Patent Publication Number: US-7716060-B2

Title: Patent-related tools and methodology for use in the merger and acquisition process

Description:
CROSS-REFERENCE TO OTHER APPLICATIONS 
   The present application is a continuation-in-part application to the following applications: 
   “Patent-Related Tools and Methodology for Use in Research and Development Projects,” invented by Germeraad et. al., application Ser. No. 09/545,564, Filed: Apr. 7, 2000, now pending (incorporated by reference in its entirety); 
   “Intellectual Property Asset Manager (IPAM) for Context Processing of Data Objects,” invented by Rivette et al., application Ser. No. 09/260,079, Filed: Mar. 2, 1999, now pending (incorporated by reference in its entirety); and 
   “Patent-Related Tools and Methodology for Use in the Merger and Acquisition Process,” invented by Germeraad et. al., application Ser. No. 09/560,889, Filed: Apr. 28, 2000, now pending (incorporated by reference in its entirety). 
   The present application is related to the following applications and patents: 
   “System, Method, and Computer Program Product for Patent-Centric and Group-Oriented Data Processing,” invented by Rivette et al., U.S. Pat. No. 5,991,751, issued Nov. 23, 1999 from application Ser. No. 08/867,392; Filed: Jun. 2, 1997 (incorporated by reference in its entirety); 
   “Using Hyperbolic Trees to Visualize Data Generated by Patent-Centric and Group-Oriented Data Processing,” invented by Rivette et al., application Ser. No. 08/921,369; Filed: Aug. 29, 1997, now pending (incorporated by reference in its entirety); 
   “System, Method, and Computer Program Product for Managing and Analyzing Intellectual Property (IP) Related Transactions,” invented by Rivette et al., application Ser. No. 09/138,368; Filed: Aug. 21, 1998, now pending (incorporated by reference in its entirety); 
   “Method and Apparatus for Synchronizing, Displaying and Manipulating Text and Image Documents,” invented by Rivette et al., U.S. Pat. No. 5,623,681, issued Apr. 22, 1997, from application Ser. No. 08/155,572, filed Nov. 19, 1993, issued (incorporated by reference in its entirety); 
   “System and Method and Computer Program Product for Using Intelligent Notes to Organize, Link, and Manipulate Disparate Data Objects,” invented by Rivette et al., U.S. Pat. No. 5,806,079, issued Apr. 17, 1996 from application Ser. No. 08/632,801; Filed: Apr. 17, 1996 (incorporated by reference in its entirety); 
   “Method and Apparatus for Synchronizing, Displaying and Manipulating Text and Image Documents”, invented by Rivette et al., U.S. Pat. No. 5,809,318, issued Sep. 15, 1998 from application Ser. No. 08/832,971; filed Apr. 4, 1997 (incorporated by reference in its entirety); 
   “System, Method, and Computer Program Product for Accessing a Note Database Having Subnote Information for the Purpose of Manipulating Subnotes Linked to Portions of Documents,” invented by Rivette et al., U.S. Pat. No. 5,950,214, issued Sep. 7, 1999 from application Ser. No. 09/058,275; Filed: Apr. 10, 1998 (incorporated by reference in its entirety); 
   “System and Method for Developing and Maintaining Documents,” invented by Rivette et al., U.S. Pat. No. 5,754,840, issued May 19, 1998, from application Ser. No. 08/590,082, filed Jan. 23, 1996 (incorporated by reference in its entirety); 
   “System, Method, and Computer Program Product for Generating Equivalent Text Files,” invented by Rivette et al., U.S. Pat. No. 5,799,325, issued Aug. 25, 1998, from application Ser. No. 08/662,377, filed Jun. 12, 1996 (incorporated by reference in its entirety); 
   “System, Method, and Computer Program Product for Managing and Analyzing Intellectual Property (IP) Related Transactions,” invented by Rivette et al., application Ser. No. 09/138,368; Filed: Aug. 21, 1998, pending (incorporated by reference in its entirety); and 
   “System, Method, and Computer Program Product for Creating Subnotes Linked to Portions of Data Objects After Entering an Annotation Mode,” invented by Rivette et al., application Ser. No. 09/057,557; Filed: Apr. 9, 1998, pending (incorporated by reference in its entirety). 

   BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION 
   1. Field of the Invention 
   The invention is generally directed to methodologies related to the merger and acquisition process, and more particularly directed to patent-related tools and methodologies involving those tools for assisting in all stages of the merger and acquisition process. 
   2. Related Art 
   The merger and acquisition process typically goes through a variety of stages before Company A and Company B come to an agreement regarding the merger of the two, or the acquisition of one of the companies. A flowchart, as shown in  FIG. 1 , is the classic way to look at the merger and acquisition process.  FIG. 1  illustrates that the merger and acquisition process may have, but is not limited to, four (4) stages. The four stages include an identify potential targets stage  102 , an evaluate/analyze stage  104 , a due diligence stage  106  and a negotiation/consummation/integration stage  108  (hereafter “negotiation stage  108 ”). 
   Prior to Company B even considering a merger and/or acquisition of another company, Company B determines that it needs growth and/or profits. Once this is determined, Company B may decide to consider a merger and/or acquisition of another company to satisfy its desired growth and/or profits. Management of Company B then sets relationship/selection criteria for any merger or acquisition of another company it will consider. 
   The first stage in the merger and acquisition process is the identify potential targets stage  102 . Here, the management of Company B has set the relationship/selection criteria for any merger and/or acquisition of another company it will consider. 
   The second stage is the evaluate/analyze stage  104 . Here, various companies are evaluated and analyzed for Company B to approach for possible mergers and/or acquisitions. The management of Company B will make one or more recommendations of other companies to approach for a merger and/or acquisition. 
   The next stage is the due diligence stage  106 . Here, due diligence is conducted on each of the companies the management of Company B made a recommendation on in the evaluate/analyze stage  104 . 
   The final stage is the negotiation stage  108 . In this stage, Company B conducts negotiations and/or consummation and/or integration of one or more companies that passed due diligence in the due diligence stage  106 . The outcome of this stage is the possible merger or acquisition of another company that Company A has determined will satisfy its desire for growth and/or profit. 
   It is possible to facilitate, expedite, and enhance the merger and acquisition process by building upon work that has been performed in the past. However, there are little if any automated tools for assisting in this process. There are even less automated tools that utilize patent-related tools for assisting in the merger and acquisition process. 
   SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION 
   The present invention is related to patent-related tools, and methodologies involving those tools, for assisting in the merger and acquisition process. In the present invention, the IPAM server may be used in conjunction with the tools and methodologies to aid in the merger and acquisition process. These tools or methods include, but are not limited to, a topographic map, a technology classification, a SIC classification, a radar diagram, a patent citation tree, a citation root tree, a citation count report, a citation frequency graph, a citation frequency report, a patent count/year, an application count/year, a patent aging graph, a U.S. primary class/subclass, an international patent class, an assignee patent count report by primary class/subclass, a patent count graph by number of patents, a top assignees primary class/subclass by percent of total, a months to issue patents, a features grouping, a document annotation, an inventor patent count/assignee, an inventor patent count graph, and an inventor data. 
   Further features and advantages of the invention, as well as the structure and operation of various embodiments of the invention, are described in detail below with reference to the accompanying drawings. The drawing in which an element first appears is typically indicated by the leftmost character(s) and/or digit(s) in the corresponding reference number. 

   
     BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE FIGURES 
     The present invention will be described with reference to the accompanying drawings, wherein: 
       FIG. 1  illustrates a flowchart relating to the stages of the merger and acquisition process according to an embodiment of the present invention; 
       FIG. 2  is an overview of the general management tools of the present invention that map to each stage in the merger and acquisition process according to an embodiment of the present invention; 
       FIG. 3  illustrates the topographic map facilitating the identify targets and the evaluate/analyze stages according to an embodiment of the present invention; 
       FIG. 4  is a flowchart depicting how the IPAM server works in conjunction with the topographic map to aid in the identify targets and the evaluate/analyze stages according to an embodiment of the present invention; 
       FIG. 5  illustrates the topographic map facilitating the evaluate/analyze and the negotiation stages according to an embodiment of the present invention; 
       FIG. 6  illustrates the topographic map facilitating the evaluate/analyze and the negotiation stages according to an embodiment of the present invention; 
       FIG. 7  illustrates the technology classification facilitating the identify targets and the evaluate/analyze stages according to an embodiment of the present invention; 
       FIG. 8  is a flowchart depicting how IPAM server works in conjunction with the technology classification to aid in the identify targets and the evaluate/analyze stages according to an embodiment of the present invention; 
       FIG. 9  illustrates the SIC classification facilitating the evaluate/analyze stage according to an embodiment of the present invention; 
       FIG. 10  is a flowchart depicting how IPAM server works in conjunction with the SIC classification to aid in the evaluate/analyze stage according to an embodiment of the present invention; 
       FIG. 11  illustrates the radar diagram facilitating the identify targets and the evaluate/analyze stages according to an embodiment of the present invention; 
       FIG. 12  is a flowchart depicting how the IPAM server works in conjunction with the radar diagram to aid in the identify targets and the evaluate/analyze stages according to an embodiment of the present invention; 
       FIG. 13  illustrates the patent citation tree facilitating the evaluate/analyze, due diligence and negotiation stages according to an embodiment of the present invention; 
       FIG. 14  is a flowchart depicting how the IPAM server works in conjunction with the patent citation tree to aid in the evaluate/analyze, due diligence and negotiation stages according to an embodiment of the present invention; 
       FIG. 15  illustrates the patent citation tree facilitating the negotiation stage according to an embodiment of the present invention; 
       FIG. 16  illustrates the patent citation tree facilitating the evaluate/analyze, due diligence and negotiation stages according to an embodiment of the present invention; 
       FIG. 17  illustrates the citation root tree facilitating the due diligence and negotiation stages according to an embodiment of the present invention; 
       FIG. 18  is a flowchart depicting how the IPAM server works in conjunction with the citation root tree to aid in the due diligence and negotiation stages according to an embodiment of the present invention; 
       FIG. 19  illustrates the citation root tree facilitating the evaluate/analyze, due diligence and negotiation stages according to an embodiment of the present invention; 
       FIG. 20  illustrates the citation count report facilitating the evaluate/analyze and due diligence stages according to an embodiment of the present invention; 
       FIG. 21  is a flowchart depicting how the IPAM server works in conjunction with the citation count report to aid in the evaluate/analyze and due diligence stages according to an embodiment of the present invention; 
       FIG. 22  illustrates the citation frequency graph facilitating the evaluate/analyze and due diligence stages according to an embodiment of the present invention; 
       FIG. 23  is a flowchart depicting how the IPAM server works in conjunction with the citation frequency graph to aid in the evaluate/analyze and due diligence stages according to an embodiment of the present invention; 
       FIG. 24  illustrates the citation frequency graph (backward or forward by assignee) facilitating the evaluate/analyze and due diligence stages according to an embodiment of the present invention; 
       FIG. 25  is an exemplary screen shot of a report produced by the IPAM server to assist the user company in searches relating to patent velocity in U.S. Patent Classifications according to an embodiment of the present invention; 
       FIG. 26  illustrates the citation frequency report facilitating the evaluate/analyze and due diligence stages according to an embodiment of the present invention; 
       FIG. 27  is a flowchart depicting how the IPAM server works in conjunction with the citation frequency report to aid in the evaluate/analyze and due diligence stages according to an embodiment of the present invention; 
