Income Statement [Abstract] Statement [Table] Statement [Table] Statement, Scenario [Axis] Statement, Scenario [Axis] Scenario, Unspecified [Domain] Scenario, Unspecified [Domain] Statement [Line Items] Statement [Line Items] Revenue, net Sales Revenue, Goods, Net Cost of revenue (1) Cost of Goods Sold Gross profit Gross Profit Operating expenses: Operating Expenses [Abstract] Research and development (2) Research and Development Expense Selling, general and administrative (3) Selling, General and Administrative Expense Restructuring Restructuring Charges Total operating expenses Operating Expenses Loss from operations Operating Income (Loss) Gain on sale of patents Gain (Loss) on Disposition of Intangible Assets Interest expense and other, net Other Nonoperating Income (Expense) Gain on sale of marketable securities Marketable Securities, Realized Gain (Loss) Gain on repurchase of long-term debt, net Gains (Losses) on Extinguishment of Debt Total other income, net Nonoperating Income (Expense) Income (loss) before income taxes Income (Loss) from Continuing Operations before Equity Method Investments, Income Taxes, Extraordinary Items, Noncontrolling Interest Provision (benefit) for income taxes Income Tax Expense (Benefit) Net income (loss) Net Income (Loss) Attributable to Parent Net income (loss) per share: Earnings Per Share [Abstract] Basic Earnings Per Share, Basic Diluted Earnings Per Share, Diluted Weighted average shares outstanding: Weighted Average Number of Shares Outstanding, Diluted [Abstract] Basic Weighted Average Number of Shares Outstanding, Basic Diluted Weighted Average Number of Shares Outstanding, Diluted MARKETABLE SECURITIES AND FAIR VALUE MEASUREMENTS [Abstract] MARKETABLE SECURITIES AND FAIR VALUE MEASUREMENTS [Abstract] Marketable securities and fair value measurements Marketable securities and fair value measurements [Text Block] This item represents disclosures related to Marketable Securities and fair value of financial instruments. [Text Block] Consolidated Statements of Shareholders’ Equity (Deficit) and Comprehensive Income (Loss) [Abstract] Consolidated Statements of Shareholders’ Equity (Deficit) and Comprehensive Income (Loss) [Abstract] Statement, Equity Components [Axis] Statement, Equity Components [Axis] Equity Component [Domain] Equity Component [Domain] Common Stock [Member] Common Stock [Member] Accumulated Other Comprehensive Income (Loss) [Member] Accumulated Other Comprehensive Income (Loss) [Member] Comprehensive Income (Loss) [Member] Comprehensive Income [Member] Accumulated Deficit [Member] Retained Earnings [Member] Increase (Decrease) in Stockholders' Equity Increase (Decrease) in Stockholders' Equity [Roll Forward] Beginning balance, shares Shares, Issued Beginning balance Stockholders' Equity, Including Portion Attributable to Noncontrolling Interest Stock issued under stock option and stock purchase plans Stock Issued During Period, Value, Share-based Compensation, Net of Forfeitures Stock issued under stock option and stock purchase plans, shares Stock Issued During Period, Shares, Share-based Compensation, Net of Forfeitures Repurchase of common stock Stock Repurchased During Period, Value Repurchase of common stock, shares Stock Repurchased During Period, Shares Equity offering Stock Issued During Period, Value, New Issues Equity offering, shares Stock Issued During Period, Shares, New Issues Stock-based compensation expense Adjustments to Additional Paid in Capital, Share-based Compensation, Requisite Service Period Recognition Net income (loss) Net Income (Loss), Including Portion Attributable to Noncontrolling Interest Reclassification of unrealized gain upon sale of available-for-sale securities Other Comprehensive Income (Loss), Reclassification Adjustment for Sale of Securities Included in Net Income, Net of Tax Unrealized gain on available-for-sale securities, net of tax Other Comprehensive Income (Loss), Unrealized Holding Gain (Loss) on Securities Arising During Period, Net of Tax Pension adjustment, net of tax Other Comprehensive Income (Loss), Pension and Other Postretirement Benefit Plans, Adjustment, Net of Tax Comprehensive income (loss) Comprehensive Income (Loss), Net of Tax, Including Portion Attributable to Noncontrolling Interest Ending balance, shares Ending balance Stockholders' Equity Note [Abstract] Shareholders' equity Stockholders' Equity Note Disclosure [Text Block] Earnings per share Earnings Per Share [Text Block] Statement of Financial Position [Abstract] Class of Stock [Axis] Class of Stock [Axis] Class of Stock [Domain] Class of Stock [Domain] ASSETS Assets [Abstract] Current assets: Assets, Current [Abstract] Cash and cash equivalents Cash and Cash Equivalents, at Carrying Value Short-term marketable securities Marketable Securities, Current Accounts receivable, net Accounts Receivable, Net, Current Inventories Inventory, Net Prepaid