1. Basis of Presentation and Summary of Significant Accounting Policies	9 Months Ended
Feb. 28, 2019
Organization, Consolidation and Presentation of Financial Statements [Abstract]
Basis of Presentation and Summary of Significant Accounting Policies	1. Basis of Presentation and Summary of Significant Accounting Policies The unaudited condensed consolidated financial statements of Patriot Scientific Corporation (the “Company”, “PTSC”, “Patriot”, “we”, “us” or “our”) presented herein have been prepared pursuant to the rules of the Securities and Exchange Commission (“SEC”) for quarterly reports on Form 10-Q and do not include all of the information and footnotes required by accounting principles generally accepted in the United States of America. These unaudited condensed consolidated financial statements should be read in conjunction with our audited consolidated financial statements and notes thereto included in our Report on Form 10-K for our fiscal year ended May 31, 2018. In the opinion of management, the interim condensed consolidated financial statements reflect all adjustments of a normal recurring nature necessary for a fair presentation of the results for the interim periods presented. Operating results for the nine month period ended February 28, 2019 are not necessarily indicative of the results that may be expected for the year ending May 31, 2019. Basis of Consolidation The condensed consolidated balance sheets at February 28, 2019 and May 31, 2018 include our accounts and those of our inactive subsidiary Patriot Data Solutions Group, Inc. (“PDSG”) which includes Crossflo Systems, Inc. (“Crossflo”). The condensed consolidated statements of operations, condensed consolidated statements of cash flows, and condensed consolidated statements of stockholders’ equity for the nine months ended February 28, 2019 include our accounts and those of our inactive subsidiary PDSG. The condensed consolidated statements of operations, condensed consolidated statements of cash flows and condensed consolidated statements of stockholders’ equity for the nine months ended February 28, 2018 include our accounts and those of our inactive subsidiaries PDSG and Plasma Scientific Corporation (“Plasma”). We dissolved Plasma in March 2018. All significant intercompany accounts and transactions have been eliminated. Reclassifications Certain amounts reported in prior year’s financial statements have been reclassified to conform to the current year’s presentation. Liquidity and Management’s Plans Cash shortfalls currently experienced by our joint venture Phoenix Digital Solutions (“PDS”) will have an adverse effect on our liquidity. To date, we have determined that it is in the best interests of the Moore Microprocessor Patent (“MMP”) licensing program that we provide our 50% share of capital to provide for PDS expenses including legal retainers and litigation related payments in the event license revenues received by PDS are insufficient to meet these needs. We believe it is likely that contributions to PDS to fund working capital may be required. PDS had been incurring significant third-party costs for legal fees, expert testimony, depositions and other related litigation costs. We could be required to make capital contributions to PDS for any future litigation-related costs in the event that PDS does not receive sufficient licensing revenues to pay these expenses. Our current liquid cash resources are expected to provide the funds necessary to support our operations through at least the next twelve months from the date of this report. The cash flows from our interest in PDS represent our only significant source of cash generation. In the event of a continued decrease or interruption in MMP portfolio licensing we will incur a significant reduction to our cash position. It is highly unlikely that we would be able to obtain any additional sources of financing to supplement our cash and cash equivalents position. In the event we are required to provide funding to PDS that is not reciprocated by our joint venture partner Technology Properties Limited (“TPL”), our ownership percentage in PDS will increase and we will have a controlling financial interest in PDS, in which case, we will consolidate PDS in our consolidated financial statements. Investment in Affiliated Companies We have a 50% interest in PDS (see Note 3). We account for our investment using the equity method of accounting since the investment provides us the ability to exercise significant influence, but not control, over the investee. Significant influence is generally deemed to exist if we have an ownership interest in the voting stock of the investee of between 20% and 50%, although other factors, such as representation on the investee’s Board of Directors, are considered in determining whether the equity method of accounting is appropriate. Under the equity method of accounting, the investment, originally recorded at cost, is adjusted to recognize our share of net earnings or losses of the investee and is recognized in the consolidated statements of operations in the caption “Equity in earnings (loss) of affiliated company” and also is adjusted by contributions to and distributions from PDS. PDS, as an unconsolidated equity investee, recognizes revenue from technology license agreements at the time a contract is entered into, the license method is determined (paid-in-advance or on-going royalty), performance obligations under the license agreement are satisfied, and the realization of revenue is assured which is generally upon the receipt of the license proceeds. PDS may at times enter into license agreements whereby contingent revenues are recognized as one or more contractual milestones are met. We review our investment in PDS to determine whether events or changes in circumstances indicate that the carrying amount may not be recoverable. The primary factors we consider in our determination are the financial condition, operating performance and near term prospects of PDS. If the decline in value is deemed to be other than temporary, we would recognize an impairment loss. We own 100% of the preferred stock of Holocom (see Note 3). We determined that our investment in Holocom was impaired in 2010. Prior to impairment, this investment was accounted for at cost since we do not have the ability to exercise significant influence over the operating and financial policies of Holocom. Earnings (Loss) Per Share Basic earnings per share includes no dilution and is computed by dividing earnings available to common stockholders by the weighted average number of common shares outstanding for the period. Diluted earnings per share reflect the potential dilution of securities that could share in the earnings of an entity. At February 28, 2019 and 2018, potential common shares of 1,600,000 and 2,600,000, respectively, related to our outstanding options were not included in the calculation of diluted loss per share as we recorded a loss. Had we reported net income for the three and nine months ended February 28, 2019 and 2018, no shares of common stock would have been included in the calculation of diluted income per share using the treasury stock method. In connection with our acquisition of Crossflo, which is part of PDSG, we issued escrow shares that are contingent upon certain representations and