       FIG. 28  illustrates the citation frequency report (by assignee) facilitating the evaluate/analyze and due diligence stages according to an embodiment of the present invention; 
       FIG. 29  illustrates the patent count/year facilitating the evaluate/analyze, due diligence and negotiation stages according to an embodiment of the present invention; 
       FIG. 30  is a flowchart depicting how the IPAM server works in conjunction with the patent count/year to aid in the evaluate/analyze, due diligence and negotiation stages according to an embodiment of the present invention; 
       FIG. 31  illustrates the patent count/year facilitating the evaluate/analyze and the due diligence stages according to an embodiment of the present invention; 
       FIG. 32  illustrates the patent count/year facilitating the evaluate/analyze, due diligence and negotiation stages according to an embodiment of the present invention; 
       FIG. 33  illustrates the patent application count/year facilitating the due diligence and negotiation stages according to an embodiment of the present invention; 
       FIG. 34  is a flowchart depicting how the IPAM server works in conjunction with the patent application count/year to aid in the due diligence and negotiation stages according to an embodiment of the present invention; 
       FIG. 35  illustrates the patent aging graph facilitating the due diligence and negotiation stages according to an embodiment of the present invention; 
       FIG. 36  is a flowchart depicting how the IPAM server works in conjunction with the patent aging graph to aid in the due diligence and negotiation stages according to an embodiment of the present invention; 
       FIG. 37  illustrates the patent aging graph facilitating the due diligence and negotiation stages according to an embodiment of the present invention; 
       FIG. 38  illustrates the U.S. primary class/subclass facilitating the evaluate/analyze and due diligence stages according to an embodiment of the present invention; 
       FIG. 39  is a flowchart depicting how the IPAM server works in conjunction with the U.S. primary class/subclass to aid in the evaluate/analyze and due diligence stages according to an embodiment of the present invention; 
       FIG. 40  illustrates the international patent class facilitating the evaluate/analyze and due diligence stages according to an embodiment of the present invention; 
       FIG. 41  is a flowchart depicting how the IPAM server works in conjunction with the international patent class to aid in the evaluate/analyze and due diligence stages according to an embodiment of the present invention; 
       FIG. 42  illustrates the assignee patent count report by primary class/subclass facilitating the evaluate/analyze and negotiation stages according to an embodiment of the present invention; 
       FIG. 43  is a flowchart depicting how the IPAM server works in conjunction with the assignee patent count report by primary class/subclass to aid in the evaluate/analyze and negotiation stages according to an embodiment of the present invention; 
       FIG. 44  illustrates the assignee patent count report by primary class/subclass facilitating the evaluate/analyze and negotiation stages according to an embodiment of the present invention; 
       FIG. 45  illustrates the assignee patent count report by primary class/subclass facilitating the evaluate/analyze stage according to an embodiment of the present invention; 
       FIG. 46  illustrates the patent count graph by number of patents facilitating the evaluate/analyze stage according to an embodiment of the present invention; 
       FIG. 47  is a flowchart depicting how the IPAM server works in conjunction with the patent count graph by number of patents to aid in the evaluate/analyze stage according to an embodiment of the present invention; 
       FIG. 48  illustrates the top assignees primary class/subclass by percent of total facilitating the evaluate/analyze stage according to an embodiment of the present invention; 
       FIG. 49  is a flowchart depicting how the IPAM server works in conjunction with the top assignees primary class/subclass by percent of total to aid in the evaluate/analyze stage according to an embodiment of the present invention; 
       FIG. 50  illustrates the top assignees primary class/subclass by percent of total facilitating the evaluate/analyze stage according to an embodiment of the present invention; 
       FIG. 51  illustrates the months to issue patents facilitating the due diligence and negotiation stages according to an embodiment of the present invention; 
       FIG. 52  is a flowchart depicting how the IPAM server works in conjunction with the months to issue patents to aid in the due diligence and negotiation stages according to an embodiment of the present invention; 
       FIG. 53  illustrates the features grouping facilitating the due diligence and negotiation stages according to an embodiment of the present invention; 
       FIG. 54  is a flowchart depicting how the IPAM server works in conjunction with the features grouping to aid in the due diligence and negotiation stages according to an embodiment of the present invention; 
       FIG. 55  illustrates the document annotation facilitating the evaluate/analyze, due diligence and negotiation stages according to an embodiment of the present invention; 
       FIG. 56  is a flowchart depicting how the IPAM server works in conjunction with the document annotation to aid in the evaluate/analyze, due diligence and negotiation stages according to an embodiment of the present invention; 
       FIG. 57  illustrates the inventor patent count/assignee facilitating the evaluate/analyze, due diligence and negotiation stages according to an embodiment of the present invention; 
       FIG. 58  is a flowchart depicting how the IPAM server works in conjunction with the inventor patent count/assignee to aid in the evaluate/analyze, due diligence and negotiation stages according to an embodiment of the present invention; 
       FIG. 59  illustrates the inventor patent count/assignee facilitating the evaluate/analyze, due diligence and negotiation stages according to an embodiment of the present invention; 
       FIG. 60  illustrates the inventor patent count graph facilitating the due diligence and negotiation stages according to an embodiment of the present invention; 
       FIG. 61  is a flowchart depicting how the IPAM server works in conjunction with the inventor patent count graph to aid in the due diligence and negotiation stages according to an embodiment of the present invention; 
       FIG. 62  illustrates the inventor data facilitating the due diligence and negotiation stages according to an embodiment of the present invention; 
       FIG. 63  is a flowchart depicting how the IPAM server works in conjunction with the inventor data to aid in the due diligence and negotiation stages according to an embodiment of the present invention; 
       FIGS. 64-67  are exemplary screen shots of the IPAM server&#39;s user interface relating to the boolean and/or natural language search according to an embodiment of the present invention; 
       FIGS. 68-71  are exemplary screen shots of the IPAM server&#39;s user interface relating to searching patents by the same assignee according to an embodiment of the present invention; 
       FIGS. 72-75  are exemplary screen shots of the user interface of the IPAM server to assist the user company in searches relating to inventors according to an embodiment of the present invention; 
       FIGS. 76-80  are exemplary screen shots of the user interface of the IPAM server to assist the user company in searches relating to backward citation according to an embodiment of the present invention; 
       FIGS. 81-85  are exemplary screen shots of the user interface of the IPAM server to assist the user company in searches relating to forward citation according to an embodiment of the present invention; 
       FIGS. 86-97  are exemplary screen shots of the user interface of the IPAM server to assist the user company in searches relating to U.S. Patent Classifications according to an embodiment of the present invention; and 
       FIG. 98  illustrates the topographic map facilitating the identify targets, evaluate/analyze and negotiation stages according to an embodiment of the present invention. 
   

   DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE PREFERRED EMBODIMENTS 
   The present invention is related to patent-related tools, and methodologies involving those tools, for assisting in all stages of the merger and acquisition process.  FIGS. 1-98  illustrate features of embodiments of the present invention. The patents and pending U.S. applications cited above describe systems and methods for achieving the functions, functionality, reports, etc., represented in  FIGS. 1-98 . Understanding of other methodologies represented in  FIGS. 1-98  (and variations and extensions thereof) will be apparent to persons skilled in the relevant art(s) based on the teachings contained herein, and the teachings contained in the patents and pending U.S. applications cited above. 
   The present invention provides patent-related tools and methodologies for the merger and acquisition process. This may be accomplished through an Intellectual Property Asset Management (IPAM) server, which is described in detail in the patent and applications referenced above in the section entitled “Cross-Reference to Other Patents and Applications.” The functionality of the present invention that is described herein as being performed by the IPAM server, is not limited to being performed by the IPAM server. For example, tools such as Excel spreadsheets, the IBM patent server, the USPTO public server, and Manning and Napier&#39;s search tools can all be used to perform some or most of the steps of the described methodologies. It is important to note that the exact platform used to perform the methodologies herein is not critical. 
   The IPAM server may be used in conjunction with the tools to aid in the merger and acquisition process. For convenience, the IPAM server will briefly be discussed herein, although the invention is not limited to this brief description. 
   Briefly stated, the IPAM server deals with context data processing. The IPAM server may be used to define and select one or more contexts. Each context includes one or more attributes, and a plurality of data objects that satisfy the attributes. A list of data objects contained in the selected contexts may be displayed. At least some of the data objects in the selected contexts may be processed. Such processing may involve generating hierarchical and/or directed acyclic graph data structures to represent relationships among the data objects. These data structures can then be displayed in a variety of well-known techniques including, but not limited to, hyperbolic trees. Examples of such hierarchical or directed acyclic graph structures include claim trees, citation trees, and data object families, which may be displayed using hyperbolic trees. 
   In an embodiment, the contexts are groups. In another embodiment, the contexts are each associated with a data object type. In this latter embodiment, the contexts include data objects of their respective data object types. 
   The IPAM server also supports the generation of annotations. The IPAM server supports a plurality of annotation types, including document annotations, group annotations, data object type annotations, case annotations, and enterprise annotations. The IPAM server also supports form-based annotations. 
   In an embodiment, the IPAM server has a plug-in manager coupled thereto. Also included may be at least one plug-in coupled to the plug-in manager, and at least one external data processing component coupled to the plug-in. In an embodiment, the external data processing component displays data using at least graphs. In another embodiment, the external data processing component displays data using at least maps. The plug-in manager has a first application programming interface (API), and each external data processing component has a second API. The plug-in translates messages from the plug-in manager to the external data processing component to a format conforming to the second API, and translates messages from the external data processing component to the plug-in manager to a format conforming to the first API. 
   Embodiments of the IPAM server can process, display, and otherwise operate with patent equivalent text files (EQV) (or other types of files or data) to aid in the merger and acquisition process in different stages, although the invention is not limited to this embodiment. Patent equivalent text files are described in U.S. Pat. No. 5,623,681, which is herein incorporated by reference in its entirety. A patent equivalent text file includes equivalency information that establishes an equivalency relationship between the text in the patent equivalent text file and the image in the patent image file. For example, this equivalency information may include pagination information that enables the patent equivalent text file to be displayed having the same pagination (line breaks, column breaks, page breaks) as the patent image file. In an embodiment, a pagination module generates the patent equivalent text file by comparing the patent text in the patent text file with the patent image file to detect equivalency information. This equivalency information is then embedded in the patent equivalent text file, along with the patent text. While the pagination module is capable of performing the pagination operation automatically, in some cases some manual intervention is required. In accordance, an operator is sometimes involved with the pagination process performed by the pagination module. 
