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Commitments and Contingencies (Details 2) (USD $) | 12 Months Ended |  |  |  |  |
--- | --- | --- | --- | --- | --- | ---
Dec. 31, 2014 | Dec. 31, 2013 | Dec. 31, 2012 | Dec. 31, 2011 | Jun. 03, 2011 installment | Jul. 10, 2009 | Jun. 29, 2009 | Aug. 16, 2013
Contractual obligations |  |  |  |  |  |  |  |  |
Total | $ 195,605,000 rmbs_ContractualAmountTotal | [1] |  |  |  |  |  |  |
2015 | 19,387,000 rmbs_ContractualObligationPaymentsDueFirstFullFiscalYear | [1] |  |  |  |  |  |  |
2016 | 11,220,000 rmbs_ContractualObligationPaymentsDueSecondFullFiscalYear | [1] |  |  |  |  |  |  |
2017 | 9,188,000 rmbs_ContractualObligationPaymentsDueThirdFullFiscalYear | [1] |  |  |  |  |  |  |
2018 | 146,339,000 rmbs_ContractualObligationPaymentsDueFourthFullFiscalYear | [1] |  |  |  |  |  |  |
2019 | 6,602,000 rmbs_ContractualObligationPaymentsDueFifthFullFiscalYear | [1] |  |  |  |  |  |  |
Thereafter | 2,869,000 rmbs_ContractualObligationPaymentsDueAfterFifthFullFiscalYear | [1] |  |  |  |  |  |  |
Unrecognized Tax Benefits | 19,903,000 us-gaap_UnrecognizedTaxBenefits |  | 18,794,000 us-gaap_UnrecognizedTaxBenefits | 16,773,000 us-gaap_UnrecognizedTaxBenefits | 16,610,000 us-gaap_UnrecognizedTaxBenefits |  |  |  |
Unrecognized tax benefits, reduction of long-term deferred tax assets, before federal tax benefit | 17,800,000 rmbs_UnrecognizedTaxBenefitsDeferredTaxAssetsNoncurrentGross |  | 12,600,000 rmbs_UnrecognizedTaxBenefitsDeferredTaxAssetsNoncurrentGross |  |  |  |  |  |
Unrecognized tax benefits included in long-term income taxes payable | 2,100,000 rmbs_UnrecognizedTaxBenefitsAccruedIncomeTaxesNoncurrent |  | 6,200,000 rmbs_UnrecognizedTaxBenefitsAccruedIncomeTaxesNoncurrent |  |  |  |  |  |
Terms of noncancellable license agreement, minimum (in years) | 1 year |  |  |  |  |  |  |  |
Rent expense | 2,600,000 us-gaap_LeaseAndRentalExpense |  | 3,100,000 us-gaap_LeaseAndRentalExpense | 4,100,000 us-gaap_LeaseAndRentalExpense |  |  |  |  |
Property, Plant and Equipment Cost Capitalization Amount | 40,300,000 rmbs_PropertyPlantAndEquipmentCostCapitalizationAmount |  | 40,320,000 rmbs_PropertyPlantAndEquipmentCostCapitalizationAmount |  |  |  |  |  |
CRI |  |  |  |  |  |  |  |  |
Contractual obligations |  |  |  |  |  |  |  |  |
Number of installments for payment of retention bonus |  |  |  |  |  | 3 rmbs_BusinessAcquisitionRetentionBonusPayableTotalNumberOfInstallments / rmbs_ContractualObligationAxis = rmbs_CriMember |  |  |
Approximate installment amount of retention bonus |  |  |  |  |  | 16,700,000 rmbs_BusinessAcquisitionRetentionBonusPayablePerInstallmentAmount / rmbs_ContractualObligationAxis = rmbs_CriMember |  |  |
Imputed financing obligation |  |  |  |  |  |  |  |  |
Contractual obligations |  |  |  |  |  |  |  |  |
Total | 34,387,000 rmbs_ContractualAmountTotal / rmbs_ContractualObligationAxis = rmbs_ImputedFinancingObligationMember | [1],[2] |  |  |  |  |  |  |
2015 | 6,011,000 rmbs_ContractualObligationPaymentsDueFirstFullFiscalYear / rmbs_ContractualObligationAxis = rmbs_ImputedFinancingObligationMember | [1],[2] |  |  |  |  |  |  |
2016 | 6,156,000 rmbs_ContractualObligationPaymentsDueSecondFullFiscalYear / rmbs_ContractualObligationAxis = rmbs_ImputedFinancingObligationMember | [1],[2] |  |  |  |  |  |  |
2017 | 6,302,000 rmbs_ContractualObligationPaymentsDueThirdFullFiscalYear / rmbs_ContractualObligationAxis = rmbs_ImputedFinancingObligationMember | [1],[2] |  |  |  |  |  |  |
