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Other Assets
 12 Months Ended
Dec. 31, 2011
Other Assets [Abstract]  
Other Assets
5. Other Assets
 
 
Other assets consist of the following:
 
December 31,
  
2011
    
2010
  
Patents, at cost
 $ 4,900 $ 4,689
Less: accumulated amortization
 (2,583 ) (2,342 )
Deposits on capital items
 1,618 570
Software development costs
 1,911 756
Other
      1,443       500  
    $ 7,289     $ 4,173  
 
The capitalized cost of patents is amortized using the straight-line method over their useful lives. The cost of patent amortization was $0.2 million, $0.2 million and $0.3 million in 2011, 2010 and 2009, respectively. The estimated annual patent amortization cost for each of the next five years is $0.2 million. Costs incurred to maintain existing patents are charged to expense in the year incurred.
 
Software development costs were incurred to develop and implement an integrated ERP system prior to the time the system became operational. These costs are being amortized using the straight line method over a period of sixty months. Costs incurred subsequent to the system becoming operational are being expensed.