- Definition

Investment in short-term money-market instruments (such as commercial paper, banker's acceptances, repurchase agreements, government securities, certificates of deposit, and so forth) which are highly liquid (that is, readily convertible to known amounts of cash) and so near their maturity that they present an insignificant risk of changes in value because of changes in interest rates. Generally, only investments with original maturities of three months or less qualify as cash equivalents by definition. Original maturity means an original maturity to the entity holding the investment. For example, both a three-month US Treasury bill and a three-year Treasury note purchased three months from maturity qualify as cash equivalents. However, a Treasury note purchased three-years ago does not become a cash equivalent when its remaining maturity is three months.

+ References+ Details

The Company and Summary of Significant Accounting Policies (Details 5) (USD $) In Thousands, unless otherwise specified	12 Months Ended
	Dec. 31, 2011 segment month	Dec. 31, 2009	Dec. 31, 2010
Derivative Instruments and Hedging Activities
Maximum maturity period of foreign currency forward or option contracts (in months)	15
Business Segment Reporting
Number of reportable business segments	6
Cash Equivalents
Maximum original maturity period of securities classified as cash equivalents (in months)	3
Money market funds	$ 196,000		$ 384,000
Reclassifications
Impairment loss reclassified from impairment loss to SG&A		$ 1,000