. Federal and state net operating loss carry forwards begin expiring in 2019 and 2014, respectively. IPC also had federal research and development credits of approximately $0.7 million which will begin expiring in 2018, and a federal alternative minimum tax credit of approximately $0.5 million, which does not expire.
	IPC did not recognize any expense or benefit for the year ended December 31, 2013. IPC recognized $25,000 and $36,000 in current federal and state tax benefit, respectively, for the year ended December 31, 2012.
	The effective tax rate for income taxes is different than the amount computed using the applicable statutory federal income tax rate with the difference for each year summarized below:
		December 31,
		2013			2012
	Federal tax at statutory rate		34	%		34	%
	Share based compensation		(0.3	)%		43.2	%
	Contingent liability true-up		0	%		14.7	%
	Other		(0.6	)%		(0.3	)%
	Adjustment due to change in valuation allowance		(33.1	)%		(89.4	)%
			(0.0	)%		2.2	%
	In 2013 and 2012, the federal statutory rate is 34% as this is the rate at which the Company expects to realize its deferred tax assets in the future.
	Under the asset and liability method prescribed under ASC 740, “Income Taxes,” IPC recognizes deferred tax assets and liabilities for the future tax consequences attributable to differences between financial statement carrying amounts of assets and liabilities and their respective tax bases. Deferred tax assets and liabilities are measured using enacted tax rates expected to apply to taxable income in the years in which those temporary differences are expected to be realized or settled.
	For those benefits to be recognized, a tax position must be more-likely-than-not to be sustained upon examination by taxing authorities. At December 31, 2013 and December 31, 2012, IPC had unrecognized tax benefits of approximately $0.3 million and $0.3 million, respectively ($0.1 million of which, if recognized, would affect IPC’s effective tax rate). IPC does not believe there will be any material changes in its unrecognized tax positions over the next twelve months.
	A reconciliation of the beginning and ending amount of unrecognized tax benefits is as follows (in thousands):
		2013			2012
	Balance at January 1	$	300		$	300
	Increase (decrease) related to prior year tax positions		—			—
	Increase (decrease) related to current year tax positions		—			—
	Settlements		—			—
	Reductions due to lapse of applicable statute of limitations		—			—
	Balance at December 31	$	300		$	300
	Interest and penalty costs related to unrecognized tax benefits, if any, are classified as a component of income tax expense. IPC did not recognize any interest and penalty expense related to unrecognized tax benefits for the years ended December 31, 2013 and 2012, due to immateriality.
	IPC files income tax returns in the U.S. federal jurisdiction and various state jurisdictions. IPC is subject to U.S. federal and state examination for tax years 1999 through 2013, due to unutilized net operating losses and research credits. On July 11, 2013 the Company was informed by the Department of the Treasury that the 2011 tax year will be subject to examination. There have been no audit adjustments as of December 31, 2013. Although there can be no assurance about the ultimate outcome of any tax examination, management believes there will be no material impact on the Company's financial position or results of operations.

Note_8_Other_Income

Note 8 - Other Income	12 Months Ended
	Dec. 31, 2013
Disclosure Text Block [Abstract]
Interest and Other Income [Text Block]	8.           Other Income
	The Company recognized interest income in 2013 and 2012 in the amount of $25,000 and $6,000, respectively. This represented interest earned on IPC’s investment portfolio of cash, cash equivalents and short-term investments. IPC expects that Other Income will consist entirely of returns received from its investment portfolio in the near future, which will be negligible given current economic conditions in the United States. In 2012, other income also included a one-time payment of $99,000 received by IPC following the settlement of commercial litigation and a supplemental payment from Bankrate of $67,000 related to the collection of outstanding accounts receivable subsequent to the Disposition Date.

Note_9_Employee_Benefit_Plan

Note 9 - Employee Benefit Plan	12 Months Ended
	Dec. 31, 2013
Compensation and Retirement Disclosure [Abstract]
Pension and Other Postretirement Benefits Disclosure [Text Block]	9.           Employee Benefit Plan
	Until its termination effective June 1, 2012, IPC had a defined contribution plan offered to all eligible employees, which was qualified under section 401(k) of the Internal Revenue Code. IPC matched 50% of the first 4% of elective contributions made by each qualifying employee in 2012 and an additional discretionary match up to an additional 50% of the first 4% of elective contributions, if certain adjusted EBITDA targets are met. Employer contributions for the years ended December 31, 2013 and 2012 were $0 and $3,000.

Note_10_Distribution

Note 10 - Distribution	12 Months Ended
	Dec. 31, 2013
Distribution Disclosure [Abstract]
Distribution Disclosure [Text Block]	10.          Distribution
	On January 4, 2012, the Board of Directors declared a special distribution of $5 per share of Common Stock and set February 9, 2012 as the record date and March 10, 2012 as the payment date for the special cash distribution. There were 7,722,377 shares outstanding on the record date and the Company distributed a total of $38,612,000 to shareholders on the payment date. There were no such distributions for the year ending December 31, 2013.

