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OTHER INVESTMENTS | 12 Months Ended
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Dec. 31, 2012
Other Investments [Abstract] |
Cost-method Investments, Description [Text Block] | OTHER INVESTMENTS
(a) | EnerTech Capital Partners
In August 2007, the Company committed to invest up to $5,000 over a ten-year period in EnerTech. Through November 2010, the Company funded $3,050 of its $5,000 investment commitment in EnerTech and owned approximately 5.7% of EnerTech. The Company accounted for its investment in EnerTech under the cost method in accordance with applicable accounting principles. In December 2010, the Company sold its investment in EnerTech and received proceeds of $1,116. Accordingly, the Company recorded a loss of $1,821 on the sale. As a result of the sale, the Company no longer has any commitment to fund capital calls in EnerTech. During 2010, the Company received a distribution from EnerTech of $135 which is reflected in the Consolidated Statements of Operations as distributions received from EnerTech.
(b) | HangXing
In March 2011, the Company sold its 25% interest in HangXing International Automation Engineering Co. Ltd. (“HangXing”) back to the majority owner, China Aero-Polytechnology Establishment for $492 ($454 net of taxes withheld). HangXing is a value-added reseller for PLC based industrial automation systems for steel manufacturing. Acorn’s investment of approximately $250 in HangXing was made in 1995. The investment was entirely written-off in 1999.

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- Definition The entire disclosure for investments accounted for under the cost-method. The carrying amount of such investments may be adjusted, for example, distributions in excess of cost (return of capital) or for other-than-temporary impairments. The cost method and lower-of-cost or market, an adaptation of the cost method, is generally followed for most investments in noncontrolled corporations, in some corporate joint ventures, and to a lesser extent in unconsolidated subsidiaries in which the entity does not have the ability to exercise significant influence. + References Reference 1: http://www.xbrl.org/2003/role/presentationRef -Publisher FASB -Name Accounting Standards Codification -Topic 325 -SubTopic 20 -Section 50 -Paragraph 1 -URI http://asc.fasb.org/extlink&oid=6872867&loc=d3e40691-111596 Reference 2: http://www.xbrl.org/2003/role/presentationRef -Publisher FASB -Name FASB Staff Position (FSP) -Number FAS115-1/124-1 -Paragraph 18 -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 3: http://www.xbrl.org/2003/role/presentationRef -Publisher FASB -Name Emerging Issues Task Force (EITF) -Number 03-1 -Paragraph 22 -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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