   In the present invention, the IPAM server may be used in conjunction with the tools and methodologies to aid in the merger and acquisition process.  FIG. 2  is an example overview of the tools that map to each stage in the merger and acquisition process ( FIG. 1 ). The mapping provided in  FIG. 2  is presented for illustration purposes only. Other uses and applications of the invention will be apparent based on the teachings contained herein. These tools or methods include (when they are incorporated with IPAM server), but are not limited to, a topographic map  202 , a technology classification  204 , a SIC classification  206 , a radar diagram  208 , a patent citation tree  210 , a citation root tree  212 , a citation count report  214 , a citation frequency graph  216 , a citation frequency report  218 , a patent count/year  220 , an application count/year  222 , a patent aging graph  224 , a U.S. primary class/subclass  226 , an international patent class  228 , an assignee patent count report by primary class/subclass  230 , a patent count graph by number of patents  232 , a top assignees primary class/subclass by percent of total  234 , a months to issue patents  236 , a features grouping  238 , a document annotation  240 , an inventor patent count/assignee  242 , an inventor patent count graph  244 , and inventor data  246 . 
     FIG. 2  also shows a legend  201 . The legend  201  indicates what each tool is most useful for in the merger and acquisition process. The four uses include: strategic fit (indicated by a diamond), reward (indicated by a dollar sign), risk (indicted by an hour glass) and capability (indicated by a solid circle).  FIG. 2  shows that the tools most useful to determine strategic fit include the topographic map  202 , the technology classification  204 , the SIC classification  206 , the radar diagram  208 , the patent citation tree  210  and the U.S. primary class/subclass  226 . The tools most useful to determine reward include the citation count report  214 , the citation frequency graph  216 , the citation frequency report  218 , the international patent class  228  and the top assignees primary class/subclass by percent of total  234 . The tools most useful to determine risk include the citation root tree  212 , the patent aging graph  224 , the assignee patent count report by primary class/subclass  230 , the patent count graph by number of patents  232 , the months to issue patents  236  and the features grouping  238 . Finally, the tools most useful to determine capability include the patent count/year  220 , the application count/year  222 , the document annotation  240 , the inventor patent count/assignee  242 , the inventor patent count graph  244  and the inventor data  246 . The tools or methods of the present invention are not limited to its respective use mentioned above. Why each of these tool/methods are most useful for its respective use will be apparent as the tools/method are described below. 
   The following describes each tool or method and how it may be combined with the IPAM server to aid in the merger and acquisition process. As each of these tools or methods are described below, an exemplary graphical presentation may be used. It should be noted that the particular exemplary graphical presentation used is for convenience purposes only and the invention is not limited to that particular graphical presentation. For example, a bar chart can be also implemented as a pie chart, radar or spider charts, two or three dimensional graphs, etc., and vice versa. 
   At times the present invention relates to a portfolio. Although the present invention is described with reference to a patent portfolio, the present invention is not limited to patents. In fact, the present invention applies to any item that another party may take a license for, including trademarks, software programs, know-how (e.g., trade secrets) and so forth. 
   The same tool may be used in different ways to facilitate different stages in the merger and acquisition process. Other uses of tools will be apparent to persons skilled in the relevant art(s) based on the teachings contained herein. 
   I. IPAM SERVER AND THE TOPOGRAPHIC MAP 
   Referring to  FIG. 2 , the IPAM server incorporates the topographic map  202  to facilitate the identify potential targets stage  102  (as Tool  1 ), the evaluate/analyze stage  104  (as Tools  1 ,  2 ,  3  and  3   a ), and the negotiation stage  108  (as Tools  2 ,  3  and  3   a ). How the IPAM server and topographic maps are incorporated together to produce contour maps is described in detail in the commonly owned patent application, Intellectual Property Asset Manager (IPAM) for Context Processing of Data Objects, invented by Rivette et al., application Ser. No. 09/260,079, filed: Mar. 2, 1999, now pending (incorporated by reference in its entirety).  FIG. 3  illustrates the topographic map  202  facilitating the identify potential targets stage  102  and the evaluate/analyze stage  104  as Tool  1 , entitled “Topographic Map Company A Patents.” 
   A. Tool  1  and the Identify Targets Stage and the Evaluate/Analyze Stage 
   In  FIG. 3 , the topographic map  202  as Tool  1  is shown. The purpose of Tool  1  in the identify potential targets stage  102  and the evaluate/analyze stage  104  is to use the topographic map  202  to show dominance or area of focus of Company A&#39;s portfolio and the distinguishing area of patent concentration. In an embodiment of the present invention, all subsidiaries of Company A are provided by searching the Edgar database or by the competitive intelligence department. 
   In one embodiment of the present invention, Tool  1  uses Cartia&#39;s ThemeScape to create the topographic map  202  and thus create conceptual visualizations of dominance or area of focus. The x-y plane shows related concepts in relative proximity. In the z-axis, forming mountains and valleys, is the frequency of concepts represented in the patent group. How the IPAM server works in conjunction with the topographic map  202  to aid in the identify potential targets stage  102  and the evaluate/analyze stage  104  is described next with reference to  FIG. 4 . Typically, Tool  1  is initiated by the user selecting a topographic map function on the computer screen. 
   In  FIG. 4 , a flowchart  400  begins at step  401 . In step  401 , searches are performed on a general area of technology. Control then passes to step  402 . 
   In step  402 , in an embodiment of the present invention a user performs one or more searches on U.S. patents portfolio to identify products, uses and technologies covered in Company A&#39;s patent portfolio. Here, because the user is just pointing at a broad field, the abstract of each patent is typically the section that is searched, but is not limited to this. The present invention is not limited to doing the search on U.S. patents (this is also true for all of the searches discussed herein). Here, the search performed is typically, but is not limited to, a boolean and/or natural language search on the product, use and/or technology to produce a group of patents that identify products, uses and/or technologies covered in Company A&#39;s patent portfolio. The user interface of the IPAM server is described in detail in the patent and applications referenced above in the section entitled “Cross-Reference to Other Patents and Applications.” For illustration,  FIGS. 64-67  each show an exemplary screen shot of the IPAM server&#39;s user interface relating to the boolean and/or natural language search described herein. The present invention is not limited to these exemplary screen shots. Control then passes to step  404 . 
   In step  404 , the IPAM server is used to produce one or more of topographic map  202  (on desired search groups) having a map with contours and labels indicating areas related to the products, uses and/or technologies searched in step  402 . Here, the group of patents produced in step  402  is further divided into subgroups, with each subgroup relating to a different product, use and/or technology. Typically, this is done by the user selecting a topographic map function on the computer screen. The topographic map  202  produced by Tool  1  ( FIG. 3 ) shows the pattern of subjects of all of the patents produced in step  402  (e.g., shows products, uses and/or technologies covered by Company A&#39;s patent portfolio). Labels on the topographic map  202  indicate the products, uses and/or technologies, and the contours indicate how many U.S. patents exist for each subgroup area. The topographic map  202  shows dominance or areas people are focusing on. Control then passes to step  406 . 
   In step  406 , the user company studies the topographic map  202  produced by Tool  1  and determines whether the exact area of the product, use and/or technology is included in the topographic map  202 . If the outcome to step  406  is positive, then control passes to step  410 . Alternatively, control passes to step  408 . 
   In step  408 , an area related to the product, use and/or technology was not included in the topographic map  202 . Here, the user can determine if another area that is shown in the topographic map  202  is worth further exploration. Control then passes to step  410 . 
   In step  410 , the user selects the contour (or label) of interest in the topographic map  202 . This is typically done by the user “clicking” on the contour of interest. Control then passes to step  412 . 
   In step  412 , the IPAM server processes the subgroup of U.S. patents that are included in the contour of interest indicated by the user in step  410 . Again, topographic map  202  is displayed with contours, but this time the topographic map  202  is more specific to exactly the user&#39;s contour (or area) of interest. Now, the topographic map  202  shows the different types of products, uses and/or technologies that are in the contour of interest. At this point, the user may use the IPAM server as described in detail in the applications and patents referenced above in the section entitled “Cross-Reference to Other Patents and Applications.” Here, flowchart  400  ends. 
   B. Tool  2  and the Evaluate/Analyze Stage and the Negotiation Stage 
   In  FIG. 5  the topographic map  202  as Tool  2  is shown. The purpose of Tool  2  in the evaluate/analyze stage  104  and the negotiation stage  108  is to use the topographic map  202  to show dominance of Company B&#39;s portfolio and the distinguishing area of patent concentration. It also shows the “white space” between various technologies and uses that could be the basis of post-merger business development. In an embodiment of the present invention, all subsidiaries of Company B are provided by searching the Edgar database or by the competitive intelligence department. How the IPAM server works in conjunction with the Tool  2  is similar to Tool  1 , as described above with reference to  FIG. 4 . 
   C. Tool  3  and the Evaluate/Analyze Stage and the Negotiation Stage 
   In  FIG. 6 , the topographic map  202  as Tool  3  is shown. The purpose of Tool  2  in the evaluate/analyze stage  104  and the negotiation stage  108  is to use the topographic map  202  to show concept relationship of each party&#39;s (Company A&#39;s and Company B&#39;s) patents, and distinguishes if the patents overlap or compliment each other. Tool  3  determines if the merger will allow for growth in an existing or new area. This forms the basis for a favorable/unfavorable recommendation during the evaluate/analyze stage  104  and moves the valuation up or down in the negotiation stage  108 . How the IPAM server works in conjunction with Tool  3  is similar to Tool  1 , as described above with reference to  FIG. 4 . Here, the search is done by each company name to distinguish patent concentration of combined portfolio, maps are printed for each search done, and transparencies are printed to show overlap or compliment of portfolios. The search is performed to produce patents of both Company A and Company B. 
   D. Tool  3   a  and the Evaluate/Analyze Stage and the Negotiation Stage 
   In  FIG. 98 , the topographic map  202  as Tool  3   a  is shown. The purpose of Tool  3   a  in the evaluate/analyze stage  104  and the negotiation stage  108  is to use the topographic map  202  to show dominance or area of technology focus of Company A&#39;s industry and the distinguishing areas of patent concentration in the competitive landscape. How the IPAM server works in conjunction with Tool  3   a  is similar to Tool  1 , as described above with reference to  FIG. 4 . 
   II. IPAM SERVER AND TECHNOLOGY CLASSIFICATION 
   Referring to  FIG. 2 , the IPAM server works in conjunction with the technology classification  204  to facilitate the identify potential targets stage  102  and the evaluate/analyze stage  104  as Tool  17 . In general, the technology classification  204  identifies technologies in a company&#39;s patent portfolio. 
