Subsequent Event (Narrative) (Details) (USD $) In Millions, unless otherwise specified	1 Months Ended
Mar. 31, 2015
Subsequent Event Narrative Details
Subsequent Event, Description	In March 2015, we signed a multi-year license agreement with a customer granting them a non-exclusive license to our PicoP display technology for use in display modules it manufactures and sells. As part of the agreement, we received an $8.0 million up-front license fee in March 2015. In addition to the initial up-front license fee, we will also receive royalties for display modules sold by our customer. In March 2015, we received orders from a customer totaling $14.5 million for components. We plan to begin shipment of components for these orders in the second half of 2015 and expect fulfillment to continue into 2016.
Deferred revenue	$ 8.0us-gaap_DeferredRevenue
Product orders received, amount	$ 14.5mvis_ProductOrdersReceivedAmount

Amount of deferred revenue as of balance sheet date. Deferred revenue represents collections of cash or other assets related to a revenue producing activity for which revenue has not yet been recognized. Generally, an entity records deferred revenue when it receives consideration from a customer before achieving certain criteria that must be met for revenue to be recognized in conformity with GAAP.

Reference 1: http://www.xbrl.org/2003/role/presentationRef

-Publisher SEC

-Name Staff Accounting Bulletin (SAB)

-Number Topic 13

-Section A

Reference 2: http://www.xbrl.org/2003/role/presentationRef

-Publisher FASB

-Name Accounting Standards Codification

-Topic 605

-SubTopic 10

-Section S99

-Paragraph 1

-Subparagraph (SAB TOPIC 13.A.4(a).Q1 Response)

-URI http://asc.fasb.org/extlink&oid=27012821&loc=d3e214044-122780

Name:	us-gaap_DeferredRevenue
Namespace Prefix:	us-gaap_
Data Type:	xbrli:monetaryItemType
Balance Type:	credit
Period Type:	instant