Investments

9 Months Ended

Sep. 30, 2011

Investments [Abstract]

Investments

Note 4.   Investments

The cost and estimated fair value of the Company's investments (other than an investment accounted for under the equity method of accounting) are as follows:

	Cost		Gross unrealized gain		Gross unrealized loss		Fair value
September 30, 2011
Money Market Funds	$       5,371,000		$                     0		$                     0		$       5,371,000
Equity Securities	101,000		2,298,000		(55,000)		2,344,000
	5,472,000		2,298,000		(55,000)		7,715,000
Less Cash Equivalents	5,371,000		0		0		5,371,000
Total Available for Sale Securities, September 30, 2011	$	101,000	$	2,298,000	$	(55,000)	$	2,344,000
December 31, 2010
Treasury Bills	$	5,197,000	$	0	$	0	$	5,197,000
Money Market Funds	170,000		0		0		170,000
Equity Securities	101,000		2,783,000		(54,000)		2,830,000
	5,468,000		2,783,000		(54,000)		8,197,000
Less Cash Equivalents	170,000		0		0		170,000
Total Available for Sale Securities, December 31, 2010	$	5,298,000	$	2,783,000	$	(54,000)	$	8,027,000

At September 30, 2011, the Company's significant investments in equity securities were 343,267 shares of Rudolph Technologies, Inc. ("Rudolph") and 551,759 shares of PPT Vision, Inc. ("PPT"), both of which are accounted for under the available-for-sale method. At December 31, 2010, the Company's significant investment in equity securities was 343,267 shares of Rudolph, accounted for under the available-for-sale method. As of September 30, 2011 and December 31, 2010, the aggregate value of the Company's Rudolph shares as reported on the Nasdaq Stock Market was approximately $2,296,000 and $2,825,000, respectively, with an approximate cost of $45,000. As of September 30, 2011, the aggregate value of the Company's PPT shares as reported on the Pink Sheets was approximately $44,000, with an adjusted basis of $0.

Investment Reported on Equity Method

At December 31, 2010, the Company owned 551,759 shares of PPT, which is 1.4% of PPT's outstanding common stock. The fair value of its holdings based on the quoted market price at December 31, 2010 was approximately $99,000 with an approximate cost of $2,434,000.

Because the Company owned approximately 1.4% of PPT's outstanding stock and the Company's Secretary owned a controlling interest in PPT, it had been determined that the Company had "significant influence" over the operations of PPT, and as a result its ownership interest should be reported using the equity method of accounting for investments. In the first quarter of 2011, it was determined that the Company no longer has "significant influence" over the operations of PPT and accordingly, the Company is accounting for its investment in PPT as an available-for-sale security. Upon conversion to available-for-sale classification, the Company recorded the stock at its adjusted basis of $0 which reflected its carrying amount at that date.