     FIG. 7  illustrates the technology classification  204  facilitating the identify potential targets stage  102  and the evaluate/analyze stage  104  as Tool  17 , entitled “Technology Classification.” The purpose of Tool  17  in the identify potential targets stage  102  and the evaluate/analyze stage  104  is to give Company B a visual indication of Company A&#39;s core technologies by patent class, indicating which are well covered and which are sparse. Comparing this chart to the strategic intent of Company B, it identifies technologies to have the research and development department build upon to make more robust, and which technologies to license out to create more value for the proposed merger. How the IPAM server works in conjunction with the technology classification  204  to aid in the identify potential targets stage  102  and the evaluate/analyze stage  104  is described next with reference to  FIG. 8 . Typically, Tool  17  is initiated by the user selecting an assignee and a technology classification function on the computer screen. 
   In  FIG. 8 , a flowchart  800  begins at step  802 . In step  802 , in an embodiment of the present invention a user performs a search on the group of all Company A&#39;s patents. Here, because the user is just pointing at a broad field, the abstract of each patent is typically the section that is searched, but is not limited to this. Here, the search performed is typically a boolean and/or natural language search on the assignee to produce a group of patents. Control passes to step  804 . 
   In step  804 , the IPAM server takes the group of patents produced in step  802  and further divides it into subgroups, with each subgroup having the same technology classification. When the search in step  802  is on the group of U.S. patents, the classification used is the U.S. Patent Classification designated by the U.S. Patent and Trademark Office. In a similar manner, if the search in step  802  is on the group of International patents, then the classification used would be the IPC classification. The IPAM server may store the U.S. Patent Classification (or IPC classification) in a meta-data field that will also need to be searched to determine the technology classification, but is not limited to this. Exemplary screen shots of the user interface of the IPAM server to assist the user company in searches relating to U.S. Patent Classifications are shown in  FIGS. 86-98 . The present invention is not limited to these exemplary user interfaces. Control then passes to step  806 . 
   In step  806 , the IPAM server is used in conjunction with a technology classification  204  to create a graphical representation of similar technologies. The technology classification  204  produced by Tool  17  ( FIG. 7 ) shows the diverse technologies (via U.S. Patent Classifications) that Company A&#39;s patents cover. The graphical representation in  FIG. 7  is a pie chart, which was created using Excel, but is not limited to Excel. In fact, the present invention is not limited to using a pie chart, but could also use radar or spider charts, two or three dimensional graphs, etc. 
   Referring to  FIG. 7 , the U.S. Patent Classification  395  represents the most common type of technology that is covered by Company A&#39;s patents. Therefore, the technology included in U.S. Patent Classification  395  is well-covered by Company A&#39;s patents. In contrast, the technology included in U.S. Patent Classification  369  is sparsely-covered by Company A&#39;s patents. 
   III. IPAM SERVER AND THE SIC CLASSIFICATION 
   Referring to  FIG. 2 , the IPAM server works in conjunction with the SIC classification  206  to facilitate the evaluate/analyze stage  104  as Tool  18 . In general, the SIC classification  206  indicates which market segments can use the products and services. 
     FIG. 9  illustrates the SIC classification  206  facilitating the evaluate/analyze stage  104  as Tool  18 , entitled “SIC Classification.” The purpose of Tool  18  in the evaluate/analyze stage  104  is to identify the scope and magnitude of potential competitors and licensees of patents of the proposed merger. Tool  18  shows what markets are using, might be using, or interested in using Company A&#39;s patent portfolio. How the IPAM server works in conjunction with the SIC classification  206  to aid in the evaluate/analyze stage  104  is described next with reference to  FIG. 10 . Typically, Tool  18  is initiated by the user selecting an assignee and technology classification function on the computer screen. The results are run through a lookup of commerce patent/SIC concordance. The resulting SIC codes are then graphed. 
   In  FIG. 10 , a flowchart  1000  begins at step  1002 . In step  1002 , in an embodiment of the present invention a user performs a search on the group of all patents and/or applications owned by Company A and/or of interest to Company A. Here, because the user is just pointing at a broad field, the abstract of each patent and/or application is typically the section that is searched, but is not limited to this. Here, the search performed is typically a boolean and/or natural language search on the product, use and/or technology to produce a group of patents. Control passes to step  1004 . 
   In step  1004 , the IPAM server takes the group of patents produced in step  1002  and further divides it into subgroups, with each subgroup having the same technology classification. When the search in step  1002  is on U.S. patents, the classification used is the U.S. Patent Classification designated by the U.S. patent and Trademark Office. Standard Industrial Classification (SIC) classification codes are provided by the U.S. Department of Commerce. In a similar manner, if the search in step  1002  is on the International patents and applications, then the classification used would be the IPC classification. The IPAM server may store the U.S. Patent Classification and IPC classification each as a meta-data field that will also need to be searched to determine the technology classification, but is not limited to this. Control then passes to step  1006 . 
   In step  1006 , each U.S. and IPC classification determined by step  1004  is mapped (e.g., via a look-up table) to its related SIC classification. Control then passes to step  1008 . 
   In step  1008 , the IPAM server is used in conjunction with a SIC classification  206  to create a graphical representation of similar industrial markets. Typically, this is done by the user selecting a related market function on the computer screen. The SIC classification  206  produced by Tool  18  ( FIG. 9 ) shows the diverse markets (via SIC Classifications) that apply to Company A&#39;s patents. The graphical representation in  FIG. 9  is a pie chart. The present invention is not limited to using a pie chart. The flowchart  1000  at this point ends. 
   IV. IPAM SERVER AND THE RADAR DIAGRAM 
   Referring to  FIG. 2 , the IPAM server works in conjunction with the radar diagram  208  to facilitate the identify potential targets stage  102  and the evaluate/analyze stage  104  as Tool  26 . In general, the radar diagram  208  identifies technology synergy of merger. 
     FIG. 11  illustrates the radar diagram  208  facilitating the identify potential targets stage  102  and the evaluate/analyze stage  104  as Tool  26 , entitled “Radar Diagram.” The purpose of Tool  26  is to provide Company B with a visual indication of the technology overlap and for synergy in a possible merge. The numbers on the y-axis show the number of patents in each patent class. The numbers around the periphery at the nodes of the diagram are the patent classes. How the IPAM server works in conjunction with the radar diagram  208  to aid in the identify potential targets stage  102  and the evaluate/analyze stage  104  is described next with reference to  FIG. 12 . 
   In  FIG. 12 , a flowchart  1200  begins at step  1202 . In step  1202 , in an embodiment of the present invention a user performs a search on the group of all Company A&#39;s and Company B&#39;s patents. The search performed is typically a boolean and/or natural language search on the primary class designation to produce a group of patents. Control passes to step  1204 . 
   In step  1204 , the group of patents that resulted from step  1202  are sorted by assignee (to separate Company A&#39;s and Company B&#39;s patents). Control passes to step  1206 . 
   In step  106 , the IPAM server is used in conjunction with radar diagram  208  to create a graphical representation of technology synergy of merger. Flowchart  1200  ends at this point. 
   V. IPAM SERVER AND PATENT CITATION TREE 
   Referring to  FIG. 2 , the IPAM server works in conjunction with the patent citation tree  210  to facilitate the evaluate/analyze stage  104  (as Tools  8   a  and  8   c ), the due diligence stage  106  (as Tools  8   a  and  8   c ) and the negotiation stage  108  (as Tools  8   a ,  8   b  and  8   c ). Citation trees are described in detail in the patent and applications referenced above in the section entitled “Cross-Reference to Other Patents and Applications.” In general, the patent citation tree  210  provides a view of which companies can block and/or circumvent other companies&#39; patents (note that the icons can display dates relevant to the patents in the tree). 
   A. Tool  8   a  and the Evaluate/Analyze Stage, the Due Diligence Stage, and the Negotiation Stage 
     FIG. 13  illustrates the patent citation tree  210 , used in the evaluate/analyze stage  104 , the due diligence stage  106  and the negotiation stage  108 , as Tool  8   a , entitled “Patent Citation Tree Backward or Forward by Assignee.” The purpose of Tool  8   a  is to identify which patents were cited as prior art to later inventions (i.e., the patent represented by the block on the right). These need to be investigated in the evaluate/analyze stage  104  and in the due diligence stage  106 . The nodes of the tree can also be color coded with red to indicate a license to practice is needed, yellow to indicate freedom to practice is application dependent, and green to show complete freedom to practice. Other colors, “box” shapes or icons, or icons associated with the boxes, etc., to indicate freedom to practice may also be used. These freedom-to-practice diagrams may be used in the negotiation phase to indicate value, along with the complexity of the prior art relationship shown by the inherent structure of the tree. How the IPAM server works in conjunction with the patent citation tree  210  to aid in the evaluate/analyze stage  104 , the due diligence stage  106  and the negotiation stage  108  is described with reference to  FIG. 14 . Typically, Tool  8   a  is initiated by the user selecting a patent citation tree function on the computer screen. 
   In  FIG. 14 , a flowchart  1400  begins at step  1402 . In step  1402 , in an embodiment of the present invention a user performs a search on the group of all U.S. patents. Here, because the user is just pointing at a broad field, the abstract of each U.S. patent is typically the section that is searched, but is not limited to this. The present invention is not limited to doing the search on U.S. patents, but may include European, Japanese (and other available) patents and/or applications. Here, the search performed is typically a boolean and/or natural language search on the product, use and/or technology to produce a group of patents. Control passes to step  1404 . 
   In step  1404 , the IPAM server takes the group of patents produced in step  1402  and further performs a forward citation on each of the patents, that has the same patent class (technology area) of the user company, to create a patent citation tree  210 . Forward citations are described in detail in the patent and applications referenced above in the section entitled “Cross-Reference to Other Patents and Applications.” The nodes in the patent citation tree  210  may be color coded (or indicated by another means) by assignee to allow the user to pick out color patterns easily. Exemplary screen shots of the user interface of the IPAM server to assist the user company in searches relating to forward citation are shown in  FIGS. 81-85 . The present invention is not limited to these exemplary user interfaces. The flowchart  1400  ends at this point. 
   B. Tool  8   b  and the Negotiation Stage 
     FIG. 15  illustrates the patent citation tree  210 , used in the negotiation stage  108 , as Tool  8   b , entitled “Patent Citation Tree.” In general, the purpose of Tool  8   b  is to show which companies were free-to-practice and which were not free-to-practice the art in question. When the nodes of the patent citation tree  210  are color coded for freedom-to-practice (red-yellow-green), it shows which companies must take a license to the patent(s). 
   This is a powerful visualization tool for the negotiation team. It shows the other side the depth of the analysis and the value of the patent under discussion. The patent citation tree  210  also identifies for the negotiation team how fast the technical area is moving and how many companies are involved. In addition, it visually shows the uniqueness of the patent under discussion, and from the richness of the tree, how valuable it is. How the IPAM server works in conjunction with Tool  8   b  is similar to Tool  8   a , as described above with reference to  FIG. 14 . Here, the patent citation tree  210  is created by running the forward citation analysis for key patents which will transfer as part of the merger. 
