Tessera (TSRA) 10-K 25 Feb 15 2014 FY Annual report Financial data

Document_and_Entity_Informatio

Document and Entity Information (USD $)	12 Months Ended
	Dec. 31, 2014	Jan. 30, 2015	Jun. 30, 2014
Document and Entity Information [Abstract]
Entity Registrant Name	TESSERA TECHNOLOGIES INC
Trading Symbol	TSRA
Entity Central Index Key	1261694
Current Fiscal Year End Date	-19
Entity Filer Category	Large Accelerated Filer
Document Type	10-K
Document Period End Date	31-Dec-14
Document Fiscal Year Focus	2014
Document Fiscal Period Focus	FY
Amendment Flag	FALSE
Entity Common Stock, Shares Outstanding		52,904,552
Entity Well-known Seasoned Issuer	Yes
Entity Voluntary Filers	No
Entity Current Reporting Status	Yes
Entity Public Float			$1,054,077,120

Consolidated_Balance_Sheets

Consolidated Balance Sheets (USD $)	Dec. 31, 2014	Dec. 31, 2013
In Thousands, unless otherwise specified
Current assets:
Cash and cash equivalents	$50,908	$73,722
Short-term investments	383,513	285,865
Accounts receivable, net	4,478	3,138
Short-term deferred tax assets	19,334	56
Current assets of discontinued operations	156	7,029
Other current assets	17,121	22,501
Total current assets	475,510	392,311
Property and equipment, net	4,322	9,481
Intangible assets, net	72,925	81,202
Long-term deferred tax assets	21,759	904
Other assets	2,607	855
Total assets	577,123	484,753
Current liabilities:
Accounts payable	3,509	3,209
Accrued legal fees	4,143	10,189
Accrued liabilities	13,284	23,535
Deferred revenue	10,217	1,149
Current liabilities of discontinued operations	2,873	407
Total current liabilities	34,026	38,489
Long-term deferred tax liabilities	187	520
Other long-term liabilities	1,551	5,110
Long-term liabilities of discontinued operations	0	197
Commitments and contingencies (Note 13)
Stockholders’ equity:
Preferred stock: $0.001 par value; 10,000 shares authorized and no shares issued and outstanding	0	0
Common stock: $0.001 par value; 150,000 shares authorized; 57,800 and 55,617 shares issued, respectively, and 52,840 and 53,442 shares outstanding, respectively	58	55
Additional paid-in capital	576,341	530,762
Treasury stock at cost; 4,960 and 2,175 shares of common stock at each period end, respectively	-106,231	-39,918
Accumulated other comprehensive income (loss)	-333	133
Retained earnings (deficit)	71,524	-50,595
Total stockholders’ equity	541,359	440,437
Total liabilities and stockholders’ equity	$577,123	$484,753

Consolidated_Balance_Sheets_Pa

Consolidated Balance Sheets (Parenthetical) (USD $)	Dec. 31, 2014	Dec. 31, 2013
In Thousands, except Per Share data, unless otherwise specified
Statement of Financial Position [Abstract]
Preferred stock, par value (in dollars per share)	$0.00	$0.00
Preferred stock, shares authorized	10,000	10,000
Preferred stock, shares issued	0	0
Preferred stock, shares outstanding	0	0
Common stock, par value (in dollars per share)	$0.00	$0.00
Common stock, shares authorized	150,000	150,000
Common stock, shares issued	57,800	55,617
Common stock, shares outstanding	52,840	53,442
Treasury stock, shares	4,960	2,175

Consolidated_Statements_Of_Ope

Consolidated Statements Of Operations (USD $)	12 Months Ended
In Thousands, except Per Share data, unless otherwise specified	Dec. 31, 2014	Dec. 31, 2013	Dec. 31, 2012
Revenues:
Royalty and license fees	$278,807	$168,811	$209,756
Total revenues	278,807	168,811	209,756
Operating expenses:
Cost of revenues	1,445	3,477	4,524
Research, development and other related costs	37,479	32,439	38,936
Selling, general and administrative	59,409	74,174	82,858
Litigation expense	25,116	60,310	34,018
Restructuring, impairment of long-lived assets and other charges and gain on sale of patents	-10,338	4,668	267
Total operating expenses	113,111	175,068	160,603
Operating income (loss)	165,696	-6,257	49,153
Other income and expense, net	1,550	1,208	5,668
Income (loss) before taxes from continuing operations	167,246	-5,049	54,821
Provision for (benefit from) income taxes	-7,697	35,860	20,086
Income (loss) from continuing operations	174,943	-40,909	34,735
Loss from discontinued operations, net of tax	-4,489	-144,646	-64,960
Net income (loss)	$170,454	($185,555)	($30,225)
Income (loss) per share:
Income (loss) from continuing operations - Basic (in dollars per share)	$3.31	($0.77)	$0.67
Income (loss) from continuing operations - Diluted (in dollars per share)	$3.27	($0.77)	$0.66
Income (loss) from discontinued operations - Basic (in dollars per share)	($0.08)	($2.71)	($1.25)
Income (loss) from discontinued operations - Diluted (in dollars per share)	($0.08)	($2.71)	($1.24)
Net income (loss):
Net Income (Loss) - Basic (in dollars per share)	$3.23	($3.48)	($0.58)
Net Income (Loss) - Diluted (in dollars per share)	$3.18	($3.48)	($0.58)
Cash dividends declared per share (in dollars per share)	$0.92	$0.70	$0.30
Weighted average number of shares used in per share calculations-basic (in shares)	52,819	53,346	51,977
Weighted average number of shares used in per share calculations-diluted (in shares)	53,563	53,346	52,250

Consolidated_Statements_Of_Com

Consolidated Statements Of Comprehensive Income (Loss) (USD $)	12 Months Ended
In Thousands, unless otherwise specified	Dec. 31, 2014	Dec. 31, 2013	Dec. 31, 2012
Statement of Comprehensive Income [Abstract]
Net income (loss)	$170,454	($185,555)	($30,225)
Other comprehensive income (loss):
Net unrealized gains (losses) on available-for- sale securities, net of tax	-466	14	95
Other comprehensive income (loss)	-466	14	95
Comprehensive income (loss)	$169,988	($185,541)	($30,130)

Consolidated_Statements_of_Sto

Consolidated Statements of Stockholders' Equity (USD $)	Total	Common Stock [Member]	Additional Paid-in Capital [Member]	Treasury Stock [Member]	Accumulated Other Comprehensive Income (Loss) [Member]	Retained Earnings (Deficit) [Member]
In Thousands, except Share data, unless otherwise specified
Balance at Dec. 31, 2011	$670,679	$52	$462,697	($10,505)	$24	$218,411
Balance (in shares) at Dec. 31, 2011		51,576,000		645,000
Increase (Decrease) in Stockholders' Equity [Roll Forward]
Net income (loss)	-30,225					-30,225
Other comprehensive income (loss)	95				95
Cash dividends paid on company common stock	-15,638					-15,638
Issuance of common stock in connection with exercise of stock options (in shares)		167,000
Issuance of common stock in connection with exercise of stock options	2,374	0	2,374
Issuance of common stock in connection with employee common stock purchase plan (in shares)	292,000	292,000
Issuance of common stock in connection with employee common stock purchase plan	3,733	1	3,732
Issuance of restricted stock, net of shares cancelled (in shares)		267,000
Issuance of restricted stock, net of shares cancelled	0	0	0
Repurchases of common stock (in shares)		-9,000		9,000
Repurchases of common stock	137			137
Stock-based compensation expense	17,036		17,036
Tax effect from employee stock option plan	-5,492		-5,492
Balance at Dec. 31, 2012	642,425	53	480,347	-10,642	119	172,548
Balance (in shares) at Dec. 31, 2012		52,293,000		654,000
Increase (Decrease) in Stockholders' Equity [Roll Forward]
Net income (loss)	-185,555					-185,555
Other comprehensive income (loss)	14				14
Cash dividends paid on company common stock	-37,588					-37,588
Issuance of common stock in connection with exercise of stock options (in shares)		2,031,000
Issuance of common stock in connection with exercise of stock options	33,521	1	33,520
Issuance of common stock in connection with employee common stock purchase plan (in shares)	288,000	288,000
Issuance of common stock in connection with employee common stock purchase plan	3,417	0	3,417
Issuance of restricted stock, net of shares cancelled (in shares)		351,000
Issuance of restricted stock, net of shares cancelled	1	1	0
Repurchases of common stock, shares exchanged	761			761
Repurchases of common stock (in shares)	2,145,000	-1,521,000		1,521,000
Repurchases of common stock	-29,301	0	-25	-29,276
Stock-based compensation expense	13,503		13,503
Balance at Dec. 31, 2013	440,437	55	530,762	-39,918	133	-50,595
Balance (in shares) at Dec. 31, 2013		53,442,000		2,175,000
Increase (Decrease) in Stockholders' Equity [Roll Forward]
Net income (loss)	170,454					170,454
Other comprehensive income (loss)	-466				-466
Cash dividends paid on company common stock	-48,335					-48,335
Issuance of common stock in connection with exercise of stock options (in shares)		1,797,000
Issuance of common stock in connection with exercise of stock options	32,580	2	32,578
Issuance of common stock in connection with employee common stock purchase plan (in shares)	137,000	137,000
Issuance of common stock in connection with employee common stock purchase plan	1,700	0	1,700
Issuance of restricted stock, net of shares cancelled (in shares)		249,000
Issuance of restricted stock, net of shares cancelled	1	1	0
Repurchases of common stock, shares exchanged (in shares)				29,000
Repurchases of common stock (in shares)		-2,785,000		2,756,000
Repurchases of common stock	65,552			65,552
Stock-based compensation expense	13,269		13,269
Tax effect from employee stock option plan	-1,968		-1,968
Balance at Dec. 31, 2014	$541,359	$58	$576,341	($106,231)	($333)	$71,524
Balance (in shares) at Dec. 31, 2014		52,840,000		4,960,000

Consolidated_Statements_Of_Cas

Consolidated Statements Of Cash Flows (USD $)	12 Months Ended
In Thousands, unless otherwise specified	Dec. 31, 2014	Dec. 31, 2013	Dec. 31, 2012
Cash flows from operating activities:
Net income (loss)	$170,454	($185,555)	($30,225)
Adjustments to reconcile net income (loss) to net cash from operating activities:
Depreciation and amortization of property and equipment	1,834	15,937	15,205
Amortization of intangible assets	18,472	22,330	25,069
Stock-based compensation expense	13,269	13,503	17,036
Gain on disposal of property and equipment and other assets, net	-19,618	-8,975	-91
Impairment of goodwill	0	6,664	0
Non-cash restructuring, impairment of long-lived assets and other charges	820	64,716	63
Deferred income tax and other, net	-44,042	22,735	-6,100
Amortization of premium or discount on investments and other	-144	3,104	212
Tax effect from employee stock option plan	-1,968	0	-5,492
Patents acquired through settlement agreements	-4,280	0	0
Changes in operating assets and liabilities:
Accounts receivable, net	-1,217	8,445	-2,537
Inventories	0	1,123	459
Other assets	5,307	-2,568	-1,336
Accounts payable	566	-5,887	2,993
Accrued legal fees	-5,749	-1,537	5,616
Accrued and other liabilities	-8,568	1,608	1,729
Deferred revenue	9,068	-3,720	2,259
Net cash from operating activities	134,204	-48,077	24,860
Cash flows from investing activities:
Purchases of property and equipment	-1,769	-20,111	-33,428
Proceeds from sale of property and equipment and other assets	31,173	19,708	1,293
Purchases of short-term available-for-sale investments	-301,629	-233,888	-261,754
Proceeds from maturities and sales of short-term investments	203,659	285,598	359,523
Acquisition, net of cash acquired	-2,450	0	-27,907
Purchases of intangible assets	-5,635	-3,360	-4,875
Net cash from investing activities	-76,651	47,947	32,852
Cash flows from financing activities:
Dividend paid	-48,335	-37,588	-15,638
Proceeds from exercise of stock options	32,581	33,497	2,374
Proceeds from employee stock purchase program	1,700	3,417	3,733
Repurchase of common stock	-66,313	-29,276	-137
Net cash from financing activities	-80,367	-29,950	-9,668
Net increase (decrease) in cash and cash equivalents	-22,814	-30,080	48,044
Cash and cash equivalents at beginning of period	73,722	103,802	55,758
Cash and cash equivalents at end of period	50,908	73,722	103,802
Supplemental disclosure of cash flow information:
Income taxes paid, net	29,053	10,703	4,880
Supplemental disclosure of non-cash investing activities:
Property and equipment included in accounts payable and accrued liabilities	0	372	5,041
Acquired intangible assets included in accrued liabilities	$0	$0	$1,100

