Annual report pursuant to section 13 and 15(d)

Investments (Detail)

v2.4.0.6
Investments (Detail) (USD $)
12 Months Ended 12 Months Ended 12 Months Ended 2 Months Ended 12 Months Ended 0 Months Ended 1 Months Ended
Oct. 31, 2012
Oct. 31, 2011
Aug. 31, 2009
First Half [Member]
ZQX Advisory LLC [Member]
Aug. 31, 2009
Second Half [Member]
ZQX Advisory LLC [Member]
Oct. 31, 2011
Investment in Videocon [Member]
Old Cost Basis [Member]
Oct. 31, 2011
Investment in Videocon [Member]
New Cost Basis [Member]
Oct. 31, 2011
Investment in Videocon [Member]
Oct. 31, 2012
Investment in Videocon [Member]
Oct. 31, 2012
Investment in DISC [Member]
Oct. 31, 2011
Investment in DISC [Member]
Sep. 30, 2009
Volga - Svet Ltd [Member]
Oct. 31, 2012
Volga - Svet Ltd [Member]
Oct. 31, 2011
Volga - Svet Ltd [Member]
Aug. 31, 2009
ZQX Advisory LLC [Member]
Aug. 31, 2009
ZQX Advisory LLC [Member]
Oct. 31, 2012
Available-for-sale Securities [Member]
Oct. 31, 2011
Available-for-sale Securities [Member]
Short-term Investments $ 500,000 $ 2,249,159                           $ 500,000 $ 2,249,000
Available-for-sale Securities, Amortized Cost Basis               16,200,000                  
Cost Method Investments    127,500     7,105,000 5,382,000                      
Cost-method Investments, Other than Temporary Impairment             (1,723,000)                    
Other than Temporary Impairment Losses, Investments 127,500           10,818,000     63,000              
Proceeds from Sale of Available-for-sale Securities                 1,000 119,000              
Available-for-sale Securities Sold, Shares (in Shares)                 917,000 4,219,443              
Gain (Loss) on Sale of Investments                 1,000 30,000              
Business Acquisition, Percentage of Voting Interests Acquired                     19.90%     19.50% 19.50%    
Stock Issued During Period, Shares, Acquisitions (in Shares)                     150,000       800,000    
Investment Owned, at Cost                         128,000        
Investment Write Off to Affiliates,at Carrying Value                       128,000          
Research and Development Expense 2,211,506 3,124,773                   326,000 518,000        
Class of Warrant or Right, Number of Securities Called by Warrants or Rights (in Shares)                           500,000 500,000    
Class of Warrant or Right, Exercise Price of Warrants or Rights (in Dollars per Item)     0.37 0.555                          
Adjustments to Additional Paid in Capital, Other                           $ 91,000