Investments And Fair Value Measurements (Policy)

12 Months Ended

Dec. 31, 2011

Investments And Fair Value Measurements [Line items]

Investment

Investments:

The Company's short-term and long-term investments as of December 31, 2011 are comprised of U.S. and non-U.S. government securities, U.S. agency securities and corporate debt securities. The Company's investment in corporate preferred equity securities was fully liquidated in 2010. Investments are classified as short-term or long-term based on their original or remaining maturities and whether the securities represent the investment of funds available for current operations. Nearly all investments are held in the Company's name at a limited number of major financial institutions. At December 31, 2011 and 2010, all of the Company's investments were classified as available-for-sale and were carried at fair value based on quoted market prices, broker or dealer quotations, or alternative pricing sources with reasonable levels of price transparency at the end of the reporting period. Unrealized gains and losses are recorded as a separate component of accumulated other comprehensive income (loss) in consolidated statements of stockholders' equity. If these investments are sold at a loss or are considered to have other than temporarily declined in value, a charge against earnings is recorded. The specific identification method is used to determine the cost of securities disposed of, with realized gains and losses reflected in interest and other income (expense), net.

For strategic reasons, the Company has made various investments in private companies. The private company investments are carried at cost and written down to estimated market value when indications exist that these investments have other than temporarily declined in value. The Company reviews these investments for impairment when events or changes in circumstances indicate that impairment may exist and makes appropriate reductions in carrying value, if necessary. The Company evaluates a number of factors, including price per share of any recent financing, expected timing of additional financing, liquidation preferences, historical and forecasted earnings and cash flows, cash burn rate, and technological feasibility of the investee company's products to assess whether or not the investment is impaired.

U.S. Treasury And Government [Member]

Investments And Fair Value Measurements [Line items]

Investment

U.S. Government Securities

The Company's U.S. government securities mostly comprised of direct U.S. Treasury obligations that are guaranteed by the U.S. government. To ensure that the investment portfolio is sufficiently diversified, the Company's investment policy requires that a certain percentage of the Company's portfolio be invested in these types of securities.

U.S. Government Agency Securities [Member]

Investments And Fair Value Measurements [Line items]

Investment

U.S. Government Agency Securities

The Company's U.S. government agency securities are mostly comprised of U.S. government agency instruments, including mortgage-backed securities. To ensure that the investment portfolio is sufficiently diversified, the Company's investment policy requires that a certain percentage of the Company's portfolio be invested in these types of securities.

Non-U.S. Government Securities [Member]

Investments And Fair Value Measurements [Line items]

Investment

Non-U.S. Government Securities

The Company's Non-U.S. government securities are mostly comprised of non-U.S. government instruments, including state, municipal and foreign government securities. To ensure that the investment portfolio is sufficiently diversified, the Company's investment policy allows a certain percentage of the Company's portfolio be invested in these types of securities.

Corporate Debt Securities [Member]

Investments And Fair Value Measurements [Line items]

Investment

Corporate Debt Securities

The Company's corporate debt securities are comprised of publicly-traded domestic and foreign corporate debt securities. The Company does not purchase auction rate securities, and investments are in instruments that meet high quality credit rating standards, as specified in the Company's investment policy guidelines. These guidelines also limit the amount of credit exposure to any one issuer or type of instrument.

Private Company Investments [Member]

Investments And Fair Value Measurements [Line items]

Investment

Private Company Investments

For strategic reasons the Company has made various investments in private companies. The cost method of accounting is used to account for these investments as we hold a non-material ownership percentage and are written down to their estimated net realizable value when indications exist that these investments have been impaired. These investments are recorded in "Other assets" in the Company's consolidated balance sheets and the balances were $2.0 million and $2.5 million as of December 31, 2011 and 2010, respectively.