warranties made by Crossflo at the time of the merger agreement (see Note 6). We exclude these escrow shares from the basic loss per share calculations and would have included the escrowed shares in the diluted income per share calculations if we reported net income. Income Taxes We follow authoritative guidance in accounting for uncertainties in income taxes. This authoritative guidance prescribes a recognition threshold and measurement requirement for the financial statement recognition of a tax position that has been taken or is expected to be taken on a tax return and also provides guidance on derecognition, classification, interest and penalties, accounting in interim periods, disclosure and transition. Under this guidance we may only recognize tax positions that meet a “more likely than not” threshold. We follow authoritative guidance to evaluate whether a valuation allowance should be established against our deferred tax assets based on the consideration of all available evidence using a “more likely than not” standard. In making such judgments, significant weight is given to evidence that can be objectively verified. We assess our deferred tax assets annually under more likely than not scenarios in which they may be realized through future income. With the exception for refundable alternative minimum tax (“AMT”) credits, we have determined that it was more likely than not that all of our deferred tax assets will not be realized in the future due to our continuing pre-tax and taxable losses. As a result of this determination, and with the exception for the aforementioned refundable tax credits, we have recorded a full valuation allowance against our deferred tax assets. On December 22, 2017, the United States Government passed the Tax Cuts and Jobs Act (“Tax Cuts Act”) that, among other provisions, has lowered the corporate tax rate from 35% to 21%. In addition to applying the new lower corporate tax rate in 2018 and thereafter to any taxable income we may have, the legislation affects the way we can use and carryforward net operating losses previously accumulated and results in a revaluation of deferred tax assets and liabilities recorded on our consolidated balance sheet. The Securities and Exchange Commission staff issued Staff Accounting Bulletin No. 118 (“SAB 118”) which provides guidance regarding accounting for the income tax effects of the Tax Cuts Act, including the impact of the Tax Cuts Act on deferred tax assets and liabilities for financial statements issued in the reporting period that includes the enactment date of December 22, 2017. Given that our current deferred tax assets, with the exception of those representing certain refundable tax credits, are offset by a full valuation allowance, these changes will have no net impact on our condensed consolidated balance sheet. However, if we become profitable, we will receive a reduced benefit from such deferred tax assets. Assessment of Contingent Liabilities We are involved in various legal matters, disputes, and patent infringement claims which arise in the ordinary course of our business. We accrue for any estimated losses at the time when we can make a reliable estimate of such loss and it is probable that it has been incurred. By their very nature, contingencies are difficult to estimate. We continually evaluate information related to all contingencies to determine that the basis on which we have recorded our estimated exposure is appropriate. Intellectual Property Rights PDS, our investment in affiliated company, relies on a combination of patents, trademarks, copyrights, trade secret laws, confidentiality procedures and licensing arrangements to protect our intellectual property rights. We have seven U.S., nine European, and three Japanese patents all of which expired between August 2009 and October 2016. These patents, while expired, may have certain retrospective statutory benefits that will fully diminish six years after the patent expiration dates. The patent useful life for purposes of negotiating licenses is finite and these patents are subject to legal challenges, which in combination with the limited life, could adversely impact the stream of revenues. A successful challenge to the ownership of the technology or the proprietary nature of the intellectual property would materially damage business prospects. Any issued patent may be challenged and invalidated. Recent Accounting Pronouncements In August 2016, the FASB issued ASU No. 2016-15, “Statement of Cash Flows – Classification of Certain Cash Receipts and Cash Payments.” ASU 2016-15 provides guidance intended to reduce diversity in practice in how certain transactions are classified in the statement of cash flows. The issue addressed in ASU 2016-15 that will affect the Company is classifying distributions received from equity method investments. The guidance provides an accounting policy election for classifying distributions received from equity method investments using either a cumulative earnings approach or a nature of distributions approach. The Company adopted this standard on June 1, 2018. The adoption did not have a material effect on our condensed consolidated financial statements. In November 2016, the FASB issued ASU No. 2016-18, “Statement of Cash Flows (Topic 230): Restricted Cash”. ASU 2016-18 requires that a statement of cash flows explain the change during the period in the total of cash, cash equivalents, and amounts generally described as restricted cash or restricted cash equivalents. Therefore, amounts generally described as restricted cash and restricted cash equivalents should be included with cash and cash equivalents when reconciling the beginning-of-period and end-of-period total amounts shown on the statement of cash flows. The Company adopted this standard on June 1, 2018 by using the retrospective transition method, which required the following disclosures and changes to the presentation of its condensed consolidated financial statements: cash, cash equivalents and restricted cash reported on the condensed consolidated statements of cash flows now includes restricted cash of $21,443, $21,524 and $21,559 as of May 31, 2017, February 28, 2018 and May 31, 2018, respectively, as well as previously reported cash and cash equivalents. The Tax Cuts Act, among other provisions, has lowered the corporate tax rate from 35% to 21%. In addition to applying the new lower corporate tax rate in 2018 and thereafter to any taxable income we may have, the legislation affects the way we can use and carryforward net operating losses previously accumulated and results in a revaluation of deferred tax assets and liabilities recorded on our condensed consolidated balance sheet. SAB 118 provides guidance regarding accounting for the income tax effects of the Tax Cuts Act, including the impact of the Tax Cuts Act on deferred tax assets and liabilities for financial statements issued in the reporting period that includes the enactment date of December 22, 2017. Given that our current deferred tax assets, with the exception of those representing certain refundable tax credits, are offset by a full valuation allowance, these changes will have no net impact on our condensed consolidated balance sheet. However, if we become profitable, we will receive a reduced benefit from such deferred tax assets.

