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Equity investments (Details) (USD $) | 12 Months Ended |
--- | --- | ---
Oct. 31, 2012 | Oct. 31, 2011 | Oct. 31, 2010 | Oct. 31, 2011 Versa [Member] | Oct. 31, 2010 Versa [Member] | Oct. 31, 2009 Versa [Member] | Oct. 31, 2007 Versa [Member] | Oct. 31, 2012 Versa [Member]
Schedule of Equity Method Investments [Line Items] |  |  |  |  |  |  |  |
Shares of Versa Common Stock Available for Purchase if Warrants Exercised |  |  |  |  |  |  |  | $ 4,830
Equity Method Investment, Ownership Percentage Increase if Warrants Exercised | 43.00% |  |  |  |  |  |  |
Fair Value of Warrants | $ 100,000 | $ 200,000 |  |  |  |  |  |
Weighted Average Price Per Share for Common Stock if Warrants Exercised | $ 157 |  |  |  |  |  |  |
Proceeds from (Repayments of) Debt | 0 | 4,000,000 | 0 | 600,000 | 600,000 | 600,000 | 2,000,000 |
Equity Method Investment, Ownership Percentage | 39.00% |  |  |  |  |  |  |
Impairment of equity investment | 3,602,000 | 0 | 0 |  |  |  |  |
Noncontrolling Interest, Ownership Percentage by Controlling Owners | 61.00% |  |  |  |  |  |  |
Investments in and Advances to Affiliates, Amount of Equity | $ 6,115,000 | $ 10,466,000 |  |  |  |  |  |

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- Definition This item represents an other than temporary decline in value that has been recognized against an investment accounted for under the equity method of accounting. The excess of the carrying amount over the fair value of the investment represents the amount of the write down which is or was reflected in earnings. The written down value is a new cost basis with the adjusted value of the investment becoming its new carrying value subject to the equity accounting method. Evidence of a loss in value might include, but would not necessarily be limited to, absence of an ability to recover the carrying amount of the investment or inability of the investee to sustain an earnings capacity which would justify the carrying amount of the investment. + References Reference 1: http://www.xbrl.org/2003/role/presentationRef -Publisher AICPA -Name Accounting Principles Board Opinion (APB) -Number 18 -Paragraph 19 -Subparagraph h -LegacyDoc This reference is SUPERSEDED by the Accounting Standards Codification effective for interim and annual periods ending after September 15, 2009. This reference is included to help users transition from the previous accounting hierarchy and will be removed from future versions of this taxonomy. Reference 2: http://www.xbrl.org/2003/role/presentationRef -Publisher FASB -Name Accounting Standards Codification -Topic 323 -SubTopic 10 -Section 35 -Paragraph 32 -URI http://asc.fasb.org/extlink&oid=7658923&loc=d3e32787-111569 + Details
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- Definition The percentage of ownership of common stock or equity participation in the investee accounted for under the equity method of accounting. + References Reference 1: http://www.xbrl.org/2003/role/presentationRef -Publisher FASB -Name Statement of Financial Accounting Standard (FAS) -Number 159 -Paragraph 18 -Subparagraph f -LegacyDoc This reference is SUPERSEDED by the Accounting Standards Codification effective for interim and annual periods ending after September 15, 2009. This reference is included to help users transition from the previous accounting hierarchy and will be removed from future versions of this taxonomy. Reference 2: http://www.xbrl.org/2003/role/presentationRef -Publisher FASB -Name Accounting Standards Codification -Topic 323 -SubTopic 10 -Section 50 -Paragraph 3 -Subparagraph (a)(1) -URI http://asc.fasb.org/extlink&oid=6382943&loc=d3e33918-111571 Reference 3: http://www.xbrl.org/2003/role/presentationRef -Publisher AICPA -Name Accounting Principles Board Opinion (APB) -Number 18 -Paragraph 20 -Subparagraph a (1) -LegacyDoc This reference is SUPERSEDED by the Accounting Standards Codification effective for interim and annual periods ending after September 15, 2009. This reference is included to help users transition from the previous accounting hierarchy and will be removed from future versions of this taxonomy. + Details
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