   C. Tool  8   c  and the Evaluate/Analyze Stage, the Due Diligence Stage, and the Negotiation Stage 
     FIG. 16  illustrates the patent citation tree  210 , used in the evaluate/analyze stage  104 , the due diligence stage  106  and the negotiation stage  108 , as Tool  8   c , entitled “Patent Citation Tree.” The purpose of Tool  8   c  is to allow the merger and acquisition team to see, at a glance, if other companies are focused in a specific effort to work in just one branch of the technology, or are working in many areas. Companies working in many areas will be good candidates for a post-merger assertion and license out analysis. This can generate a cash flow stream to help justify the merger deal. Where cited patents are from either merger company, the nodes of the tree may be color coded or marked with an icon or box shape, etc., so that the merger and acquisition team can see at a glance the strength of the combined “picket fence” the merger will create. 
   In addition, the patent citation tree  210  produced by Tool  8   c  shows how unique, mature, expansive, and inner-related the technology is that stems from the patent being evaluated. When dates are put in the nodes, it also shows the merger and acquisition team how fast moving the various branches of the tree are growing. How the IPAM server works in conjunction with Tool  8   c  is similar to Tool  8   a , as described above with reference to  FIG. 14 . Here, the patent citation tree  210  is created by running the forward citation analysis for key patents which will transfer as part of the merger. 
   VI. IPAM SERVER AND CITATION ROOT TREE 
   Referring to  FIG. 2 , the IPAM server works in conjunction with the citation root tree  212  to facilitate the evaluate/analyze stage  104  (as Tool  10   b ), the due diligence stage  106  (as Tools  10   a  and  10   b ) and the negotiation stage  108  (as Tools  10   a  and  10   b ). Nested patent citation trees (or citation root trees) are described in detail in the patent and applications referenced above in the section entitled “Cross-Reference to Other Patents and Applications.” In general, during the merger and acquisition process, the user company can look at the citation root tree  212  to predict related technology/markets under exploration by other companies. Patents lag the technology due to the inherent delays in patent prosecution. Thus, if the user finds a very recent patent, it may not have any forward citations since any patents that might cite it are months or years away from issuing. Thus, it would not be possible to see how the technology is developing relative to this patent since it has no forward citations. 
   This tool utilizes a technique that involves going back one or more generations from a given patent, and then performing forward citations on the prior generations. This identifies a patent family that is a result of a unique combination of backwards and forwards citation processing. The resulting tree indicates who is involved, and which fields are probably around the base patent. It&#39;s an approach to look into the future of a given technology (how the technology may develop in the future). Date contours (or contours according to some other criteria) is also applicable with this tool (and with all hyperbolic trees generated by the invention). 
   A. Tool  10   a  and the Due Diligence Stage and the Negotiation Stage 
     FIG. 17  illustrates the citation root tree  212 , used in the due diligence stage  106  and the negotiation stage  108 , as Tool  10   a , entitled “Citation Root-Tree.” The purpose of Tool  10   a  is to show which other companies are pursuing similar technology. The citation root tree  212  identifies how fast the technical area is moving and how many companies are involved. These companies must be evaluated further by the merger and acquisition team to determine the level of the opportunity or threat these closely linked companies represent to the merger. In addition, the citation root tree  212  identifies if these inventions occurred in the same patent class/subclass or in a different area. Current year versus the most cited patent identifies the most current development work building off of the same technology. How the IPAM server works in conjunction with the citation root tree  212  to aid in the due diligence stage  106  and the negotiation stage  108  is described next with reference to  FIG. 18 . Typically, Tool  10   a  is initiated by the user selecting a citation root tree function on the computer screen. 
   In  FIG. 18 , a flowchart  1800  begins at step  1802 . In step  1802 , in an embodiment of the present invention a user performs a search on the group of the user company&#39;s patents that address the user company&#39;s fastest moving technology areas. These patents may include U.S., European, and Japanese (and other available) patents and/or applications. The search performed is typically a boolean and/or natural language search on the product, use and/or technology to produce a group of patents. Control passes to step  1804 . 
   In step  1804 , the IPAM server determines the prior generation patent of each patent produced in step  1802  (e.g., goes back one citation for each patent). Exemplary screen shots of the user interface of the IPAM server to assist the user company in searches relating to reverse citation are shown in  FIGS. 76-80 . The present invention is not limited to these exemplary user interfaces. Control passes to step  1806 . 
   In step  1806 , the IPAM server takes the group of patents produced in step  1804  and further performs three forward citations on each of the patents to create a citation root tree  212 . The nodes in the citation root tree  212  may be color coded by assignee to allow the user to pick out color patterns easily. Exemplary screen shots of the user interface of the IPAM server to assist the user company in searches relating to forward citation are shown in  FIGS. 81-85 . The present invention is not limited to these exemplary user interfaces. The flowchart  1800  ends at this point. 
   B. Tool  10   b  and the Evaluate/Analyze Stage, the Due Diligence Stage and the Negotiation Stage 
     FIG. 19  illustrates the citation root tree  212 , used in the evaluate/analyze stage  104 , the due diligence stage  106  and the negotiation stage  108 , as Tool  10   b , entitled “Patent Citation Root-Tree.” The implication of Tool  10   b  is that the company acquiring the patent may have an opportunity to sub-license further, and thereby mitigate or influence the value paid for the merger. The citation root tree  212  shows which companies&#39; competitive intelligence department should do a preliminary investigation for possible infringing products and services. The citation root tree  212  also shows other companies that might be interested in sublicensing the art, thus generating extra cash flow and value from the merger. How the IPAM server works in conjunction with Tool  10   b  is similar to Tool  10   a , as described above with reference to  FIG. 18 . Here, for the user company&#39;s fastest moving technology areas, patents in these areas are analyzed for spill-over technology drift. 
   VII. IPAM SERVER AND CITATION COUNT REPORT 
   Referring to  FIG. 2 , the IPAM server works in conjunction with the citation count report  214  to facilitate the evaluate/analyze stage  104  and the due diligence stage  106  (as Tool  4 ). In general, the citation count report  214  identifies frequently cited patents having the most value in the portfolio.  FIG. 20  illustrates the citation count report  214 , used in the evaluate/analyze stage  104  and the due diligence stage  106 , as Tool  4 , entitled “Citation Count Report 1 st  Level on U.S. Patents.” The purpose of Tool  4  is to create a report that identifies patents that have been frequently cited in the 1 st  level forward. This will identify the most valuable patents in Company A&#39;s portfolio to further investigate in the due diligence stage  106 . How the IPAM server works in conjunction with the citation count report  214  to aid in the evaluate/analyze stage  104  and the due diligence stage  106  is described with reference to  FIG. 21 . Tool  4  is typically initiated by the user selecting a citation count report function on the computer screen. 
   In  FIG. 21 , a flowchart  2100  begins at step  2102 . In step  2102 , in an embodiment of the present invention a user performs a search on the group of all patents and/or applications. Here, because the user is just pointing at a broad field, the abstract of each patent and/or application is typically the section that is searched, but is not limited to this. The search performed is typically a boolean and/or natural language search on the product, use and/or technology to produce a group of patents. Control passes to step  2104 . 
   In step  2104 , one forward citation is performed on each patent produced in step  2102 . Control passes to step  2106 . 
   In step  2106 , the patents are sorted by assignee to produce the citation count report  214  requested by the user. It is also useful to sort by citation count. Flowchart  2100  ends at this point. 
   VIII. IPAM SERVER AND CITATION FREQUENCY GRAPH 
   Referring to  FIG. 2 , the IPAM server works in conjunction with the citation frequency graph  216  to facilitate the evaluate/analyze stage  104  (as Tools  5  and  9 ) and the due diligence stage  106  (as Tools  5  and  9 ). In general, the citation frequency graph  216  identifies possible patents and companies cited in the development of a patent infringement by other companies. 
   A. Tool  5  and the Evaluate/Analyze Stage and the Due Diligence Stage 
     FIG. 22  illustrates the citation frequency graph  216 , used in the evaluate/analyze stage  104  and the due diligence stage  106 , as Tool  5 , entitled “Citation Frequency Graph.” The purpose of Tool  5  is to identify frequently cited patents in both companies. The high columns (citation counts) identify several patents that have been frequently cited within the last five years, to further investigate in the due diligence stage  106 . Citation frequency is one indicator of importance of a patent as prior art to later inventions and the possibility that this highly cited patent may be infringed by others. How the IPAM server works in conjunction with the citation frequency graph  216  to aid in the evaluate/analyze stage  104  and the due diligence stage  106  is described with reference to  FIG. 23 . Typically, Tool  5  is initiated by the user selecting a citation frequency graph function on the computer screen. 
   In  FIG. 23 , a flowchart  2300  begins at step  2302 . In step  2302  in an embodiment of the present invention a user performs a search on the group of all patents and/or applications. Here, because the user is just pointing at a broad field, the abstract of each patent and/or application is typically the section that is searched, but is not limited to this. The search performed is typically a boolean and/or natural language search on an assignee to produce a group of patents. Control passes to step  2304 . 
   In step  2304 , the patents are sorted by year cited to produce the citation frequency graph  216  requested by the user. Flowchart  2300  ends at this point. 
   B. Tool  9  and the Evaluate/Analyze Stage and the Due Diligence Stage 
     FIG. 24  illustrates the citation frequency graph  216 , used in the evaluate/analyze stage  104  and the due diligence stage  106 , as Tool  9 , entitled “Citation Frequency Graph Backward or Forward by Assignee.” The purpose of Tool  9  is to identify the companies and patents that were cited in the development of Tool  8  citation tree backward 1 level. It identifies the citation frequency of these patents, and shows the work that came from these base patents. It also shows that these competitors/collaborators have intertwined technology that the merger will have to negotiate. The citation frequency graph  216  analyzes the ancestral prior art frequency citations. How the IPAM server works in conjunction with Tool  9  is similar to Tool  5 , as described above with reference to  FIG. 23 . 
   IX. IPAM SERVER AND CITATION FREQUENCY REPORT 
   Referring to  FIG. 2 , the IPAM server works in conjunction with the citation frequency report  218  to facilitate the evaluate/analyze stage  104  (as Tools  6  and  7 ) and the due diligence stage  106  (as Tools  6  and  7 ). In general, the citation frequency report  218  identifies which patents from which companies have the most value. 
   In addition,  FIG. 25  is an exemplary screen shot of a report produced by the IPAM server to assist the user company in searches relating to patent velocity in U.S. Patent Classifications according to an embodiment of the present invention. 
