Prism Technologies (PRZM) 10-K 31 Mar 15 2014 FY Annual report Financial data

Document_And_Entity_Informatio

Document And Entity Information (USD $)	12 Months Ended
	Dec. 31, 2014	Mar. 27, 2015	Jun. 30, 2014
Document and Entity Information [Abstract]
Entity Registrant Name	INTERNET PATENTS CORP
Document Type	10-K
Current Fiscal Year End Date	-19
Entity Common Stock, Shares Outstanding		10,073,688
Entity Public Float			$13,633,000
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	31-Dec-14
Document Fiscal Year Focus	2014
Document Fiscal Period Focus	FY

Consolidated_Balance_Sheets

Consolidated Balance Sheets (USD $)	Dec. 31, 2014	Dec. 31, 2013
In Thousands, unless otherwise specified
Current assets:
Cash and cash equivalents	$23,137	$30,113
Short-term investments	1,494	249
Restricted cash equivalents and short-term investments	800	1,000
Prepaid expenses and other current assets	143	144
Total current assets	25,574	31,506
Property and equipment, net		1
Other assets	4	29
Total assets	25,578	31,536
Current liabilities:
Accounts payable	675	220
Accrued lease obligation, current	194	229
Accrued expenses		24
Total current liabilities	869	473
Accrued lease obligation, non-current	251	444
Income tax liability	101	101
Other liabilities	45	45
Total liabilities	1,266	1,063
Convertible preferred stock, $0.001 par value. Authorized: 5,000 shares; no shares issued or outstanding at 2014 and 2013	0	0
Common stock, $0.001 par value. Authorized: 25,000 shares; 11,033 shares issued and 6,574 and 7,752 shares outstanding at 2014 and 2013, respectively	11	11
Paid-in capital	221,771	221,750
Treasury stock, 4,459 and 3,281 shares at 2014 and 2013, respectively	-10,323	-6,788
Accumulated deficit	-187,147	-184,500
Total stockholders’ equity	24,312	30,473
Total liabilities and stockholders’ equity	$25,578	$31,536

Consolidated_Balance_Sheets_Pa

Consolidated Balance Sheets (Parentheticals) (USD $)	Dec. 31, 2014	Dec. 31, 2013
In Thousands, except Per Share data, unless otherwise specified
Convertible preferred stock, par value (in Dollars per share)	$0.00	$0.00
Convertible preferred stock, shares authorized	5,000	5,000
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	25,000
Common stock, shares issued	11,033	11,033
Common stock, shares outstanding	6,574	7,752
Treasury stock, shares	4,459	3,281

Consolidated_Statements_of_Ope

Consolidated Statements of Operations (USD $)	12 Months Ended
In Thousands, except Per Share data, unless otherwise specified	Dec. 31, 2014	Dec. 31, 2013
Revenues	$0	$0
Operating expenses:
General and administrative	2,677	2,688
Total operating expenses	2,677	2,688
Loss from operations	-2,677	-2,688
Other income	30	25
Net loss before income taxes	-2,647	-2,663
Net loss	($2,647)	($2,663)
Net loss per share:
Basic and diluted (in Dollars per share)	($0.35)	($0.34)
Basic and diluted (in Shares)	7,655	7,752

Consolidated_Statements_of_Com

Consolidated Statements of Comprehensive Loss (USD $)	12 Months Ended
In Thousands, unless otherwise specified	Dec. 31, 2014	Dec. 31, 2013
Net loss	($2,647)	($2,663)
Comprehensive loss	($2,647)	($2,663)

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, 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
Share-based compensation		21			21
Repurchases of common stock			-3,535		-3,535
Repurchases of common stock (in Shares)			-1,178
Net loss				-2,647	-2,647
Balances at Dec. 31, 2014	$11	$221,771	($10,323)	($187,147)	$24,312
Balances (in Shares) at Dec. 31, 2014	11,033		-4,459

Consolidated_Statements_of_Cas

Consolidated Statements of Cash Flows (USD $)	12 Months Ended
In Thousands, unless otherwise specified	Dec. 31, 2014	Dec. 31, 2013
Cash flows from operating activities:
Net loss	($2,647)	($2,663)
Adjustments to reconcile net loss to net cash used in operating activities:
Share-based compensation	21	24
Depreciation and amortization	1	14
Impairment of long-lived assets		14
Loss on disposal of equipment		3
Loss on sublease		637
Net changes in operating assets and liabilities:
Prepaid expenses and other current assets	1	25
Other assets	25	-2
Accounts payable	455	-14
Accrued expenses and other current liabilities	-59	-226
Accrued lease obligation	-193	-60
Other liabilities		45
Net cash used in operating activities	-2,396	-2,203
Cash flows from investing activities:
Purchases of short-term investments	-3,984	-1,494
Redemptions of short-term investments	2,739	2,742
Purchases of restricted cash equivalents and short-term investments		-1,000
Redemptions of restricted short-term investments	200	1,000
Net cash provided by(used in) investing activities	-1,045	1,248
Cash flows from financing activities:
Repurchases of common stock	-3,535
Net cash used in financing activities	-3,535
Net decrease in cash and cash equivalents	-6,976	-955
Cash and cash equivalents, beginning of year	30,113	31,068
Cash and cash equivalents, end of year	$23,137	$30,113