1. Basis of Presentation and Summary of Significant Accounting Policies

9 Months Ended

Feb. 28, 2019

Organization, Consolidation and Presentation of Financial Statements [Abstract]

Basis of Presentation and Summary of Significant Accounting Policies

1. Basis of Presentation and Summary of Significant Accounting Policies

The unaudited condensed consolidated financial statements of Patriot Scientific Corporation (the “Company”, “PTSC”, “Patriot”, “we”, “us” or “our”) presented herein have been prepared pursuant to the rules of the Securities and Exchange Commission (“SEC”) for quarterly reports on Form 10-Q and do not include all of the information and footnotes required by accounting principles generally accepted in the United States of America. These unaudited condensed consolidated financial statements should be read in conjunction with our audited consolidated financial statements and notes thereto included in our Report on Form 10-K for our fiscal year ended May 31, 2018.

In the opinion of management, the interim condensed consolidated financial statements reflect all adjustments of a normal recurring nature necessary for a fair presentation of the results for the interim periods presented. Operating results for the nine month period ended February 28, 2019 are not necessarily indicative of the results that may be expected for the year ending May 31, 2019.

Basis of Consolidation

The condensed consolidated balance sheets at February 28, 2019 and May 31, 2018 include our accounts and those of our inactive subsidiary Patriot Data Solutions Group, Inc. (“PDSG”) which includes Crossflo Systems, Inc. (“Crossflo”). The condensed consolidated statements of operations, condensed consolidated statements of cash flows, and condensed consolidated statements of stockholders’ equity for the nine months ended February 28, 2019 include our accounts and those of our inactive subsidiary PDSG. The condensed consolidated statements of operations, condensed consolidated statements of cash flows and condensed consolidated statements of stockholders’ equity for the nine months ended February 28, 2018 include our accounts and those of our inactive subsidiaries PDSG and Plasma Scientific Corporation (“Plasma”). We dissolved Plasma in March 2018. All significant intercompany accounts and transactions have been eliminated.

Reclassifications

Certain amounts reported in prior year’s financial statements have been reclassified to conform to the current year’s presentation.