   A. Tool  6  and the Evaluate/Analyze Stage and the Due Diligence Stage 
     FIG. 26  illustrates the citation frequency report  218 , used in the evaluate/analyze stage  104  and the due diligence stage  106 , as Tool  6 , entitled “Citation Frequency Report.” The purpose of Tool  6  is to identify frequently cited patents in both companies. The report identifies several patents that have been frequently cited within the last five years to further investigate for patent and business value. The citation frequency report  218  identifies citation frequency by patent and year. How the IPAM server works in conjunction with the citation frequency report  218  to aid in the evaluate/analyze stage  104  and the due diligence stage  106  is described with reference to  FIG. 27 . Typically, Tool  6  is initiated by the user selecting a citation frequency report function on the computer screen. 
   In  FIG. 27 , a flowchart  2700  begins at step  2702 . In step  2702  in an embodiment of the present invention a user performs a search on the group of all patents and/or applications. Here, because the user is just pointing at a broad field, the abstract of each patent and/or application is typically the section that is searched, but is not limited to this. The search performed is typically a boolean and/or natural language search on the product, use and/or technology to produce a group of patents. Also in step  2700 , one forward citation is done on each patent of the company. Control passes to step  2704 . 
   In step  2704 , the patents from step  2702  are sorted by patent number. Control passes to step  2706 . 
   In step  2706 , the patents in each resulting subgroup are sorted by year to produce the citation frequency report  218  requested by the user. Flowchart  2700  ends at this point. 
   B. Tool  7  and the Evaluate/Analyze Stage and the Due Diligence Stage 
     FIG. 28  illustrates the citation frequency report  218 , used in the evaluate/analyze stage  104  and the due diligence stage  106 , as Tool  7 , entitled “Citation Frequency by Assignee.” The purpose of Tool  7  is to identify the frequency of citations by patent and assignee. The assignee list indicates who potential competitors and blockers of the merger might be. Tool  7  also identifies frequently cited patents by assignee in both companies. Tool  7  identifies several patents that have been frequency cited within the last  5  years to further investigate patent value. How the IPAM server works in conjunction with Tool  7  is similar to Tool  6 , as described above with reference to  FIG. 27 . 
   X. IPAM SERVER AND PATENT COUNT/YEAR 
   Referring to  FIG. 2 , the IPAM server works in conjunction with the patent count/year  220  to facilitate the evaluate/analyze stage  104  (as Tools  12   a ,  12   b  and  13 ), the due diligence stage  106  (as Tools  12   a ,  12   b  and  13 ), and the negotiation stage  108  (as Tools  12   a  and  13 ). In general, the patent count/year  220  identifies the intensity of development in portfolios. 
   A. Tool  12   a  and the Evaluate/Analyze Stage, the Due Diligence Stage and the Negotiation Stage 
     FIG. 29  illustrates the patent count/year  220 , used in the evaluate/analyze stage  104 , the due diligence stage  106  and the negotiation stage  108 , as Tool  12   a , entitled “U.S. Patent Count/Year.” The purpose of Tool  12   a  is to identify the level and rate of change in Company A&#39;s and Company B&#39;s U.S. patent portfolios. Tool  12   a  also identifies the intensity of the U.S. development efforts and issued patents in the company being reviewed for acquisition. Higher activity brings higher valuation. How the IPAM server works in conjunction with the patent count/year  220  to aid in the evaluate/analyze stage  104 , the due diligence stage  106  and the negotiation stage  108  is described with reference to  FIG. 30 . Typically, Tool  12   a  is initiated by the user selecting a patent count/year graph function on the computer screen. 
   In  FIG. 30 , a flowchart  3000  begins at step  3002 . In step  3002  in an embodiment of the present invention a user performs a search on the group of all U.S. patents. Here, because the user is just pointing at a broad field, the abstract of each patent and/or application (e.g., of Company A and Company B) is typically the section that is searched, but is not limited to this. The search performed is typically a boolean and/or natural language search on the assignee to produce a group of patents. Control passes to step  3004 . 
   In step  3004 , the patents from step  3002  are sorted by year to produce the patent count/year  220  requested by the user. Flowchart  3000  ends at this point. 
   B. Tool  12   b  and the Evaluate/Analyze Stage and the Due Diligence Stage 
     FIG. 31  illustrates the patent count/year  220 , used in the evaluate/analyze stage  104  and the due diligence stage  106 , as Tool  12   b , entitled “Patent Count/Year.” The purpose of Tool  12   b  is to identify companies who have the competence to commercialize competing products to the proposed merger. The patent count/year  220  identifies who has continuously developed the technology. It also identifies the level and rate of change in companies. How the IPAM server works in conjunction with Tool  12   b  is similar to Tool  12   a , as described above with reference to  FIG. 30 . 
   C. Tool  13  and the Evaluate/Analyze Stage, the Due Diligence Stage and the Negotiation Stage 
     FIG. 31  illustrates the patent count/year  220 , used in the evaluate/analyze stage  104 , the due diligence stage  106  and the negotiation stage  108 , as Tool  13 , entitled “European Patent Count/Year.” The purpose of Tool  13  is to identify the intensity of the European development efforts and issued patents in the company being reviewed for acquisition. In general, higher activity brings higher valuation. Tool  13  identifies the level and rate of change in companies&#39; European patent portfolios. How the IPAM server works in conjunction with Tool  13  is similar to Tool  12   a , as described above with reference to  FIG. 30 . Here, the search is conducted on European patents, but is not limited to this. 
   XI. IPAM SERVER AND APPLICATION COUNT/YEAR 
   Referring to  FIG. 2 , the IPAM server works in conjunction with the application count/year  222  to facilitate the due diligence stage  106  and negotiation stage  108  (as Tool  14 ). In general, the application count/year  222  identifies level and rate of change in patent portfolios. 
     FIG. 33  illustrates the application count/year  222 , used in the due diligence stage  106  and the negotiation stage  108 , as Tool  14 , entitled “Patent Application Count/Year.” The purpose of Tool  14  is to identify the intensity of recent development efforts in a company being reviewed for acquisition. The application count/year  222  produced by Tool  14  compares the level and rate of change in one or more companies&#39; patent portfolio. How the IPAM server works in conjunction with the application count/year  222  to aid in the due diligence stage  106  and the negotiation stage  108  is described with reference to  FIG. 34 . Typically, Tool  14  is initiated by the user selecting an application count/year graph function on the computer screen. 
   In  FIG. 34 , a flowchart  3400  begins at step  3402 . In step  3402 , in an embodiment of the present invention a user performs a search on the group of published patent applications, but is not limited to this. Here, because the user is just pointing at a broad field, the abstract of each patent is typically the section that is searched, but again is not limited to this. The search performed is typically a boolean and/or natural language search on the assignee to produce a group of published applications. Control passes to step  3404 . 
   In step  3404 , the group of published applications that results from step  3402  is further divided into subgroups by assignee/company (the group may contain multiple assignees). Control then passes to step  3406 . 
   In step  3406 , the IPAM server is used in conjunction with recent patent applications chart  222  to create a chart that indicates the top assignees/companies in a related area to the product, use and/or technology searched in step  3402 . Here, the group of patents produced in step  3402  may be further divided into subgroups, with each subgroup having published applications filed in the same year and related to the idea to produce the application count/year  222  requested by the user. At this point flowchart  3400  ends. 
   XII. IPAM SERVER AND PATENT AGING GRAPH 
   Referring to  FIG. 2 , the IPAM server works in conjunction with the patent aging graph  224  to facilitate the due diligence stage  106  (as Tools  15  and  16 ) and the negotiation stage  108  (as Tools  15  and  16 ). In general, the patent aging graph  224  identifies the number of years until patent expiration. 
   A. Tool  15  and the Due Diligence Stage and the Negotiation Stage 
     FIG. 35  illustrates the patent aging graph  224 , used in the due diligence stage  106  and the negotiation stage  108 , as Tool  15 , entitled “Maturity of U.S. Patent Portfolio.” The purpose of Tool  15  is to identify for one company (e.g., Company B) the number of years to patent expiration in another company&#39;s (e.g., Company A&#39;s) U.S. patent portfolio to depict which technologies are young and which technologies are old. Technologies that are young tend to bring value to a merger. Technologies that are old, or static, tend not be bring as much value to a merger. How the IPAM server works in conjunction with the patent aging graph  224  to aid in the due diligence stage  106  and the negotiation stage  108  is described next with reference to  FIG. 36 . Typically, Tool  15  is initiated by the user selecting a patent aging function on the computer screen. 
   In  FIG. 36 , a flowchart  3600  begins at step  3602 . In step  3602 , in an embodiment of the present invention a user performs a search on the group of all U.S. patents owned by the company. The present invention is not limited to doing the search on U.S. patents, but may include European, Japanese (and other available) patents and/or applications. The search performed is typically a boolean and/or natural language search on assignee. Control passes to step  3604 . 
   In step  3604 , the IPAM server sorts the patents in the resulting group from step  3602  by years to expire to produce the patent aging graph  224  requested by the user. At this point flowchart  3600  ends. 
   B. Tool  16  and the Due Diligence Stage and the Negotiation Stage 
     FIG. 37  illustrates the patent aging graph  224 , used in the due diligence stage  106  and the negotiation stage  108 , as Tool  16 , entitled “Maturity of European Patent Portfolio.” The purpose of Tool  16  is to identify for one company (e.g., Company B) the number of years to patent expiration in another company&#39;s (e.g., Company A&#39;s) European patent portfolio to depict which technologies are young and which technologies are old. Technologies that are young tend to bring value to a merger. Technologies that are old, or static, tend not be bring as much value to a merger. How the IPAM server works in conjunction with Tool  16  is similar to Tool  15 , as described above with reference to  FIG. 36 . Here, in an embodiment of the present invention a user performs a search on the group of all European patents and/or applications owned by the company. 
   XIII. IPAM SERVER AND U.S. PRIMARY CLASS/SUBCLASS 
   Referring to  FIG. 2 , the IPAM server works in conjunction with the U.S. primary class/subclass  226  to facilitate the evaluate/analyze stage  104  and the diligence stage  106  (as Tool  19 ). In general, the U.S. primary class/subclass  226  determines highest patent count by primary class/subclass. 
     FIG. 38  illustrates the U.S. primary class/subclass  226 , used in the evaluate/analyze stage  104  and the diligence stage  106 , as Tool  19 , entitled “U.S. Primary Class/Subclass.” The purpose of Tool  19  is to identify the primary class/subclass of the U.S. patent in one or more companies to depict their area of patent concentration. The area of patent concentration is checked for consistency with the strategic intent during the due diligence stage  106 . How the IPAM server works in conjunction with the U.S. primary class/subclass  226  to aid in the evaluate/analyze stage  104  and the due diligence stage  106  is described next with reference to  FIG. 39 . Typically, Tool  19  is initiated by the user selecting a U.S. primary class/subclass function on the computer screen. 