Accounting_Policies_by_Policy_

Accounting Policies, by Policy (Policies)	12 Months Ended
	Dec. 31, 2013
Accounting Policies [Abstract]
Basis of Accounting, Policy [Policy Text Block]	Basis of presentation
	The consolidated financial statements include the accounts of IPC and its wholly-owned subsidiaries, Goldrush Insurance Services, Inc. and InsWeb Insurance Services, Inc. All significant inter-company accounts and transactions have been eliminated in the consolidated financial statements.
	IPC recognizes in the financial statements the effects of all subsequent events that provide additional evidence about conditions that existed at the date of the balance sheet. For non-recognized subsequent events that must be disclosed to keep the financial statements from being misleading, an entity is required to disclose the nature of the event as well as an estimate of its financial effect, or a statement that such an estimate cannot be made.
Use of Estimates, Policy [Policy Text Block]	Use of estimates
	The preparation of financial statements in conformity with United States generally accepted accounting principles requires management to make estimates and assumptions that affect the reported amounts of assets and liabilities and disclosure of contingent assets and liabilities at the date of the financial statements and the reported amounts of revenues and expenses during the reporting period. Actual results could differ from those estimates.
Cash and Cash Equivalents, Policy [Policy Text Block]	Cash, cash equivalents and short-term investments
	IPC considers all highly liquid investments with original maturities of three months or less at the date of purchase to be cash equivalents. Investments with maturities greater than three months at the date of purchase but less than one year are classified as short-term investments. Cash, cash equivalents and short-term investments are stated at cost, which approximates fair value, given the relatively short duration of the underlying securities.
Revenue Recognition, Policy [Policy Text Block]	Revenue recognition
	The Company has not yet determined the methodology it will use for recognizing revenues from royalties for licensing its patents or from damages for past infringement, as no agreements related to these types of revenue streams had been entered into as of December 31, 2013.
Property, Plant and Equipment, Policy [Policy Text Block]	Property and equipment and other long-lived assets
	Property and equipment are stated at cost less accumulated depreciation. Depreciation on computer and office equipment, furniture and fixtures and purchased software is calculated using the straight-line method over the estimated useful lives of the assets, generally two to five years. Amortization on leasehold improvements is calculated using the straight-line method over the estimated useful lives of the improvements or the remaining term of the lease, whichever is shorter. Expenditures for maintenance and repairs are charged to expense as incurred.
	IPC evaluates the recoverability of its long-lived assets, including intangible assets subject to amortization in accordance with Financial Accounting Standards Board ("FASB") Accounting Standards Codification ("ASC") Topic 360, Property, Plant and Equipment. ASC 360 requires the recognition of impairment losses related to long-lived assets in the event the net carrying value of such assets exceeds fair value. IPC assesses the impairment of its long-lived assets annually or when events or changes in circumstances indicate that the carrying value of an asset may not be recoverable. An impaired asset charge of $14,000 related to leasehold improvements at IPC’s former headquarters in Rancho Cordova, California was recognized for the year ended December 31, 2013. No such indicators of impairment were identified as of December 31, 2012.
Concentration Risk, Credit Risk, Policy [Policy Text Block]	Concentration of risk—credit
	Financial instruments that potentially subject IPC to concentrations of credit risk, as defined by ASC 825, “Financial Instruments,” consist principally of cash, cash equivalents and short-term investments. IPC deposits its cash, cash equivalents and short-term investments with various domestic financial institutions. Such deposits may exceed federal deposit insurance limits.
	IPC’s cash equivalents and investments consist of diversified investment grade securities. IPC’s investment policy limits the amount of credit exposure to investments in any one issue, and IPC believes no significant concentration of credit risk exists with respect to these investments.
	During the years ended December 31, 2013 and 2012, we had no customers or accounts receivable. Pursuant to the terms of the asset purchase agreement, Bankrate was required to pay us amounts it received from customers for the insurance lead generation business we conducted prior to the Disposition Date. The amount that IPC received from Bankrate in 2012 for accounts receivable purchased from IPC was approximately $67,000. No payments were received during 2013, and no additional payments in the future are expected.
Share-based Compensation, Option and Incentive Plans Policy [Policy Text Block]	Share-Based Payments
	IPC accounts for share-based compensation in accordance with ASC 718 “Compensation – Stock Compensation.” Under the provisions of ASC 718, share-based compensation cost is generally estimated at the grant date based on the award’s fair value as calculated by the Black-Scholes-Merton (BSM) option-pricing model. The BSM option-pricing model requires various highly judgmental assumptions including expected option life, volatility, and forfeiture rates. If any of the assumptions used in the BSM option-pricing model change significantly, share-based compensation expense may differ materially in the future from that recorded in the current period. Generally, compensation cost is recognized over the requisite service period. However, to the extent performance conditions affect the vesting of an award, compensation cost will be recognized only if the performance condition is satisfied. Compensation cost will not be recognized, and any previously recognized compensation cost will be reversed, if the performance condition is not satisfied.
	IPC recognizes compensation costs for stock-based payments to employees and its Board of Directors, based on their grant-date fair value on a straight-line approach over the service period for which such awards are expected to vest. The fair value of stock options granted pursuant to the IPC’s 1997 and 2008 Stock Option Plans and Employee Stock Purchase Plan (“ESPP”), respectively, is determined using the BSM option-pricing model. The determination of fair value is affected by IPC’s stock price, as well as assumptions regarding subjective and complex variables such as expected employee exercise behavior and our expected stock price volatility over the expected term of the award. Generally, IPC’s assumptions are based on historical information and judgment is required to determine if historical trends may be indicators of future outcomes. The key assumptions for the BSM option-pricing model calculation are:
	Expected term. The expected term represents the period that IPC’s share-based awards are expected to be outstanding. IPC’s expected term was determined based on historical experience of similar awards, giving consideration to the contractual terms of the share-based awards, vesting schedules and expectations of future employee behavior.
	Expected volatility. IPC uses the trading history of its common stock in determining an estimated volatility factor when using the Black-Scholes option-pricing formula to determine the fair value of options granted.
	Risk-free interest rate. IPC bases the risk-free interest rate used in the BSM option-pricing model on the implied yield currently available on U.S. Treasury zero-coupon issues with the same or substantially equivalent remaining term.
	Expected dividend. Historically IPC has not declared or paid cash or stock dividends. Therefore, IPC uses a zero value for the expected dividend value factor when using the Black-Scholes option-pricing formula to determine the fair value of options granted.
	Estimated forfeitures. ASC 718 requires forfeitures to be estimated at the time of grant and revised, if necessary, in subsequent periods if actual forfeitures differ from initial estimates. When estimating forfeitures, IPC considers historical voluntary and involuntary termination behavior as well as analysis of actual option forfeitures.
	Employee stock-based compensation expense is calculated based on awards ultimately expected to vest and is reduced for estimated forfeitures. Forfeitures are revised, if necessary, in subsequent periods if actual forfeitures differ from those estimates and an adjustment to stock-based compensation expense will be recognized at that time.
	Changes to our underlying stock price, our assumptions used in the BSM option-pricing model calculation and the IPC’s forfeiture rate, as well as future equity granted or assumed through acquisitions could significantly impact the compensation expense we recognize.
	In conjunction with the Disposition, all of the Company’s outstanding and unvested stock options vested. As of December 31, 2013 and 2012, the Company had no outstanding unrecognized stock-based compensation.
Income Tax, Policy [Policy Text Block]	Income taxes
	Under the asset and liability method prescribed under ASC 740, “Income Taxes,” IPC recognizes deferred tax assets and liabilities for the future tax consequences attributable to differences between financial statement carrying amounts of assets and liabilities and their respective tax bases. Deferred tax assets and liabilities are measured using enacted tax rates expected to apply to taxable income in the years in which those temporary differences are expected to be realized or settled.
Earnings Per Share, Policy [Policy Text Block]	Net income per share
	Basic and diluted net income per share is computed using the weighted-average number of shares of common stock outstanding. Diluted earnings per share is a measure of the potential dilution that would occur if stock options had been exercised.
	The following table reconciles the denominator used to calculate basic and diluted net loss per share of common stock:
		Year Ended December 31,
	(In thousands)	2013			2012
	Numerator for basic and diluted net loss per share:
	Net loss available to common shareholders:	$	(2,663	)	$	(2,726	)
	Denominator for net loss per share:
	Basic and diluted—weighted average shares of common stock outstanding		7,752			7,659
	Potentially dilutive securities are not included in the diluted net income calculation, because the Company had a net loss from operations, net of tax. The antidilutive securities that are not included in the calculation above are employee stock options to purchase shares totaling 371 as of December 31, 2013 and 673 as of December 31, 2012.
New Accounting Pronouncements, Policy [Policy Text Block]	Recently Issued Accounting Pronouncements
	In February 2013, the FASB issued guidance requiring entities to provide information about the amounts reclassified out of accumulated other comprehensive income (“AOCI”) by component. In addition, it requires entities to present, either on the face of the statement where net income is presented or in the notes, significant amounts reclassified out of AOCI by the respective line items of net income if the amount reclassified is required under GAAP to be reclassified to net income in its entirety in the same reporting period. This guidance is effective prospectively for annual and interim reporting periods beginning after December 15, 2012, with early adoption permitted. The adoption of this guidance did not have a material impact on the financial statements.
	In July 2013, the FASB issued an amendment to the accounting guidance related to the financial statement presentation of an unrecognized tax benefit when a net operating loss carryforward, a similar tax loss or a tax credit carryforward exists. The guidance requires an unrecognized tax benefit to be presented as a decrease in a deferred tax asset where a net operating loss, a similar tax loss, or a tax credit carryforward exists and certain criteria are met. This guidance is effective prospectively for annual and interim reporting periods beginning after December 15, 2013. The Company is currently evaluating the potential impact of the adoption of this guidance on its consolidated financial statements.