Note_1_Business_of_Internet_Pa

Note 1 - Business of Internet Patents Corporation	12 Months Ended
	Dec. 31, 2014
Disclosure Text Block [Abstract]
Organization, Consolidation and Presentation of Financial Statements Disclosure [Text Block]	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.
	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. 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.
	Since the Disposition Date, IPC’s business has been licensing and enforcing of a portfolio of patents relating to technology that was developed by IPC. On March 26, 2015, IPC completed a merger with Prism Technologies, LLC (“Prism”), with Prism becoming a wholly-owned subsidiary of IPC (the “Merger”). Prism is a Nebraska limited liability company headquartered in Omaha, Nebraska. Prism has two primary operating subsidiaries: Secure Axcess, LLC, a Texas limited liability company, and Millenium Biologix, LLC, a Nebraska limited liability company. Prism also operates a patent licensing and enforcement business. Prism and its subsidiaries own a patent portfolio consisting of nine patent families with an aggregate of 51 issued patents and five pending patent applications in the computer and network security, semiconductor and medical technology space.
	In the Merger, Prism members received an aggregate of $16.5 million in cash and 3.5 million shares of IPC common stock. Subject to certain conditions, IPC has also agreed to share future revenue related to Prism’s patents with Prism’s former security holders up to a maximum amount of approximately $49.5 million.
	Our future revenues, if any, are expected to consist entirely of royalties from licensing our patents and damages for past infringement of our patents. IPC cannot estimate what revenues, if any, it will receive in 2015. In addition to general and administrative expenses, including salaries and benefits, rent and utilities, we expect to incur significant expenses associated with patent infringement litigation.

Note_2_Summary_of_Significant_

Note 2 - Summary of Significant Accounting Policies	12 Months Ended
	Dec. 31, 2014
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
	In general, patent licensing arrangements are expected to provide for the payment of contractually determined fees in consideration for the grant of certain intellectual property rights for patented technologies owned or controlled by IPC. Complex revenue arrangements may require significant judgments, assumptions and estimates about when substantial delivery of contract elements will occur, whether any significant ongoing obligations exist subsequent to contract execution, whether collectability is reasonably assured and determination of the appropriate period in which the completion of the earning process occurs.
	IPC recognizes revenue when (i) persuasive evidence of a contractual arrangement between IPC and the licensee exists, which create legally enforceable rights and obligations, (ii) delivery of the licensee agreement was provided to the licensee, based upon the point at which control of license transfers to the licensee, (iii) the price to the licensee was fixed or determinable, represents the amount of consideration to which IPC expects to be entitled in exchange for transferring the promised licensee agreement to a licensee  and (iv) collectability of consideration to which IPC is entitled to is reasonably assured.
	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. No such indicators of impairment were identified as of December 31, 2014. 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.
	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, 2014 and 2013, we had no customers or accounts receivable.
	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 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 IPC’s 1997 and 2008 Stock Option Plans 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 IPC’s forfeiture rate, as well as future equity granted or assumed through acquisitions could significantly impact the compensation expense we recognize.
	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.
	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, 2014 and December 31, 2013, 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.
	The carrying value of IPC’s deferred tax assets, which was approximately $48.4 million at December 31, 2014, is dependent upon its ability to generate sufficient future taxable income. IPC has established a full valuation allowance against its net deferred tax assets to reflect the uncertainty of realizing the deferred tax benefits, given historical losses. A valuation allowance is required when it is more likely than not that all or a portion of a deferred tax asset will not be realized. This assessment requires a review and consideration of all available positive and negative evidence, including its past and future performance, the market environment in which IPC operates, the utilization of tax attributes in the past, and the length of carryforward periods and evaluation of potential tax planning strategies. IPC expects to continue to maintain a full valuation allowance until an appropriate level of profitability is sustained or is able to develop tax strategies that would enable IPC to conclude that it is more likely than not that a portion of its deferred tax assets would be realizable.
	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)	2014			2013
	Numerator for basic and diluted net loss per share:
	Net loss available to common shareholders:	$	(2,647	)	$	(2,663	)
	Denominator for net loss per share:
	Basic and diluted—weighted average shares of common stock outstanding		7,655			7,752
	Potentially dilutive securities are not included in the diluted net income calculation, because IPC had a net loss from operations, net of tax. The antidilutive securities that are not included in the calculation above are employee stock options and non-employee directors to purchase shares totaling 0 as of December 31, 2014 and 371 as of December 31, 2013.
	Recently Issued Accounting Pronouncements
	In July 2013, the FASB issued an amendment to Accounting Standards Update (“ASU”) No. 2013-11, “Income Taxes” 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 adoption of this guidance did not have a material impact on the financial statements.
	In May 2014, the FASB issued Accounting Standards Update (“ASU”) No. 2014-09, Revenue from Contracts with Customers, which requires an entity to recognize the amount of revenue to which it expects to be entitled for the transfer of promised goods or services to customers. The ASU will replace most existing revenue recognition guidance in U.S. GAAP when it becomes effective. The new standard is effective for annual reporting periods beginning after December 15, 2016. Early application is not permitted. The standard permits the use of either the retrospective or cumulative effect transition method. The Company is evaluating the effect that ASU 2014-09 will have on its Condensed Consolidated Financial Statements and related disclosures. The Company has not yet selected a transition method nor has it determined the effect of the standard on its ongoing financial reporting. We expect to adopt this new standard in the first quarter of fiscal year 2017.
	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_ShareBased_Payments

