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Note 2 - Summary of Significant Accounting Policies | 12 Months Ended
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Jan. 31, 2013
Significant Accounting Policies [Text Block] | 2. Summary of Significant Accounting Policies The summary of our significant accounting policies presented below is designed to assist the reader in understanding our consolidated financial statements. Such financial statements and related notes are the representations of our management, who are responsible for their integrity and objectivity. In the opinion of management, these accounting policies conform to accounting principles generally accepted in the United States of America in all material respects, and have been consistently applied in preparing the accompanying consolidated financial statements. Principles of Consolidation Our consolidated financial statements include the accounts of Comarco, Inc. and CWT. All material intercompany balances, transactions, and profits have been eliminated. Future Operations, Liquidity and Capital Resources We have experienced substantial pre-tax losses from continuing operations for fiscal 2013 and fiscal 2012 totaling $5.6 million and $5.3 million, respectively. The consolidated financial statements have been prepared assuming that we will continue to operate as a going concern, which contemplates that we will realize our assets and satisfy our liabilities and commitments in the ordinary course of business. Our consolidated financial statements do not reflect any adjustments related to the outcome of this uncertainty. Our future is highly dependent on our ability to sell our products at a profit, successfully resolve our current litigation, capitalize on our growing portfolio of patents, generate positive cash flows and obtain borrowings or raise capital to meet our liquidity needs. During the second quarter of fiscal 2012, we decided to change our sales strategy to sell our products directly to consumers. Although we plan to continue to sell select products in the OEM channel, we believe that we can increase sales and margins by also selling our products direct to consumers. To implement this strategy, we launched our website, www.chargesource.com during the fourth quarter of fiscal 2012, to sell our newest generation of AC adapter. During fiscal 2013, our direct to consumer revenue was negligible and we believe sales were constrained by our lack of financial resources to implement a marketing plan. We continue to implement very low cost marketing trials in an attempt to generate retail sales. We had negative working capital totaling approximately $7.0 million at January 31, 2013, of which $2.5 million relates to the fair value of derivative liabilities. In order for us to conduct our business for the next twelve months and to continue operations thereafter and be able to discharge our liabilities and commitments in the normal course of business, we must increase sales, closely manage operating expenses, and raise additional funds, through either debt and/or equity financing to meet our working capital needs. Although we are currently seeking other forms of financing, we cannot be certain we will be able to secure additional financing on terms acceptable to us, or at all. There is no assurance that we will succeed in doing so and if we are not successful in raising additional funds, we may have to evaluate other alternatives or partially, or entirely cease our operations. These uncertainties raise substantial doubt about our ability to continue as a going concern. If we become unable to continue as a going concern, we may have to liquidate our assets, and might realize significantly less than the values at which they are carried on our financial statements, and stockholders may lose all or part of their investment in our common stock. The consolidated financial statements do not reflect any adjustments related to the outcome of this uncertainty. Use of Estimates The preparation of consolidated financial statements in conformity with accounting principles generally accepted in the United States of America requires management to make estimates and assumptions that affect the reported amounts of assets and liabilities and disclosure of contingent assets and liabilities at the date of the consolidated financial statements, and the reported amounts of revenue and expenses during the years reported. Actual results could materially differ from those estimates. Certain accounting principles require subjective and complex judgments to be used in the preparation of financial statements. Accordingly, a different financial presentation could result depending on the judgments, estimates, or assumptions that are used. Such estimates and assumptions include, but are not specifically limited to, those required in the assessment of the impairment of long-lived assets, allowance for doubtful accounts, reserves for inventory obsolescence, reserves for estimated warranty costs including product recall costs, valuation allowances for deferred tax assets, valuation of derivative liabilities and determination of stock-based compensation. Revenue Recognition Revenue from product sales is recognized upon shipment of products provided there are no uncertainties regarding customer acceptance, persuasive evidence of an arrangement exists, the sales price is fixed or determinable, and collectability is probable. Generally, our products are shipped FOB named point of shipment, whether it is Lake Forest, which is the location of our corporate headquarters, or China, the shipping point for most of our contract manufacturers. Cash and Cash Equivalents All highly liquid investments with original maturity dates of three months or less when acquired are classified as cash and cash equivalents. The fair value of cash and cash equivalents approximates the amounts shown in the consolidated financial statements. Cash and cash equivalents are generally