Note_3_Fair_Value_Measurements1

Note 3 - Fair Value Measurements (Tables)	9 Months Ended									12 Months Ended
	Sep. 30, 2014									Dec. 31, 2013
Fair Value Disclosures [Abstract]
Fair Value, Assets Measured on Recurring Basis [Table Text Block]		September 30,									December 31,		Level 1		Level 2		Level 3
		2014		Level 1		Level 2		Level 3			2013
	Assets:									Assets:
	Cash equivalents	$	27,342	$	27,342	$	—	$	—	Cash equivalents	$	29,315	$	29,315	$	—	$	—
	Short-term investments		1,245		1,245		—		—	Short-term investments		249		249		—		—
	Restricted cash equivalents		800		800					Restricted cash equivalents		1,000		1,000
	Total assets at fair value	$	29,387	$	29,387	$	—	$	—	Total assets at fair value	$	30,564	$	30,564	$	—	$	—
		December 31,									December 31,		Level 1		Level 2		Level 3
		2013		Level 1		Level 2		Level 3			2012
	Assets:									Assets:
	Cash equivalents	$	29,315	$	29,315	$	—	$	—	Cash equivalents	$	44	$	44	$	—	$	—
	Short-term investments		249		249					Short-term investments		1,497		1,497		—		—
	Restricted cash equivalents		1,000		1,000		—		—	Restricted short-term investments		1,000		1,000
	Total assets at fair value	$	30,564	$	30,564	$	—	$	—	Total assets at fair value	$	2,541	$	2,541	$	—	$	—

Note_5_Accrued_Expenses_and_Ot1

Note 5 - Accrued Expenses and Other Current Liabilites (Tables)	9 Months Ended					12 Months Ended
	Sep. 30, 2014					Dec. 31, 2013
Other Liabilities and Financial Instruments Subject to Mandatory Redemption [Abstract]
Schedule of Accrued Liabilities [Table Text Block]		September 30,		December 31,			December 31,
		2014		2013			2013		2012
	Accrued lease obligations	$	193	$	229	Deferred rent	$	—	$	226
	Other		24		24	Accrued lease obligations (see Note 6)		229		95
		$	217	$	253	Other		24		25
							$	253	$	346

Note_6_Net_Loss_Per_Share_Tabl

Note 6 - Net Loss Per Share (Tables)	9 Months Ended													12 Months Ended
	Sep. 30, 2014													Dec. 31, 2013
Earnings Per Share [Abstract]
Schedule of Earnings Per Share, Basic and Diluted [Table Text Block]		Three months ended						Nine months ended							Year Ended December 31,
		September 30,						September 30,						(In thousands)	2013			2012
		2014			2013			2014			2013
														Numerator for basic and diluted net loss per share:
	Numerator for basic and diluted net loss per share:													Net loss available to common shareholders:	$	(2,663	)	$	(2,726	)
	Net loss available to common stockholders	$	(730	)	$	(590	)	$	(1,597	)	$	(2,193	)
														Denominator for net loss per share:
	Denominator for net loss per share:													Basic and diluted—weighted average shares of common stock outstanding		7,752			7,659
	Basic and diluted —weighted average shares of common stock outstanding		7,752			7,752			7,752			7,752
	Net loss per share:
	Basic and diluted	$	(0.10	)	$	(0.07	)	$	(0.21	)	$	(0.28	)

Note_2_Summary_of_Significant_1

Note 2 - Summary of Significant Accounting Policies (Tables)	9 Months Ended													12 Months Ended
	Sep. 30, 2014													Dec. 31, 2013
Accounting Policies [Abstract]
Schedule of Earnings Per Share, Basic and Diluted [Table Text Block]		Three months ended						Nine months ended							Year Ended December 31,
		September 30,						September 30,						(In thousands)	2013			2012
		2014			2013			2014			2013
														Numerator for basic and diluted net loss per share:
	Numerator for basic and diluted net loss per share:													Net loss available to common shareholders:	$	(2,663	)	$	(2,726	)
	Net loss available to common stockholders	$	(730	)	$	(590	)	$	(1,597	)	$	(2,193	)
														Denominator for net loss per share:
	Denominator for net loss per share:													Basic and diluted—weighted average shares of common stock outstanding		7,752			7,659
	Basic and diluted —weighted average shares of common stock outstanding		7,752			7,752			7,752			7,752
	Net loss per share:
	Basic and diluted	$	(0.10	)	$	(0.07	)	$	(0.21	)	$	(0.28	)