2018 | 6,447,000 rmbs_ContractualObligationPaymentsDueFourthFullFiscalYear / rmbs_ContractualObligationAxis = rmbs_ImputedFinancingObligationMember | [1],[2] |  |  |  |  |  |  |
2019 | 6,602,000 rmbs_ContractualObligationPaymentsDueFifthFullFiscalYear / rmbs_ContractualObligationAxis = rmbs_ImputedFinancingObligationMember | [1],[2] |  |  |  |  |  |  |
Thereafter | 2,869,000 rmbs_ContractualObligationPaymentsDueAfterFifthFullFiscalYear / rmbs_ContractualObligationAxis = rmbs_ImputedFinancingObligationMember | [1],[2] |  |  |  |  |  |  |
Leases and other contractual obligations |  |  |  |  |  |  |  |  |
Contractual obligations |  |  |  |  |  |  |  |  |
Total | 9,839,000 rmbs_ContractualAmountTotal / rmbs_ContractualObligationAxis = us-gaap_LeasesAcquiredInPlaceMember | [1] |  |  |  |  |  |  |
2015 | 6,403,000 rmbs_ContractualObligationPaymentsDueFirstFullFiscalYear / rmbs_ContractualObligationAxis = us-gaap_LeasesAcquiredInPlaceMember | [1] |  |  |  |  |  |  |
2016 | 1,763,000 rmbs_ContractualObligationPaymentsDueSecondFullFiscalYear / rmbs_ContractualObligationAxis = us-gaap_LeasesAcquiredInPlaceMember | [1] |  |  |  |  |  |  |
2017 | 1,333,000 rmbs_ContractualObligationPaymentsDueThirdFullFiscalYear / rmbs_ContractualObligationAxis = us-gaap_LeasesAcquiredInPlaceMember | [1] |  |  |  |  |  |  |
2018 | 340,000 rmbs_ContractualObligationPaymentsDueFourthFullFiscalYear / rmbs_ContractualObligationAxis = us-gaap_LeasesAcquiredInPlaceMember | [1] |  |  |  |  |  |  |
2019 | 0 rmbs_ContractualObligationPaymentsDueFifthFullFiscalYear / rmbs_ContractualObligationAxis = us-gaap_LeasesAcquiredInPlaceMember | [1] |  |  |  |  |  |  |
Thereafter | 0 rmbs_ContractualObligationPaymentsDueAfterFifthFullFiscalYear / rmbs_ContractualObligationAxis = us-gaap_LeasesAcquiredInPlaceMember | [1] |  |  |  |  |  |  |
Software licenses |  |  |  |  |  |  |  |  |
Contractual obligations |  |  |  |  |  |  |  |  |
Total | 7,098,000 rmbs_ContractualAmountTotal / rmbs_ContractualObligationAxis = us-gaap_SoftwareLicenseArrangementMember | [1],[3] |  |  |  |  |  |  |
2015 | 5,350,000 rmbs_ContractualObligationPaymentsDueFirstFullFiscalYear / rmbs_ContractualObligationAxis = us-gaap_SoftwareLicenseArrangementMember | [1],[3] |  |  |  |  |  |  |
2016 | 1,748,000 rmbs_ContractualObligationPaymentsDueSecondFullFiscalYear / rmbs_ContractualObligationAxis = us-gaap_SoftwareLicenseArrangementMember | [1],[3] |  |  |  |  |  |  |
2017 | 0 rmbs_ContractualObligationPaymentsDueThirdFullFiscalYear / rmbs_ContractualObligationAxis = us-gaap_SoftwareLicenseArrangementMember | [1],[3] |  |  |  |  |  |  |
2018 | 0 rmbs_ContractualObligationPaymentsDueFourthFullFiscalYear / rmbs_ContractualObligationAxis = us-gaap_SoftwareLicenseArrangementMember | [1],[3] |  |  |  |  |  |  |
2019 | 0 rmbs_ContractualObligationPaymentsDueFifthFullFiscalYear / rmbs_ContractualObligationAxis = us-gaap_SoftwareLicenseArrangementMember | [1],[3] |  |  |  |  |  |  |
Thereafter | 0 rmbs_ContractualObligationPaymentsDueAfterFifthFullFiscalYear / rmbs_ContractualObligationAxis = us-gaap_SoftwareLicenseArrangementMember | [1],[3] |  |  |  |  |  |  |
Acquisition retention bonus |  |  |  |  |  |  |  |  |
Contractual obligations |  |  |  |  |  |  |  |  |
Total | 70,000 rmbs_ContractualAmountTotal / rmbs_ContractualObligationAxis = rmbs_BusinessAcquisitionRetentionBonusPayableMember | [1],[4] |  |  |  |  |  |  |
2015 | 70,000 rmbs_ContractualObligationPaymentsDueFirstFullFiscalYear / rmbs_ContractualObligationAxis = rmbs_BusinessAcquisitionRetentionBonusPayableMember | [1],[4] |  |  |  |  |  |  |
