Quarterly report pursuant to sections 13 or 15(d)

Investments (Detail)

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Investments (Detail) (USD $)
3 Months Ended 9 Months Ended 1 Months Ended 3 Months Ended 9 Months Ended 1 Months Ended 12 Months Ended
Jul. 31, 2012
Oct. 31, 2011
Jul. 31, 2011
Jul. 31, 2012
Jul. 31, 2011
Feb. 28, 2011
Aug. 31, 2009
First Half
ZQS
Aug. 31, 2009
Second Half
ZQS
Oct. 31, 2011
Videocon
Sep. 30, 2009
Volga
Jul. 31, 2012
Volga
Jul. 31, 2011
Volga
Jul. 31, 2012
Volga
Jul. 31, 2011
Volga
Aug. 31, 2009
ZQS
Oct. 31, 2009
ZQS
Oct. 31, 2011
Treasury Bills
Oct. 31, 2011
Certificates of Deposit [Member]
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