expenses and other current assets Prepaid Expense and Other Assets, Current Total current assets Assets, Current Long-term marketable securities Marketable Securities, Noncurrent Property and equipment, net Property, Plant and Equipment, Net Other assets, net Other Assets, Noncurrent Total assets Assets LIABILITIES AND SHAREHOLDERS’ EQUITY Liabilities and Equity [Abstract] Current liabilities: Liabilities, Current [Abstract] Accounts payable Accounts Payable, Current Accrued liabilities and current portion of long-term liabilities Accrued Liabilities, Current Current portion of income taxes payable Accrued Income Taxes, Current Short-term line of credit Line of Credit, Current Debentures currently payable Convertible Subordinated Debt, Current Total current liabilities Liabilities, Current Long-term liabilities, net of current portion Accounts Payable and Accrued Liabilities, Noncurrent Income taxes payable, net of current portion Accrued Income Taxes, Noncurrent Total liabilities Liabilities Commitments and contingencies (Note 7) Commitments and Contingencies Shareholders’ equity: Stockholders' Equity Attributable to Parent [Abstract] Preferred stock, $0.001 par value, 50,000,000 shares authorized, none issued Preferred Stock, Value, Issued Common stock, $0.001 par value; 250,000,000 shares authorized, 17,966,170 and 13,566,021 shares issued and outstanding as of December 31, 2011 and 2010, respectively Common Stock, Including Additional Paid in Capital Accumulated other comprehensive income (loss) Accumulated Other Comprehensive Income (Loss), Net of Tax Accumulated deficit Retained Earnings (Accumulated Deficit) Total shareholders’ equity Stockholders' Equity Attributable to Parent Total liabilities and shareholders’ equity Liabilities and Equity COMMITMENTS AND CONTINGENCIES [Abstract] COMMITMENTS AND CONTINGENCIES [Abstract] Commitments and contingencies Commitments and Contingencies Disclosure [Text Block] SEGMENT INFORMATION [Abstract] SEGMENT INFORMATION [Abstract] Segment information Segment Reporting Disclosure [Text Block] Statement of Cash Flows [Abstract] Cash flows from operating activities: Net Cash Provided by (Used in) Operating Activities [Abstract] Net income (loss) Adjustments to reconcile net income (loss) to net cash provided by (used in) operating activities: Adjustments to Reconcile Net Income (Loss) to Cash Provided by (Used in) Operating Activities [Abstract] Depreciation and amortization Depreciation, Depletion and Amortization, Nonproduction Stock-based compensation Share-based Compensation Gain on sale of patents Reversal of uncertain tax positions Reversal of uncertain tax positions Reversal of previously recorded tax contingencies due to the expiration of applicable statutes of limitation. Gain on sale of marketable securities Amortization of debt issuance costs Amortization of Financing Costs and Discounts Other non-cash tax expense (benefit) Other Noncash Income Tax Expense Deferred income tax expense Deferred Income Tax Expense (Benefit) Amortization of acquired developed technology Amortization of Capitalized Value of Business Acquired Asset Amortization on marketable securities Accretion (Amortization) of Discounts and Premiums, Investments Gain on repurchase of long-term debt, net Other Other Noncash Income (Expense) Changes in operating assets and liabilities: Increase (Decrease) in Operating Capital [Abstract] Accounts receivable, net Increase (Decrease) in Accounts Receivable Inventories Increase (Decrease) in Inventories Prepaid expenses and other current and long-term assets, net Increase (Decrease) in Prepaid Expense and Other Assets Accounts payable Increase (Decrease) in Accounts Payable Accrued current and long-term liabilities Increase (Decrease) in Accrued Liabilities Income taxes payable Increase (Decrease) in Income Taxes Payable Net cash provided by (used in) operating activities Net Cash Provided by (Used in) Operating Activities Cash flows from investing activities: Net Cash Provided by (Used in) Investing Activities [Abstract] Proceeds from sales and maturities of available-for-sale marketable securities Proceeds from Sale and Maturity of Marketable Securities Purchases of property and equipment Payments to Acquire Property, Plant, and Equipment Proceeds from sale of patents Proceeds from Sale of Other Assets Purchases of licensed technology Payments to Acquire Productive Assets Proceeds from sales of property and equipment Proceeds from Sale of Property, Plant, and Equipment Purchases of available-for-sale marketable securities Payments to Acquire Available-for-sale Securities Net cash provided by (used in) investing activities Net Cash Provided by (Used in) Investing Activities Cash flows from financing activities: Net Cash Provided by (Used in) Financing Activities [Abstract] Repurchase of debentures Repayments of Long-term Debt Net proceeds from equity offering Proceeds