The_Company_And_Basis_Of_Prese

The Company And Basis Of Presentation	12 Months Ended
	Dec. 31, 2014
Organization, Consolidation and Presentation of Financial Statements [Abstract]
The Company And Basis Of Presentation	THE COMPANY AND BASIS OF PRESENTATION
	Tessera Technologies, Inc. and its subsidiaries (the “Company”) generate revenue from licensing its technologies and intellectual property to customers and others who implement it for use in areas such as mobile computing and communications, memory and data storage, and 3-D Integrated Circuit (“3DIC”) technologies, among others. The Company's technologies include semiconductor packaging and interconnect solutions, and products and solutions for mobile and computational imaging, including our FaceToolsTM, FacePowerTM, FotoSavvyTM, DigitalApertureTM, face beautification, red-eye removal, High Dynamic Range, autofocus, panorama, and image stabilization intellectual property.
	The consolidated financial statements include the accounts of Tessera Technologies, Inc. and each of its wholly owned subsidiaries. The accompanying consolidated financial statements have been prepared in accordance with generally accepted accounting principles (“GAAP”) in the United States (“U.S.”). All significant intercompany balances and transactions are eliminated in consolidation.
	The Company’s fiscal year ends on December 31. The Company employs a calendar month-end reporting period for its quarterly reporting.
	Reclassification
	Certain reclassifications have been made to prior period balances in order to conform to the current period’s presentation. The most significant of these reclassifications are as follows:
	•	In 2013, the Company restructured its operations by selling its Micro-Optics business and closing its leased manufacturing facility in Zhuhai, China (the “Zhuhai Facility”). As a result, the financial results of the Micro-Optics business and of the Zhuhai Facility for all periods are presented as discontinued operations.
	•	In 2014, the Company continued its restructuring by the cessation of all mems|cam manufacturing operations. As part of these efforts, the Company ceased its operations in Arcadia, California, Rochester, New York and in Taiwan and Japan. As a result, the financial results of the mems|cam manufacturing operations for all periods are presented as discontinued operations. For more information regarding these actions, see Note 6 - "Discontinued Operations" and Note 8 - "Goodwill and Identified Intangible Assets."
	•	The revenue classification "Past Production Payments" is now included in the "Royalty and License" line on the statements of operations for 2014 and all previous periods presented.

Summary_Of_Significant_Account

Summary Of Significant Accounting Policies	12 Months Ended
	Dec. 31, 2014
Accounting Policies [Abstract]
Summary Of Significant Accounting Policies	SUMMARY OF SIGNIFICANT ACCOUNTING POLICIES
	Use of estimates
	The preparation of financial statements in conformity with U.S. GAAP requires management to make estimates and assumptions that affect the amounts reported in the financial statements and accompanying notes. The accounting estimates and assumptions that require management’s most significant, difficult, and subjective judgment include the recognition and measurement of current and deferred income tax assets and liabilities, the fair value measurements of investments, the assessment of the recoverability of goodwill, the assessment of useful lives and recoverability of long-lived assets, the assessment of unrecognized tax benefits and the valuation and recognition of stock-based compensation expense, among others. Actual results experienced by the Company may differ from management’s estimates.
	Cash and Cash Equivalents
	The Company considers all highly liquid investments purchased with an original or remaining maturity of three months or less at the date of purchase to be cash equivalents. Cash and cash equivalents are maintained with various financial institutions.
	Financial Instruments
	Investments consist primarily of municipal bonds and notes, corporate bonds and notes, treasury and agency notes and bills, commercial paper, certificates of deposit, and money market funds. Investments with remaining maturities from original purchase date of three months or less are considered to be cash equivalents. Investments with remaining maturities from original purchase date greater than three months are generally classified as available-for-sale for use, if required, in current operations, and are classified as short-term investments. Investments determined to lack an active market for a period greater than 12 months are classified as long-term investments. The Company’s cash equivalents and short-term investments are classified as available-for-sale. Unrealized gains and losses on securities, net of tax, are recorded in accumulated other comprehensive income and reported as a separate component of stockholders’ equity. The Company evaluates the investments periodically for possible other-than-temporary impairment and reviews factors such as the length of time and extent to which fair value has been below cost basis, the financial condition of the issuer, the Company’s intent to hold and whether the Company will not be required to sell the security before its anticipated recovery, on a more-likely-than-not basis. If the declines in the fair value of the investments are determined to be other-than-temporary, the Company reports the credit loss portion of such decline in other income and expense, net, and the remaining noncredit loss portion in accumulated other comprehensive income. The cost of securities sold is based on the specific identification method. Interest and dividend income and realized gains or losses are included in other income and expense, net.
	Concentration of credit and other risks
	Financial instruments that potentially subject the Company to significant concentrations of credit risk consist principally of cash equivalents, short-term investments and accounts receivable. The Company follows a corporate investment policy which sets credit, maturity and concentration limits and regularly monitors the composition, market risk and maturities of these investments. The Company believes that any concentration of credit risk in its accounts receivable is substantially mitigated by the Company’s evaluation process, relatively short collection terms and the high level of credit worthiness of its customers. The Company performs ongoing credit evaluations of its customers’ financial condition and limits the amount of credit extended when deemed necessary but generally requires no collateral.
	At December 31, 2014, the Company had two customers representing 60% and 11% of aggregate gross trade receivables. At December 31, 2013, the Company had two customers representing 73% and 15% of aggregate gross trade receivables.
	The following table sets forth revenues generated from customers which comprise 10% or more of total revenues for the periods indicated:
			Years Ended
			December 31,
			2014		2013		2012
	Powertech Technology Inc.		34	%	* %		11	%
	Samsung Electronics, Co. Ltd.		24	%	11	%	10	%
	SK hynix Inc.		11	%	26	%	*%
	Sony Corporation		*%		18	%	*%
	Micron Technology, Inc.		*%		*%		15	%
	Spansion Inc.		*%		*%		12	%
	*	denotes less than 10% of total revenues.
	Goodwill and identified intangible assets
	Goodwill. Goodwill is recorded as the difference, if any, between the aggregate consideration paid for an acquisition and the fair value of the net tangible and identified intangible assets acquired under a business combination. The Company reviews impairment of goodwill annually in the third quarter. The Company first assesses qualitative factors to determine whether it is more-likely-than-not that the fair value of a reporting unit is less than its carrying amount as a basis for determining whether it is necessary to perform the two-step goodwill impairment test. If the Company concludes it is more-likely-than-not that the fair value of a reporting unit exceeds its carrying amount, it need not perform the two-step impairment test.
	If based on the qualitative assessment, the Company believes it is more-likely-than-not that the fair value of its reporting units is less than its carrying value, a two-step goodwill impairment test is required to be performed. The first step requires the Company to compare the fair value of each reporting unit to its carrying value including allocated goodwill. The Company determines the fair value of its reporting units using an equal weighting of the results derived from an income approach and a market approach. The income approach is estimated through the discounted cash flow method based on assumptions about future conditions such as future revenue growth rates, new product and technology introductions, gross margins, operating expenses, discount rates, future economic and market conditions, and other assumptions. The market approach estimates the fair value of the Company’s equity by utilizing the market comparable method which is based on revenue multiples from comparable companies in similar lines of business. If the carrying value of a reporting unit exceeds the reporting unit’s fair value, the Company performs the second step of the goodwill impairment test to determine the amount of impairment loss.
	The second step of the goodwill impairment test involves comparing the implied fair value of the reporting unit with the carrying value of the reporting unit. An impairment charge is recognized for the excess of the carrying value of the reporting unit over its implied fair value. Determining the fair value of a reporting unit is subjective in nature and requires the use of significant estimates and assumptions, including revenue growth rates and operating margins, discount rates and future market conditions, among others.
	Identified intangible assets. Identified intangible assets consist of acquired patents, existing technology, trade names, assembled workforce and non-compete agreements resulting from business combinations, and acquired patents under asset purchase agreements. The Company’s identified intangible assets are amortized on a straight-line basis over their estimated useful lives, ranging from 4 to 15 years. The Company makes judgments about the recoverability of purchased finite-lived intangible assets whenever facts and circumstances indicate that the useful life is shorter than originally estimated or that the carrying amount of assets may not be recoverable. If such facts and circumstances exist, the Company assesses recoverability by comparing the projected undiscounted net cash flows associated with the related asset or group of assets over their remaining lives against their respective carrying amounts. Impairments, if any, are based on the excess of the carrying amount over the fair value of those assets. If the useful life is shorter than originally estimated, the Company would accelerate the rate of amortization and amortize the remaining carrying value over the new shorter useful life.
	For further discussion of goodwill and identified intangible assets, see “Note 8 – Goodwill and Identified Intangible Assets.”
	Treasury stock
	The Company accounts for stock repurchases using the cost method. For reissuance of treasury stock, to the extent that the reissuance price is more than the cost, the excess is recorded as an increase to capital in excess of par value. If the reissuance price is less than the cost, the difference is recorded in capital in excess of par value to the extent there is a cumulative treasury stock paid in capital balance. Once the cumulative balance is reduced to zero, any remaining difference resulting from the sale of treasury stock below cost is recorded as a reduction of retained earnings.
	Revenue recognition
	The Company derives its revenue from royalty and license fees. Revenues are recognized when there is persuasive evidence of an arrangement, delivery has occurred, the fee is fixed or determinable, and collectability of the resulting receivable is reasonably assured. Determining whether and when these criteria have been satisfied requires the Company to make assumptions and judgments which could have a significant impact on the timing and amount of revenues it reports.
	Royalty revenues are generated from a licensee's production or shipment of licensed products incorporating the Company’s intellectual property, technologies or software. Running royalties are primarily based on unit volumes shipped. Licensees generally report shipment information within 30 to 60 days following the end of the quarter. From time to time the Company also enters into license agreements that provide for fixed license fees or royalty payments. When there is no reliable basis on which the Company can estimate its royalty revenues prior to obtaining these reports from the licensees, the Company recognizes royalty revenues on a one-quarter lag. Royalty revenue also includes payments resulting from periodic compliance audits of licensees, as part of a settlement of a patent infringement dispute, or judgments of license dispute.
	License revenues are generated from license agreements for certain rights to the Company’s intellectual property technologies. The Company also derives revenue from software licenses for digital and video photography image enhancement technology. In some instances, the Company may enter into license agreements that involve multiple element arrangements to also include technology transfer, design, technical service and unspecified support. For technology and software licenses, revenue is recognized upon delivery or on a straight-line basis over the period in which the unspecified support or service is performed.
	The Company provides payment terms to licensees based upon their financial strength, credit worthiness and the Company’s collection experience with the licensee. If the Company provides extended payment terms, revenue is deferred until payment is due.
	Indemnification
	The Company provides indemnification of varying scope to certain customers against claims of intellectual property infringement made by third parties arising from the use of the Company’s technologies. In accordance with authoritative guidance for accounting for guarantees, the Company evaluates estimated losses for such indemnification. The Company considers such factors as the degree of probability of an unfavorable outcome and the ability to make a reasonable estimate of the amount of loss. To date, no such claims have been filed against the Company and, as a result, no liability has been recorded in the Company’s financial statements.
	As permitted under Delaware law, the Company has agreements whereby it indemnifies its officers and directors for certain events or occurrences while the officer or director is, or was, serving at the Company’s request in such capacity. The maximum potential amount of future payments the Company could be required to make under these indemnification agreements is unlimited; however, the Company has Directors’ and Officers’ Liability insurance coverage that is intended to reduce its financial exposure and may enable the Company to recover a portion of any such payments. The Company believes the estimated fair value of these indemnification agreements in excess of applicable insurance coverage is minimal.
	Research, development and other related costs
	Research, development and other related costs consist primarily of compensation and related costs for personnel, as well as costs related to patent applications and examinations, product "tear downs" and reverse engineering, materials, supplies and equipment depreciation. Research and development is conducted primarily in-house and targets development of chip-scale and multi-chip packaging, circuitry design, 3D architectures, wafer-level packaging technology, advanced substrates, and image enhancement technology. All research, development and other related costs are expensed as incurred.
	Stock-based compensation expense
	The Company accounts for stock-based compensation expense in accordance with the authoritative guidance on share-based payment. Under the provisions of the guidance, stock-based compensation expense is measured at the grant date based on the fair value of the option using a Black-Scholes option pricing model and is recognized as expense on a straight-line basis over the requisite service period, which is generally the vesting period. The fair value of the Company’s stock awards for non-employees was estimated based on the fair market value on each vesting date, accounted for under the variable-accounting method.
	The authoritative guidance also requires that the Company measure and recognize stock-based compensation expense upon modification of the term of stock award. The stock-based compensation expense for such modification is the sum of any unamortized expense of the award before modification and the modification expense. The modification expense is the incremental amount of the fair value of the award before the modification and the fair value of the award after the modification, measured on the date of modification. In the case when the modification results in a longer requisite period than in the original award, the Company has elected to apply the pool method where the aggregate of the unamortized expense and the modification expense is amortized over the new requisite period on a straight-line basis. In addition, any forfeiture will be based on the original requisite period prior to the modification.
	Calculating stock-based compensation expense requires the input of highly subjective assumptions, including the expected term of the stock-based awards, stock price volatility, and the pre-vesting option forfeiture rate. The Company estimates the expected life of options granted based on historical exercise patterns, which are believed to be representative of future behavior. The Company estimates the volatility of the Company’s common stock on the date of grant based on historical volatility. The assumptions used in calculating the fair value of stock-based awards represent the Company’s best estimates, but these estimates involve inherent uncertainties and the application of management judgment. As a result, if factors change and the Company uses different assumptions, its stock-based compensation expense could be materially different in the future. In addition, the Company is required to estimate the expected forfeiture rate and only recognize expense for those shares expected to vest. The Company estimates the forfeiture rate based on historical experience of its stock-based awards that are granted, exercised and cancelled. If the actual forfeiture rate is materially different from the estimate, stock-based compensation expense could be significantly different from what was recorded in the current period. See Note 11 – “Stock-based Compensation Expense” for additional detail.
	Income taxes
	The Company must make certain estimates and judgments in determining income tax expense for financial statement purposes. These estimates and judgments occur in the calculation of tax credits, tax benefits, tax deductions, and in the calculation of certain deferred taxes and tax liabilities. Significant changes to these estimates may result in an increase or decrease to the Company’s tax provision in a subsequent period.
	The provision for income taxes was comprised of the Company’s current tax liability and changes in deferred income tax assets and liabilities. The calculation of the current tax liability involves dealing with uncertainties in the application of complex tax laws and regulations and in determining the liability for tax positions, if any, taken on the Company’s tax returns in accordance with authoritative guidance on accounting for uncertainty in income taxes. Deferred income taxes are determined based on the differences between the financial reporting and tax basis of assets and liabilities. The Company must assess the likelihood that it will be able to recover the Company’s deferred tax assets. If recovery is not likely on a more-likely-than-not basis, the Company must increase its provision for income taxes by recording a valuation allowance against the deferred tax assets that it estimates will not ultimately be recoverable. However, should there be a change in the Company’s ability to recover its deferred tax assets, the provision for income taxes would fluctuate in the period of such change. See Note 12 – “Income Taxes” for additional detail.
	Contingencies
	From time to time, the Company may be involved in legal and administrative proceedings and claims of various types. The Company records a liability in its consolidated financial statements for these matters when a loss is known or considered probable and the amount can be reasonably estimated. Management reviews these estimates in each accounting period as additional information becomes known and adjusts the loss provision when appropriate. If the loss is not probable or cannot be reasonably estimated, a liability is not recorded in the consolidated financial statements. If a loss is probable but the amount of loss cannot be reasonably estimated, the Company discloses the loss contingency and an estimate of possible loss or range of loss (unless such an estimate cannot be made). The Company does not recognize gain contingencies until they are realized. Legal costs incurred in connection with loss contingencies are expensed as incurred. See Note 13 – "Commitments and Contingencies,” for further information regarding the Company’s pending litigation.
	Property and equipment
	Property and equipment are recorded at cost and depreciated using the straight-line method over their estimated useful lives. The depreciable lives range from one to five years.