Note 3 - Share-Based Payments	12 Months Ended
	Dec. 31, 2014
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, 2014 and 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 $3.15 and $3.56 respectively.
	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, 1,500,000 shares of common stock were authorized for issuance under this plan. Options to purchase an aggregate of 500,000 shares have been granted under this plan with 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 2014 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 exercisable at December 31, 2014 are as follows:
													Options Outstanding				Options Currently Exercisable
	Exercise Prices												Number		Weighted Average		Number		Weighted Average
													Outstanding		Remaining		Outstanding		Exercise Price
															Contractual
															Life (in years)
	(in thousands, except contractual life and exercise price amounts)
	$	3.15				-			$	3.25				20		3.5		20	$	3.18
	$	3.26				-			$	5.25				19		2.78		19		3.93
	$	7				-			$	7				31		0.96		31		7
	$	7.22				-			$	7.7				34		1.04		34		7.63
														104		1.81		104	$	5.89
	Share-based compensation expense resulting from stock options for the years ended December 31, 2014 and 2013 were included in income in the amount of $21,000 and $24,000, respectively.
	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, 2014 and 2013:
			Year Ended December 31
			2014				2013
	Expected term (in years)			3				3
	Expected volatility			0.68				0.69
	Risk-free interest rate			0.9	%			0.65	%
	Expected dividend			—				—
	Weighted-average fair value at grant date		$	1.42			$	1.61
	Activity under all of IPC’s stock option plans is as follows:
	(in thousands, except exercise price amounts)		Options				Options				Weighted
			Available				Outstanding				Average
			for Grant								Exercise Price
	Balances, December 31, 2013			965				94			$	5.42
	Additional shares reserved			155				—				—
	Granted			(15	)			15				3.15
	Canceled/forfeited			5				(5	)			4.35
	Balances, December 31, 2014			1,110				104			$	5.89
	There were no unvested options at December 31, 2014 and December 31, 2013.
	There was no aggregate intrinsic value of options outstanding and exercisable at December 31, 2014 and 2013. Aggregate intrinsic value represents the total intrinsic value (the aggregate difference between the closing stock price of IPC’s common stock of $2.78 and $3.12 on December 31, 2014 and 2013, 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, 2014 and 2013, respectively. There were no options exercised for the years ended December 31, 2014 and 2013. The weighted-average remaining contractual terms of options outstanding and exercisable at December 31, 2014 and 2013 were 1.82 and 2.27 years, respectively.
	No cash was received from stock option exercises and purchases under the Purchase Plan for December 31, 2014 and 2013.

Note_4_Fair_Value_Measurements

Note 4 - Fair Value Measurements	12 Months Ended
	Dec. 31, 2014
Fair Value Disclosures [Abstract]
Fair Value Disclosures [Text Block]	4.           Fair Value Measurements
	The following table presents the assets and liabilities measured at fair value on a recurring basis as of December 31, 2014 (in thousands):
		December 31,		Level 1		Level 2		Level 3
		2014
	Assets:
	Cash equivalents	$	22,600	$	22,600	$	—	$	—
	Short-term investments		1,494		1,494		—		—
	Restricted cash equivalents		800		800
	Total assets at fair value	$	24,894	$	24,894	$	—	$	—
	The following table presents the financial assets and liabilities measured at fair value on a recurring basis as of December 31, 2013 (in thousands):
		December 31,		Level 1		Level 2		Level 3
		2013
	Assets:
	Cash equivalents	$	29,315	$	29,315	$	—	$	—
	Short-term investments		249		249		—		—
	Restricted cash equivalents		1,000		1,000
	Total assets at fair value	$	30,564	$	30,564	$	—	$	—
	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 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_5_Consolidated_Financial_

Note 5 - Consolidated Financial Statement Details	12 Months Ended
	Dec. 31, 2014
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,
		2014			2013
	Cash	$	537		$	798
	Money market deposit accounts		22,549			28,022
	Money market funds		51			1,293
		$	23,137		$	30,113
	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 $1.5 million at December 31, 2014 and $0.2 million at December 31, 2013.
	At December 31, 2014, 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
	As of December 31, 2014 and December 31, 2013, restricted cash equivalents consisted of $0.8 million and $1.0 million each, respectively. A portion of the cash equivalents 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,
		2014			2013
	Prepaid insurance	$	109		$	84
	Prepaid rent		30			41
	Prepaid taxes		1			16
	Other		3			3
		$	143		$	144
	Property and equipment
	Property and equipment, net, consists of the following (in thousands):
		December 31,
		2014			2013
	Computer and office equipment	$	35		$	35
	Furniture and fixtures		360			360
	Leasehold improvements		23			23
	Software		23			23
			441			441
	Less accumulated depreciation		(441	)		(440	)
		$	—		$	1
	Depreciation expense was $1,000 and $14,000 for the years ended December 31, 2014 and 2013, respectively.
	Accrued expenses
	Accrued expenses consist of the following (in thousands):
		December 31,
		2014			2013
	Accrued lease obligations (see Note 6)	$	194		$	229
	Other		—			24
		$	194		$	253
	During the year ended December 31, 2013, IPC discontinued using its corporate headquarters facility in Rancho Cordova, California 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, IPC 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 its 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. IPC 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.
	Stockholders’ Equity—Negotiated Common Stock Repurchaseswith Related Parties and Others
	On November 21 and November 25, 2014, IPC entered into stock purchase agreements with two significant IPC stockholders, with one of their affiliates and an IPC stockholder and certain of his affiliates, pursuant to which IPC agreed to repurchase an aggregate of 1,178,264 shares of IPC common stock at a price of $3.00 per share, for a total purchase price of $3,534,792. The purchase of such shares was completed on December 1, 2014.The $3.00 per share price was consistent with the stock price for the two week period prior to the announcement of the Merger.
	On December 8, 2014, one of the Company’s Board members purchased 110,000 shares of IPC common stock from a significant IPC stockholder at a price of $3.00 per share, for a total purchase price of $330,000.