   In  FIG. 39 , a flowchart  3900  begins at step  3902 . In step  3902 , in an embodiment of the present invention a user performs a search on the group of all U.S. patents owned by the company. The present invention is not limited to doing the search on U.S. patents, but may include European, Japanese (and other available) patents and/or applications. The search performed is typically a boolean and/or natural language search on an assignee. Control passes to step  3904 . 
   In step  3904 , the IPAM server sorts the patents in the resulting group from step  3902  by primary class/subclass to produce the U.S. primary class/subclass  226  requested by the user. At this point flowchart  3900  ends. 
   XIV. IPAM SERVER AND INTERNATIONAL PATENT CLASS 
   Referring to  FIG. 2 , the IPAM server works in conjunction with the international patent class  228  to facilitate the evaluate/analyze stage  104  and the diligence stage  106  (as Tool  19   a ). In general, the international patent class  228  determines highest patent count by international class. 
     FIG. 40  illustrates the International patent class  228 , used in the evaluate/analyze stage  104  and the diligence stage  106 , as Tool  19   a , entitled “International Patent Class.” The purpose of Tool  19   a  is to identify the international class of the European patents in one or more companies&#39; portfolios to depict the area of patent concentration. The area of patent concentration is checked for consistency with the strategic intent during the due diligence stage  106 . How the IPAM server works in conjunction with the international patent class  228  to aid in the evaluate/analyze stage  104  and the due diligence stage  106  is described next with reference to  FIG. 41 . Typically, Tool  19   a  is initiated by the user selecting a international patent class function on the computer screen. 
   In  FIG. 41 , a flowchart  4100  begins at step  4102 . In step  4102 , in an embodiment of the present invention a user performs a search on the group of all European patents owned by the company. The present invention is not limited to doing the search on European patents, but may include any patent and/or application that is classified by an international class. The search performed is typically a boolean and/or natural language search on an assignee. Control passes to step  4104 . 
   In step  4104 , the IPAM server sorts the patents in the resulting group from step  4102  by international class to produce the international patent class  228  requested by the user. At this point flowchart  4100  ends. 
   XV. IPAM SERVER AND ASSIGNEE PATENT COUNT REPORT BY PRIMARY CLASS/SUBCLASS 
   Referring to  FIG. 2 , the IPAM server works in conjunction with the assignee patent count report by primary class/subclass  230  to facilitate the evaluate/analyze stage  104  (as Tools  20  and  23 ) and the negotiation stage  108  (as Tool  20 ). In general, the assignee patent count report by primary class/subclass  230  provides an overall view of competitive landscape for both companies by class/subclass. 
   A. Tool  20  and the Evaluate/Analyze Stage and the Negotiation Stage 
     FIG. 42  illustrates the assignee patent count report by primary class/subclass  230 , used in the evaluate/analyze stage  104  and the negotiation stage  108 , as Tool  20 , entitled “Patent Count Report for Primary Class.” The purpose of Tool  20  is to identify the top assignees in a primary class area by number of issued patents. This information represents where two or more companies rank in their overall competitive landscape in the particular patent class. In addition, Tool  20  highlights if a proposed merger will significantly broaden or deepen the patent portfolio, or not. This information may aid in a valuation point during negotiation of a merger or acquisition. How the IPAM server works in conjunction with the assignee patent count report by primary class/subclass  230  to aid in the evaluate/analyze stage  104  and the negotiation stage  108  is described next with reference to  FIG. 43 . Typically, Tool  20  is initiated by the user selecting an assignee patent count report by primary class/subclass function on the computer screen. 
   In  FIG. 43 , a flowchart  4300  begins at step  4302 . In step  4302 , in an embodiment of the present invention a user performs a search on the group of all U.S. patents owned by the one or more companies (i.e., assignees). The present invention is not limited to doing the search on U.S. patents, but may include European, Japanese (and other available) patents and/or applications. The search performed is typically a boolean and/or natural language search on a primary class. Control passes to step  4304 . 
   In step  4304 , the IPAM server sorts the patents in the resulting group from step  4302  by number of patents. In an embodiment of the present invention, the IPAM server may also sort each resulting subgroup by number of patents. At this point flowchart  4300  ends. 
   B. Tool  23  and the Evaluate/Analyze Stage and the Negotiation Stage 
     FIG. 44  illustrates the assignee patent count report by primary class/subclass  230 , used in the evaluate/analyze stage  104  and the negotiation stage  108  as Tool  23 , entitled “Assignee Patent Count Report for Class/Subclass.” The purpose of Tool  23  is to identify the top assignees in a particular class/subclass area by number of patents issued. In addition, Tool  23  highlights if the proposed merger will significantly broaden or deepen the patent portfolio. This can be a valuation point during the negotiation stage  108 . This information represents where two or more companies rank in their overall competitive landscape in the particular patent class/subclass area. How the IPAM server works in conjunction with Tool  23  is similar to Tool  20 , as described above with reference to  FIG. 43 . 
   XVI. IPAM SERVER AND PATENT COUNT GRAPH BY NUMBER OF PATENTS 
   Referring to  FIG. 2 , the IPAM server works in conjunction with the patent count graph by number of patents  232  to facilitate the evaluate/analyze stage  104  (as Tools  21  and  24 ). In general, the patent count graph by number of patents  232  provides an overall view of competitive landscape for both companies by number of issued patents. 
   A. Tool  24  and the Evaluate/Analyze Stage 
     FIG. 46  illustrates the patent count graph by number of patents  232  used in the evaluate/analyze stage  104  as Tool  24 , entitled “Patent Count Graph of Top Assignees in Patent Class/Subclass.” The purpose of Tool  24  is to give one company a visual indication of its position and another company&#39;s position in the competitive landscape, in a specific primary class/subclass by number of issued patents. Here, the top 15-20 assignees from the patent count report for class/subclass to graph. How the IPAM server works in conjunction with the patent count graph by number of patents  232  to aid in the evaluate/analyze stage  104  is described next with reference to  FIG. 47 . Typically, Tool  24  is initiated by the user selecting a patent count graph by number of patents function on the computer screen. 
   In  FIG. 47 , a flowchart  4700  begins at step  4702 . In step  4702 , in an embodiment of the present invention a user performs a search on the group of all U.S. patents owned by the one or more companies (i.e., assignees). The present invention is not limited to doing the search on U.S. patents, but may include European, Japanese (and other available) patents and/or applications. The search performed is typically a boolean and/or natural language search on a primary class Control passes to step  4704 . 
   In step  4704 , the IPAM server sorts the patents in the resulting grouping (or in each resulting subgroup) from step  4704  by number of patents. Control passes to step  4706 . 
   In step  4706 , the IPAM server selects the top 15-20 assignees to produce the patent count graph by number of patents  232  requested by the user. At this point flowchart  4700  ends. 
   B. Tool  21  and the Evaluate/Analyze Stage 
     FIG. 45  illustrates the patent count graph by number of patents  232  used in the evaluate/analyze stage  104  as Tool  2 , entitled “Patent Count Graph of Top Assignees in Class.” The purpose of Tool  21  is to give one company a visual indication of its position and another company&#39;s position in the competitive landscape, in a specific primary class by number of issued patents. How the IPAM server works in conjunction with Tool  21  is similar to Tool  24 , as described above with reference to  FIG. 47 . 
   XVII. IPAM SERVER AND TOP ASSIGNEES PRIMARY CLASS/SUBCLASS BY PERCENT OF TOTAL 
   Referring to  FIG. 2 , the IPAM server works in conjunction with the top assignees primary class/subclass by percent of total  234  to facilitate the evaluate/analyze stage  104  (as Tools  22  and  25 ). In general, the top assignees primary class/subclass by percent of total  234  provides an overall view of competitive landscape for both companies by percent of total in class/subclass. 
   A. Tool  22  and the Evaluate/Analyze Stage 
     FIG. 48  illustrates the top assignees primary class/subclass by percent of total  234  used in the evaluate/analyze stage  104  as Tool  22 , entitled “Top Assignees in Class by Percent of Total.” The purpose of Tool  22  is to give one company a visual indication of its position and another company&#39;s position in the competitive landscape, within a specific primary class/subclass by percentage of total issued patents. How the IPAM server works in conjunction with the top assignees primary class/subclass by percent of total  234  to aid in the evaluate/analyze stage  104  is described next with reference to  FIG. 49 . 
   In  FIG. 49 , a flowchart  4900  begins at step  4902 . In step  4902 , in an embodiment of the present invention a user performs a search on the group of all U.S. patents owned by the one or more companies (i.e., assignees). The present invention is not limited to doing the search on U.S. patents, but may include European, Japanese (and other available) patents and/or applications. The search performed is typically a boolean and/or natural language search on a primary class Control passes to step  4904 . 
   In step  4904 , the IPAM server sorts the patents in the resulting group from step  4902  by patent count. Control then passes to step  4906 . 
   In step  4906 , the IPAM server determines the percentage of total patents for the top 15-20 assignees produced in step  4904  to produce the top assignees primary class/subclass by percent of total  234  requested by the user. At this point flowchart  4900  ends. 
   B. Tool  25  and the Evaluate/Analyze Stage 
     FIG. 50  illustrates the top assignees primary class/subclass by percent of total  234  used in the evaluate/analyze stage  104  as Tool  25 , entitled “Top Assignees in Class/Subclass by Percent of Total.” The purpose of Tool  25  is to give one company a visual indication of its position and another company&#39;s position in the competitive landscape, within a specific primary class/subclass by percentage of total issued patents. How the IPAM server works in conjunction with Tool  25  is similar to Tool  22 , as described above with reference to  FIG. 49 . 
   XVIII. IPAM SERVER AND MONTHS TO ISSUE 
   Referring to  FIG. 2 , the IPAM server works in conjunction with the months to issue  236  to facilitate the due diligence stage  106  and the negotiation stage  108  (as Tool  11 ). In general, the months to issue  236  indicates whether all of the art is at the negotiation table. 
     FIG. 51  illustrates months to issue  236  used in the due diligence stage  106  and in the negotiation stage  108  as Tool  11 , entitled “Months to Issue Patents.” The implication of Tool  11  in  FIG. 51  is to allow the due diligence (or negotiation) team to investigate or ask about the art in prosecution and modify its stance and decisions accordingly. Tool  11  illustrates the average time patents in each technology area are hidden from the due diligence (or negotiation) team&#39;s view. How the IPAM server works in conjunction with the months to issue  236  to aid in the due diligence stage  106  and the negotiation stage  108  is described next with reference to  FIG. 52 . Typically, Tool  11  is initiated by the user selecting a months to issue function on the computer screen. 
   In  FIG. 52 , a flowchart  5200  begins at step  5202 . In step  5202 , in an embodiment of the present invention a user performs a search on the group of all U.S. patents. The present invention is not limited to doing the search on U.S. patents, but may include European, Japanese (and other available) patents and/or applications. The search performed is typically a boolean and/or natural language search on a primary class. Control passes to step  5204 . 
   In step  5204 , the IPAM server sorts the patents in the resulting group from step  5202  by year to create subgroups of patents. Control passes to step  5206 . 