Recent_Accounting_Pronouncemen

Recent Accounting Pronouncements	12 Months Ended
	Dec. 31, 2014
New Accounting Pronouncements and Changes in Accounting Principles [Abstract]
Recent Accounting Pronouncements	RECENT ACCOUNTING PRONOUNCEMENTS
	Recently Adopted Accounting Pronouncements
	In April 2014, the FASB issued ASU 2014-08, "Presentation of Financial Statements (Topic 205) and Property, Plant, and Equipment (Topic 360): Reporting Discontinued Operations and Disclosures of Disposals of Components of an Entity." ASU 2014-08 changes the criteria for reporting a discontinued operation. Under the new pronouncement, a disposal of a part of an organization that has a major effect on its operations and financial results is a discontinued operation. The Company is required to adopt ASU 2014-08 prospectively for all disposals or components of its business classified as held for sale during fiscal periods beginning after December 15, 2014. The adoption of this ASU did not have a material impact on the Company's financial statements.
	Recent Accounting Pronouncements
	In June 2014, the FASB issued ASU No. 2014-12, Accounting for Share-Based Payments When the Terms of an Award Provide That a Performance Target Could Be Achieved after the Requisite Service Period (“ASU 2014-12”). The amendments in ASU 2014-12 require that a performance target that affects vesting and that could be achieved after the requisite service period be treated as a performance condition. A reporting entity should apply existing guidance in Accounting Standards Codification Topic No. 718, “Compensation - Stock Compensation” (“ASC 718”), as it relates to awards with performance conditions that affect vesting to account for such awards. The amendments in ASU 2014-12 are effective for annual periods and interim periods within those annual periods beginning after December 15, 2015. Entities may apply the amendments in ASU 2014-12 either: (a) prospectively to all awards granted or modified after the effective date; or (b) retrospectively to all awards with performance targets that are outstanding as of the beginning of the earliest annual period presented in the financial statements and to all new or modified awards thereafter. The adoption of ASU 2014-12 is not expected to have a material effect on the Company’s consolidated financial statements or disclosures.
	In May 2014, the FASB issued ASU No. 2014-09, "Revenue from Contracts with Customers" (“ASU 2014-09”), which provides guidance for revenue recognition. ASU 2014-09 affects any entity that either enters into contracts with customers to transfer goods or services or enters into contracts for the transfer of nonfinancial assets and supersedes the revenue recognition requirements in Topic 605, “Revenue Recognition,” and most industry-specific guidance. This ASU also supersedes some cost guidance included in Subtopic 605-35, “Revenue Recognition-Construction-Type and Production-Type Contracts.” ASU 2014-09’s core principle is that a company will recognize revenue when it transfers promised goods or services to customers in an amount that reflects the consideration to which a company expects to be entitled in exchange for those goods or services. In doing so, companies will need to use more judgment and make more estimates than under today’s guidance, including identifying performance obligations in the contract, estimating the amount of variable consideration to include in the transaction price and allocating the transaction price to each separate performance obligation. ASU 2014-09 is effective for the Company beginning January 1, 2017 and, at that time, the Company may adopt the new standard under the full retrospective approach or the modified retrospective approach. Early adoption is not permitted. The Company is currently evaluating the method and impact the adoption of ASU 2014-09 will have on the Company’s consolidated financial statements and disclosures.

Composition_Of_Certain_Financi

Composition Of Certain Financial Statement Captions	12 Months Ended
	Dec. 31, 2014
Organization, Consolidation and Presentation of Financial Statements [Abstract]
Composition Of Certain Financial Statement Captions	COMPOSITION OF CERTAIN FINANCIAL STATEMENT CAPTIONS
	Other current assets consisted of the following (in thousands):
		31-Dec-14			31-Dec-13
	Prepaid income taxes	$	12,841		$	14,817
	Interest receivable	2,138			2,311
	Other	2,142			5,373
		$	17,121		$	22,501
	Accrued liabilities consisted of the following (in thousands):
		31-Dec-14			December 31, 2013 (1) (2)
	Employee compensation and benefits	$	10,734		$	7,460
	Purchase obligations	—			9,800
	Other	2,550			6,275
		$	13,284		$	23,535
	(1) Accrued liabilities at December 31, 2013 relating to the Company's operations in Charlotte, North Carolina and Zhuhai, China are included in current liabilities of discontinued operations. See Note 6 – "Discontinued Operations," for additional details.
	(2) Purchase obligations are related to inventory and equipment. See Note 15 - "Restructuring, Impairment of Long-lived Assets and Other Charges and Gain on Sale of Patents" for additional details.
	Accumulated other comprehensive income (loss) consisted of the following (in thousands):
		31-Dec-14			31-Dec-13
	Unrealized gain (loss) on available-for-sale securities, net of tax	$	(333	)	$	133
		$	(333	)	$	133

Financial_Instruments

Financial Instruments	12 Months Ended
	Dec. 31, 2014
Investments, Debt and Equity Securities [Abstract]
Financial Instruments	FINANCIAL INSTRUMENTS
	The following is a summary of marketable securities at December 31, 2014 and December 31, 2013 (in thousands):
		31-Dec-14
		Cost		Gross			Gross			Estimated
				Unrealized			Unrealized			Fair
				Gains			Losses			Values
	Available-for-sale securities
	Corporate bonds and notes	$	282,279	$	13		$	(538	)	$	281,754
	Municipal bonds and notes	37,201		15			(1		)	37,215
	Treasury and agency notes and bills	41,271		10			(13		)	41,268
	Commercial paper	33,774		2			(1		)	33,775
	Money market funds	20,883		—			—			20,883
	Total available-for-sale securities	$	415,408	$	40		$	(553	)	$	414,895
	Reported in:
	Cash and cash equivalents									$	31,382
	Short-term investments									383,513
	Total marketable securities									$	414,895
		31-Dec-13
		Cost		Gross			Gross			Estimated
				Unrealized			Unrealized			Fair
				Gains			Losses			Values
	Available-for-sale securities
	Corporate bonds and notes	$	131,374	$	75		$	(31	)	$	131,418
	Municipal bonds and notes	109,879		74			(3		)	109,950
	Commercial paper	21,216		4			(1		)	21,219
	Treasury and agency notes and bills	28,038		17			(2		)	28,053
	Money market funds	13,198		—			—			13,198
	Total available-for-sale securities	$	303,705	$	170		$	(37	)	$	303,838
	Reported in:
	Cash and cash equivalents									$	17,973
	Short-term investments									285,865
	Total marketable securities									$	303,838
	At December 31, 2014 and December 31, 2013, the Company had $434.4 million and $359.6 million, respectively, in cash, cash equivalents and short-term investments. The majority of these amounts were held in marketable securities, as shown above. The remaining balance of $19.5 million and $55.8 million at December 31, 2014 and December 31, 2013, respectively, was cash held in operating accounts not included in the tables above.
	The gross realized gains and losses on sales of marketable securities were not significant during the years ended December 31, 2014 and 2013.
	Unrealized losses (net of unrealized gains) of $0.3 million, net of tax, as of December 31, 2014, were related to a temporary decrease in value of the remaining available-for-sale securities and were due primarily to changes in interest rates and market and credit conditions of the underlying securities. Certain investments with a temporary decline in value are not considered to be other-than-temporarily impaired as of December 31, 2014 because the Company has the ability to hold these investments to allow for recovery, and does not anticipate having to sell these securities with unrealized losses and continues to receive interest at the maximum contractual rate. For the years ended December 31, 2014 and 2013, respectively, the Company did not record any impairment charges related to its marketable securities.
	The following table summarizes the fair value and gross unrealized losses related to individual available-for-sale securities at December 31, 2014 and 2013, which have been in a continuous unrealized loss position, aggregated by investment category and length of time (in thousands):
	31-Dec-14	Less Than 12 Months					12 Months or More						Total
		Fair Value		Gross			Fair			Gross			Fair Value		Gross
				Unrealized			Value			Unrealized					Unrealized
				Losses						Losses					Losses
	Corporate bonds and notes	$	240,165	$	(535	)	$	5,453		$	(3	)	$	245,618	$	(538	)
	Municipal bonds and notes	1,061		(1		)	—			—			1,061		(1		)
	Commercial paper	9,482		(1		)	—			—			9,482		(1		)
	Treasury and agency notes and bills	16,245		(13		)	—			—			16,245		(13		)
	Total	$	266,953	$	(550	)	$	5,453		$	(3	)	$	272,406	$	(553	)
	31-Dec-13	Less Than 12 Months					12 Months or More						Total
		Fair Value		Gross			Fair			Gross			Fair Value		Gross
				Unrealized			Value			Unrealized					Unrealized
				Losses						Losses					Losses
	Corporate bonds and notes	$	9,151	$	(31	)	$	—		$	—		$	9,151	$	(31	)
	Municipal bonds and notes	5,495		(3		)	—			—			5,495		(3		)
	Commercial paper	66,379		(1		)	—			—			66,379		(1		)
	Total	$	81,025	$	(35	)	$	—		$	—		$	81,025	$	(35	)
	The estimated fair value of marketable securities by contractual maturity at December 31, 2014 is shown below (in thousands). Actual maturities may differ from contractual maturities because issuers may have the right to call or prepay obligations without call or prepayment penalties.
		Estimated
		Fair Value
	Due in one year or less	$	252,110
	Due in one to two years	149,787
	Due in two to three years	12,998
	Total	$	414,895

