Investments in Non-Publicly Traded Companies and Venture Capital Funds	12 Months Ended
Dec. 31, 2011
Investments, All Other Investments [Abstract]
Cost-method Investments, Description [Text Block]	Note 4. Investments in Non-Publicly Traded Companies and Venture Capital Funds During the first quarter of 2010, the Company sold its investment in Opulan Technologies Corp. (“Opulan”) for $2.7 million. The carrying value of this investment in Opulan was also $2.7 million and accordingly no gain or loss was recorded on this transaction. The Company owns a 3% limited partnership interest in Neurone II, a venture capital fund organized as a limited partnership and a 0.42% limited partnership interest in Munich Venture Partners Fund (“MVP”). The Company accounts for these investments at cost. The financial condition of these companies is subject to significant changes resulting from their operating performance and their ability to obtain financing. The Company continually evaluates its investments in these companies for impairment. In making this judgment, the Company considers the investee’s cash position, projected cash flows (both short and long-term), financing needs, most recent valuation data, the current investing environment, management/ownership changes, and competition. This evaluation process is based on information that the Company requests from these privately held companies. This information is not subject to the same disclosure and audit requirements as the reports required of United States public companies, and as such, the reliability and accuracy of the data may vary. During 2009, the Company made additional investments of less than $0.1 million and recognized an impairment of less than $0.1 million on its investment in Neurone II. During 2010, the Company had sales of investments of $2.7 million in Opulan and less than $0.1 million in Neurone II. Also during 2010, the Company made additional investments of less than $0.1 million in both Neurone II and MVP. During 2011, the Company made additional investments of less than $0.1 million in MVP. The Company’s cost method investments were approximately $0.3 million and $0.3 million as of December 31, 2011 and 2010, respectively.

Investments in Non-Publicly Traded Companies and Venture Capital Funds

12 Months Ended

Dec. 31, 2011

Investments, All Other Investments [Abstract]

Cost-method Investments, Description [Text Block]

Note 4. Investments in Non-Publicly Traded Companies and Venture Capital Funds

During the first quarter of 2010, the Company sold its investment in Opulan Technologies Corp. (“Opulan”) for $2.7 million. The carrying value of this investment in Opulan was also $2.7 million and accordingly no gain or loss was recorded on this transaction.

The Company owns a 3% limited partnership interest in Neurone II, a venture capital fund organized as a limited partnership and a 0.42% limited partnership interest in Munich Venture Partners Fund (“MVP”). The Company accounts for these investments at cost. The financial condition of these companies is subject to significant changes resulting from their operating performance and their ability to obtain financing. The Company continually evaluates its investments in these companies for impairment. In making this judgment, the Company considers the investee’s cash position, projected cash flows (both short and long-term), financing needs, most recent valuation data, the current investing environment, management/ownership changes, and competition. This evaluation process is based on information that the Company requests from these privately held companies. This information is not subject to the same disclosure and audit requirements as the reports required of United States public companies, and as such, the reliability and accuracy of the data may vary.

During 2009, the Company made additional investments of less than $0.1 million and recognized an impairment of less than $0.1 million on its investment in Neurone II.

During 2010, the Company had sales of investments of $2.7 million in Opulan and less than $0.1 million in Neurone II. Also during 2010, the Company made additional investments of less than $0.1 million in both Neurone II and MVP.

During 2011, the Company made additional investments of less than $0.1 million in MVP.

The Company’s cost method investments were approximately $0.3 million and $0.3 million as of December 31, 2011 and 2010, respectively.

- Definition

The entire disclosure for investments accounted for under the cost-method. The carrying amount of such investments may be adjusted, for example, distributions in excess of cost (return of capital) or for other-than-temporary impairments. The cost method and lower-of-cost or market, an adaptation of the cost method, is generally followed for most investments in noncontrolled corporations, in some corporate joint ventures, and to a lesser extent in unconsolidated subsidiaries in which the entity does not have the ability to exercise significant influence.

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