2016 | 0 rmbs_ContractualObligationPaymentsDueSecondFullFiscalYear / rmbs_ContractualObligationAxis = rmbs_BusinessAcquisitionRetentionBonusPayableMember | [1],[4] |  |  |  |  |  |  |
2017 | 0 rmbs_ContractualObligationPaymentsDueThirdFullFiscalYear / rmbs_ContractualObligationAxis = rmbs_BusinessAcquisitionRetentionBonusPayableMember | [1],[4] |  |  |  |  |  |  |
2018 | 0 rmbs_ContractualObligationPaymentsDueFourthFullFiscalYear / rmbs_ContractualObligationAxis = rmbs_BusinessAcquisitionRetentionBonusPayableMember | [1],[4] |  |  |  |  |  |  |
2019 |  | [1],[4] |  |  |  |  |  |  |
Thereafter | 0 rmbs_ContractualObligationPaymentsDueAfterFifthFullFiscalYear / rmbs_ContractualObligationAxis = rmbs_BusinessAcquisitionRetentionBonusPayableMember | [1],[4] |  |  |  |  |  |  |
Convertible notes |  |  |  |  |  |  |  |  |
Contractual obligations |  |  |  |  |  |  |  |  |
Total | 138,000,000 rmbs_ContractualAmountTotal / rmbs_ContractualObligationAxis = us-gaap_ConvertibleNotesPayableMember | [1] |  |  |  |  |  |  |
2015 | 0 rmbs_ContractualObligationPaymentsDueFirstFullFiscalYear / rmbs_ContractualObligationAxis = us-gaap_ConvertibleNotesPayableMember | [1] |  |  |  |  |  |  |
2016 | 0 rmbs_ContractualObligationPaymentsDueSecondFullFiscalYear / rmbs_ContractualObligationAxis = us-gaap_ConvertibleNotesPayableMember | [1] |  |  |  |  |  |  |
2017 | 0 rmbs_ContractualObligationPaymentsDueThirdFullFiscalYear / rmbs_ContractualObligationAxis = us-gaap_ConvertibleNotesPayableMember | [1] |  |  |  |  |  |  |
2018 | 138,000,000 rmbs_ContractualObligationPaymentsDueFourthFullFiscalYear / rmbs_ContractualObligationAxis = us-gaap_ConvertibleNotesPayableMember | [1] |  |  |  |  |  |  |
2019 | 0 rmbs_ContractualObligationPaymentsDueFifthFullFiscalYear / rmbs_ContractualObligationAxis = us-gaap_ConvertibleNotesPayableMember | [1] |  |  |  |  |  |  |
Thereafter | 0 rmbs_ContractualObligationPaymentsDueAfterFifthFullFiscalYear / rmbs_ContractualObligationAxis = us-gaap_ConvertibleNotesPayableMember | [1] |  |  |  |  |  |  |
Interest payments related to convertible notes |  |  |  |  |  |  |  |  |
Contractual obligations |  |  |  |  |  |  |  |  |
Total | 6,211,000 rmbs_ContractualAmountTotal / rmbs_ContractualObligationAxis = rmbs_InterestPaymentRelatedToConvertibleNotesMember | [1] |  |  |  |  |  |  |
2015 | 1,553,000 rmbs_ContractualObligationPaymentsDueFirstFullFiscalYear / rmbs_ContractualObligationAxis = rmbs_InterestPaymentRelatedToConvertibleNotesMember | [1] |  |  |  |  |  |  |
2016 | 1,553,000 rmbs_ContractualObligationPaymentsDueSecondFullFiscalYear / rmbs_ContractualObligationAxis = rmbs_InterestPaymentRelatedToConvertibleNotesMember | [1] |  |  |  |  |  |  |
2017 | 1,553,000 rmbs_ContractualObligationPaymentsDueThirdFullFiscalYear / rmbs_ContractualObligationAxis = rmbs_InterestPaymentRelatedToConvertibleNotesMember | [1] |  |  |  |  |  |  |
2018 | 1,552,000 rmbs_ContractualObligationPaymentsDueFourthFullFiscalYear / rmbs_ContractualObligationAxis = rmbs_InterestPaymentRelatedToConvertibleNotesMember | [1] |  |  |  |  |  |  |
2019 | 0 rmbs_ContractualObligationPaymentsDueFifthFullFiscalYear / rmbs_ContractualObligationAxis = rmbs_InterestPaymentRelatedToConvertibleNotesMember | [1] |  |  |  |  |  |  |
Thereafter | 0 rmbs_ContractualObligationPaymentsDueAfterFifthFullFiscalYear / rmbs_ContractualObligationAxis = rmbs_InterestPaymentRelatedToConvertibleNotesMember | [1] |  |  |  |  |  |  |
Convertible notes |  |  |  |  |  |  |  |  |
Contractual obligations |  |  |  |  |  |  |  |  |