Note_6_Commitments_and_Conting

Note 6 - Commitments and Contingencies	12 Months Ended
	Dec. 31, 2014
Commitments and Contingencies Disclosure [Abstract]
Commitments and Contingencies Disclosure [Text Block]	6.           Commitments and Contingencies
	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 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 December 31, 2014, IPC is expected to receive $295,000 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.
	Future minimum lease commitments as of December 31, 2014 are summarized as follows (in thousands):
	Years ending December 31,	Future
		minimum lease
		commitments
	2015	$	352
	2016		350
	2017		58
		$	760
	Rent expense, net of sub-lease income and amortization of accrued lease obligations, for the years ended December 31, 2014 and 2013 was $12,000 and $118,000, respectively.
	Future minimum sub-lease payments expected to be received as of December 31, 2014 are summarized as follows (in thousands):
	Years ending December 31,	Future
		minimum sub-
		lease
		payments
	2015	$	136
	2016		136
	2017		23
		$	295

Note_7_Income_Taxes

Note 7 - Income Taxes	12 Months Ended
	Dec. 31, 2014
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,
		2014			2013
	Net operating loss carry forwards	$	46,872		$	48,133
	Tax credit carry forwards		981			981
	Accruals and allowances		205			296
	Depreciation and amortization		332			34
	Other		34			12
	Total deferred tax asset		48,424			49,456
	Less valuation allowance		(48,424	)		(49,456	)
	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, 2014 increased by $1,032,000 and for the year ended December 31, 2013 increased by $888,000.
	For tax return purposes, IPC had net operating loss carry forwards at December 31, 2014 of approximately $144.9 million and $29.2 million for federal income tax and state income tax purposes, respectively. Federal net operating loss carry forwards begin expiring in 2019. State net operating loss caryforwards began expiring in 2015. 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 income tax expense or benefit for the years ended December 31, 2014 and 2013, due to IPC incurring losses in these years.
	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,
		2014			2013
	Federal tax at statutory rate		34	%		34	%
	Share based compensation		0	%		(0.3	)%
	Other		(0.7	)%		(0.6	)%
	Adjustment due to change in valuation allowance		(33.3	)%		(33.1	)%
			(0.0	)%		(0.0	)%
	In 2014 and 2013, 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, 2014 and December 31, 2013, 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):
		2014			2013
	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, 2014 and 2013, 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 2014, 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 would be subject to examination. On April 10, 2014, the Internal Revenue Service notified IPC that its audit of the Company’s returns for tax year 2011 had been completed. The IRS made no changes to the Company’s reported income taxes.

Note_8_Other_Income

Note 8 - Other Income	12 Months Ended
	Dec. 31, 2014
Disclosure Text Block [Abstract]
Interest and Other Income [Text Block]	8.           Other Income
	The Company recognized interest income in 2014 and 2013 in the amount of $30,000 and $25,000, 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.

Note_9_Subsequent_Event_Acquis

Note 9 - Subsequent Event - Acquisition of Prism	12 Months Ended
	Dec. 31, 2014
Subsequent Events [Abstract]
Subsequent Events [Text Block]	9.          Subsequent Event- Acquisition of Prism
	On March 26, 2015, IPC and Prism completed the Merger through which Prism became a wholly-owned subsidiary of IPC. In the Merger, Prism’s former security holders received an aggregate of $16.5 million in cash and 3.5 million shares of IPC common stock. Subject to certain conditions, IPC has also agreed to share future revenue related to Prism’s patents with Prism’s former security holders up to a maximum amount of approximately $49.5 million. In addition, IPC granted options for an aggregate of 500,000 shares to four individuals in connection with their employment by IPC following the Merger.
	Immediately following the closing of the transaction, Prism’s former equity owners owned approximately 35% of the outstanding common stock of IPC (or approximately 34% of the outstanding common stock of IPC calculated on a fully diluted basis).