   In step  5206 , the IPAM server, for each patent in each of the subgroups created in step  5204 , subtracts the patent&#39;s issue date from its filing date. Control then passes to step  5208 . 
   In step  5208 , the IPAM server calculates, for each subgroup of patents, the average prosecution time for its patents and displays the results to the user to produce the months to issue  236  requested by the user. Flowchart  5200  ends at this point. 
   XIX. IPAM SERVER AND FEATURES GROUPING 
   Referring to  FIG. 2 , the IPAM server works in conjunction with the features grouping  238  to facilitate the due diligence stage  106  and the negotiation stage  108  (as Tool  31 ) and to facilitate the evaluate/analyze stage  104  and the negotiation stage  108  (as Tool  31 A). In general, the features grouping  238  indicates whether certain products and/or services are covered by patents. 
     FIG. 53  illustrates the features grouping  238  used in the due diligence stage  106  and the negotiation stage  108  as Tool  31 , entitled “Features Grouping.” The purpose of Tool  31  highlights which other products and services are using the company&#39;s patents. High level trends can be seen in these maps, showing that many or few products, and their customer features sets, are patent protected. This information affects the valuation during negotiation. In addition, the features grouping  238  produces a map that can be viewed feature-by-feature and show competitive alternatives and how many products have properties closest to those claimed by the company&#39;s patents. How the IPAM server works in conjunction with the features grouping  238  to aid in the general management of a business as Tools  31  and  31 A is described next with reference to  FIG. 54 . Typically, Tool  31  is initiated by the user selecting a features grouping function on the computer screen. 
   In  FIG. 54 , a flowchart  5400  begins at step  5402 . In step  5402 , in an embodiment of the present invention a user performs a search on the groups of patents covering the company&#39;s own products and competitor&#39;s products and/or product attributes analyzed by reverse engineering the company&#39;s own products and competitor&#39;s products. The present invention is not limited to doing the search on this, but may include other available documents and/or attributes. Here, the search performed is typically a boolean and/or natural language search on product attributes which are sorted and grouped to create interactive maps of patented products or service features. Control passes to step  5404 . 
   In step  5404 , the IPAM server is used in conjunction with the features grouping chart  204  to create a chart showing groupings of product and/or service features. Flowchart  5400  ends at this point. 
   XX. IPAM SERVER AND DOCUMENT ANNOTATION 
   Referring to  FIG. 2 , the IPAM server works in conjunction with the document annotation  240  to facilitate the evaluate/analyze stage  104 , the due diligence stage  106  and the negotiation stage  108  (as Tool  32 ). In general, the document annotation  240  allows for the immediate, linked, and searchable documentation of facts and ideas. 
     FIG. 55  illustrates the document annotation  240  used in the evaluate/analyze stage  104 , the due diligence stage  106  and the negotiation stage  108  as Tool  32 , entitled “Document Annotation.” The purpose of Tool  32  is to facilitate indexed knowledge that can be used to expedite individual assertion analysis activities as well as the efficiency of the assertion team&#39;s review meetings. These annotations document how each piece of information (patent, data sheet, press release, etc.) is related to the others. This cross-reference and information capture speeds the merger and acquisition process. How the IPAM server works in conjunction with the document annotation  240  to aid in the evaluate/analyze stage  104 , the due diligence stage  106  and the negotiation stage  108  is described next with reference to  FIG. 56 . Typically, Tool  32  is initiated by the user selecting a document annotation function on the computer screen. 
   In  FIG. 56 , a flowchart  5600  begins at step  5602 . In step  5602 , in an embodiment of the present invention a user performs a search on the groups of patents and/or corporate documents, but is not limited to this. The search performed is typically a boolean and/or natural language search on the product, use and/or technology to produce a group of patents and/or corporate documents. Control passes to step  5604 . 
   In step  5604 , the IPAM server allows the user to make and store annotations on one or more of the patents and/or corporate documents in the group produced by step  5602 . Flowchart  5600  ends at this point. 
   XXI. IPAM SERVER AND INVENTOR PATENT COUNT/ASSIGNEE 
   Referring to  FIG. 2 , the IPAM server works in conjunction with the inventor patent count/assignee  242  to facilitate the evaluate/analyze stage  104  (as Tools  27  and  28 ), the due diligence stage  106  (as Tools  27  and  28 ) and the negotiation stage  108  (as Tools  27  and  28 ). In general, the inventor patent count/assignee  242  determines whether there are joint development agreements/ventures which may impact a possible merger. 
   A. Tool  27  and the Evaluate/analyze Stage, the Due Diligence Stage and the Negotiation Stage 
     FIG. 57  illustrates the inventor patent count/assignee  242  used in the evaluate/analyze stage  104 , the due diligence stage  106  and the negotiation stage  108  as Tool  27 , entitled “Inventor Patent Count Report Company A Patents.” The purpose of Tool  27  is to identify for Company B the key people in the development area. This helps to place value on the acquisition based on the continued employment of the key people identified. How the IPAM server works in conjunction with the inventor patent count/assignee  242  to aid in the evaluate/analyze stage  104 , the due diligence stage  106  and the negotiation stage  108  is described next with reference to  FIG. 58 . Typically, Tool  27  is initiated by the user selecting a inventor patent count/assignee function on the computer screen. 
   In  FIG. 58 , a flowchart  5800  begins at step  5802 . In step  5802 , in an embodiment of the present invention a user performs a search on the groups of Company A&#39;s patents and corporate documents, but is not limited to this. The search performed is typically a boolean and/or natural language search on assignee. Control passes to step  5804 . 
   In step  5804 , the IPAM server sorts the group of resulting patents and/or corporate documents by inventor and number of patents to produce the inventor patent count/assignee  242  requested by the user. Flowchart  5800  ends at this point. 
   B. Tool  28  and the Evaluate/analyze Stage, the Due Diligence Stage and the Negotiation Stage 
     FIG. 59  illustrates the inventor patent count/assignee  242  used in the evaluate/analyze stage  104 , the due diligence stage  106  and the negotiation stage  108  as Tool  28 , entitled “Inventor Patent Count by Assignee for Company A.” The purpose of Tool  28  is to identify for Company B possible joint development agreements/ventures between Company A and others. If such joint development agreements/ventures exist, then due diligence must be done to determine if these possible joint development agreements/ventures pose a benefit or threat to the acquisition or merged companies. Here, multiple assignees that an inventor has developed with is revealed. How the IPAM server works in conjunction with Tool  28  is similar to Tool  27 , as described above with reference to  FIG. 58 . 
   XXII. IPAM SERVER AND INVENTOR PATENT COUNT GRAPH 
   Referring to  FIG. 2 , the IPAM server works in conjunction with the inventor patent count graph  244  to facilitate the due diligence stage  106  and the negotiation stage  108  (as Tool  29 ). In general, the inventor patent count graph  244  identifies inventors with the most inventions in a portfolio. 
     FIG. 60  illustrates the inventor patent count graph  244  used in the due diligence stage  106  and the negotiation stage  108 , as Tool  29 , entitled “Inventor Patent Count Graph.” The purpose of Tool  29  is to provide Company B with a visual indication of the inventors with the most inventions in Company A&#39;s patent portfolio. These inventors are crucial to the acquisition since their development efforts have contributed significantly to the success of Company A. Many times the retention of key inventors is a crucial negotiating factor in the acquisition. How the IPAM server works in conjunction with the inventor patent count graph  244  to aid in the due diligence stage  106  and the negotiation stage  108  is described next with reference to  FIG. 61 . Typically, Tool  29  is initiated by the user selecting an inventor patent count graph function on the computer screen. 
   In  FIG. 61 , a flowchart  6100  begins at step  6102 . In step  6102 , in an embodiment of the present invention a user performs a search on the group of all U.S. patents. Here, because the user is just pointing at a broad field, the abstract of each U.S. patent is typically the section that is searched, but is not limited to this. The present invention is not limited to doing the search on U.S. patents, but may include European, Japanese (and other available) patents and/or applications. Here, the search performed is typically a boolean and/or natural language search on assignee to produce a group of patents. Exemplary screen shots of the user interface of the IPAM server to assist the user company in searches relating to inventors are shown in  FIGS. 72-75 . The present invention is not limited to these exemplary user interfaces. Control passes to step  6104 . 
   In step  6104 , the IPAM server generates an inventor patent count graph  244  that indicates the top inventors in Company A. Here, the group of patents produced in step  6102  are further subdivided into subgroups by inventor and number of patents. As with assignee information, the IPAM server may store the inventor information of patents in a meta-data field that will also need to be searched to determine the inventor information, but is not limited to this. Flowchart  6100  ends at this point. 
   XXIII. IPAM SERVER AND INVENTOR DATA 
   Referring to  FIG. 2 , the IPAM server works in conjunction with the inventor data  246  to facilitate the due diligence stage  106  and the negotiation stage  108  (as Tool  30 ). In general, the inventor data  246  identifies the average number of inventors per patent. 
     FIG. 62  illustrates the inventor data  246  used in the due diligence stage  106  and the negotiation stage  108 , as Tool  30 , entitled “Inventor Data.” The purpose of Tool  30  is to identify the average number of inventors per patent. This will depict if the culture in Company A&#39;s developers is to work alone or in a team environment. Here, Company B is trying to determine if Company A&#39;s culture will be a post-merger compatible fit for Company B&#39;s culture. How the IPAM server works in conjunction with the inventor data  246  to aid in the due diligence stage  106  and negotiation stage  108  is described next with reference to  FIG. 63 . Typically, Tool  30  is initiated by the user selecting an inventor data function on the computer screen. 
   In  FIG. 63 , a flowchart  6300  begins at step  6302 . In step  6302 , in an embodiment of the present invention a user performs a search on the group of all U.S. patents. Here, because the user is just pointing at a broad field, the abstract of each U.S. patent is typically the section that is searched, but is not limited to this. The present invention is not limited to doing the search on U.S. patents, but may include European, Japanese (and other available) patents and/or applications. Here, the search performed is typically a boolean and/or natural language search on assignee to produce a group of patents. Control passes to step  6304 . 
   In step  6304 , the IPAM server determines the number of inventors for each patent in the resulting group of patents from step  6302 . As with assignee information, the IPAM server may store the inventor information of patents in a meta-data field that will also need to be searched to determine the inventor information, but is not limited to this. Flowchart  6300  ends at this point. 
   XXIV. COMBINATION OF THE TOOLS OR METHODS 
   It is important to note that most, if not all, of the tools or methods described above may be combined to interactively go back and forth between different tools. The integration of tools discussed herein to facilitate the merger and acquisition process is limitless. 
   XXV. CONCLUSION 
   While various application embodiments of the present invention have been described above, it should be understood that they have been presented by way of example only, and not limitation. Thus, the breadth and scope of the present invention should not be limited by any of the above-described exemplary embodiments.