Note_3_ShareBased_Payments_Tab

Note 3 - Share-Based Payments (Tables)	12 Months Ended
	Dec. 31, 2013
Disclosure of Compensation Related Costs, Share-based Payments [Abstract]
Schedule of Share-based Compensation, Shares Authorized under Stock Option Plans, by Exercise Price Range [Table Text Block]											Options Outstanding				Options Currently Exercisable
		Exercise Prices									Number		Weighted Average		Number		Weighted Average
											Outstanding		Remaining Contractual		Outstanding		Exercise Price
													Life (in years)
		(in thousands, except contractual life and exercise price amounts)
		$	3.25	-	$5.10							28		2.95		28	$	3.79
		$	5.25	-	$5.25							2		1.25		2		5.25
		$	7	-	$7.00							31		1.96		31		7
		$	7.22	-	$7.70							33		2.04		33		7.62
												94		2.27		94	$	6.25
Schedule of Share-based Payment Award, Employee Stock Purchase Plan, Valuation Assumptions [Table Text Block]			Year Ended December 31
			2013			2012
	Expected term (in years)			3			—
	Expected volatility			0.69			—
	Risk-free interest rate			0.65	%		—	%
	Expected dividend			—			—
	Weighted-average fair value at grant date		$	1.61		$	—
Schedule of Share-based Compensation, Stock Options, Activity [Table Text Block]	(in thousands, except exercise price amounts)		Shares Available			Shares			Weighted Average
			for Grant			Outstanding			Exercise Price
	Balances, December 31, 2012			673			231		$	8.12
	Additional shares reserved			155			—			—
	Granted			(15	)		15			3.56
	Canceled/forfeited			152			(152	)		8.54
	Balances, December 31, 2013			965			94		$	5.42

Note_5_Consolidated_Financial_1

Note 5 - Consolidated Financial Statement Details (Tables)	9 Months Ended					12 Months Ended
	Sep. 30, 2014					Dec. 31, 2013
Disclosure Text Block Supplement [Abstract]
Cash, Cash Equivalents and Investments [Table Text Block]							December 31,
							2013			2012
						Cash	$	798		$	31,024
						Money market deposit accounts		28,022			—
						Money market funds		1,293			44
							$	30,113		$	31,068
Schedule of Other Assets [Table Text Block]							December 31,
							2013			2012
						Prepaid insurance	$	84		$	60
						Prepaid rent		41			39
						Prepaid taxes		16			50
						Other		3			20
							$	144		$	169
Property, Plant and Equipment [Table Text Block]							December 31,
							2013			2012
						Computer and office equipment	$	35		$	35
						Furniture and fixtures		360			365
						Leasehold improvements		23			23
						Software		23			24
								441			447
						Less accumulated depreciation		(440	)		(415	)
							$	1		$	32
Schedule of Accrued Liabilities [Table Text Block]		September 30,		December 31,			December 31,
		2014		2013			2013			2012
	Accrued lease obligations	$	193	$	229	Deferred rent	$	—		$	226
	Other		24		24	Accrued lease obligations (see Note 6)		229			95
		$	217	$	253	Other		24			25
							$	253		$	346

Note_6_Commitments_and_Conting

Note 6 - Commitments and Contingencies (Tables)	12 Months Ended
	Dec. 31, 2013
Commitments and Contingencies Disclosure [Abstract]
Schedule of Future Minimum Lease Payments for Capital Leases [Table Text Block]	Years ending December 31,	Future
		minimum lease
		commitments
	2014	$	466
	2015		350
	2016		350
	2017		58
	Thereafter		—
		$	1,224
Operating Leases Of Lessee Sublease Payment Receivable [Table Text Block]	Years ending December 31,	Future
		minimum sub-
		lease
		payments
	2014	$	213
	2015		136
	2016		136
	2017		23
		$	508

Note_7_Income_Taxes_Tables

Note 7 - Income Taxes (Tables)	12 Months Ended
	Dec. 31, 2013
Income Tax Disclosure [Abstract]
Schedule of Deferred Tax Assets and Liabilities [Table Text Block]		December 31,
		2013			2012
	Net operating loss carry forwards	$	48,133		$	47,335
	Tax credit carry forwards		981			981
	Accruals and allowances		296			90
	Other		46			162
	Total deferred tax asset		49,456			48,568
	Less valuation allowance		(49,456	)		(48,568	)
	Net deferred tax asset	$	—		$	—
Schedule of Effective Income Tax Rate Reconciliation [Table Text Block]		December 31,
		2013			2012
	Federal tax at statutory rate		34	%		34	%
	Share based compensation		(0.3	)%		43.2	%
	Contingent liability true-up		0	%		14.7	%
	Other		(0.6	)%		(0.3	)%
	Adjustment due to change in valuation allowance		(33.1	)%		(89.4	)%
			(0.0	)%		2.2	%
Schedule of Unrecognized Tax Benefits Roll Forward [Table Text Block]		2013			2012
	Balance at January 1	$	300		$	300
	Increase (decrease) related to prior year tax positions		—			—
	Increase (decrease) related to current year tax positions		—			—
	Settlements		—			—
	Reductions due to lapse of applicable statute of limitations		—			—
	Balance at December 31	$	300		$	300

Note_1_Business_of_Internet_Pa1

Note 1 - Business of Internet Patents Corporation (Details)	Sep. 30, 2014
Disclosure Text Block [Abstract]
Number of E-Commerce Patents	7

Note_3_Fair_Value_Measurements2

Note 3 - Fair Value Measurements (Details) - Assets Measured at Fair Value on a Recurring Basis (USD $)	Sep. 30, 2014	Dec. 31, 2013	Dec. 31, 2012
In Thousands, unless otherwise specified
Assets:
Cash equivalents	$27,342	$29,315	$44
Short-term investments	1,245	249	1,497
Restricted cash equivalents	800	1,000	1,000
Total assets at fair value	29,387	30,564	2,541
Fair Value, Inputs, Level 1 [Member]
Assets:
Cash equivalents	27,342	29,315	44
Short-term investments	1,245	249	1,497
Restricted cash equivalents	800	1,000	1,000
Total assets at fair value	$29,387	$30,564	$2,541

