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Revenue Recognition
6 Months Ended
Jul. 31, 2011
Revenue Recognition  
Revenue Recognition

Note 4: Revenue Recognition

The Company recognizes product revenue when persuasive evidence of an arrangement exists, delivery has occurred, the fee is fixed or determinable and collectability is probable. Product design and engineering revenue is typically recognized during the period in which services are performed. Product design and engineering revenue, when recognized, is reported as a credit to product development and engineering expense under the net presentation of revenue method.

The Company defers revenue recognition on shipment of products to certain customers, principally distributors, under agreements which provide for limited pricing credits or return privileges, until these products are sold through to end-users or the return privileges lapse. For sales subject to certain pricing credits or return privileges, the amount of future pricing credits or inventory returns cannot be reasonably estimated given the relatively long period in which a particular product may be held by the customer. Therefore, the Company has concluded that sales to customers under these agreements are not fixed and determinable at the date of the sale and revenue recognition has been deferred.

The estimated deferred gross margins on these sales, where there are no outstanding receivables, are recorded on the consolidated condensed balance sheets under the heading of "Deferred revenue." The Company records a provision for estimated sales returns in the same period as the related revenues are recorded. The Company bases these estimates on historical sales returns and other known factors. Actual returns could be different from Company estimates and current provisions for sales returns and allowances, resulting in future charges to earnings.