from Issuance of Common Stock Net proceeds (payments) from line of credit Proceeds from (Repayments of) Lines of Credit Payments on asset financings Repayments of Other Debt Proceeds from issuances of common stock Proceeds from Issuance of Shares under Incentive and Share-based Compensation Plans, Including Stock Options Repurchase of common stock Payments for Repurchase of Common Stock Net cash provided by (used in) financing activities Net Cash Provided by (Used in) Financing Activities Net change in cash and cash equivalents Cash and Cash Equivalents, Period Increase (Decrease) Cash and cash equivalents, beginning of period Cash and cash equivalents, end of period Restructuring Charges [Abstract] Restructurings Restructuring and Related Activities Disclosure [Text Block] Supplemental Cash Flow Information [Abstract] Supplemental disclosure of cash flow information Cash Flow, Supplemental Disclosures [Text Block] SUMMARY OF SIGNIFICANT ACCOUNTING POLICIES [Abstract] SUMMARY OF SIGNIFICANT ACCOUNTING POLICIES [Abstract] Summary of significant accounting policies Significant Accounting Policies [Text Block] QUARTERLY FINANCIAL DATA (UNAUDITED) [Abstract] QUARTERLY FINANCIAL DATA (UNAUDITED) [Abstract] Quarterly financial data (unaudited) Quarterly Financial Information [Text Block] INCOME TAXES [Abstract] INCOME TAXES [Abstract] Income taxes Income Tax Disclosure [Text Block] BALANCE SHEET COMPONENTS [Abstract] BALANCE SHEET COMPONENTS [Abstract] Balance sheet components Balance sheet components [Text Block] Balance sheet components [Text Block] Organization, Consolidation and Presentation of Financial Statements [Abstract] Basis of presentation Organization, Consolidation and Presentation of Financial Statements Disclosure [Text Block] Document and Entity Information [Abstract] Document and Entity Information [Abstract] Entities [Table] Entities [Table] Legal Entity [Axis] Legal Entity [Axis] Entity [Domain] Entity [Domain] Entity Information [Line Items] Entity Information [Line Items] Entity Registrant Name Entity Registrant Name Entity Central Index Key Entity Central Index Key Current Fiscal Year End Date Current Fiscal Year End Date Entity Filer Category Entity Filer Category Document Type Document Type Document Period End Date Document Period End Date Document Fiscal Year Focus Document Fiscal Year Focus Document Fiscal Period Focus Document Fiscal Period Focus Amendment Flag Amendment Flag Entity Common Stock, Shares Outstanding Entity Common Stock, Shares Outstanding Entity Well-known Seasoned Issuer Entity Well-known Seasoned Issuer Entity Voluntary Filers Entity Voluntary Filers Entity Current Reporting Status Entity Current Reporting Status Entity Public Float Entity Public Float Preferred stock, par value Preferred Stock, Par or Stated Value Per Share Preferred stock, shares authorized Preferred Stock, Shares Authorized Preferred stock, shares issued Preferred Stock, Shares Issued Common stock, par value Common Stock, Par or Stated Value Per Share Common stock, shares authorized Common Stock, Shares Authorized Common stock, shares issued Common Stock, Shares, Issued Common stock, shares outstanding Common Stock, Shares, Outstanding Condensed Consolidated Statement of Operations Parenthetical [Abstract] Condensed Consolidated Statement of Operations Parenthetical [Abstract] Cost of revenue Cost of Sales [Member] Research and development Other Research and Development Expense [Member] Selling, general and administrative General and Administrative Expense [Member] Additional amortization of non-cancelable prepaid royalty Amortization of Advance Royalty Stock-based compensation Allocated Share-based Compensation Expense Amortization of acquired developed technology Amortization of Intangible Assets Report Date [Axis] Report Date [Axis] Financial Statements Date [Domain] Financial Statements Date [Domain] Adjustments for New Accounting Pronouncements [Axis] Adjustments for New Accounting Pronouncements [Axis] Type of Adoption [Domain] Type of Adoption [Domain] Adjustments for Change in Accounting Principle [Axis] Adjustments for Change in Accounting Principle [Axis] Adjustments for Change in Accounting Principle [Domain] Adjustments for Change in Accounting Principle [Domain] Adjustments for Error Corrections [Axis] Adjustments for Error Corrections [Axis] Adjustments for Error Correction [Domain] Adjustments for Error Correction [Domain] Tax effect of reclassification of unrealized gain upon sale of available-for-sale securities Other Comprehensive Income (Loss), Reclassification Adjustment for Sale of Securities Included in Net Income, Tax Tax effect of unrealized gain on available-for-sale securities Other Comprehensive Income (Loss), Unrealized Holding Gain (Loss) on Securities Arising During Period, Tax Tax effect of pension adjustment Other Comprehensive Income (Loss), Minimum Pension Liability Net Adjustment, Tax