Note_4_Restricted_Cash_Equival1

Note 4 - Restricted Cash Equivalents and Short-Term Investments (Details) (USD $)	Sep. 30, 2014	Dec. 31, 2013	Dec. 31, 2012
In Thousands, unless otherwise specified
Disclosure Text Block Supplement [Abstract]
Restricted Cash and Investments, Current	$800	$1,000	$1,000

Note_5_Accrued_Expenses_and_Ot2

Note 5 - Accrued Expenses and Other Current Liabilites (Details) (USD $)	3 Months Ended	9 Months Ended	12 Months Ended
	Jun. 30, 2013	Sep. 30, 2013	Dec. 31, 2013	Sep. 30, 2014
Note 5 - Accrued Expenses and Other Current Liabilites (Details) [Line Items]
			$444,000	$300,000
Business Exit Costs		685,000	637,000
Asset Impairment Charges	14,000	14,000	14,000
Rancho Cordova C A [Member]
Note 5 - Accrued Expenses and Other Current Liabilites (Details) [Line Items]
	606,000
Business Exit Costs	$606,000

Note_5_Accrued_Expenses_and_Ot3

Note 5 - Accrued Expenses and Other Current Liabilites (Details) - Summary of Accrued Expenses and Other Current Liabilities (USD $)	Sep. 30, 2014	Dec. 31, 2013	Dec. 31, 2012
In Thousands, unless otherwise specified
Summary of Accrued Expenses and Other Current Liabilities [Abstract]
Accrued lease obligations	$193	$229	$95
Other	24	24	25
	$217	$253	$346

Note_6_Net_Loss_Per_Share_Deta

Note 6 - Net Loss Per Share (Details)	3 Months Ended		9 Months Ended		12 Months Ended
	Sep. 30, 2014	Sep. 30, 2013	Sep. 30, 2014	Sep. 30, 2013	Dec. 31, 2013	Dec. 31, 2012
Earnings Per Share [Abstract]
Antidilutive Securities Excluded from Computation of Earnings Per Share, Amount	0	320	0	822	371	673

Note_6_Net_Loss_Per_Share_Deta1

Note 6 - Net Loss Per Share (Details) - Net Loss Per Share - Calculation of Numerator and Denominator in Earnings Per Share (USD $)	3 Months Ended		9 Months Ended		12 Months Ended
In Thousands, except Per Share data, unless otherwise specified	Sep. 30, 2014	Sep. 30, 2013	Sep. 30, 2014	Sep. 30, 2013	Dec. 31, 2013	Dec. 31, 2012
Numerator for basic and diluted net loss per share:
Net loss available to common stockholders	($730)	($590)	($1,597)	($2,193)	($2,663)	($2,726)
Denominator for net loss per share:
Basic and diluted —weighted average shares of common stock outstanding	7,752	7,752	7,752	7,752	7,752	7,659
Net loss per share:
Basic and diluted	($0.10)	($0.07)	($0.21)	($0.28)	($0.34)	($0.36)

Note_7_Commitments_and_Conting1

Note 7 - Commitments and Contingencies (Details) (USD $)	12 Months Ended		9 Months Ended
	Dec. 31, 2013	Dec. 31, 2012	Sep. 30, 2014
			sqft
Note 7 - Commitments and Contingencies (Details) [Line Items]
Operating Leases, Future Minimum Payments Receivable (in Dollars)	$508,000
Operating Leases, Rent Expense (in Dollars)	118,000	274,000
Folsom, California Corporate Headquarters [Member]
Note 7 - Commitments and Contingencies (Details) [Line Items]
Lessee Leasing Arrangements, Operating Leases, Term of Contract			24 months
Area of Real Estate Property	800		800
Lease Term	24 months
Rancho Cordova C A [Member]
Note 7 - Commitments and Contingencies (Details) [Line Items]
Lessee Leasing Arrangements, Operating Leases, Term of Contract			5 years
Area of Real Estate Property			16,000
Operating Leases, Future Minimum Payments Receivable (in Dollars)			329,000
San Francisco [Member]
Note 7 - Commitments and Contingencies (Details) [Line Items]
Area of Real Estate Property	10,000		10,000
Operating Leases, Future Minimum Payments Receivable (in Dollars)	77,000
Sacramento [Member]
Note 7 - Commitments and Contingencies (Details) [Line Items]
Area of Real Estate Property	16,000
Operating Leases, Future Minimum Payments Receivable (in Dollars)	$431,000
Lease Term	5 years

Note_8_Options_and_Equity_Deta

Note 8 - Options and Equity (Details) (USD $)	1 Months Ended			3 Months Ended		9 Months Ended		12 Months Ended
	Jul. 31, 2014	Jul. 31, 2013	Jan. 31, 2012	Sep. 30, 2014	Sep. 30, 2013	Sep. 30, 2014	Sep. 30, 2013	Dec. 31, 2013	Dec. 31, 2012
Stockholders' Equity Note [Abstract]
Employee Service Share-based Compensation, Nonvested Awards, Compensation Not yet Recognized, Stock Options (in Dollars)				$0		$0		$0	$0
Share Based Compensation Arrangement By Share Based Payment Award Number Of Annual Shares Authorized To Each Director	5,000
Share-based Compensation Arrangement by Share-based Payment Award, Options, Grants in Period, Gross	5,000	5,000						15,000
Share-based Compensation Arrangements by Share-based Payment Award, Options, Grants in Period, Weighted Average Exercise Price (in Dollars per share)	$3.15	$3.56						$3.56
Allocated Share-based Compensation Expense (in Dollars)				$21,000	$24,000	$21,000	$24,000	$24,000	$0
Share-based Compensation Arrangement by Share-based Payment Award, Options, Exercises in Period			42,416	0	0	0	0

Note_9_Subsequent_Event_Detail

Note 9 - Subsequent Event (Details) (USD $)	0 Months Ended
In Millions, except Share data in Thousands, unless otherwise specified	Nov. 11, 2014	Dec. 31, 2013	Dec. 31, 2012
Note 9 - Subsequent Event (Details) [Line Items]
Common Stock, Shares, Issued (in Shares)		11,033	11,033
Noncontrolling Interest Diluted [Member] | Subsequent Event [Member] | Prism Technologies [Member]
Note 9 - Subsequent Event (Details) [Line Items]
Noncontrolling Interest, Ownership Percentage by Noncontrolling Owners	34.00%
Subsequent Event [Member] | Patents [Member] | Prism Technologies [Member]
Note 9 - Subsequent Event (Details) [Line Items]
Patent Families	9
Issued Patents	61
Patents Pending	6
Subsequent Event [Member] | Prism Technologies [Member]
Note 9 - Subsequent Event (Details) [Line Items]
Payments to Acquire Businesses, Gross (in Dollars)	$16.50
Common Stock, Shares, Issued (in Shares)	3,500
Patent Proceeds Payable	70.00%
Licenses Revenue (in Dollars)	$55
Noncontrolling Interest, Ownership Percentage by Noncontrolling Owners	31.00%