Accounting_Policies_by_Policy_

Accounting Policies, by Policy (Policies)	12 Months Ended
	Dec. 31, 2014
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
	In general, patent licensing arrangements are expected to provide for the payment of contractually determined fees in consideration for the grant of certain intellectual property rights for patented technologies owned or controlled by IPC. Complex revenue arrangements may require significant judgments, assumptions and estimates about when substantial delivery of contract elements will occur, whether any significant ongoing obligations exist subsequent to contract execution, whether collectability is reasonably assured and determination of the appropriate period in which the completion of the earning process occurs.
	IPC recognizes revenue when (i) persuasive evidence of a contractual arrangement between IPC and the licensee exists, which create legally enforceable rights and obligations, (ii) delivery of the licensee agreement was provided to the licensee, based upon the point at which control of license transfers to the licensee, (iii) the price to the licensee was fixed or determinable, represents the amount of consideration to which IPC expects to be entitled in exchange for transferring the promised licensee agreement to a licensee  and (iv) collectability of consideration to which IPC is entitled to is reasonably assured.
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. No such indicators of impairment were identified as of December 31, 2014. 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.
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, 2014 and 2013, we had no customers or accounts receivable.
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 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 IPC’s 1997 and 2008 Stock Option Plans 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 IPC’s forfeiture rate, as well as future equity granted or assumed through acquisitions could significantly impact the compensation expense we recognize.
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.
	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, 2014 and December 31, 2013, 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.
	The carrying value of IPC’s deferred tax assets, which was approximately $48.4 million at December 31, 2014, is dependent upon its ability to generate sufficient future taxable income. IPC has established a full valuation allowance against its net deferred tax assets to reflect the uncertainty of realizing the deferred tax benefits, given historical losses. A valuation allowance is required when it is more likely than not that all or a portion of a deferred tax asset will not be realized. This assessment requires a review and consideration of all available positive and negative evidence, including its past and future performance, the market environment in which IPC operates, the utilization of tax attributes in the past, and the length of carryforward periods and evaluation of potential tax planning strategies. IPC expects to continue to maintain a full valuation allowance until an appropriate level of profitability is sustained or is able to develop tax strategies that would enable IPC to conclude that it is more likely than not that a portion of its deferred tax assets would be realizable.
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)	2014			2013
	Numerator for basic and diluted net loss per share:
	Net loss available to common shareholders:	$	(2,647	)	$	(2,663	)
	Denominator for net loss per share:
	Basic and diluted—weighted average shares of common stock outstanding		7,655			7,752
	Potentially dilutive securities are not included in the diluted net income calculation, because IPC had a net loss from operations, net of tax. The antidilutive securities that are not included in the calculation above are employee stock options and non-employee directors to purchase shares totaling 0 as of December 31, 2014 and 371 as of December 31, 2013.
New Accounting Pronouncements, Policy [Policy Text Block]	Recently Issued Accounting Pronouncements
	In July 2013, the FASB issued an amendment to Accounting Standards Update (“ASU”) No. 2013-11, “Income Taxes” 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 adoption of this guidance did not have a material impact on the financial statements.
	In May 2014, the FASB issued Accounting Standards Update (“ASU”) No. 2014-09, Revenue from Contracts with Customers, which requires an entity to recognize the amount of revenue to which it expects to be entitled for the transfer of promised goods or services to customers. The ASU will replace most existing revenue recognition guidance in U.S. GAAP when it becomes effective. The new standard is effective for annual reporting periods beginning after December 15, 2016. Early application is not permitted. The standard permits the use of either the retrospective or cumulative effect transition method. The Company is evaluating the effect that ASU 2014-09 will have on its Condensed Consolidated Financial Statements and related disclosures. The Company has not yet selected a transition method nor has it determined the effect of the standard on its ongoing financial reporting. We expect to adopt this new standard in the first quarter of fiscal year 2017.
	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_2_Summary_of_Significant_1

Note 2 - Summary of Significant Accounting Policies (Tables)	12 Months Ended
	Dec. 31, 2014
Accounting Policies [Abstract]
Schedule of Earnings Per Share, Basic and Diluted [Table Text Block]		Year Ended December 31,
	(In thousands)	2014			2013
	Numerator for basic and diluted net loss per share:
	Net loss available to common shareholders:	$	(2,647	)	$	(2,663	)
	Denominator for net loss per share:
	Basic and diluted—weighted average shares of common stock outstanding		7,655			7,752

Note_3_ShareBased_Payments_Tab

Note 3 - Share-Based Payments (Tables)	12 Months Ended
	Dec. 31, 2014
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		Outstanding		Exercise Price
															Contractual
															Life (in years)
	(in thousands, except contractual life and exercise price amounts)
	$	3.15				-			$	3.25				20		3.5		20	$	3.18
	$	3.26				-			$	5.25				19		2.78		19		3.93
	$	7				-			$	7				31		0.96		31		7
	$	7.22				-			$	7.7				34		1.04		34		7.63
														104		1.81		104	$	5.89
Schedule of Share-based Payment Award, Employee Stock Purchase Plan, Valuation Assumptions [Table Text Block]			Year Ended December 31
			2014				2013
	Expected term (in years)			3				3
	Expected volatility			0.68				0.69
	Risk-free interest rate			0.9	%			0.65	%
	Expected dividend			—				—
	Weighted-average fair value at grant date		$	1.42			$	1.61
Schedule of Share-based Compensation, Stock Options, Activity [Table Text Block]	(in thousands, except exercise price amounts)		Options				Options				Weighted
			Available				Outstanding				Average
			for Grant								Exercise Price
	Balances, December 31, 2013			965				94			$	5.42
	Additional shares reserved			155				—				—
	Granted			(15	)			15				3.15
	Canceled/forfeited			5				(5	)			4.35
	Balances, December 31, 2014			1,110				104			$	5.89

Note_4_Fair_Value_Measurements1

Note 4 - Fair Value Measurements (Tables)	12 Months Ended
	Dec. 31, 2014
Fair Value Disclosures [Abstract]
Fair Value, Assets Measured on Recurring Basis [Table Text Block]		December 31,		Level 1		Level 2		Level 3
		2014
	Assets:
	Cash equivalents	$	22,600	$	22,600	$	—	$	—
	Short-term investments		1,494		1,494		—		—
	Restricted cash equivalents		800		800
	Total assets at fair value	$	24,894	$	24,894	$	—	$	—
		December 31,		Level 1		Level 2		Level 3
		2013
	Assets:
	Cash equivalents	$	29,315	$	29,315	$	—	$	—
	Short-term investments		249		249		—		—
	Restricted cash equivalents		1,000		1,000
	Total assets at fair value	$	30,564	$	30,564	$	—	$	—