Discontinued_Operations

Discontinued Operations	12 Months Ended
	Dec. 31, 2014
Discontinued Operations and Disposal Groups [Abstract]
Discontinued Operations	DISCONTINUED OPERATIONS
	The following are included in the Company's discontinued operations:
	•	In 2012, the Company completed an acquisition of certain assets of Vista Point Technologies, from Flextronics International Ltd. (the “Zhuhai Transaction”). At the time of the acquisition, the Company intended to use the acquired assets and related manufacturing business to accelerate its strategy of building the DigitalOptics business into a manufacturer and supplier of camera modules in the mobile phone market. In the first quarter of 2013, the Company determined the DigitalOptics business was to be restructured and announced its plans to close its leased manufacturing facility in Zhuhai, China (the "Zhuhai Facility"). By closing the Zhuhai Facility, the Company strategy was to no longer supply the whole camera module. The primary focus was developing the mems|cam actuator, the imaging software and user applications, and manufacturing and supplying only the lens barrel. As a result of this restructuring, certain assets acquired in the transaction were considered impaired or written off entirely, and other assets were either sold or transferred to the mems|cam manufacturing operations in Taiwan.
	•	In 2013, the Company continued to restructure its DigitalOptics business through the sale of its Micro-Optics business based in Charlotte, North Carolina. Originally purchased in 2006, this business focused on diffractive optical elements, refractive optical elements, and integrated micro-optic sub-assemblies. The Company determined these offerings were no longer part of its long-term strategy for the DigitalOptics business. As a result, on August 9, 2013, the Company sold all of the related assets of the Micro-Optics business, except the land and building, to a buyer in exchange for $14.9 million in cash which resulted in a disposal gain of $8.7 million, and is included in the net loss from discontinued operations. The land and building assets were classified as assets held for sale until they were sold in August 2014.
	•	On January 16, 2014, the Company announced a restructuring of its DigitalOptics segment to cease all remaining manufacturing operations resulting in the impairment charges related to the Company's long-lived assets. For the year ended December 31, 2013, the Company incurred cumulative charges, which include continuing and discontinued operations in total, of $5.9 million in severance and $70.9 million in impairment of long-lived assets and other charges.
	•	In January 2014, the Company announced the cessation of all mems|cam manufacturing operations. As part of these efforts, the Company is no longer operating facilities in Arcadia, California, Rochester, New York and in Taiwan and Japan. As a result of these actions, certain assets were impaired or were written off entirely and restructuring and other charges were taken in 2013. All material assets of these operations were sold or licensed to a third party in December 2014 generating a gain of $7.6 million which is included in discontinued operations,
	For more information regarding these actions, see Note 8 - "Goodwill and Identified Intangible Assets" and Note 15 - "Restructuring, Impairment of Long-Lived Assets and Other Charges and Gain on Sale of Patents."
	The businesses discussed above are considered discontinued operations, and accordingly, the Company has reported the results of operations and financial position of these businesses in discontinued operations within all statements of operations presented and the current balance sheet.
	The results from discontinued operations were as follows (in thousands):
		Years Ended December 31,
		2014					2013					2012
	Revenues:
	Product and service revenues	$	32				$	6,524				$	24,267
	Total revenues	32					6,524					24,267
	Operating expenses:
	Cost of revenues	21					12,276					35,842
	Research, development and other related costs	6,190					60,117					61,745
	Selling, general and administrative	6,254					11,833					14,437
	Restructuring, impairment of long-lived assets and other charges and gain on sale of patents	(3,178		)	(1	)	72,280			(2	)	2,257
	Impairment of goodwill	—					6,548			(3	)	—
	Total operating expenses	9,287					163,054					114,281
	Other income and (expense), net	629					572					204
	Operating loss before taxes	(8,626		)			(155,958		)			(89,810		)
	Benefit from income taxes	(4,137		)			(11,312		)			(24,850		)
	Net loss from discontinued operations	$	(4,489	)			$	(144,646	)			$	(64,960	)
	(1) As noted above, the Company has undergone significant restructuring activities in 2014. The majority of restructuring, impairment and other charges occurred during 2013. In 2014, the company sold assets and the proceeds are netted against expenses.
	(2) As noted above, the Company has undergone restructuring activities in 2013. The majority of restructuring, impairment and other charges occurred during 2013. In 2013, the Company incurred $45.0 million in the impairment of fixed assets which primarily consisted of manufacturing equipment used in both the Zhuhai and Taiwan facilities, $16.6 million in the impairment of intangible assets which included the Eyesquad and Siimpel portfolios and $4.7 million of severance costs due to the related reductions in force.
	(3) See Note 8 – "Goodwill and Identified Intangible Assets."
	The current assets and current liabilities of discontinued operations were as follows (in thousands):
		December 31,			December 31,
		2014			2013
	Accounts receivable and other assets, net	$	390		$	29
	Property and equipment, net (1)	—			7,000
	Total assets of discontinued operations	$	390		$	7,029
	Accrued liabilities (2)	$	2,873		$	407
	Total liabilities of discontinued operations	$	2,873		$	407
	(1) The decrease in the December 31, 2014 balance from the December 31, 2013 balance results from the sale of land and building assets in August 2014. These assets originally belonged to the Company's DigitalOptics operations in Charlotte, N.C. but were not part of the sale of this business in 2013.
	(2) The increase in the December 31, 2014 balances from the December 31, 2013 balances is related to the cessation of all mems|cam manufacturing operations with the liabilities of those operations being included in discontinued operations since 2014, whereas they were included in continuing operations as of December 31, 2013. At December 31, 2014, this amount is primarily related to lease obligations and employee severance which are expected to be settled in cash in the first half of 2015.

Fair_Value

Fair Value	12 Months Ended
	Dec. 31, 2014
Fair Value Disclosures [Abstract]
Fair Value	FAIR VALUE
	The Company follows the authoritative guidance fair value measurement and the fair value option for financial assets and financial liabilities. Fair value is defined as the exchange price that would be received for an asset or paid to transfer a liability, or an exit price, in the principal or most advantageous market for the asset or liability in an orderly transaction between market participants on the measurement date. The established fair value hierarchy requires an entity to maximize the use of observable inputs and minimize the use of unobservable inputs when measuring fair value. There are three levels of inputs that may be used to measure fair value:
	Level 1		Quoted prices in active markets for identical assets.
	Level 2		Observable market-based inputs or unobservable inputs that are corroborated by market data.
	Level 3		Unobservable inputs that are supported by little or no market activity and that are significant to the fair value of the assets. Level 3 assets and liabilities include financial instruments whose value is determined using pricing models, discounted cash flow methodologies, or similar techniques, as well as instruments for which the determination of fair value requires significant management judgment or estimation.
	When applying fair value principles in the valuation of assets, we are required to maximize the use of quoted market prices and minimize the use of unobservable inputs. We calculate the fair value of our Level 1 and Level 2 instruments based on the exchange traded price of similar or identical instruments, where available, or based on other observable inputs. There were no significant transfers into or out of Level 1 or Level 2 that occurred between December 31, 2014 and December 31, 2013.
	The following is a list of the Company’s assets required to be measured at fair value on a recurring basis and where they were classified within the hierarchy as of December 31, 2014 (in thousands):
		Fair Value				Quoted				Significant				Significant
						Prices in				Other				Unobservable
						Active Markets				Observable				Inputs
						for Identical				Inputs				(Level 3)
						Assets				(Level 2)
						(Level  1)
	Assets
	Marketable Securities
	Money market funds (1)	$	20,883			$	20,883			$	—			$	—
	Corporate bonds and notes (2)	281,754				—				281,754				—
	Municipal bonds and notes (2)	37,215				—				37,215				—
	Treasury and agency notes and bills (2)	41,268				—				41,268				—
	Commercial paper (3)	33,775				—				33,775				—
	Total Assets	$	414,895			$	20,883			$	394,012			$	—
	The following footnotes indicate where the noted items were recorded in the Consolidated Balance Sheet at December 31, 2014:
	-1	Reported as cash and cash equivalents.
	-2	Reported as short-term investments.
	-3	Reported as either cash and cash equivalents or short-term investments.
	The following is a list of the Company’s assets required to be measured at fair value on a recurring basis and where they were classified within the hierarchy as of December 31, 2013 (in thousands):
		Fair Value				Quoted				Significant				Significant
						Prices in				Other				Unobservable
						Active Markets				Observable				Inputs
						for Identical				Inputs				(Level 3)
						Assets				(Level 2)
						(Level 1)
	Assets
	Marketable Securities
	Money market funds (1)	$	13,198			$	13,198			$	—			$	—
	Corporate bonds and notes (2)	131,418				—				131,418				—
	Municipal bonds and notes (2)	109,950				—				109,950				—
	Treasury and agency notes and bills (2)	28,053				—				28,053				—
	Commercial paper (3)	21,219				—				21,219				—
	Total Assets	$	303,838			$	13,198			$	290,640			$	—
	The following footnotes indicate where the noted items were recorded in the Consolidated Balance Sheet at December 31, 2013:
	-1	Reported as cash and cash equivalents.
	-2	Reported as short-term investments.
	-3	Reported as either cash and cash equivalents or short-term investments.
	Non-Recurring Fair Value Measurements
	The following table represents the activity in level 3 assets (in thousands):
			Assets held for sale				Assets included in discontinued operations and held for sale					Other
	Balance at December 31, 2012		$	—			$	—				$	—
	Assets transferred		9,581				19,917					—
	Assets sold		(6,200		)		(3,978		)			—
	Assets written-off		(3,381		)		(6,219		)			—
	Balance at December 31, 2013		$	—			$	9,720		(1	)	$	—
	Assets transferred		—				1,398					—
	Assets sold		—				(11,118		)	(2	)	—
	Assets received		—				—					4,280			(3	)
	Balance at December 31, 2014		$	—			$	—				$	4,280
	(1) Comprised of assets remaining after the sale of the Micro-Optics business located in Charlotte, North Carolina, which was completed in August 2013 and as a result of the cessation of the Company's mems|cam manufacturing activities. See Note 5 - "Discontinued Operations" for more information. These assets are carried at market value as determined by specific third party quotes.
	(2) The assets in footnote 1 above were sold in 2014. Combined these assets sold for $17.1 million and resulted in a gain of $5.8 million.
	(3) This amount represents the value of the patents that were received as part of licensing settlements with customers. These assets were valued using a methodology based on an arms-length purchase price of bulk patent assets, with adjustments based on limited pick rights, the total available market, and remaining average patent life.

