Investments (Detail) (USD $)
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3 Months Ended | 9 Months Ended | 1 Months Ended | 3 Months Ended | 9 Months Ended | 1 Months Ended | 12 Months Ended | |||||||||||
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Jul. 31, 2012
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Oct. 31, 2011
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Jul. 31, 2011
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Jul. 31, 2012
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Jul. 31, 2011
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Feb. 28, 2011
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Aug. 31, 2009
First Half
ZQS
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Aug. 31, 2009
Second Half
ZQS
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Oct. 31, 2011
Videocon
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Sep. 30, 2009
Volga
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Jul. 31, 2012
Volga
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Jul. 31, 2011
Volga
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Jul. 31, 2012
Volga
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Jul. 31, 2011
Volga
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Aug. 31, 2009
ZQS
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Oct. 31, 2009
ZQS
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Oct. 31, 2011
Treasury Bills
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Oct. 31, 2011
Certificates of Deposit [Member]
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Certificates of Deposit, at Carrying Value | $ 950,000 | $ 950,000 | ||||||||||||||||
Available-for-sale Securities | 2,249,000 | 1,049,000 | 1,200,000 | |||||||||||||||
Available-for-sale Securities, Amortized Cost Basis | 16,200,000 | 16,200,000 | ||||||||||||||||
Cost Method Investments | 127,500 | 127,500 | 7,105,000 | 127,500 | 7,105,000 | 5,382,000 | ||||||||||||
Other than Temporary Impairment Losses, Investments | 1,723,000 | |||||||||||||||||
Noncontrolling Interest, Ownership Percentage by Parent | 19.90% | |||||||||||||||||
Stock Issued During The Period In Private Placement (in Shares) | 150,000 | 800,000 | ||||||||||||||||
Investments in and Advances to Affiliates, at Fair Value | 127,500 | 127,500 | ||||||||||||||||
Research and Development Expense | 458,412 | 879,644 | 1,712,302 | 2,388,362 | 20,000 | 128,000 | 326,000 | 383,000 | ||||||||||
Noncontrolling Interest, Ownership Percentage by Noncontrolling Owners | 19.50% | |||||||||||||||||
Class of Warrant or Right, Number of Securities Called by Warrants or Rights (in Shares) | 7,000,000 | 500,000 | ||||||||||||||||
Class of Warrant or Right, Exercise Price of Warrants or Rights (in Dollars per Item) | 0.0756 | 0.37 | 0.555 | |||||||||||||||
Warrants Not Settleable in Cash, Fair Value Disclosure | 468,000 | |||||||||||||||||
Consultation Fees Related to Options | 0 | 0 | 44,000 | 377,000 | ||||||||||||||
Adjustments to Additional Paid in Capital, Increase in Carrying Amount of Redeemable Preferred Stock | $ 91,000 |