Note 2. Cash, Cash Equivalents and Marketable Securities (Details) - Cash, Cash Equivalents and Marketable Securities (USD $) In Thousands, unless otherwise specified	6 Months Ended
	Aug. 03, 2013	Feb. 02, 2013	Jul. 28, 2012	Jan. 28, 2012
Note 2. Cash, Cash Equivalents and Marketable Securities (Details) - Cash, Cash Equivalents and Marketable Securities [Line Items]
Book value	$ 45,845	$ 53,448
Net unrealized gain (loss)	401	571
Fair value - cash equivalents and marketable securities	46,246	54,019
Fair value - cash on hand	42,639	28,907
Fair value - cash, cash equivalents and marketable securities	88,885	82,926
Reported as:
Cash and cash equivalents	57,141	51,218	58,071	44,283
Short-term marketable securities	14,654	17,455
Long-term marketable securities	17,090	14,253
United States [Member]
Note 2. Cash, Cash Equivalents and Marketable Securities (Details) - Cash, Cash Equivalents and Marketable Securities [Line Items]
Fair value - cash on hand	2,206	1,441
Overseas [Member]
Note 2. Cash, Cash Equivalents and Marketable Securities (Details) - Cash, Cash Equivalents and Marketable Securities [Line Items]
Fair value - cash on hand	40,433	27,466
Corporate Bond Securities [Member]
Note 2. Cash, Cash Equivalents and Marketable Securities (Details) - Cash, Cash Equivalents and Marketable Securities [Line Items]
Book value	30,859	30,642
Net unrealized gain (loss)	366	537
Fair value - cash equivalents and marketable securities	31,225	31,179
Money Market Funds [Member]
Note 2. Cash, Cash Equivalents and Marketable Securities (Details) - Cash, Cash Equivalents and Marketable Securities [Line Items]
Book value	13,228	21,032
Fair value - cash equivalents and marketable securities	13,228	21,032
Municipal Bonds and Notes [Member]
Note 2. Cash, Cash Equivalents and Marketable Securities (Details) - Cash, Cash Equivalents and Marketable Securities [Line Items]
Book value	511	515
Net unrealized gain (loss)	8	14
Fair value - cash equivalents and marketable securities	519	529
Fixed Income Funds [Member]
Note 2. Cash, Cash Equivalents and Marketable Securities (Details) - Cash, Cash Equivalents and Marketable Securities [Line Items]
Book value	1,247	1,259
Net unrealized gain (loss)	27	20
Fair value - cash equivalents and marketable securities	$ 1,274	$ 1,279