- Definition

The aggregate costs incurred (1) in a planned search or critical investigation aimed at discovery of new knowledge with the hope that such knowledge will be useful in developing a new product or service, a new process or technique, or in bringing about a significant improvement to an existing product or process; or (2) to translate research findings or other knowledge into a plan or design for a new product or process or for a significant improvement to an existing product or process whether intended for sale or the entity's use, during the reporting period charged to research and development projects, including the costs of developing computer software up to the point in time of achieving technological feasibility, and costs allocated in accounting for a business combination to in-process projects deemed to have no alternative future use.

+ References+ Details

Summary Of Significant Accounting Policies (Narrative) (Details) (USD $) In Millions, unless otherwise specified	12 Months Ended									1 Months Ended
	Dec. 31, 2012	Dec. 31, 2011	Dec. 31, 2010	Dec. 31, 2012 Minimum [Member]	Dec. 31, 2012 Maximum [Member]	Dec. 31, 2012 Buildings [Member] Minimum [Member]	Dec. 31, 2012 Buildings [Member] Maximum [Member]	Dec. 31, 2012 Equipment [Member] Minimum [Member]	Dec. 31, 2012 Equipment [Member] Maximum [Member]	Dec. 31, 2011 Samsung Corning Precision Materials Co., Ltd. [Member]
Ownership percentage, minimum threshold for equity method accounting	20.00%
Ownership percentage, maximum threshold for equity method accounting	50.00%
Minimum voting securities owned	20.00%
Period of royalty rate reduction										5 years
Percentage of reduction of royalty rate										50.00%
Research and development costs	$ 635	$ 563	$ 491
Finite-lived intangible assets, useful life				4 years	50 years
Property, plant and equipment, useful life						10 years	40 years	2 years	20 years