Note_2_Summary_of_Significant_2

Note 2 - Summary of Significant Accounting Policies (Details) (USD $)	3 Months Ended		9 Months Ended		12 Months Ended
	Sep. 30, 2014	Sep. 30, 2013	Sep. 30, 2014	Sep. 30, 2013	Dec. 31, 2013	Dec. 31, 2012
Note 2 - Summary of Significant Accounting Policies (Details) [Line Items]
Impairment of Leasehold					$14,000	$0
Accounts Receivable, Net, Current					0	0
Proceeds from Collection of Other Receivables					0	67,000
Fair Value Assumptions, Expected Dividend Rate					0.00%
Employee Service Share-based Compensation, Nonvested Awards, Compensation Not yet Recognized, Stock Options	$0		$0		$0	$0
Antidilutive Securities Excluded from Computation of Earnings Per Share, Amount (in Shares)	0	320	0	822	371	673
Minimum [Member]
Note 2 - Summary of Significant Accounting Policies (Details) [Line Items]
Property, Plant and Equipment, Useful Life					2 years
Maximum [Member]
Note 2 - Summary of Significant Accounting Policies (Details) [Line Items]
Property, Plant and Equipment, Useful Life					5 years

Note_2_Summary_of_Significant_3

Note 2 - Summary of Significant Accounting Policies (Details) - Calculation of Basic and Diluted Net Income per Share (USD $)	3 Months Ended		9 Months Ended		12 Months Ended
In Thousands, unless otherwise specified	Sep. 30, 2014	Sep. 30, 2013	Sep. 30, 2014	Sep. 30, 2013	Dec. 31, 2013	Dec. 31, 2012
Calculation of Basic and Diluted Net Income per Share [Abstract]
Net loss available to common shareholders:	($730)	($590)	($1,597)	($2,193)	($2,663)	($2,726)
Denominator for net loss per share:
Basic and diluted—weighted average shares of common stock outstanding	7,752	7,752	7,752	7,752	7,752	7,659

Note_3_ShareBased_Payments_Det

Note 3 - Share-Based Payments (Details) (USD $)	1 Months Ended			3 Months Ended		9 Months Ended		12 Months Ended
	Jul. 31, 2014	Jul. 31, 2013	Jan. 31, 2012	Sep. 30, 2014	Sep. 30, 2013	Sep. 30, 2014	Sep. 30, 2013	Dec. 31, 2013	Dec. 31, 2012	31-May-03	Feb. 29, 2008
Note 3 - Share-Based Payments (Details) [Line Items]
Share-based Compensation Arrangement by Share-based Payment Award, Number of Shares Authorized (in Shares)										5,000
Share-based Compensation Arrangement by Share-based Payment Award, Options, Grants in Period, Gross (in Shares)	5,000	5,000						15,000
Share-based Compensation Arrangements by Share-based Payment Award, Options, Grants in Period, Weighted Average Exercise Price (in Dollars per share)	$3.15	$3.56						$3.56
Annual Increase in Share Reserve, Percentage										5.00%
Allocated Share-based Compensation Expense				$21,000	$24,000	$21,000	$24,000	$24,000	$0
Employee Service Share-based Compensation, Nonvested Awards, Compensation Not yet Recognized, Stock Options				0		0		0	0
Share-based Compensation Arrangement by Share-based Payment Award, Options, Exercisable, Intrinsic Value								0	3,000
Share Price (in Dollars per share)			$7.95					$3.12	$3.55
Share-based Compensation Arrangement by Share-based Payment Award, Options, Exercises in Period, Intrinsic Value								0	4,174,000
Share-based Compensation Arrangement by Share-based Payment Award, Options, Vested and Expected to Vest, Exercisable, Weighted Average Remaining Contractual Term								2 years 98 days	1 year 302 days
Proceeds from Stock Options Exercised								$0	$5,326,000
Share-based Compensation Arrangement by Share-based Payment Award, Options, Exercises in Period (in Shares)			42,416	0	0	0	0
Share-based Compensation Arrangements by Share-based Payment Award, Options, Exercises in Period, Weighted Average Exercise Price (in Dollars per share)			$4.94
Conversion of Stock, Shares Converted (in Shares)			25,000
Treasury Stock, Shares (in Shares)			25,000					3,281,000	3,281,000
Minimum [Member]
Note 3 - Share-Based Payments (Details) [Line Items]
Share-based Goods and Nonemployee Services Transaction, Valuation Method, Expected Term								2 years
Maximum [Member]
Note 3 - Share-Based Payments (Details) [Line Items]
Share-based Goods and Nonemployee Services Transaction, Valuation Method, Expected Term								5 years
Each Non-Employee Director [Member]
Note 3 - Share-Based Payments (Details) [Line Items]
Share-based Compensation Arrangement by Share-based Payment Award, Options, Grants in Period, Gross (in Shares)		5,000
Employees [Member]
Note 3 - Share-Based Payments (Details) [Line Items]
Share-based Compensation Arrangement by Share-based Payment Award, Options, Grants in Period, Gross (in Shares)								0	0
IPC Stock Option and Executive Plans [Member]
Note 3 - Share-Based Payments (Details) [Line Items]
Share-based Compensation Arrangement by Share-based Payment Award, Number of Shares Authorized (in Shares)											1,500,000