Liquidity and Management’s Plans

Cash shortfalls currently experienced by our joint venture Phoenix Digital Solutions (“PDS”) will have an adverse effect on our liquidity. To date, we have determined that it is in the best interests of the Moore Microprocessor Patent (“MMP”) licensing program that we provide our 50% share of capital to provide for PDS expenses including legal retainers and litigation related payments in the event license revenues received by PDS are insufficient to meet these needs. We believe it is likely that contributions to PDS to fund working capital may be required.

PDS had been incurring significant third-party costs for legal fees, expert testimony, depositions and other related litigation costs. We could be required to make capital contributions to PDS for any future litigation-related costs in the event that PDS does not receive sufficient licensing revenues to pay these expenses.

Our current liquid cash resources are expected to provide the funds necessary to support our operations through at least the next twelve months from the date of this report. The cash flows from our interest in PDS represent our only significant source of cash generation. In the event of a continued decrease or interruption in MMP portfolio licensing we will incur a significant reduction to our cash position. It is highly unlikely that we would be able to obtain any additional sources of financing to supplement our cash and cash equivalents position.

In the event we are required to provide funding to PDS that is not reciprocated by our joint venture partner Technology Properties Limited (“TPL”), our ownership percentage in PDS will increase and we will have a controlling financial interest in PDS, in which case, we will consolidate PDS in our consolidated financial statements.

Investment in Affiliated Companies

We have a 50% interest in PDS (see Note 3). We account for our investment using the equity method of accounting since the investment provides us the ability to exercise significant influence, but not control, over the investee. Significant influence is generally deemed to exist if we have an ownership interest in the voting stock of the investee of between 20% and 50%, although other factors, such as representation on the investee’s Board of Directors, are considered in determining whether the equity method of accounting is appropriate. Under the equity method of accounting, the investment, originally recorded at cost, is adjusted to recognize our share of net earnings or losses of the investee and is recognized in the consolidated statements of operations in the caption “Equity in earnings (loss) of affiliated company” and also is adjusted by contributions to and distributions from PDS.

PDS, as an unconsolidated equity investee, recognizes revenue from technology license agreements at the time a contract is entered into, the license method is determined (paid-in-advance or on-going royalty), performance obligations under the license agreement are satisfied, and the realization of revenue is assured which is generally upon the receipt of the license proceeds. PDS may at times enter into license agreements whereby contingent revenues are recognized as one or more contractual milestones are met.

We review our investment in PDS to determine whether events or changes in circumstances indicate that the carrying amount may not be recoverable. The primary factors we consider in our determination are the financial condition, operating performance and near term prospects of PDS. If the decline in value is deemed to be other than temporary, we would recognize an impairment loss.

We own 100% of the preferred stock of Holocom (see Note 3). We determined that our investment in Holocom was impaired in 2010. Prior to impairment, this investment was accounted for at cost since we do not have the ability to exercise significant influence over the operating and financial policies of Holocom.

Earnings (Loss) Per Share

Basic earnings per share includes no dilution and is computed by dividing earnings available to common stockholders by the weighted average number of common shares outstanding for the period. Diluted earnings per share reflect the potential dilution of securities that could share in the earnings of an entity.

At February 28, 2019 and 2018, potential common shares of 1,600,000 and 2,600,000, respectively, related to our outstanding options were not included in the calculation of diluted loss per share as we recorded a loss. Had we reported net income for the three and nine months ended February 28, 2019 and 2018, no shares of common stock would have been included in the calculation of diluted income per share using the treasury stock method.

In connection with our acquisition of Crossflo, which is part of PDSG, we issued escrow shares that are contingent upon certain representations and warranties made by Crossflo at the time of the merger agreement (see Note 6). We exclude these escrow shares from the basic loss per share calculations and would have included the escrowed shares in the diluted income per share calculations if we reported net income.

Income Taxes

We follow authoritative guidance in accounting for uncertainties in income taxes. This authoritative guidance prescribes a recognition threshold and measurement requirement for the financial statement recognition of a tax position that has been taken or is expected to be taken on a tax return and also provides guidance on derecognition, classification, interest and penalties, accounting in interim periods, disclosure and transition. Under this guidance we may only recognize tax positions that meet a “more likely than not” threshold.

We follow authoritative guidance to evaluate whether a valuation allowance should be established against our deferred tax assets based on the consideration of all available evidence using a “more likely than not” standard. In making such judgments, significant weight is given to evidence that can be objectively verified. We assess our deferred tax assets annually under more likely than not scenarios in which they may be realized through future income.

With the exception for refundable alternative minimum tax (“AMT”) credits, we have determined that it was more likely than not that all of our deferred tax assets will not be realized in the future due to our continuing pre-tax and taxable losses. As a result of this determination, and with the exception for the aforementioned refundable tax credits, we have recorded a full valuation allowance against our deferred tax assets.