maintained in uninsured accounts, typically Eurodollar deposits with daily liquidity, which are subject to investment risk including possible loss of principal invested. Accounts Receivable due from Customers Our management monitors collections and payments from our customers and maintains a provision for estimated credit losses based upon our historical experience and any specific customer collection issues that we have identified. Management analyzes specific customer accounts and establishes reserves for uncollectible receivables based upon specific identification of account balances that have indications of uncertainty of collection. Indications of uncertainty of collections may include the customer’s inability to pay, customer dissatisfaction, or other factors. Significant management judgments and estimates must be made and used in connection with establishing the allowance for doubtful accounts in any accounting period. Because our accounts receivable are concentrated in a relatively few number of customers, a significant change in the liquidity or financial position of any one of these customers could have a material adverse effect on the collectability of our accounts receivable and our future operating results. Accounts Receivable due from Suppliers Oftentimes we are able to source components locally that we later sell to our contract manufacturers, who build the finished goods, and other suppliers. This is especially the case when new products are initially introduced into production. Sales to our contract manufacturers (or “CMs”) and other suppliers are excluded from revenue and are recorded as a reduction to cost of revenue. During fiscal 2013, our relationship with Power System Technologies, Ltd. (formerly Flextronics Electronics) the CM who builds the product we sell to Lenovo transitioned from a relationship where we directly sourced just a few components in the bill of material to a process where we directly source all of the component parts in the bill of material. Inventory Inventory is valued at the lower of cost (calculated on average cost, which approximates first-in, first-out basis) or market value. We regularly review inventory quantities on hand and record a write down of excess and obsolete inventory based primarily on excess quantities on hand based upon historical and forecasted component usage. Property and Equipment Property and equipment are stated at cost less accumulated depreciation and amortization. Additions, improvements, and major renewals are capitalized; maintenance, repairs, and minor renewals are expensed as incurred. Depreciation and amortization is calculated on a straight-line basis over the expected useful lives of the property and equipment. The expected useful lives of office furnishings and fixtures are five to seven years, and of equipment and purchased software are two to five years. The expected useful life of tooling equipment, molds used for pre-production and mass production of our power adapters, is 18 months. The expected useful life of leasehold improvements, which is included in office furnishings and fixtures, is the lesser of the term of the lease or five years. We evaluate property and equipment for impairment when indicators of impairment are present and the undiscounted cash flows estimated to be generated by those assets are less than the assets’ carrying amounts. Factors considered important which could trigger an impairment review include, but are not limited to, significant underperformance relative to expected historical or projected future operating results, significant changes in the manner of use of the assets or the strategy for our overall business, and significant negative industry or economic trends. If such assets are identified to be impaired, the impairment to be recognized is the amount by which the carrying value of the asset exceeds the fair value of the asset. We did not experience any changes in our business or circumstances to require an impairment analysis nor did we recognize any impairment charges during the fiscal years ended January 31, 2013 and 2012. Assets to be disposed of are separately presented in the consolidated balance sheets and reported at the lower of the carrying amount or fair value less costs to sell, and are no longer depreciated. Research and Development Costs Research and development costs are charged to expense as incurred and are reported as engineering and support costs. During fiscal 2013 and fiscal 2012, we incurred approximately $0.9 million and $1.3 million in research and development expense, respectively. Income Taxes As part of the process of preparing our consolidated financial statements, we are required to estimate our provision for income taxes in each of the tax jurisdictions in which we conducts business. This process involves estimating our actual current tax expense in conjunction with the evaluation and measurement of temporary differences resulting from differing treatment of certain items for tax and accounting purposes. These temporary timing differences result in the establishment of deferred tax assets and liabilities, which are recorded on a net basis and included in our consolidated balance sheets. On a periodic basis, we assess the probability that our net deferred tax assets, if any, will be recovered. If after evaluating all of the positive and negative evidence, we conclude that it is more likely than not that we will not recover some portion or all of the net deferred tax assets, a valuation allowance is provided with a corresponding charge to tax expense to reserve the portion of the deferred tax assets which are estimated to be more likely than not to be realized. Significant management judgment is required in determining our provision for income taxes, our deferred tax assets and liabilities, and any required valuation allowance. We continue to maintain a full valuation allowance on the entire deferred tax asset balance. This valuation allowance was