Note_3_ShareBased_Payments_Det1

Note 3 - Share-Based Payments (Details) - Stock Options by Exercise Price Range (USD $)	12 Months Ended
In Thousands, except Per Share data, unless otherwise specified	Dec. 31, 2013	Dec. 31, 2012
Share-based Compensation, Shares Authorized under Stock Option Plans, Exercise Price Range [Line Items]
Number Outstanding (in Shares)	94	231
Weighted Average Remaining Contractual Life (in years)	2 years 98 days
Number Outstanding (in Shares)	94
Weighted Average Exercise Price	$6.25
Three Dollars And Twenty Five Cents To Five Dollars And Ten Cents [Member]
Share-based Compensation, Shares Authorized under Stock Option Plans, Exercise Price Range [Line Items]
Exercise Prices	$3.25
Exercise Prices	$5.10
Number Outstanding (in Shares)	28
Weighted Average Remaining Contractual Life (in years)	2 years 346 days
Number Outstanding (in Shares)	28
Weighted Average Exercise Price	$3.79
Five Dollars And Twenty Five Cents To Five Dollars And Twenty Five Cents [Member]
Share-based Compensation, Shares Authorized under Stock Option Plans, Exercise Price Range [Line Items]
Exercise Prices	$5.25
Exercise Prices	$5.25
Number Outstanding (in Shares)	2
Weighted Average Remaining Contractual Life (in years)	1 year 3 months
Number Outstanding (in Shares)	2
Weighted Average Exercise Price	$5.25
Seven Dollars To Seven Dollars [Member]
Share-based Compensation, Shares Authorized under Stock Option Plans, Exercise Price Range [Line Items]
Exercise Prices	$7
Exercise Prices	$7
Number Outstanding (in Shares)	31
Weighted Average Remaining Contractual Life (in years)	1 year 350 days
Number Outstanding (in Shares)	31
Weighted Average Exercise Price	$7
Seven Dollars And Twenty Two Cents To Seven Dollars And Seventy Cents [Member]
Share-based Compensation, Shares Authorized under Stock Option Plans, Exercise Price Range [Line Items]
Exercise Prices	$7.22
Exercise Prices	$7.70
Number Outstanding (in Shares)	33
Weighted Average Remaining Contractual Life (in years)	2 years 14 days
Number Outstanding (in Shares)	33
Weighted Average Exercise Price	$7.62

Note_3_ShareBased_Payments_Det2

Note 3 - Share-Based Payments (Details) - Fair Value Of Stock Options Assumption (USD $)	12 Months Ended
	Dec. 31, 2013
Fair Value Of Stock Options Assumption [Abstract]
Expected term (in years)	3 years
Expected volatility	0.69%
Risk-free interest rate	0.65%
Weighted-average fair value at grant date (in Dollars per share)	$1.61

Note_3_ShareBased_Payments_Det3

Note 3 - Share-Based Payments (Details) - Stock Option Activity (USD $)	1 Months Ended		12 Months Ended
	Jul. 31, 2014	Jul. 31, 2013	Dec. 31, 2013
Stock Option Activity [Abstract]
Balances, December 31, 2012			673,000
Balances, December 31, 2012			231,000
Balances, December 31, 2012 (in Dollars per share)			$8.12
Additional shares reserved			155,000
Granted	-5,000	-5,000	-15,000
Granted	5,000	5,000	15,000
Granted (in Dollars per share)	$3.15	$3.56	$3.56
Canceled/forfeited			152,000
Canceled/forfeited			-152,000
Canceled/forfeited (in Dollars per share)			$8.54
Balances, December 31, 2013			965,000
Balances, December 31, 2013			94,000
Balances, December 31, 2013 (in Dollars per share)			$5.42

Note_4_Fair_Value_Measurements

Note 4 - Fair Value Measurements (Details) - Assets at Fair Value (USD $)	Sep. 30, 2014	Dec. 31, 2013	Dec. 31, 2012
In Thousands, unless otherwise specified
Assets:
Cash equivalents	$27,342	$29,315	$44
Short-term investments	1,245	249	1,497
Restricted cash equivalents and short-term investments	800	1,000	1,000
Total assets at fair value	29,387	30,564	2,541
Fair Value, Inputs, Level 1 [Member]
Assets:
Cash equivalents	27,342	29,315	44
Short-term investments	1,245	249	1,497
Restricted cash equivalents and short-term investments	800	1,000	1,000
Total assets at fair value	$29,387	$30,564	$2,541

Note_5_Consolidated_Financial_2

Note 5 - Consolidated Financial Statement Details (Details) (USD $)	12 Months Ended
	Dec. 31, 2013	Dec. 31, 2012	Sep. 30, 2014
Note 5 - Consolidated Financial Statement Details (Details) [Line Items]
Short-term Investments	$249,000	$1,497,000	$1,245,000
Restricted Investments	1,000,000	1,000,000
Trading Securities Pledged as Collateral	1,000,000
Depreciation	14,000	20,000
Depreciation and Amortization, Discontinued Operations	606,000
Operating Leases, Rent Expense	118,000	274,000
Leasehold Improvements [Member]
Note 5 - Consolidated Financial Statement Details (Details) [Line Items]
Impaired Assets to be Disposed of by Method Other than Sale, Amount of Impairment Loss	14,000
San Francisco [Member]
Note 5 - Consolidated Financial Statement Details (Details) [Line Items]
Operating Leases, Rent Expense		$95,000
Maximum [Member]
Note 5 - Consolidated Financial Statement Details (Details) [Line Items]
Investment Portfolio Contractual Maturities	1 year

Note_5_Consolidated_Financial_3

Note 5 - Consolidated Financial Statement Details (Details) - Cash and Cash Equivalents (USD $)	Sep. 30, 2014	Dec. 31, 2013	Sep. 30, 2013	Dec. 31, 2012	Dec. 31, 2011
In Thousands, unless otherwise specified
Cash and Cash Equivalents [Abstract]
Cash		$798		$31,024
Money market deposit accounts		28,022
Money market funds		1,293		44
	$27,529	$30,113	$30,755	$31,068	$70,326

Note_5_Consolidated_Financial_4

Note 5 - Consolidated Financial Statement Details (Details) - Prepaid Expenses and Other Current Assets (USD $)	Sep. 30, 2014	Dec. 31, 2013	Dec. 31, 2012
In Thousands, unless otherwise specified
Prepaid Expenses and Other Current Assets [Abstract]
Prepaid insurance		$84	$60
Prepaid rent		41	39
Prepaid taxes		16	50
Other		3	20
	$220	$144	$169

Note_5_Consolidated_Financial_5

Note 5 - Consolidated Financial Statement Details (Details) - Property and Equipment, Net (USD $)	Dec. 31, 2013	Dec. 31, 2012
In Thousands, unless otherwise specified
Property and Equipment, Net [Abstract]
Computer and office equipment	$35	$35
Furniture and fixtures	360	365
Leasehold improvements	23	23
Software	23	24
	441	447
Less accumulated depreciation	-440	-415
	$1	$32

