Fair Value Measurements and Financial Instruments (Details) (USD $) In Millions, unless otherwise specified	3 Months Ended
Apr. 04, 2015	Mar. 29, 2014	Jan. 03, 2015
Fair Value Inputs, Liabilities, Quantitative Information
Fair Value, Estimate Not Practicable, Cost Method Investments	$ 72		$ 71
Fixed rate debt obligations fair value disclosure	2,386
Fixed rate debt obligations carrying value	2,271
Other debt carrying value	1,233stj_OtherDebtCarryingValue
cash equivalents at carrying value excluding money market securities	476		713
Fixed Asset Write-offs \| 2012 Business Realignment Restructuring Plan
Fair Value Inputs, Liabilities, Quantitative Information
Other Asset Impairment Charges	$ 1	$ 1

- Definition

Cash equivalents, excluding items classified as marketable securities or money market securities, include short-term, highly liquid investments that are both readily convertible to known amounts of cash, and so near their maturity that they present insignificant risk of changes in value because of changes in interest rates. Generally, only investments with original maturities of three months or less qualify under that definition. Original maturity means original maturity to the entity holding the investment. For example, both a three-month US Treasury bill and a three-year Treasury note purchased three months from maturity qualify as cash equivalents. However, a Treasury note purchased three years ago does not become a cash equivalent when its remaining maturity is three months. Compensating balance arrangements that do not legally restrict the withdrawal or usage of cash equivalents may be reported as cash equivalents, while legally restricted equivalents held as compensating balances against borrowing arrangements, contracts entered into with others, or company statements of intention with regard to particular equivalents should not be reported as part of unrestricted cash equivalents.

+ References+ Details