Segment Reporting (Details) (USD $) In Thousands, unless otherwise specified	3 Months Ended
	Mar. 31, 2013	Mar. 31, 2012	Dec. 31, 2012
Revenues from external customers	$ 1,592	$ 3,034
Earnings from equity accounted asset liquidation investments	802	1,069
Other income	0	10
Interest expense	95	59
Depreciation and amortization	121	3
Segment income (loss)	(1,000)	750
Investment in equity accounted asset liquidation investees	2,901	1,032	3,618
Assets	55,127	54,779	61,310
Asset Liquidation Segment [Member]
Revenues from external customers	1,392	3,034
Earnings from equity accounted asset liquidation investments	802	1,069
Other income	0	10
Interest expense	95	56
Depreciation and amortization	121	3
Segment income (loss)	(587)	1,225
Investment in equity accounted asset liquidation investees	2,901	1,032
Assets	20,297	19,401
Patent Licensing Segment [Member]
Revenues from external customers	200	0
Earnings from equity accounted asset liquidation investments	0	0
Other income	0	0
Interest expense	0	0
Depreciation and amortization	0	0
Segment income (loss)	50	(26)
Investment in equity accounted asset liquidation investees	0	0
Assets	228	28
Reportable Segment [Member]
Revenues from external customers	1,592	3,034
Earnings from equity accounted asset liquidation investments	802	1,069
Other income	0	10
Interest expense	95	56
Depreciation and amortization	121	3
Segment income (loss)	(537)	1,199
Investment in equity accounted asset liquidation investees	2,901	1,032
Assets	$ 20,525	$ 19,429