established based on management’s overall assessment of risks and uncertainties related to our future ability to realize, and hence, utilize certain deferred tax assets, primarily consisting of net operating loss carry forwards and temporary differences. Due to the current and prior years’ operating losses, the adjusted net deferred tax assets remain fully reserved as of January 31, 2013. We apply the uncertain tax provisions of the Income Taxes Topic of the Financial Accounting Standards Board (“FASB”) Accounting Standards Codification (the “Codification”), which interpretation clarifies the accounting for uncertainty in income taxes recognized in an enterprise’s financial statements and prescribes a recognition threshold and measurement criteria for the financial statement recognition and measurement of a tax position taken or expected to be taken in a tax return. The topic also provides guidance on de-recognition, classification, interest, and penalties, accounting in interim periods, disclosure, and transition. During fiscal 2013, we recorded a net loss of $5.6 million and recorded income tax expense of $1,600, which represents the minimum tax due in the state of California. The net deferred tax asset of $17.7 million at January 31, 2013, $2.4 million of which relates to net operating losses created in fiscal 2013, continues to be fully reserved. During fiscal 2012, we recorded a net loss of $5.3 million and recorded income tax expense of $1,600, which represents the minimum tax due in the state of California. The net deferred tax asset of $17.1 million, at January 31, 2012 was fully reserved, and included $1.5 million of net operating loss carryforwards created in fiscal 2012. Advertising Advertising costs are expensed as incurred. We began advertising late in the fourth quarter of fiscal 2012 in order to drive internet users to visit our website, www.chargesource.com, and ultimately make a purchase. Advertising incurred during fiscal 2013 and 2012 totaled approximately $23,000 and $5,000, respectively. Warranty Costs We provide limited warranties for products for a period generally not to exceed 24 months. We accrue for the estimated cost of warranties at the time revenue is recognized. The accrual is consistent with our actual claims experience. Should actual warranty claim rates differ from our estimates, revisions to the liability would be required. Derivative Liabilities A derivative is an instrument whose value is “derived” from an underlying instrument or index such as a future, forward, swap, option contract, or other financial instrument with similar characteristics, including certain derivative instruments embedded in other contracts and for hedging activities. As a matter of policy, the Company does not invest in separable financial derivatives or engage in hedging transactions. However, the Company has entered into certain financing transactions in fiscal 2013 that involve financial equity instruments containing certain features that have resulted in the instruments being deemed derivatives. The Company may engage in other similar complex financing transactions in the future, but not with the intention to enter into derivative instruments. Derivatives are measured at fair value using the Monte Carlo simulation pricing model and marked to market through earnings. However, such new and/or complex instruments may have immature or limited markets. As a result, the pricing models used for valuation of derivatives often incorporate significant estimates and assumptions. Changes in these subjective assumptions can materially affect the estimate of the fair value of derivative liabilities and, consequently, the related amount recognized as loss due to change in fair value of derivative liabilities on the consolidated statement of operations. Furthermore, depending on the terms of a derivative, the valuation of derivatives may be removed from the financial statements upon exercise or conversion of the underlying instrument into some other security. We evaluate free-standing derivative instruments to properly classify such instruments within stockholders’ equity or as liabilities in our financial statements. Our policy is to settle instruments indexed to our common shares on a first-in-first-out basis. The classification of a derivative instrument is reassessed at each balance sheet date. If the classification changes as a result of events during a reporting period, the instrument is reclassified as of the date of the event that caused the reclassification. There is no limit on the number of times a contract may be reclassified. During the second quarter of fiscal 2013, we adopted the guidance, as codified in Financial Accounting Standards Board ("FASB") Accounting Standards Codification ("ASC") 815-40, Derivatives and Hedging, Accounting for Derivative Financial Instruments Indexed to, and Potentially Settled in, a Company’s Own Stock, that requires us to apply a two-step model in determining whether a financial instrument or an embedded feature is indexed to our own stock and thus enables it to qualify for equity classification. The warrants issued to Broadwood Partners, L.P. (“Broadwood”) contain provisions that adjust the exercise price in the event of certain dilutive issuance of our securities (see Note 7). Accordingly, the Company considered the warrants to be subject to price protection and classified them as derivative liabilities at the date of issuance with a fair value of $1.4 million and a corresponding discount to the underlying loan payable (see Note 8). Concentrations of Credit Risk Our cash and cash equivalents are principally on deposit in a non-insured short-term asset management account at a large financial institution. Accounts receivable potentially subject us to concentrations of credit risk. Currently, our customer base is comprised primarily of one company (see Note 3). We generally do not require collateral for accounts receivable. When required, we maintain