Consolidated Statements Of Cash Flows (USD $) In Thousands, unless otherwise specified	12 Months Ended
	Oct. 31, 2011	Oct. 31, 2010
Cash flows from operating activities:
Net loss	$ (152)	$ (849)
Adjustments to reconcile net loss to net cash provided by operating activities:
Depreciation	265	350
Amortization	420	420
Stock-based compensation	346	712
(Decrease) increase in allowance for doubtful accounts	(4)	(10)
(Decrease) increase in inventory obsolescence reserve	(168)	(46)
Loss on disposal of equipment and intangibles	76
Change in operating assets and liabilities:
Accounts receivable	(733)	(701)
Inventories	115	757
Prepaid expenses and other current assets	35	(27)
Accounts payable	71	180
Employee compensation	(634)	740
Deferred income	165	64
Warranty reserve	(34)	32
Other current liabilities and accrued expenses	(187)	63
Net cash (used in) provided by operating activities	(419)	1,685
Cash flows from investing activities:
Purchases of investments		(4,915)
Sales of investments	2,715	1,479
Purchases of property and equipment and intangible assets	(599)	(438)
Net cash provided by (used in) investing activities	2,116	(3,874)
Cash flows used in financing activities:
Proceeds from issuance of common stock under employee stock purchase plan	20	17
Proceeds from the exercise of stock options	48	6
Repurchase of common stock	(198)	(2,024)
Repurchase of common stock upon vesting of restricted stock grants	(49)	(86)
Net cash used in financing activities	(179)	(2,087)
Net increase (decrease) in cash and cash equivalents	1,518	(4,276)
Cash and cash equivalents at beginning of period	6,943	11,219
Cash and cash equivalents at end of period	8,461	6,943
Cash paid for taxes	24	37
Supplemental non-cash item:
Share value received for stock option exercise	$ 89