Equity incentive plan (Narrative) (Details) - USD ($)	3 Months Ended	6 Months Ended
Apr. 30, 2022	Apr. 30, 2021	Apr. 30, 2022	Apr. 30, 2021
Share-Based Payment Arrangement [Abstract]
Compensation expense related to stock options	$ 5,000	$ 12,000	$ 10,000	$ 24,000
Unrecognized compensation cost	20,000		$ 20,000
Unrecognized compensation cost, recognition period			1 year 1 month 6 days
Aggregate intrinsic value of options expected to vest	1,978,000		$ 1,978,000
Aggregate intrinsic value of options exercisable	$ 1,830,000		$ 1,830,000
Shares available for issuance	442,060		442,060

Amount of expense for award under share-based payment arrangement. Excludes amount capitalized.

Reference 1: http://www.xbrl.org/2003/role/disclosureRef
-Publisher FASB
-Name Accounting Standards Codification
-Topic 718
-SubTopic 10
-Section 50
-Paragraph 2
-Subparagraph (h)(1)(i)
-URI https://asc.fasb.org/extlink&oid=128089324&loc=d3e5070-113901

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- References

No definition available.

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Weighted-average period over which cost not yet recognized is expected to be recognized for award under share-based payment arrangement, in 'PnYnMnDTnHnMnS' format, for example, 'P1Y5M13D' represents reported fact of one year, five months, and thirteen days.

+ References

Reference 1: http://www.xbrl.org/2003/role/disclosureRef
-Publisher FASB
-Name Accounting Standards Codification
-Topic 718
-SubTopic 10
-Section 50
-Paragraph 2
-Subparagraph (i)
-URI https://asc.fasb.org/extlink&oid=128089324&loc=d3e5070-113901

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Amount of cost to be recognized for option under share-based payment arrangement.

+ References

Reference 1: http://www.xbrl.org/2009/role/commonPracticeRef
-Publisher FASB
-Name Accounting Standards Codification
-Topic 718
-SubTopic 10
-Section 50
-Paragraph 2
-Subparagraph (i)
-URI https://asc.fasb.org/extlink&oid=128089324&loc=d3e5070-113901

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- Definition

The difference between the maximum number of shares (or other type of equity) authorized for issuance under the plan (including the effects of amendments and adjustments), and the sum of: 1) the number of shares (or other type of equity) already issued upon exercise of options or other equity-based awards under the plan; and 2) shares (or other type of equity) reserved for issuance on granting of outstanding awards, net of cancellations and forfeitures, if applicable.

+ References

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-Publisher FASB
-Name Accounting Standards Codification
-Topic 718
-SubTopic 10
-Section 50
-Paragraph 2
-URI https://asc.fasb.org/extlink&oid=128089324&loc=d3e5070-113901

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- Definition

Amount by which current fair value of underlying stock exceeds exercise price of fully vested and expected to vest options outstanding. Includes, but is not limited to, unvested options for which requisite service period has not been rendered but that are expected to vest based on achievement of performance condition, if forfeitures are recognized when they occur.

+ References

Reference 1: http://www.xbrl.org/2003/role/disclosureRef
-Publisher FASB
-Name Accounting Standards Codification
-Topic 718
-SubTopic 10
-Section 50
-Paragraph 2
-Subparagraph (e)(1)
-URI https://asc.fasb.org/extlink&oid=128089324&loc=d3e5070-113901

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Amount of difference between fair value of the underlying shares reserved for issuance and exercise price of vested portions of options outstanding and currently exercisable.

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