Goodwill_And_Identified_Intang

Goodwill And Identified Intangible Assets	12 Months Ended
	Dec. 31, 2014
Goodwill and Intangible Assets Disclosure [Abstract]
Goodwill And Identified Intangible Assets	GOODWILL AND IDENTIFIED INTANGIBLE ASSETS
	In March 2013, the Company revised its business strategy for the DigitalOptics business to concentrate its manufacturing efforts on the lens barrel, rather than the whole camera module. This revised strategy made the Zhuhai Facility unnecessary. The Company announced the closure of the Zhuhai Facility in March 2013. This decision triggered an impairment review of the related goodwill and purchased intangible assets. As a result of the Company's impairment assessment, completed in the first quarter of 2013, the Company recorded an impairment charge to goodwill of $6.7 million.
	Identified intangible assets consisted of the following (in thousands):
				31-Dec-14							31-Dec-13
		Average		Gross		Accumulated			Net		Gross		Accumulated			Net
		Life		Assets		Amortization					Assets		Amortization
		(Years)
	Acquired patents / core technology (1)	15-Mar		$	132,157	$	(62,053	)	$	70,104	$	121,962	$	(45,551	)	$	76,411
	Existing technology (2)	10-May		18,700		(17,932		)	768		18,700		(16,939		)	1,761
	Customer contracts (3)	9-Mar		8,600		(6,569		)	2,031		8,600		(5,614		)	2,986
	Trade name (4)	10-Apr		520		(498		)	22		520		(476		)	44
				$	159,977	$	(87,052	)	$	72,925	$	149,782	$	(68,580	)	$	81,202
	(1) In the first quarter of 2013, the Company recorded a $0.4 million impairment charge, which was included in the net loss from continuing operations due to abandonment of acquired patents and an impairment of $0.9 million relating to patents acquired in the Zhuhai Transaction, which impairment was included in the loss from discontinued operations. In addition, the Company sold $1.1 million (representing net book value) of patents relating to the Charlotte, North Carolina asset sale in the third quarter of 2013. In the fourth quarter of 2013, the Company recorded $5.2 million in impairment charges, which was included in the net loss from continuing operations, relating to patents that were part of the DigitalOptics business. In 2014, $5.9 million in patents were purchased and $4.3 million in patents were received through license settlements with customers.
	(2) In the first quarter of 2013, the Company incurred an $8.3 million charge, which was included in the net loss from continuing operations, due to the abandonment of existing technology which caused a revision of the useful life estimate of these technology assets thus fully impairing them. In the fourth quarter of 2013, the Company recorded $1.8 million of impairment charges relating to patents that were part of the DigitalOptics patent group.
	(3) In the first quarter of 2013, the Company incurred a $0.7 million impairment charge, which was included in the loss from discontinued operations, relating to the customer contracts of the Zhuhai Facility.
	(4) In the third quarter of 2013, the Company recorded a $0.9 million impairment charge, which was included in the loss from discontinued operations, relating to the trade name intangibles of the Charlotte, North Carolina operation.
	Amortization expense for the years ended December 31, 2014, 2013, and 2012 amounted to $18.5 million, $22.3 million and $25.1 million, respectively. As of December 31, 2014, the estimated future amortization expense of intangible assets is as follows (in thousands):
	2015	$	18,263
	2016	17,413
	2017	15,138
	2018	13,390
	2019	5,339
	Thereafter	3,382
		$	72,925

Net_Income_Loss_Per_Share

Net Income (Loss) Per Share	12 Months Ended
	Dec. 31, 2014
Earnings Per Share [Abstract]
Net Income (Loss) Per Share	NET INCOME (LOSS) PER SHARE
	The Company has a share-based compensation plan under which employees may be granted share-based awards including shares of restricted stock and restricted stock units ("RSUs"). Non-forfeitable dividends are paid on unvested shares of restricted stock. No dividends are accrued or paid on unvested RSUs. As such, shares of restricted stock are considered participating securities under the two-class method of calculating earnings per share. The two-class method of calculating earnings per share did not have a material impact on the Company’s earnings per share calculation as of December 31, 2014, 2013 and 2012.
	The following table sets forth the computation of basic and diluted shares (in thousands):
		Years Ended December 31,
		2014		2013		2012
	Weighted average common shares outstanding	52,898		53,431		52,010
	Unvested common shares subject to repurchase	(79	)	(85	)	(33	)
	Total common shares-basic	52,819		53,346		51,977
	Effect of dilutive securities:
	Stock awards	346		—		80
	Restricted stock awards and units	398		—		193
	Total common shares-diluted	53,563		53,346		52,250
	Basic net income (loss) per share is computed using the weighted average number of common shares outstanding during the period, excluding any unvested restricted stock awards that are subject to repurchase. Diluted net income (loss) per share is computed using the treasury stock method to calculate the weighted average number of common shares and, if dilutive, potential common shares outstanding during the period. Potential dilutive common shares include unvested restricted stock awards and units and incremental common shares issuable upon the exercise of stock options, less shares from assumed proceeds. The assumed proceeds calculation includes actual proceeds to be received from the employee upon exercise, the average unrecognized stock compensation cost during the period and any tax benefits that will be credited upon exercise to additional paid-in capital.
	For the years ended December 31, 2014, 2013 and 2012 in the calculation of net loss per share, 1.5 million, 2.8 million and 6.5 million shares, respectively, subject to stock options and restricted stock awards and units were excluded from the computation of diluted net loss per share as they were anti-dilutive.

Stockholders_Equity

Stockholders' Equity	12 Months Ended
	Dec. 31, 2014
Disclosure of Compensation Related Costs, Share-based Payments [Abstract]
Stockholders' Equity	STOCKHOLDERS’ EQUITY
	Stock Repurchase Programs
	In August 2007, the Company’s Board of Directors (“the Board”) authorized a plan to repurchase up to a maximum total of $100.0 million of the Company’s outstanding shares of common stock dependent on market conditions, share price and other factors. In November 2013, the Board increased the amount authorized to be used for repurchases to $150.0 million. In October 2014, the Board increased the amount authorized to be used for repurchases to $250.0 million. As of December 31, 2014, the Company had repurchased a total of approximately 4,901,000 shares of common stock, since inception of the plan, at an average price of $21.39 per share for a total cost of $104.9 million. As of December 31, 2013, the Company had repurchased a total of approximately 2,145,000 shares of common stock, since inception of the plan, at an average price of $18.32 per share for a total cost of $39.3 million. The shares repurchased are recorded as treasury stock and are accounted for under the cost method. No expiration date has been specified for this plan. As of December 31, 2014, the total amount available for repurchase was $145.1 million. The Company plans to continue to execute authorized repurchases from time to time under the plan.
	Stock Option Plans
	The 2003 Plan
	In February 2003, the Board adopted and the Company’s stockholders approved the 2003 Equity Incentive Plan (“2003 Plan”). Under the 2003 Plan, incentive stock options may be granted to the Company’s employees at an exercise price of no less than 100% of the fair value on the date of grant, and non-statutory stock options may be granted to the Company’s employees, non-employee directors and consultants at an exercise price of no less than 85% of the fair value. In both cases, when the optionees own stock representing more than 10% of the voting power of all classes of stock of the Company, the exercise price shall be no less than 110% of the fair value on the date of grant. Options, restricted stock awards, and restricted stock units granted under this plan generally have a term of ten years from the date of grant and vest over a four-year period. Restricted stock, performance awards, dividend equivalents, deferred stock, stock payments and stock appreciation rights may also be granted under the 2003 Plan either alone, in addition to, or in tandem with any options granted thereunder. Restricted stock awards and units are full-value awards that reduce the number of shares reserved for grant under this plan by one and one-half shares for each share granted. The vesting criteria for restricted stock awards and units is generally the passage of time or meeting certain performance-based objectives, and continued employment through the vesting period generally over four years. As of December 31, 2014, there were approximately 4.8 million shares reserved for future grant under this plan.
	A summary of the stock option activity is presented below (in thousands, except per share amounts):
				Options Outstanding
		Number of		Weighted		Weighted Average Remaining Contractual Life (in years)		Aggregate Intrinsic Value
		Shares Subject to Options		Average
				Exercise
				Price Per
				Share
	Balance at December 31, 2011	6,819		$20.16
	Options granted	2,366		$15.14
	Options exercised	(167	)	$14.18
	Options canceled / forfeited / expired	(1,919	)	$23.22
	Balance at December 31, 2012	7,099		$17.80
	Options granted	1,204		$19.00
	Options exercised	(2,031	)	$16.51
	Options canceled / forfeited / expired	(2,355	)	$18.59
	Balance at December 31, 2013	3,917		$18.37
	Options granted	220		$22.29
	Options exercised	(1,797	)	$18.13
	Options canceled / forfeited / expired	(724	)	$18.00
	Balance at December 31, 2014	1,616		$19.34		7.76		$	26,634
	Vested and expected to vest at December 31, 2014	1,419				7.62		$	23,433
	Exercisable at December 31, 2014	559				6.26		$	8,785
	The following table summarizes information about stock options outstanding and exercisable under all of the Company’s plans at December 31, 2014:
			Options Outstanding								Options Exercisable
	Range of Exercise		Number		Weighted		Weighted				Number	Weighted
	Prices per Share		Outstanding		Average		Average				Exercisable	Average
			(in thousands)		Remaining		Exercise Price				(in thousands)	Exercise Price
					Contractual		per Share					per Share
					Life (in years)
	$12.52 - $14.91		251		7.17		$	13.97			98	$	13.69
	$15.35 - $17.55		204		7.37		$	16.94			65	$	16.84
	$17.74 - $18.74		34		7.2		$	18.26			14	$	18.58
	$18.84 - $18.84		438		8.94		$	18.84			110	$	18.84
	$18.89 - $20.35		221		7.85		$	19.35			105	$	19.35
	$20.43 - $20.43		191		8.78		$	20.43			34	$	20.43
	$20.63 - $26.16		182		6.73		$	23.57			77	$	25.08
	$26.34 - $44.27		95		4.75		$	33.13			56	$	35.13
	$12.52 - $44.27		1,616		7.76		$	19.34			559	$	20.22
	Restricted Stock Awards and Units
	Information with respect to outstanding restricted stock awards and units as of December 31, 2014 is as follows (in thousands, except per share amounts):
		Restricted Stock and Restricted Stock Units
		Number of Shares		Number of Shares			Total Number			Weighted Average
		Subject to Time-		Subject to			of Shares			Grant Date Fair
		based Vesting		Performance-						Value Per Share
				based Vesting
	Balance at December 31, 2011	730		261			991			$	17.6
	Awards and units granted	367		133			500			$	16.48
	Awards and units vested / earned	(233	)	(30	)		(263	)		$	17.14
	Awards and units canceled / forfeited	(149	)	(248	)		(397	)		$	19.09
	Balance at December 31, 2012	715		116			831			$	16.36
	Awards and units granted	596		358			954			$	19.26
	Awards and units vested / earned	(262	)	(27	)		(289	)		$	17.45
	Awards and units canceled / forfeited	(312	)	(99	)		(411	)		$	16.77
	Balance at December 31, 2013	737		348			1,085			$	18.46
	Awards and units granted	222		309			531			$	22.41
	Awards and units vested / earned	(289	)	—			(289	)		$	18.85
	Awards and units canceled / forfeited	(168	)	(24	)		(192	)		$	17.91
	Balance at December 31, 2014	502		633			1,135			$	20.3
Performance Awards and Units
Performance awards and units may be granted to employees or consultants based upon, among other things, the contributions, responsibilities and other compensation of the particular employee or consultant. The value and the vesting of such performance awards and units are generally linked to one or more performance goals or other specific performance goals determined by the Company, in each case on a specified date or dates or over any period or periods determined by the Company, and range from zero to 100 percent of the grant.
Employee Stock Purchase Plans
In August 2003, the Board adopted the 2003 Employee Stock Purchase Plan (the "ESPP"), which was approved by the Company’s stockholders in September 2003 and became effective February 1, 2004. Subsequently, the Board adopted the International Employee Stock Purchase Plan (the “International ESPP”) in June 2008.
The ESPP has a series of consecutive, overlapping 24-month offering periods. The first offering period commenced February 1, 2004, the effective date of the ESPP, as determined by the Board of Directors.
Individuals who own less than 5% of the Company’s voting stock, are scheduled to work more than 20 hours per week and whose customary employment is for more than five months in any calendar year may join an offering period on the first day of the offering period or the beginning of any semi-annual purchase period within that period. Individuals who become eligible employees after the start date of an offering period may join the ESPP at the beginning of any subsequent semi-annual purchase period.
Participants may contribute up to 20% of their cash earnings through payroll deductions, and the accumulated deductions will apply to the purchase of shares on each semi-annual purchase date. The purchase price per share will equal 85% of the fair market value per share on the participant’s entry date into the offering period or, if lower, 85% of the fair market value per share on the semi-annual purchase date.
An eligible employee’s right to buy the Company’s common stock under the ESPP may not accrue at a rate in excess of $25,000 of the fair market value of such shares per calendar year for each calendar year of an offering period.
If the fair market value per share of the Company’s common stock on any purchase date is less than the fair market value per share on the start date of the 24-month offering period, then that offering period will automatically terminate and a new 24-month offering period will begin on the next business day. All participants in the terminated offering will be transferred to the new offering period.
As of December 31, 2014, there were approximately 573,803 shares reserved for grant under the ESPP and the International ESPP, collectively.
Dividends
Stockholders of the Company’s common stock are entitled to receive dividends when declared by the Company’s Board of Directors. The Company began paying a $0.10 quarterly dividend in the second quarter of 2012 and also paid special dividends in 2013 and 2014. Dividends declared were $0.92, $0.70 and $0.30 per common share in 2014, 2013 and 2012, respectively.