On December 22, 2017, the United States Government passed the Tax Cuts and Jobs Act (“Tax Cuts Act”) that, among other provisions, has lowered the corporate tax rate from 35% to 21%. In addition to applying the new lower corporate tax rate in 2018 and thereafter to any taxable income we may have, the legislation affects the way we can use and carryforward net operating losses previously accumulated and results in a revaluation of deferred tax assets and liabilities recorded on our consolidated balance sheet. The Securities and Exchange Commission staff issued Staff Accounting Bulletin No. 118 (“SAB 118”) which provides guidance regarding accounting for the income tax effects of the Tax Cuts Act, including the impact of the Tax Cuts Act on deferred tax assets and liabilities for financial statements issued in the reporting period that includes the enactment date of December 22, 2017. Given that our current deferred tax assets, with the exception of those representing certain refundable tax credits, are offset by a full valuation allowance, these changes will have no net impact on our condensed consolidated balance sheet. However, if we become profitable, we will receive a reduced benefit from such deferred tax assets.

Assessment of Contingent Liabilities

We are involved in various legal matters, disputes, and patent infringement claims which arise in the ordinary course of our business. We accrue for any estimated losses at the time when we can make a reliable estimate of such loss and it is probable that it has been incurred. By their very nature, contingencies are difficult to estimate. We continually evaluate information related to all contingencies to determine that the basis on which we have recorded our estimated exposure is appropriate.

Intellectual Property Rights

PDS, our investment in affiliated company, relies on a combination of patents, trademarks, copyrights, trade secret laws, confidentiality procedures and licensing arrangements to protect our intellectual property rights. We have seven U.S., nine European, and three Japanese patents all of which expired between August 2009 and October 2016. These patents, while expired, may have certain retrospective statutory benefits that will fully diminish six years after the patent expiration dates.

The patent useful life for purposes of negotiating licenses is finite and these patents are subject to legal challenges, which in combination with the limited life, could adversely impact the stream of revenues. A successful challenge to the ownership of the technology or the proprietary nature of the intellectual property would materially damage business prospects. Any issued patent may be challenged and invalidated.

Recent Accounting Pronouncements

In August 2016, the FASB issued ASU No. 2016-15, “Statement of Cash Flows – Classification of Certain Cash Receipts and Cash Payments.” ASU 2016-15 provides guidance intended to reduce diversity in practice in how certain transactions are classified in the statement of cash flows. The issue addressed in ASU 2016-15 that will affect the Company is classifying distributions received from equity method investments. The guidance provides an accounting policy election for classifying distributions received from equity method investments using either a cumulative earnings approach or a nature of distributions approach. The Company adopted this standard on June 1, 2018. The adoption did not have a material effect on our condensed consolidated financial statements.

In November 2016, the FASB issued ASU No. 2016-18, “Statement of Cash Flows (Topic 230): Restricted Cash”. ASU 2016-18 requires that a statement of cash flows explain the change during the period in the total of cash, cash equivalents, and amounts generally described as restricted cash or restricted cash equivalents. Therefore, amounts generally described as restricted cash and restricted cash equivalents should be included with cash and cash equivalents when reconciling the beginning-of-period and end-of-period total amounts shown on the statement of cash flows. The Company adopted this standard on June 1, 2018 by using the retrospective transition method, which required the following disclosures and changes to the presentation of its condensed consolidated financial statements: cash, cash equivalents and restricted cash reported on the condensed consolidated statements of cash flows now includes restricted cash of $21,443, $21,524 and $21,559 as of May 31, 2017, February 28, 2018 and May 31, 2018, respectively, as well as previously reported cash and cash equivalents.

The Tax Cuts Act, among other provisions, has lowered the corporate tax rate from 35% to 21%. In addition to applying the new lower corporate tax rate in 2018 and thereafter to any taxable income we may have, the legislation affects the way we can use and carryforward net operating losses previously accumulated and results in a revaluation of deferred tax assets and liabilities recorded on our condensed consolidated balance sheet.

SAB 118 provides guidance regarding accounting for the income tax effects of the Tax Cuts Act, including the impact of the Tax Cuts Act on deferred tax assets and liabilities for financial statements issued in the reporting period that includes the enactment date of December 22, 2017. Given that our current deferred tax assets, with the exception of those representing certain refundable tax credits, are offset by a full valuation allowance, these changes will have no net impact on our condensed consolidated balance sheet. However, if we become profitable, we will receive a reduced benefit from such deferred tax assets.