Note_5_Consolidated_Financial_6

Note 5 - Consolidated Financial Statement Details (Details) - Accrued Expenses and Other Current Liabilities (USD $)	Sep. 30, 2014	Dec. 31, 2013	Dec. 31, 2012
In Thousands, unless otherwise specified
Accrued Expenses and Other Current Liabilities [Abstract]
Deferred rent			$226
Accrued lease obligations (see Note 6)	193	229	95
Other	24	24	25
	$217	$253	$346

Note_6_Commitments_and_Conting1

Note 6 - Commitments and Contingencies (Details) - Future Minimum Lease Commitments (USD $)	Dec. 31, 2013
In Thousands, unless otherwise specified
Future Minimum Lease Commitments [Abstract]
2014	$466
2015	350
2016	350
2017	58
	$1,224

Note_6_Commitments_and_Conting2

Note 6 - Commitments and Contingencies (Details) - Future Minimum Sub-lease Payments Receivable (USD $)	Dec. 31, 2013
In Thousands, unless otherwise specified
Future Minimum Sub-lease Payments Receivable [Abstract]
2014	$213
2015	136
2016	136
2017	23
	$508

Note_7_Income_Taxes_Details

Note 7 - Income Taxes (Details) (USD $)	12 Months Ended
	Dec. 31, 2013	Dec. 31, 2012	Dec. 31, 2011
Note 7 - Income Taxes (Details) [Line Items]
Valuation Allowance, Deferred Tax Asset, Increase (Decrease), Amount	$888,000	$124,000
Deferred Tax Assets, Valuation Allowance	49,456,000	48,568,000
Deferred Tax Assets, Tax Credit Carryforwards, Alternative Minimum Tax	500,000
Income Tax Expense (Benefit)	0	-61,000
Effective Income Tax Rate Reconciliation, at Federal Statutory Income Tax Rate, Percent	34.00%	34.00%
Unrecognized Tax Benefits	300,000	300,000	300,000
Unrecognized Tax Benefits that Would Impact Effective Tax Rate	100,000
Internal Revenue Service (IRS) [Member] | Expiring In 2019 [Member]
Note 7 - Income Taxes (Details) [Line Items]
Operating Loss Carryforwards	142,900,000
Internal Revenue Service (IRS) [Member]
Note 7 - Income Taxes (Details) [Line Items]
Income Tax Expense (Benefit)		25,000
State and Local Jurisdiction [Member] | Expiring In 2014 [Member]
Note 7 - Income Taxes (Details) [Line Items]
Operating Loss Carryforwards	64,400,000
State and Local Jurisdiction [Member]
Note 7 - Income Taxes (Details) [Line Items]
Income Tax Expense (Benefit)		36,000
Excess Tax Benefits Of Stock Option Deductions [Member]
Note 7 - Income Taxes (Details) [Line Items]
Deferred Tax Assets, Valuation Allowance	2,700,000	2,700,000
Expiring In 2018 [Member]
Note 7 - Income Taxes (Details) [Line Items]
Deferred Tax Assets, Tax Credit Carryforwards, Research	$700,000

Note_7_Income_Taxes_Details_De

Note 7 - Income Taxes (Details) - Deferred Tax Assets and Liabilities (USD $)	Dec. 31, 2013	Dec. 31, 2012
In Thousands, unless otherwise specified
Deferred Tax Assets and Liabilities [Abstract]
Net operating loss carry forwards	$48,133	$47,335
Tax credit carry forwards	981	981
Accruals and allowances	296	90
Other	46	162
Total deferred tax asset	49,456	48,568
Less valuation allowance	($49,456)	($48,568)

Note_7_Income_Taxes_Details_Ef

Note 7 - Income Taxes (Details) - Effective Income Tax Rate Reconciliation	12 Months Ended
	Dec. 31, 2013	Dec. 31, 2012
Effective Income Tax Rate Reconciliation [Abstract]
Federal tax at statutory rate	34.00%	34.00%
Share based compensation	-0.30%	43.20%
Contingent liability true-up	0.00%	14.70%
Other	-0.60%	-0.30%
Adjustment due to change in valuation allowance	-33.10%	-89.40%
	0.00%	2.20%

Note_7_Income_Taxes_Details_Un

Note 7 - Income Taxes (Details) - Unrecognized Tax Benefits (USD $)	Dec. 31, 2013	Dec. 31, 2012	Dec. 31, 2011
In Thousands, unless otherwise specified
Unrecognized Tax Benefits [Abstract]
Balance at January 1	$300	$300	$300
Balance at December 31	$300	$300	$300

Note_8_Other_Income_Details

Note 8 - Other Income (Details) (USD $)	12 Months Ended
	Dec. 31, 2013	Dec. 31, 2012
Disclosure Text Block [Abstract]
Investment Income, Interest	$25,000	$6,000
Gain (Loss) Related to Litigation Settlement		99,000
Proceeds from Collection of Other Receivables	$0	$67,000

Note_9_Employee_Benefit_Plan_D

Note 9 - Employee Benefit Plan (Details) (USD $)	5 Months Ended	12 Months Ended
	Jun. 01, 2012	Dec. 31, 2013	Dec. 31, 2012
Note 9 - Employee Benefit Plan (Details) [Line Items]
Defined Contribution Plan, Employer Matching Contribution, Percent of Match	50.00%
Defined Contribution Plan, Employer Matching Contribution, Percent of Employees' Gross Pay	4.00%
Defined Contribution Plan, Employer Discretionary Contribution Amount (in Dollars)		$0	$3,000
Additional Matching Contribution [Member]
Note 9 - Employee Benefit Plan (Details) [Line Items]
Defined Contribution Plan, Employer Matching Contribution, Percent of Match	50.00%
Defined Contribution Plan, Employer Matching Contribution, Percent of Employees' Gross Pay	4.00%

Note_10_Distribution_Details

Note 10 - Distribution (Details) (USD $)	0 Months Ended	2 Months Ended	12 Months Ended
	Jan. 04, 2012	Mar. 10, 2012	Dec. 31, 2013	Dec. 31, 2012	Feb. 09, 2012
Distribution Disclosure [Abstract]
Common Stock Distribution Per Share Cash Paid (in Dollars per share)	$5			$5
Common Stock, Shares, Outstanding (in Shares)			7,752,000	7,752,000	7,722,377
Payments of Capital Distribution		$38,612,000	$0