StockBased_Compensation_Expens

Stock-Based Compensation Expense	12 Months Ended
	Dec. 31, 2014
Disclosure of Compensation Related Costs, Share-based Payments [Abstract]
Stock-Based Compensation Expense	STOCK-BASED COMPENSATION EXPENSE
	The effect of recording stock-based compensation expense for the years ended December 31, 2014, 2013 and 2012 is as follows (in thousands):
		Years Ended December 31,
		2014				2013		2012
	Cost of revenues	$	18			$	50	$	641
	Research, development and other related costs	2,823				3,591		6,455
	Selling, general and administrative	10,428				9,862		9,940
	Total stock-based compensation expense	13,269				13,503		17,036
	Tax effect on stock-based compensation expense	(1,968		)		—		(5,148		)
	Net effect on net income (loss)	$	11,301			$	13,503	$	11,888
	Stock-based compensation expense categorized by various equity components for the years ended December 31, 2014, 2013 and 2012 is summarized in the table below (in thousands):
		Years Ended December 31,
		2014				2013		2012
	Employee stock options	$	3,336			$	7,815	$	10,332
	Restricted stock awards and units	9,322				4,317		4,792
	Employee stock purchase plan	611				1,371		1,912
	Total stock-based compensation expense	$	13,269			$	13,503	$	17,036
	During the years ended December 31, 2014, 2013 and 2012, the Company granted 220,000, 1,204,000 and 2,366,000 shares of stock options, respectively. The 2014, 2013 and 2012 estimated per share fair value of those grants was $5.71, $6.82 and $4.03, respectively, before estimated forfeitures.
	The total fair value of restricted stock awards vested during the years ended December 31, 2014, 2013 and 2012 was $5.5 million, $5.0 million and $4.5 million, respectively.
	The total intrinsic value of options exercised during the years ended December 31, 2014, 2013 and 2012 was $13.3 million, $6.8 million and $0.6 million, respectively. The intrinsic value is calculated as the difference between the market value on the date of exercise and the exercise price of the shares.
	As of December 31, 2014, the unrecognized stock-based compensation balance after estimated forfeitures related to unvested stock options was $5.0 million to be recognized over an estimated weighted average amortization period of 2.6 years and $5.4 million related to restricted stock awards and units, including performance-based awards and units, to be recognized over an estimated weighted average amortization period of 2.0 years. As of December 31, 2013, the unrecognized stock-based compensation balance after estimated forfeitures related to unvested stock options was $11.7 million to be recognized over an estimated weighted average amortization period of 3.0 years and $15.8 million related to restricted stock awards and units, including performance-based awards and units, to be recognized over an estimated weighted average amortization period of 2.3 years.
	The Company uses the Black-Scholes option pricing model to determine the estimated fair value of options. The fair value of each option grant is determined on the date of grant and the expense is recorded on a straight-line basis. The assumptions used in the model include expected life, volatility, risk-free interest rate, and dividend yield. The Company’s determinations of these assumptions are outlined below.
	Expected life – The expected life assumption is based on analysis of the Company’s historical employee exercise patterns. The expected life of options granted under the ESPP represents the offering period of two years.
	Volatility – Volatility is calculated using the historical volatility of the Company’s common stock for a term consistent with the expected life. Historical volatility of the Company’s common stock is also utilized for the ESPP.
	Risk-free interest rate – The risk-free interest rate assumption is based on the U.S. Treasury rate for issues with remaining terms similar to the expected life of the options.
	Dividend yield – Expected dividend yield is calculated based on cash dividends declared by the Board for the previous four quarters and dividing that result by the average closing price of the Company’s common stock for the quarter. Cash dividends are not paid on options, restricted stock units or unvested restricted stock awards.
	In addition, the Company estimates forfeiture rates. Forfeitures are estimated at the time of grant and revised in subsequent periods if actual forfeitures differ from those estimates. Historical data is used to estimate pre-vesting option forfeitures and record stock-based compensation expense only for those awards that are expected to vest.
	The following assumptions were used to value the options granted:
		Years Ended December 31,
		2014		2013		2012
	Expected life (in years)	4.9		5		3.7
	Risk-free interest rate	1.6 - 1.8%		0.8 - 1.8%		0.5 - 0.8%
	Dividend yield	3.4 - 4.1%		2.1 - 3.8%		2.2 - 2.8%
	Expected volatility	37.3 - 41.4%		44.2 - 59.5%		45.3 - 66.4%
	The following assumptions were used to value the ESPP shares:
			Years Ended December 31,
			2014		2013		2012
	Expected life (years)		2		2		2
	Risk-free interest rate		0.3 - 0.5%		0.3 - 0.4%		0.2 - 0.6%
	Dividend yield		3.4 - 3.5%		2.3 - 3.8%		2.2 - 2.7%
	Expected volatility		27.6 - 30.6%		38.9 - 40.6%		43.7 - 79.7%
	For the years ended December 31, 2014, 2013 and 2012, an aggregate of 137,000, 288,000 and 292,000 common shares, respectively, were purchased pursuant to the ESPP.
	Modifications
	From time to time, the Company enters into consulting agreements with its departing employees. Some of these agreements may include continued vesting of the departing employees’ stock awards and an extension of the exercise period from the standard 90 days from employment termination date to the termination of the consulting agreement. As a result of modifications related to former employees, the Company incurred stock-based compensation expense of $(0.3) million, $3.0 million, and $0.1 million for the years ended December 31, 2014, 2013 and 2012, respectively.

Income_Taxes

Income Taxes	12 Months Ended
	Dec. 31, 2014
Income Tax Disclosure [Abstract]
Income Taxes	INCOME TAXES
	The components of total income (loss) before income taxes from continuing operations are as follows (in thousands):
		Years ended December 31,
		2014				2013				2012
	U.S.	$	155,757			$	(36,096	)		$	22,255
	Foreign	11,489				31,047				32,566
	Total income (loss) before income taxes from continuing operations	$	167,246			$	(5,049	)		$	54,821
	The provision for (benefit from) income taxes consisted of the following (in thousands):
		Years ended December 31,
		2014				2013				2012
	Current:
	U.S. federal	$	(797	)		$	(4,350	)		$	17,600
	Foreign	31,824				14,967				7,835
	State and local	8				8				69
	Total current	31,035				10,625				25,504
	Deferred:
	U.S. federal	(38,732		)		25,235				(6,719		)
	Foreign	—				—				—
	State and local	—				—				1,301
	Total deferred	(38,732		)		25,235				(5,418		)
	Provision for (benefit from) income taxes	$	(7,697	)		$	35,860			$	20,086
	Deferred income taxes reflect the net tax effects of temporary differences between the carrying amount of assets and liabilities for financial reporting purposes and the amounts for income tax purposes.
	Significant components of the company’s deferred tax assets and liabilities are as follows (in thousands):
		December 31,
		2014				2013
	Deferred tax assets
	Net operating loss carryforwards	$	15,053			$	29,235
	Research tax credit	8,332				7,273
	Foreign tax credit	22,885				19,945
	Expenses not currently deductible	15,096				17,688
	Basis difference in fixed and intangible assets	7,090				18,467
	Gross deferred tax assets	68,456				92,608
	Valuation allowance	(27,087		)		(91,130		)
	Net deferred tax assets	41,369				1,478
	Deferred tax liabilities
	Acquired intangible assets, foreign	(276		)		(518		)
	Unremitted earnings of foreign subsidiaries	(187		)		(520		)
	Net deferred tax assets	$	40,906			$	440
	At December 31, 2014 and 2013, the Company had a valuation allowance of $27.1 million and $91.1 million, respectively, related to federal, state, and foreign tax attributes that the Company believes to be not realizable on a more-likely-than-not basis. The decrease of $64.0 million in the valuation allowance in 2014 was due primarily to federal tax attributes which the Company asserts to be realizable. During the year 2014, a valuation allowance was released against substantially all of the Company's federal deferred tax assets as the Company concluded such assets were fully realizable. The need for a valuation allowance requires an assessment of both positive and negative evidence when determining whether it is more likely than not that deferred tax assets are recoverable. Such assessment is required on a jurisdiction-by-jurisdiction basis. In making such assessment, significant weight is given to evidence that can be objectively verified. After considering both negative and positive evidence to assess the recoverability of the Company's net deferred tax assets during the year 2014, the Company determined that it was more likely than not the Company would realize the full value of federal deferred tax assets given current certainties regarding the timing of profits and forecasted future profitability. The Company will continue to monitor the likelihood that it will be able to recover the deferred tax assets in the future. This determination includes objectively verifiable positive evidence that outweighs potential negative evidence.
	A reconciliation of the statutory U.S. federal income tax rate to the Company’s effective tax rate is as follows:
		Years Ended December 31,
		2014			2013			2012
	U.S. federal statutory rate	35	%		(35.0	)%		35	%
	State, net of federal benefit	—			0.1			2.5
	Stock-based compensation expense	0.3			4			0.6
	Tax exempt interest	—			(2.6	)		(0.3	)
	Research tax credit and other	(0.3	)		(11.2	)		—
	Foreign withholding tax	18.8			292.5			14.1
	Foreign losses not benefited	—			(32.8	)		(2.6	)
	Foreign tax rate differential	(2.2	)		(7.4	)		(1.0	)
	Foreign tax credit	(17.9	)		—			(11.9	)
	Change in valuation allowance	(38.7	)		491.1			—
	Others	0.4			11.5			0.2
	Total	(4.6	)%		710.2	%		36.6	%
	As of December 31, 2014, the Company had no remaining federal net operating loss carryforwards and approximately $156.3 million state net operating loss carryforwards. A significant amount of the state net operating loss carryforwards are carried over from the acquired entities, Digital Optics Corporation in 2006 and Siimpel Corporation in 2010. These operating loss carryforwards, if not utilized, will begin to expire on various dates beginning in 2015, and will continue to expire through 2033. In addition, the Company has research tax credit carryforwards of approximately $3.3 million for federal purposes, which will start to expire in 2015, and will continue to expire through 2034. The Company also has research tax credit carryforwards of approximately $5.8 million for state purposes and $1.3 million for foreign purposes, which will never expire. The Company has $22.9 million of foreign tax credit carryforwards which will expire beginning in 2022, and will continue to expire through 2024. Under the provisions of the Internal Revenue Code, substantial changes in the Company or its subsidiaries’ ownership may limit the amount of net operating loss and research tax credit carryforwards that can be utilized annually in the future to offset taxable income.
	The Company plans to permanently reinvest the unremitted earnings of its non-U.S. subsidiaries except for the Company's Israel and Japan subsidiaries where the closure of these subsidiares is imminent following the Company's announcement to restructure its DigitalOptics business and cease its MEMS manufacturing operations. The Company has accrued a deferred tax liability of $0.2 million for the withholding taxes that would arise on the distribution of the Israel and Japan subsidiaries' earnings.
	As of December 31, 2014, unrecognized tax benefits approximated $2.7 million, (which is included in other long-term liabilities on the Consolidated Balance Sheet), of which $1.1 million would affect the effective tax rate if recognized. As of December 31, 2013, unrecognized tax benefits approximated $5.0 million, of which $3.5 million would affect the effective tax rate if recognized. As of December 31, 2014, it is reasonably possible that unrecognized tax benefits may decrease by $1.3 million to $1.5 million in the next 12 months due to the expected lapse of statute of limitation relating to federal tax deductions and research tax credit, foreign tax incentives and the closure of a foreign subsidiary.
	The reconciliation of the Company's unrecognized tax benefits for the years ended December 31, 2014, 2013 and 2012 is as follows (in thousands):
		Years Ended December 31,
		2014				2013				2012
	Total unrecognized tax benefits at January 1	$	5,031			$	4,831			$	3,770
	Gross increases and decreases due to tax positions taken in prior periods	(193		)		18				822
	Gross increases and decreases due to tax positions taken in the current period	150				290				239
	Gross increases and decreases due to settlements with taxing authorities	(2,023		)		(87		)		—
Gross increases and decreases due to lapses in applicable statutes of limitations	(231		)		(21		)		—
Total unrecognized tax benefits at December 31	$	2,734			$	5,031			$	4,831
It is the Company's policy to classify accrued interest and penalties related to unrecognized tax benefits in the provision for income taxes. For the years ended December 31, 2014, 2013, and 2012, the Company recognized an insignificant amount of interest and penalties related to unrecognized tax benefits. For the years ended December 31, 2014 and 2013, the Company accrued $0.5 million and $0.6 million, respectively, of interest and penalties related to unrecognized tax benefits.
At December 31, 2014, the Company’s 2008 through 2014 tax years were open and subject to potential examination in one or more jurisdictions. In addition, in the U.S., any net operating losses or credits that were generated in prior years but utilized in the open years may also be subject to examination. The Company recently completed an Internal Revenue Service examination related to its 2008 and 2009 tax returns which resulted in minimal changes to the statement of operations. The Company is currently under examination in California on its 2011 and 2012 tax returns. We cannot estimate the financial outcome of the California examination. The Company is not currently under foreign income tax examination.

