A site called
IP Watchdog, who apparently tracks what's happening in the industrial world, made a list of what they feel are the top ten patents from 2014.
#10: Seawater Desalination System
U.S. Patent No. 8834712
#9: Recirculation Complex for Increasing Yield From Fuel Cell With CO2 Capture
U.S. Patent No. 8778545
#8: Devices and Methods for Transferring Data Through a Human Body
U.S. Patent No. 8908894
#7: Virtual Universe Teleportation Suggestion Service
U.S. Patent No. 8671349
#6: Gamma Secretase Modulators
U.S. Patent No. 8809318
#5: Foreign Currency Solution
U.S. Patent No. 8818868
#4: Aerial Display System With Marionettes Articulated and Supported by Airborne Devices
U.S. Patent No. 8876571
#3: Clustering Devices in an Internet of Things (‘IoT’)
U.S. Patent No. 8671099
#2: Anti-TSG101 Antibodies and Their Uses for Treatment of Viral Infections
U.S. Patent No. 8796423
#1: Damage Reduction Control for Humanoid Robot Fall
U.S. Patent No. 8880221
I guess they rate them by some sort of mix, of potential to make money, and serve mankind. (No, not the cookbook.)
But anyway, I found it an interesting mix, using drones to manipulate floating marionettes, Alzheimer's treatment, data through your body, and preventing your robot(or love doll) from fall down go boom boo-boos.