Face Value | 138,000,000 us-gaap_DebtInstrumentFaceAmount / us-gaap_LongtermDebtTypeAxis = us-gaap_ConvertibleNotesPayableMember |  | 310,500,000 us-gaap_DebtInstrumentFaceAmount / us-gaap_LongtermDebtTypeAxis = us-gaap_ConvertibleNotesPayableMember |  |  |  |  |  |
Convertible notes | 5% Convertible Senior Notes due 2014 |  |  |  |  |  |  |  |  |
Contractual obligations |  |  |  |  |  |  |  |  |
Face Value | 0 us-gaap_DebtInstrumentFaceAmount / us-gaap_DebtInstrumentAxis = rmbs_Senior5PercentConvertibleNotesDue2014Member / us-gaap_LongtermDebtTypeAxis = us-gaap_ConvertibleNotesPayableMember |  | 172,500,000 us-gaap_DebtInstrumentFaceAmount / us-gaap_DebtInstrumentAxis = rmbs_Senior5PercentConvertibleNotesDue2014Member / us-gaap_LongtermDebtTypeAxis = us-gaap_ConvertibleNotesPayableMember |  |  |  | 22,500,000 us-gaap_DebtInstrumentFaceAmount / us-gaap_DebtInstrumentAxis = rmbs_Senior5PercentConvertibleNotesDue2014Member / us-gaap_LongtermDebtTypeAxis = us-gaap_ConvertibleNotesPayableMember | 150,000,000 us-gaap_DebtInstrumentFaceAmount / us-gaap_DebtInstrumentAxis = rmbs_Senior5PercentConvertibleNotesDue2014Member / us-gaap_LongtermDebtTypeAxis = us-gaap_ConvertibleNotesPayableMember |
Convertible notes | Senior, One Point One Two Five Percent Convertible Notes Due Two Thousand Eighteen [Member] |  |  |  |  |  |  |  |  |
Contractual obligations |  |  |  |  |  |  |  |  |
Face Value | $ 138,000,000 us-gaap_DebtInstrumentFaceAmount / us-gaap_DebtInstrumentAxis = rmbs_SeniorOnePointOneTwoFivePercentConvertibleNotesDueTwoThousandEighteenMember / us-gaap_LongtermDebtTypeAxis = us-gaap_ConvertibleNotesPayableMember |  | $ 138,000,000 us-gaap_DebtInstrumentFaceAmount / us-gaap_DebtInstrumentAxis = rmbs_SeniorOnePointOneTwoFivePercentConvertibleNotesDueTwoThousandEighteenMember / us-gaap_LongtermDebtTypeAxis = us-gaap_ConvertibleNotesPayableMember |  |  |  |  |  | $ 138,000,000 us-gaap_DebtInstrumentFaceAmount / us-gaap_DebtInstrumentAxis = rmbs_SeniorOnePointOneTwoFivePercentConvertibleNotesDueTwoThousandEighteenMember / us-gaap_LongtermDebtTypeAxis = us-gaap_ConvertibleNotesPayableMember
[1] | The above table does not reflect possible payments in connection with uncertain tax benefits of approximately $19.9 million including $17.8 million recorded as a reduction of long-term deferred tax assets and $2.1 million in long-term income taxes payable, as of December 31, 2014. As noted below in Note 17, “Income Taxes,” although it is possible that some of the unrecognized tax benefits could be settled within the next 12 months, the Company cannot reasonably estimate the outcome at this time.
[2] | With respect to the imputed financing obligation, the main components of the difference between the amount reflected in the contractual obligations table and the amount reflected on the Consolidated Balance Sheets are the interest on the imputed financing obligation and the estimated common area expenses over the future periods. The amount includes the amended Ohio lease and the amended Sunnyvale lease.
[3] | The Company has commitments with various software vendors for non-cancellable agreements generally having terms longer than one year.
[4] | In connection with acquisitions, the Company is obligated to pay retention bonuses to certain employees and contractors, subject to certain eligibility and acceleration provisions including the condition of employment. The last payment of CRD retention bonuses was paid in cash during 2014.

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