Commitments_And_Contingencies

Commitments And Contingencies	12 Months Ended
	Dec. 31, 2014
Commitments and Contingencies Disclosure [Abstract]
Commitments And Contingencies	COMMITMENTS AND CONTINGENCIES
	Lease and Purchase Commitments
	The Company leases office and research facilities and office equipment under operating leases which expire at various dates through 2020. The amounts reflected in the table below are for the aggregate future minimum lease payments under non-cancelable facility and equipment operating leases. Under lease agreements that contain escalating rent provisions, lease expense is recorded on a straight-line basis over the lease term. Rent expense for the years ended December 31, 2014, 2013 and 2012 amounted to $3.6 million, $3.9 million and $3.7 million, respectively.
	As of December 31, 2014, future minimum lease payments are as follows (in thousands):
		Lease
		Obligations
	2015	$	2,814
	2016	2,257
	2017	2,303
	2018	2,340
	2019	2,150
	Thereafter	1,808
		$	13,672
	Contingencies
	At each reporting period, the Company evaluates whether or not a potential loss amount or a potential range of loss is probable and reasonably estimable under the provisions of the authoritative guidance that addresses accounting for contingencies. The Company is currently unable to predict the final outcome of these lawsuits and therefore cannot determine the likelihood of loss nor estimate a range of possible loss. An adverse decision in any of these proceedings could significantly harm the Company’s business and consolidated financial position, results of operations or cash flows.
	Litigation Matters
	The Company and its subsidiaries are involved in litigation matters and claims in the normal course of business. In the past, the Company and its subsidiaries have litigated to enforce their respective patents and other intellectual property rights, to enforce the terms of license agreements, to protect trade secrets, to determine the validity and scope of the proprietary rights of others and to defend against claims of infringement or invalidity. The Company expects it or its subsidiaries will be involved in similar legal proceedings in the future, including proceedings regarding infringement of its patents and proceedings to ensure proper and full payment of royalties by licensees under the terms of its license agreements.
	These existing and any future legal actions may harm the Company’s business. For example, they could cause an existing licensee or strategic partner to cease making royalty or other payments to the Company, or to challenge the validity and enforceability of patents owned by the Company’s subsidiaries or the scope of license agreements with the Company’s subsidiaries, and could significantly damage the Company’s relationship with such licensee or strategic partner and, as a result, prevent the adoption of the Company’s other technologies by such licensee or strategic partner. Litigation could also severely disrupt or shut down the business operations of licensees or strategic partners of the Company’s subsidiaries, which in turn would significantly harm ongoing relations with them and cause the Company to lose royalty revenues.
	The costs associated with legal proceedings are typically high, relatively unpredictable and not completely within the Company’s control. These costs may be materially higher than expected, which could adversely affect the Company’s operating results and lead to volatility in the price of its common stock. Whether or not determined in the Company’s favor or ultimately settled, litigation diverts managerial, technical, legal and financial resources from the Company’s business operations. Furthermore, an adverse decision in any of these legal actions could result in a loss of the Company’s proprietary rights, subject the Company to significant liabilities, require the Company to seek licenses from others, limit the value of the Company’s licensed technology or otherwise negatively impact the Company’s stock price or its business and consolidated financial position, results of operations or cash flows.

Segment_And_Geographic_Informa

Segment And Geographic Information	12 Months Ended
	Dec. 31, 2014
Segment Reporting [Abstract]
Segment And Geographic Information	SEGMENT AND GEOGRAPHIC INFORMATION
	In the first quarter of 2014, following the Company’s actions to cease manufacturing operations in the DigitalOptics business, the Company determined that it operates its business in one operating segment, focused on the monetization of intellectual property, both internally developed and acquired, through royalties, licenses and other means. Previously, the Company operated in two operating segments - Intellectual Property and DigitalOptics. The Company's chief operating decision maker is the Chief Executive Officer, who reviews financial information presented on a consolidated basis for purposes of making operating decisions and assessing financial performance.
	A significant portion of the Company’s revenues is derived from licensees headquartered outside of the U.S., principally in Asia, and it is expected that these revenues will continue to account for a significant portion of total revenues in future periods. The table below lists the geographic revenues from continuing operations for the periods indicated (in thousands):
		Years Ended December 31,
		2014				2013					2012
	Taiwan	$	100,049	36	%	$	2,596		2	%	$	27,179	14	%
	Korea	98,100		35		64,092			37		40,257		20
	U.S.	39,448		14		41,878			25		103,152		49
	Other Asia	28,979		10		10,103			6		11,503		4
	Japan	10,014		4		48,481			29		23,312		11
	Europe and other	2,217		1		1,661			1		4,353		2
		$	278,807	100	%	$	168,811		100	%	$	209,756	100	%
	For the years ended December 31, 2014, 2013, and 2012, three, three and four customers, respectively, each accounted for 10% or more of total revenues.
	As of December 31, 2014, 2013 and 2012 property and equipment, net, by geographical area are presented below (in thousands):
		Years Ended December 31,
		2014		2013			2012
	U.S.	$	3,802	$	4,725		$	39,467
	Taiwan	—		2,394			18,176
	Israel	—		1,431			1,834
	Europe and other	520		931			2,028
	China	—		—			11,039
	Total	$	4,322	$	9,481		$	72,544

Restructuring_Impairment_of_Lo

Restructuring, Impairment of Long-Lived Assets And Other Charges And Gain on Sale of Patents	12 Months Ended
	Dec. 31, 2014
Restructuring and Related Activities [Abstract]
Restructuring, Impairment of Long-Lived Assets And Other Charges And Gain on Sale of Patents	RESTRUCTURING, IMPAIRMENT OF LONG-LIVED ASSETS AND OTHER CHARGES AND GAIN ON SALE OF PATENTS
	In November 2012, the Company announced a restructuring of its operations in Tel Aviv, Israel. In connection with this effort, the Company reduced its workforce and ceased operations at its facility in Tel Aviv, Israel and incurred total charges of $2.5 million in the fourth quarter of 2012.
	In 2013, the Company continued reorganizing the DigitalOptics segment by closing its manufacturing operation in Zhuhai, China, selling a significant portion of the assets of the Company's Micro-Optics business based in Charlotte, North Carolina. On January 16, 2014, the Company announced a restructuring of its DigitalOptics segment to cease all remaining manufacturing operations resulting in the impairment charges related to the Company's long-lived assets. For the year ended December 31, 2013, the Company incurred cumulative charges, which include continuing and discontinued operations in total, of $5.9 million in severance and $70.9 million in impairment of long-lived assets and other charges.
	In 2014, the Company recorded a gain of $11.9 million on patents sold in 2014. Prior to the sale, these patents were included in the Company's patent portfolio available for licensing. This gain was partially offset by approximately $1.5 million in restructuring charges for severance and other facility costs related to reduction in administrative personnel.
	For more information regarding these actions, see Note 6 - "Discontinued Operations" and Note 8 - "Goodwill and Identified Intangible Assets."

Benefit_Plan

Benefit Plan	12 Months Ended
	Dec. 31, 2014
Compensation and Retirement Disclosure [Abstract]
Benefit Plan	BENEFIT PLAN
	The Company maintains a 401(k) retirement savings plan that allows voluntary contributions by all employees upon their hire date. Eligible employees may elect to contribute up to the maximum amount allowed under Internal Revenue Service regulations. The Company can make discretionary contribution under the 401(k) plan. During the years ended December 31, 2014, 2013 and 2012, the Company contributed approximately $0.4 million, $0.9 million, and $1.4 million, respectively, to the 401(k) Plan.

Subsequent_Events

Subsequent Events	12 Months Ended
	Dec. 31, 2014
Subsequent Events [Abstract]
Subsequent Event	SUBSEQUENT EVENTS
	Declaration of a Cash Dividend -
	On February 3, 2015, the Board declared a cash dividend of $0.20 per share of common stock, payable on March 24, 2015, for the stockholders of record at the close of business on March 3, 2015.

