Background	12 Months Ended
Dec. 31, 2011
BACKGROUND [Abstract]
Business Description and Basis of Presentation [Text Block]	BACKGROUND InterDigital, Inc. (individually and/or collectively with its subsidiaries referred to as “InterDigital,” the “Company,” “we,” “us,” or “our”) provides advanced technologies that enable wireless communications by designing and developing a wide range of innovations that are used in digital cellular and wireless products and networks, including 2G, 3G, 4G and IEEE 802 related products and networks. In conjunction with our technology development, we have assembled an extensive body of technical know-how, related intangible products, and a broad patent portfolio. We offer licenses to our patents to equipment producers that manufacture, import, use or sell digital cellular and IEEE 802-related products. In addition, we offer for license or sale our mobile broadband solutions to mobile device manufacturers, semiconductor companies and other equipment producers that manufacture, import, use or sell digital cellular products. Repositioning On March 30, 2009, we announced a repositioning plan that included the expansion of our technology development and licensing business, the cessation of further ASIC development of our SlimChip modem and efforts to monetize the SlimChip technology investment through IP licensing and technology sales. In connection with the repositioning, the Company incurred a charge of $38.6 million during 2009. Of the total charge of $38.6 million, approximately $30.6 million represents long-lived asset impairments for assets used in the product and product development, including $21.2 million of acquired intangible assets and $9.4 million of property, equipment, and other assets. In addition, the repositioning resulted in a reduction in force of approximately 100 employees, the majority of which were terminated effective April 3, 2009. Approximately $8.0 million of the total repositioning charge represented cash obligations associated with severance and contract termination costs, all of which have been satisfied as of December 31, 2010. We did not incur any additional repositioning charges during 2011 and 2010, nor do we expect to incur any related costs in the future. Reclassifications Certain reclassifications have been made to prior year amounts to conform to the current year presentation.

BACKGROUND

InterDigital, Inc. (individually and/or collectively with its subsidiaries referred to as “InterDigital,” the “Company,” “we,” “us,” or “our”) provides advanced technologies that enable wireless communications by designing and developing a wide range of innovations that are used in digital cellular and wireless products and networks, including 2G, 3G, 4G and IEEE 802 related products and networks. In conjunction with our technology development, we have assembled an extensive body of technical know-how, related intangible products, and a broad patent portfolio. We offer licenses to our patents to equipment producers that manufacture, import, use or sell digital cellular and IEEE 802-related products. In addition, we offer for license or sale our mobile broadband solutions to mobile device manufacturers, semiconductor companies and other equipment producers that manufacture, import, use or sell digital cellular products.

Repositioning

On March 30, 2009, we announced a repositioning plan that included the expansion of our technology development and licensing business, the cessation of further ASIC development of our SlimChip modem and efforts to monetize the SlimChip technology investment through IP licensing and technology sales. In connection with the repositioning, the Company incurred a charge of $38.6 million during 2009. Of the total charge of $38.6 million, approximately $30.6 million represents long-lived asset impairments for assets used in the product and product development, including $21.2 million of acquired intangible assets and $9.4 million of property, equipment, and other assets.

In addition, the repositioning resulted in a reduction in force of approximately 100 employees, the majority of which were terminated effective April 3, 2009. Approximately $8.0 million of the total repositioning charge represented cash obligations associated with severance and contract termination costs, all of which have been satisfied as of December 31, 2010.

We did not incur any additional repositioning charges during 2011 and 2010, nor do we expect to incur any related costs in the future.

Reclassifications

Certain reclassifications have been made to prior year amounts to conform to the current year presentation.