Note_5_Consolidated_Financial_1

Note 5 - Consolidated Financial Statement Details (Tables)	12 Months Ended
	Dec. 31, 2014
Disclosure Text Block Supplement [Abstract]
Cash, Cash Equivalents and Investments [Table Text Block]		December 31,
		2014			2013
	Cash	$	537		$	798
	Money market deposit accounts		22,549			28,022
	Money market funds		51			1,293
		$	23,137		$	30,113
Schedule of Other Assets [Table Text Block]		December 31,
		2014			2013
	Prepaid insurance	$	109		$	84
	Prepaid rent		30			41
	Prepaid taxes		1			16
	Other		3			3
		$	143		$	144
Property, Plant and Equipment [Table Text Block]		December 31,
		2014			2013
	Computer and office equipment	$	35		$	35
	Furniture and fixtures		360			360
	Leasehold improvements		23			23
	Software		23			23
			441			441
	Less accumulated depreciation		(441	)		(440	)
		$	—		$	1
Schedule of Accrued Liabilities [Table Text Block]		December 31,
		2014			2013
	Accrued lease obligations (see Note 6)	$	194		$	229
	Other		—			24
		$	194		$	253

Note_6_Commitments_and_Conting1

Note 6 - Commitments and Contingencies (Tables)	12 Months Ended
	Dec. 31, 2014
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
	2015	$	352
	2016		350
	2017		58
		$	760
Operating Leases Of Lessee Sublease Payment Receivable [Table Text Block]	Years ending December 31,	Future
		minimum sub-
		lease
		payments
	2015	$	136
	2016		136
	2017		23
		$	295

Note_7_Income_Taxes_Tables

Note 7 - Income Taxes (Tables)	12 Months Ended
	Dec. 31, 2014
Income Tax Disclosure [Abstract]
Schedule of Deferred Tax Assets and Liabilities [Table Text Block]		December 31,
		2014			2013
	Net operating loss carry forwards	$	46,872		$	48,133
	Tax credit carry forwards		981			981
	Accruals and allowances		205			296
	Depreciation and amortization		332			34
	Other		34			12
	Total deferred tax asset		48,424			49,456
	Less valuation allowance		(48,424	)		(49,456	)
	Net deferred tax asset	$	—		$	—
Schedule of Effective Income Tax Rate Reconciliation [Table Text Block]		December 31,
		2014			2013
	Federal tax at statutory rate		34	%		34	%
	Share based compensation		0	%		(0.3	)%
	Other		(0.7	)%		(0.6	)%
	Adjustment due to change in valuation allowance		(33.3	)%		(33.1	)%
			(0.0	)%		(0.0	)%
Schedule of Unrecognized Tax Benefits Roll Forward [Table Text Block]		2014			2013
	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) (USD $)	0 Months Ended
In Millions, except Share data in Thousands, unless otherwise specified	Mar. 27, 2015	Dec. 31, 2014	Dec. 31, 2013
Note 1 - Business of Internet Patents Corporation (Details) [Line Items]
Common Stock, Shares, Issued (in Shares)		11,033	11,033
Subsequent Event [Member] | Patents [Member] | Prism Technologies [Member]
Note 1 - Business of Internet Patents Corporation (Details) [Line Items]
Patent Families	9
Issued Patents	51
Patents Pending	5
Subsequent Event [Member] | Prism Technologies [Member]
Note 1 - Business of Internet Patents Corporation (Details) [Line Items]
Business Combination, Consideration Transferred (in Dollars)	$16.50
Common Stock, Shares, Issued (in Shares)	3,500
Licenses Revenue (in Dollars)	$49.50

Note_2_Summary_of_Significant_2

Note 2 - Summary of Significant Accounting Policies (Details) (USD $)	12 Months Ended
	Dec. 31, 2014	Dec. 31, 2013	Dec. 31, 2012
Note 2 - Summary of Significant Accounting Policies (Details) [Line Items]
Impairment of Leasehold	$0	$14,000
Accounts Receivable, Net, Current	0	0
Fair Value Assumptions, Expected Dividend Rate	0.00%
Unrecognized Tax Benefits	300,000	300,000	300,000
Unrecognized Tax Benefits that Would Impact Effective Tax Rate		100,000
Deferred Tax Assets, Gross	$48,424,000	$49,456,000
Antidilutive Securities Excluded from Computation of Earnings Per Share, Amount (in Shares)	0	371
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 $)	12 Months Ended
In Thousands, unless otherwise specified	Dec. 31, 2014	Dec. 31, 2013
Calculation of Basic and Diluted Net Income per Share [Abstract]
Net loss available to common shareholders:	($2,647)	($2,663)
Denominator for net loss per share:
Basic and diluted—weighted average shares of common stock outstanding	7,655	7,752

Note_3_ShareBased_Payments_Det

Note 3 - Share-Based Payments (Details) (USD $)	1 Months Ended		12 Months Ended		0 Months Ended
	Jul. 31, 2014	Jul. 31, 2013	Dec. 31, 2014	Dec. 31, 2013	Dec. 31, 2014	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						5,000
Share-based Compensation Arrangement by Share-based Payment Award, Options, Grants in Period, Gross			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	$3.15
Annual Increase in Share Reserve, Percentage						5.00%
Allocated Share-based Compensation Expense (in Dollars)			$21,000	$24,000
Share Price (in Dollars per share)			$2.78	$3.12	2.78
Share-based Compensation Arrangement by Share-based Payment Award, Options, Vested and Expected to Vest, Exercisable, Weighted Average Remaining Contractual Term			1 year 299 days	2 years 98 days
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	5,000	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			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							1,500,000
Share-based Compensation Arrangement by Share-based Payment Award, Options, Grants in Period, Gross					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, 2014	Dec. 31, 2013
Share-based Compensation, Shares Authorized under Stock Option Plans, Exercise Price Range [Line Items]
Number Outstanding (in Shares)	104	94
Weighted Average Remaining Contractual Life (in years)	1 year 295 days
Number Outstanding (in Shares)	104
Weighted Average Exercise Price	$5.89
Range 1 [Member]
Share-based Compensation, Shares Authorized under Stock Option Plans, Exercise Price Range [Line Items]
Exercise Prices	$3.15
Exercise Prices	$3.25
Number Outstanding (in Shares)	20
Weighted Average Remaining Contractual Life (in years)	3 years 6 months
Number Outstanding (in Shares)	20
Weighted Average Exercise Price	$3.18
Range 2 [Member]
Share-based Compensation, Shares Authorized under Stock Option Plans, Exercise Price Range [Line Items]
Exercise Prices	$3.26
Exercise Prices	$5.25
Number Outstanding (in Shares)	19
Weighted Average Remaining Contractual Life (in years)	2 years 284 days
Number Outstanding (in Shares)	19
Weighted Average Exercise Price	$3.93
Range 3 [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)	350 days
Number Outstanding (in Shares)	31
Weighted Average Exercise Price	$7
Range 4 [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)	34
Weighted Average Remaining Contractual Life (in years)	1 year 14 days
Number Outstanding (in Shares)	34
Weighted Average Exercise Price	$7.63

