Consolidated Statements Of Cash Flows (USD $) In Thousands, unless otherwise specified	6 Months Ended
	Apr. 30, 2012	Apr. 30, 2011
Cash flows from operating activities:
Net loss	$ (658)	$ (462)
Adjustments to reconcile net loss to net cash provided by (used in) operating activities:
Depreciation	126	129
Amortization	217	210
Stock-based compensation	183	107
Decrease in allowance for doubtful accounts	(64)	(34)
Increase (decrease) in inventory obsolescence reserve	57	(70)
Loss on disposal of equipment		22
Change in operating assets and liabilities:
Accounts receivable	1,945	348
Inventories	(703)	(280)
Prepaid expenses and other current assets	(89)	54
Accounts payable	(395)	201
Employee compensation	(79)	(331)
Deferred income	(98)	83
Warranty reserve	(40)	(49)
Other current liabilities and accrued expenses	182	(41)
Net cash provided by (used in) operating activities	584	(113)
Cash flows from investing activities:
Sales of investments	241	1,239
Purchases of property and equipment and intangible assets	(505)	(329)
Net cash (used in) provided by investing activities	(264)	910
Cash flows from financing activities:
Proceeds from issuance of common stock under employee stock purchase plan	11	12
Proceeds from the exercise of stock options	40	48
Repurchase of common stock	(10)	(8)
Net cash provided by financing activities	41	52
Net increase in cash and cash equivalents	361	849
Cash and cash equivalents at beginning of period	8,461	6,943
Cash and cash equivalents at end of period	8,822	7,792
Cash paid for taxes	3	1
Supplemental non-cash items:
Share value received for stock option exercises		$ 89