Acquisitions (Details) (USD $)	3 Months Ended
	Jan. 31, 2013	Jan. 31, 2012	Dec. 20, 2012		Oct. 31, 2012
Business Acquisition [Line Items]
Cash and cash equivalents			$ 357,000
Accounts receivable			1,133,000
Other current assets			23,000
Property, plant and equipment			480,000
Goodwill			4,245,000
In-process research and development			9,592,000
Other assets			101,000
Accounts payable			(302,000)
Other current liabilities			(1,682,000)
Deferred tax liabilities			(3,357,000)	[1]
Other long-term liabilities			(155,000)
Total identifiable net assets			10,435,000
Business Acquisition, Cost of Acquired Entity, Transaction Costs			100,000
Investments in and Advances to Affiliates, Amount of Equity	0				6,115,000
Equity Method Investment, Ownership Percentage			39.00%
Common Stock, Shares, Issued	189,496,028				185,856,123
Noncontrolling Interest, Ownership Percentage by Controlling Owners			61.00%
Stock Issued During Period, Value, Acquisitions	$ 3,562,000	$ 0
Versa Acquisition [Member]
Business Acquisition [Line Items]
Common Stock, Shares, Issued			3,500,000

[1] Classified in Long-term debt and other liabilities.