Note_3_ShareBased_Payments_Det2

Note 3 - Share-Based Payments (Details) - Fair Value Of Stock Options Assumption (USD $)	12 Months Ended
	Dec. 31, 2014	Dec. 31, 2013
Fair Value Of Stock Options Assumption [Abstract]
Expected term (in years)	3 years	3 years
Expected volatility	0.68%	0.69%
Risk-free interest rate	0.90%	0.65%
Weighted-average fair value at grant date (in Dollars per share)	$1.42	$1.61

Note_3_ShareBased_Payments_Det3

Note 3 - Share-Based Payments (Details) - Stock Option Activity (USD $)	1 Months Ended		12 Months Ended
In Thousands, except Per Share data, unless otherwise specified	Jul. 31, 2014	Jul. 31, 2013	Dec. 31, 2014
Stock Option Activity [Abstract]
Balances, December 31, 2013			965
Balances, December 31, 2013			94
Balances, December 31, 2013 (in Dollars per share)			$5.42
Additional shares reserved			155
Granted			-15
Granted			15
Granted (in Dollars per share)	$3.15	$3.56	$3.15
Canceled/forfeited			5
Canceled/forfeited			-5
Canceled/forfeited (in Dollars per share)			$4.35
Balances, December 31, 2014			1,110
Balances, December 31, 2014			104
Balances, December 31, 2014 (in Dollars per share)			$5.89

Note_4_Fair_Value_Measurements2

Note 4 - Fair Value Measurements (Details) - Assets at Fair Value (USD $)	Dec. 31, 2014	Dec. 31, 2013
In Thousands, unless otherwise specified
Assets:
Cash equivalents	$22,600	$29,315
Short-term investments	1,494	249
Restricted cash equivalents and short-term investments	800	1,000
Total assets at fair value	24,894	30,564
Fair Value, Inputs, Level 1 [Member]
Assets:
Cash equivalents	22,600	29,315
Short-term investments	1,494	249
Restricted cash equivalents and short-term investments	800	1,000
Total assets at fair value	$24,894	$30,564

Note_5_Consolidated_Financial_2

Note 5 - Consolidated Financial Statement Details (Details) (USD $)	12 Months Ended		0 Months Ended
	Dec. 31, 2014	Dec. 31, 2013	Dec. 01, 2014	Dec. 08, 2014
Note 5 - Consolidated Financial Statement Details (Details) [Line Items]
Short-term Investments	$1,494,000	$249,000
Restricted Investments	800,000	1,000,000
Depreciation	1,000	14,000
Depreciation and Amortization, Discontinued Operations		606,000
Payments for Repurchase of Common Stock	3,535,000
IPC Stockholder and Certain Affiliates [Member]
Note 5 - Consolidated Financial Statement Details (Details) [Line Items]
Treasury Stock, Shares, Acquired (in Shares)			1,178,264
Treasury Stock Acquired, Average Cost Per Share (in Dollars per share)			$3
Payments for Repurchase of Common Stock			3,534,792
IPC Stockholder [Member]
Note 5 - Consolidated Financial Statement Details (Details) [Line Items]
Treasury Stock, Shares, Acquired (in Shares)				110,000
Treasury Stock Acquired, Average Cost Per Share (in Dollars per share)				$3
Payments for Repurchase of Common Stock				330,000
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
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 $)	Dec. 31, 2014	Dec. 31, 2013	Dec. 31, 2012
In Thousands, unless otherwise specified
Cash and Cash Equivalents [Abstract]
Cash	$537	$798
Money market deposit accounts	22,549	28,022
Money market funds	51	1,293
	$23,137	$30,113	$31,068

Note_5_Consolidated_Financial_4

Note 5 - Consolidated Financial Statement Details (Details) - Prepaid Expenses and Other Current Assets (USD $)	Dec. 31, 2014	Dec. 31, 2013
In Thousands, unless otherwise specified
Prepaid Expenses and Other Current Assets [Abstract]
Prepaid insurance	$109	$84
Prepaid rent	30	41
Prepaid taxes	1	16
Other	3	3
	$143	$144

Note_5_Consolidated_Financial_5

Note 5 - Consolidated Financial Statement Details (Details) - Property and Equipment, Net (USD $)	Dec. 31, 2014	Dec. 31, 2013
In Thousands, unless otherwise specified
Property and Equipment, Net [Abstract]
Computer and office equipment	$35	$35
Furniture and fixtures	360	360
Leasehold improvements	23	23
Software	23	23
	441	441
Less accumulated depreciation	-441	-440
		$1