allowances for credit losses, and to date such losses have been within management’s expectations. Once a specific account receivable has been reserved for as potentially uncollectible, our policy is to continue to pursue collections for a period of up to one year prior to recording a receivable write-off. Loss Per Common Share Basic loss per share is computed by dividing net loss by the weighted average number of common shares outstanding during the period excluding the dilutive effect of potential common stock, which for us consists solely of stock awards. Diluted earnings per share reflects the dilution that would result from the exercise of all dilutive stock awards outstanding during the period. The effect of such potential common stock is computed using the treasury stock method (see Note 11). Stock-Based Compensation We grant stock awards for a fixed number of shares to employees, consultants, and directors with an exercise price equal to the fair value of the shares at the date of grant. We account for stock-based compensation using the modified prospective method, which requires measurement of compensation cost for all stock awards at fair value on date of grant and recognition of compensation over the service period for awards expected to vest. Fair Value of Financial Instruments Our financial instruments include cash and cash equivalents, accounts receivable due from customers and suppliers, accounts payable, accrued liabilities, a short-term loan and derivative liabilities. The carrying amount of cash and cash equivalents, accounts receivable, accounts payable, and accrued liabilities are considered to be representative of their respective fair values because of the short-term nature of those instruments. The carrying amount of our loan, net of discount, approximates fair value since the loan balance is derived from the valuation of the derivative liabilities discussed below. The fair value of the derivative liabilities, which are comprised exclusively of the warrants issued/issuable to Broadwood, at January 31, 2013 was $2.5 million. Warrants classified as derivative liabilities are reported at their estimated fair value, with changes in fair value being reported in current period results of operations. Restricted Cash Our restricted cash balances are secured by separate bank accounts and represent i) a $77,000 letter of credit that serves as the security deposit for our corporate office lease and ii) $5,000 which serves as collateral for credit card chargebacks associated with our internet website. The second account was reduced from $15,000 in the third quarter of fiscal 2013, due to low credit card sales volumes and negligible chargeback history through our website sales to date. Legal expense classification Our legal expenses are classified in either selling, general, and administrative expenses or engineering and support expenses depending on the nature of the legal expense. All legal expenses incurred related to our intellectual property, including associated litigation expense and maintenance of our patent portfolio, are included in engineering and support expenses in our consolidated statement of operations. The legal expenses included in engineering and support expenses increased approximately $0.9 million during the year ended January 31, 2013, when compared to the prior fiscal year. The increase in legal expenses during fiscal 2013 is predominantly due to the ongoing patent infringement litigation described in Note 13. All other legal expenses, including all other litigation expense and public company legal expense are included in selling, general, and administrative expenses in our consolidated statement of operations. The legal expense included in selling, general and administrative expenses increased approximately $0.2 million during fiscal 2013 when compared to the prior fiscal year. The increase is primarily attributable to the ongoing Bronx product litigation described in Note 13. Reclassifications Certain prior period balances have been reclassified to conform to the current period presentation. Subsequent Events Management has evaluated events subsequent to January 31, 2013 through the date the accompanying consolidated financial statements were filed with the Securities and Exchange Commission for transactions and other events that may require adjustment of and/or disclosure in such financial statements(see Note 14).

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- Definition The entire disclosure for all significant accounting policies of the reporting entity. + References Reference 1: http://www.xbrl.org/2003/role/presentationRef -Publisher FASB -Name Accounting Standards Codification -Topic 235 -SubTopic 10 -Section 50 -Paragraph 6 -URI http://asc.fasb.org/extlink&oid=6367646&loc=d3e18861-107790 Reference 2: http://www.xbrl.org/2003/role/presentationRef -Publisher FASB -Name Accounting Standards Codification -Topic 235 -SubTopic 10 -Section 50 -Paragraph 2 -URI http://asc.fasb.org/extlink&oid=6367646&loc=d3e18743-107790 Reference 3: http://www.xbrl.org/2003/role/presentationRef -Publisher FASB -Name Accounting Standards Codification -Topic 235 -SubTopic 10 -Section 50 -Paragraph 3 -URI http://asc.fasb.org/extlink&oid=6367646&loc=d3e18780-107790 Reference 4: http://www.xbrl.org/2003/role/presentationRef -Publisher FASB -Name Accounting Standards Codification -Topic 235 -SubTopic 10 -Section 50 -Paragraph 5 -URI http://asc.fasb.org/extlink&oid=6367646&loc=d3e18854-107790 Reference 5: http://www.xbrl.org/2003/role/presentationRef -Publisher FASB -Name Accounting Standards Codification -Topic 235 -SubTopic 10 -Section 50 -Paragraph 1 -URI http://asc.fasb.org/extlink&oid=6367646&loc=d3e18726-107790 Reference 6: http://www.xbrl.org/2003/role/presentationRef -Publisher AICPA -Name Accounting Principles Board Opinion (APB) -Number 22 -Paragraph 8 -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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