Note_5_Consolidated_Financial_6

Note 5 - Consolidated Financial Statement Details (Details) - Accrued Expenses and Other Current Liabilities (USD $)	Dec. 31, 2014	Dec. 31, 2013
In Thousands, unless otherwise specified
Accrued Expenses and Other Current Liabilities [Abstract]
Accrued lease obligations (see Note 6)	$194	$229
Other		24
	$194	$253

Note_6_Commitments_and_Conting2

Note 6 - Commitments and Contingencies (Details) (USD $)	12 Months Ended
	Dec. 31, 2014	Dec. 31, 2013
Note 6 - Commitments and Contingencies (Details) [Line Items]
Operating Leases, Future Minimum Payments Receivable	$295,000
Operating Leases, Rent Expense	12,000	118,000
Folsom, California Corporate Headquarters [Member]
Note 6 - Commitments and Contingencies (Details) [Line Items]
Lease Term	24 months
Area of Real Estate Property	800
Sacramento [Member]
Note 6 - Commitments and Contingencies (Details) [Line Items]
Lease Term	5 years
Area of Real Estate Property	16,000
Operating Leases, Future Minimum Payments Receivable	$295,000
San Francisco [Member]
Note 6 - Commitments and Contingencies (Details) [Line Items]
Area of Real Estate Property	10,000

Note_6_Commitments_and_Conting3

Note 6 - Commitments and Contingencies (Details) - Future Minimum Lease Commitments (USD $)	Dec. 31, 2014
In Thousands, unless otherwise specified
Future Minimum Lease Commitments [Abstract]
2015	$352
2016	350
2017	58
	$760

Note_6_Commitments_and_Conting4

Note 6 - Commitments and Contingencies (Details) - Future Minimum Sub-lease Payments Receivable (USD $)	Dec. 31, 2014
In Thousands, unless otherwise specified
Future Minimum Sub-lease Payments Receivable [Abstract]
2015	$136
2016	136
2017	23
	$295

Note_7_Income_Taxes_Details

Note 7 - Income Taxes (Details) (USD $)	12 Months Ended
	Dec. 31, 2014	Dec. 31, 2013	Dec. 31, 2012
Note 7 - Income Taxes (Details) [Line Items]
Valuation Allowance, Deferred Tax Asset, Increase (Decrease), Amount	$1,032,000	$888,000
Deferred Tax Assets, Tax Credit Carryforwards, Alternative Minimum Tax	500,000
Income Tax Expense (Benefit)	0	0
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	144,900,000
State and Local Jurisdiction [Member] | Expiring In 2019 [Member]
Note 7 - Income Taxes (Details) [Line Items]
Operating Loss Carryforwards	29,200,000
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, 2014	Dec. 31, 2013
In Thousands, unless otherwise specified
Deferred Tax Assets and Liabilities [Abstract]
Net operating loss carry forwards	$46,872	$48,133
Tax credit carry forwards	981	981
Accruals and allowances	205	296
Depreciation and amortization	332	34
Other	34	12
Total deferred tax asset	48,424	49,456
Less valuation allowance	($48,424)	($49,456)

Note_7_Income_Taxes_Details_Ef

Note 7 - Income Taxes (Details) - Effective Income Tax Rate Reconciliation	12 Months Ended
	Dec. 31, 2014	Dec. 31, 2013
Effective Income Tax Rate Reconciliation [Abstract]
Federal tax at statutory rate	34.00%	34.00%
Share based compensation	0.00%	-0.30%
Other	-0.70%	-0.60%
Adjustment due to change in valuation allowance	-33.30%	-33.10%
	0.00%	0.00%

Note_7_Income_Taxes_Details_Un

Note 7 - Income Taxes (Details) - Unrecognized Tax Benefits (USD $)	Dec. 31, 2014	Dec. 31, 2013	Dec. 31, 2012
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, 2014	Dec. 31, 2013
Disclosure Text Block [Abstract]
Investment Income, Interest	$30,000	$25,000

Note_9_Subsequent_Event_Acquis1

Note 9 - Subsequent Event - Acquisition of Prism (Details) (USD $)	12 Months Ended	0 Months Ended
In Millions, except Share data, unless otherwise specified	Dec. 31, 2014	Mar. 27, 2015	Dec. 31, 2013
Note 9 - Subsequent Event - Acquisition of Prism (Details) [Line Items]
Common Stock, Shares, Issued	11,033,000		11,033,000
Share-based Compensation Arrangement by Share-based Payment Award, Options, Grants in Period, Gross	15,000
Noncontrolling Interest Diluted [Member] | Subsequent Event [Member] | Prism Technologies [Member]
Note 9 - Subsequent Event - Acquisition of Prism (Details) [Line Items]
Noncontrolling Interest, Ownership Percentage by Noncontrolling Owners		34.00%
Subsequent Event [Member] | Four Employees Related to Merger [Member]
Note 9 - Subsequent Event - Acquisition of Prism (Details) [Line Items]
Share-based Compensation Arrangement by Share-based Payment Award, Options, Grants in Period, Gross		500,000
Subsequent Event [Member] | Prism Technologies [Member]
Note 9 - Subsequent Event - Acquisition of Prism (Details) [Line Items]
Business Combination, Consideration Transferred		16.5
Common Stock, Shares, Issued		3,500,000
Licenses Revenue		49.5
Noncontrolling Interest, Ownership Percentage by Noncontrolling Owners		35.00%