Schedule_II_Valuation_and_Qual

Schedule II Valuation and Qualifying Schedule II Valuation and Qualifying	12 Months Ended
	Dec. 31, 2014
Valuation and Qualifying Accounts [Abstract]
Schedule II Valuation and Qualifying Accounts	Schedule II. Valuation and Qualifying Accounts for the Years Ended December 31, 2014, 2013 and 2012
		Balance at Beginning of Year		Charged (Credited) to Expenses			Charged (Credited) to Other Accounts		Balance at End of Year
	Deferred income tax asset:
	Valuation allowance
	2012	$	7,196	$	6,454		$	933	$	14,583
	2013	$	14,583	$	76,547		$	—	$	91,130
	2014	$	91,130	$	(64,043	)	$	—	$	27,087

Summary_Of_Significant_Account1

Summary Of Significant Accounting Policies (Policies)	12 Months Ended
	Dec. 31, 2014
Accounting Policies [Abstract]
Use of Estimates	Use of estimates
	The preparation of financial statements in conformity with U.S. GAAP requires management to make estimates and assumptions that affect the amounts reported in the financial statements and accompanying notes. The accounting estimates and assumptions that require management’s most significant, difficult, and subjective judgment include the recognition and measurement of current and deferred income tax assets and liabilities, the fair value measurements of investments, the assessment of the recoverability of goodwill, the assessment of useful lives and recoverability of long-lived assets, the assessment of unrecognized tax benefits and the valuation and recognition of stock-based compensation expense, among others. Actual results experienced by the Company may differ from management’s estimates.
Cash and Cash Equivalents	Cash and Cash Equivalents
	The Company considers all highly liquid investments purchased with an original or remaining maturity of three months or less at the date of purchase to be cash equivalents. Cash and cash equivalents are maintained with various financial institutions.
Financial Instruments	Financial Instruments
	Investments consist primarily of municipal bonds and notes, corporate bonds and notes, treasury and agency notes and bills, commercial paper, certificates of deposit, and money market funds. Investments with remaining maturities from original purchase date of three months or less are considered to be cash equivalents. Investments with remaining maturities from original purchase date greater than three months are generally classified as available-for-sale for use, if required, in current operations, and are classified as short-term investments. Investments determined to lack an active market for a period greater than 12 months are classified as long-term investments. The Company’s cash equivalents and short-term investments are classified as available-for-sale. Unrealized gains and losses on securities, net of tax, are recorded in accumulated other comprehensive income and reported as a separate component of stockholders’ equity. The Company evaluates the investments periodically for possible other-than-temporary impairment and reviews factors such as the length of time and extent to which fair value has been below cost basis, the financial condition of the issuer, the Company’s intent to hold and whether the Company will not be required to sell the security before its anticipated recovery, on a more-likely-than-not basis. If the declines in the fair value of the investments are determined to be other-than-temporary, the Company reports the credit loss portion of such decline in other income and expense, net, and the remaining noncredit loss portion in accumulated other comprehensive income. The cost of securities sold is based on the specific identification method. Interest and dividend income and realized gains or losses are included in other income and expense, net.
Concentration of credit and other risks	Concentration of credit and other risks
	Financial instruments that potentially subject the Company to significant concentrations of credit risk consist principally of cash equivalents, short-term investments and accounts receivable. The Company follows a corporate investment policy which sets credit, maturity and concentration limits and regularly monitors the composition, market risk and maturities of these investments. The Company believes that any concentration of credit risk in its accounts receivable is substantially mitigated by the Company’s evaluation process, relatively short collection terms and the high level of credit worthiness of its customers. The Company performs ongoing credit evaluations of its customers’ financial condition and limits the amount of credit extended when deemed necessary but generally requires no collateral.
Goodwill and identified intangible assets	Goodwill and identified intangible assets
	Goodwill. Goodwill is recorded as the difference, if any, between the aggregate consideration paid for an acquisition and the fair value of the net tangible and identified intangible assets acquired under a business combination. The Company reviews impairment of goodwill annually in the third quarter. The Company first assesses qualitative factors to determine whether it is more-likely-than-not that the fair value of a reporting unit is less than its carrying amount as a basis for determining whether it is necessary to perform the two-step goodwill impairment test. If the Company concludes it is more-likely-than-not that the fair value of a reporting unit exceeds its carrying amount, it need not perform the two-step impairment test.
	If based on the qualitative assessment, the Company believes it is more-likely-than-not that the fair value of its reporting units is less than its carrying value, a two-step goodwill impairment test is required to be performed. The first step requires the Company to compare the fair value of each reporting unit to its carrying value including allocated goodwill. The Company determines the fair value of its reporting units using an equal weighting of the results derived from an income approach and a market approach. The income approach is estimated through the discounted cash flow method based on assumptions about future conditions such as future revenue growth rates, new product and technology introductions, gross margins, operating expenses, discount rates, future economic and market conditions, and other assumptions. The market approach estimates the fair value of the Company’s equity by utilizing the market comparable method which is based on revenue multiples from comparable companies in similar lines of business. If the carrying value of a reporting unit exceeds the reporting unit’s fair value, the Company performs the second step of the goodwill impairment test to determine the amount of impairment loss.
	The second step of the goodwill impairment test involves comparing the implied fair value of the reporting unit with the carrying value of the reporting unit. An impairment charge is recognized for the excess of the carrying value of the reporting unit over its implied fair value. Determining the fair value of a reporting unit is subjective in nature and requires the use of significant estimates and assumptions, including revenue growth rates and operating margins, discount rates and future market conditions, among others.
	Identified intangible assets. Identified intangible assets consist of acquired patents, existing technology, trade names, assembled workforce and non-compete agreements resulting from business combinations, and acquired patents under asset purchase agreements. The Company’s identified intangible assets are amortized on a straight-line basis over their estimated useful lives, ranging from 4 to 15 years. The Company makes judgments about the recoverability of purchased finite-lived intangible assets whenever facts and circumstances indicate that the useful life is shorter than originally estimated or that the carrying amount of assets may not be recoverable. If such facts and circumstances exist, the Company assesses recoverability by comparing the projected undiscounted net cash flows associated with the related asset or group of assets over their remaining lives against their respective carrying amounts. Impairments, if any, are based on the excess of the carrying amount over the fair value of those assets. If the useful life is shorter than originally estimated, the Company would accelerate the rate of amortization and amortize the remaining carrying value over the new shorter useful life.
	For further discussion of goodwill and identified intangible assets, see “Note 8 – Goodwill and Identified Intangible Assets.”
Treasury stock	Treasury stock
	The Company accounts for stock repurchases using the cost method. For reissuance of treasury stock, to the extent that the reissuance price is more than the cost, the excess is recorded as an increase to capital in excess of par value. If the reissuance price is less than the cost, the difference is recorded in capital in excess of par value to the extent there is a cumulative treasury stock paid in capital balance. Once the cumulative balance is reduced to zero, any remaining difference resulting from the sale of treasury stock below cost is recorded as a reduction of retained earnings.
Revenue Recognition	Revenue recognition
	The Company derives its revenue from royalty and license fees. Revenues are recognized when there is persuasive evidence of an arrangement, delivery has occurred, the fee is fixed or determinable, and collectability of the resulting receivable is reasonably assured. Determining whether and when these criteria have been satisfied requires the Company to make assumptions and judgments which could have a significant impact on the timing and amount of revenues it reports.
	Royalty revenues are generated from a licensee's production or shipment of licensed products incorporating the Company’s intellectual property, technologies or software. Running royalties are primarily based on unit volumes shipped. Licensees generally report shipment information within 30 to 60 days following the end of the quarter. From time to time the Company also enters into license agreements that provide for fixed license fees or royalty payments. When there is no reliable basis on which the Company can estimate its royalty revenues prior to obtaining these reports from the licensees, the Company recognizes royalty revenues on a one-quarter lag. Royalty revenue also includes payments resulting from periodic compliance audits of licensees, as part of a settlement of a patent infringement dispute, or judgments of license dispute.
	License revenues are generated from license agreements for certain rights to the Company’s intellectual property technologies. The Company also derives revenue from software licenses for digital and video photography image enhancement technology. In some instances, the Company may enter into license agreements that involve multiple element arrangements to also include technology transfer, design, technical service and unspecified support. For technology and software licenses, revenue is recognized upon delivery or on a straight-line basis over the period in which the unspecified support or service is performed.
	The Company provides payment terms to licensees based upon their financial strength, credit worthiness and the Company’s collection experience with the licensee. If the Company provides extended payment terms, revenue is deferred until payment is due.
Indemnification	Indemnification
	The Company provides indemnification of varying scope to certain customers against claims of intellectual property infringement made by third parties arising from the use of the Company’s technologies. In accordance with authoritative guidance for accounting for guarantees, the Company evaluates estimated losses for such indemnification. The Company considers such factors as the degree of probability of an unfavorable outcome and the ability to make a reasonable estimate of the amount of loss. To date, no such claims have been filed against the Company and, as a result, no liability has been recorded in the Company’s financial statements.
	As permitted under Delaware law, the Company has agreements whereby it indemnifies its officers and directors for certain events or occurrences while the officer or director is, or was, serving at the Company’s request in such capacity. The maximum potential amount of future payments the Company could be required to make under these indemnification agreements is unlimited; however, the Company has Directors’ and Officers’ Liability insurance coverage that is intended to reduce its financial exposure and may enable the Company to recover a portion of any such payments. The Company believes the estimated fair value of these indemnification agreements in excess of applicable insurance coverage is minimal.
Research, development and other related costs	Research, development and other related costs
	Research, development and other related costs consist primarily of compensation and related costs for personnel, as well as costs related to patent applications and examinations, product "tear downs" and reverse engineering, materials, supplies and equipment depreciation. Research and development is conducted primarily in-house and targets development of chip-scale and multi-chip packaging, circuitry design, 3D architectures, wafer-level packaging technology, advanced substrates, and image enhancement technology. All research, development and other related costs are expensed as incurred.
Stock-based compensation expense	Stock-based compensation expense
	The Company accounts for stock-based compensation expense in accordance with the authoritative guidance on share-based payment. Under the provisions of the guidance, stock-based compensation expense is measured at the grant date based on the fair value of the option using a Black-Scholes option pricing model and is recognized as expense on a straight-line basis over the requisite service period, which is generally the vesting period. The fair value of the Company’s stock awards for non-employees was estimated based on the fair market value on each vesting date, accounted for under the variable-accounting method.
	The authoritative guidance also requires that the Company measure and recognize stock-based compensation expense upon modification of the term of stock award. The stock-based compensation expense for such modification is the sum of any unamortized expense of the award before modification and the modification expense. The modification expense is the incremental amount of the fair value of the award before the modification and the fair value of the award after the modification, measured on the date of modification. In the case when the modification results in a longer requisite period than in the original award, the Company has elected to apply the pool method where the aggregate of the unamortized expense and the modification expense is amortized over the new requisite period on a straight-line basis. In addition, any forfeiture will be based on the original requisite period prior to the modification.
	Calculating stock-based compensation expense requires the input of highly subjective assumptions, including the expected term of the stock-based awards, stock price volatility, and the pre-vesting option forfeiture rate. The Company estimates the expected life of options granted based on historical exercise patterns, which are believed to be representative of future behavior. The Company estimates the volatility of the Company’s common stock on the date of grant based on historical volatility. The assumptions used in calculating the fair value of stock-based awards represent the Company’s best estimates, but these estimates involve inherent uncertainties and the application of management judgment. As a result, if factors change and the Company uses different assumptions, its stock-based compensation expense could be materially different in the future. In addition, the Company is required to estimate the expected forfeiture rate and only recognize expense for those shares expected to vest. The Company estimates the forfeiture rate based on historical experience of its stock-based awards that are granted, exercised and cancelled. If the actual forfeiture rate is materially different from the estimate, stock-based compensation expense could be significantly different from what was recorded in the current period. See Note 11 – “Stock-based Compensation Expense” for additional detail.
Income Taxes	Income taxes
	The Company must make certain estimates and judgments in determining income tax expense for financial statement purposes. These estimates and judgments occur in the calculation of tax credits, tax benefits, tax deductions, and in the calculation of certain deferred taxes and tax liabilities. Significant changes to these estimates may result in an increase or decrease to the Company’s tax provision in a subsequent period.
	The provision for income taxes was comprised of the Company’s current tax liability and changes in deferred income tax assets and liabilities. The calculation of the current tax liability involves dealing with uncertainties in the application of complex tax laws and regulations and in determining the liability for tax positions, if any, taken on the Company’s tax returns in accordance with authoritative guidance on accounting for uncertainty in income taxes. Deferred income taxes are determined based on the differences between the financial reporting and tax basis of assets and liabilities. The Company must assess the likelihood that it will be able to recover the Company’s deferred tax assets. If recovery is not likely on a more-likely-than-not basis, the Company must increase its provision for income taxes by recording a valuation allowance against the deferred tax assets that it estimates will not ultimately be recoverable. However, should there be a change in the Company’s ability to recover its deferred tax assets, the provision for income taxes would fluctuate in the period of such change. See Note 12 – “Income Taxes” for additional detail.
Contingencies	Contingencies
	From time to time, the Company may be involved in legal and administrative proceedings and claims of various types. The Company records a liability in its consolidated financial statements for these matters when a loss is known or considered probable and the amount can be reasonably estimated. Management reviews these estimates in each accounting period as additional information becomes known and adjusts the loss provision when appropriate. If the loss is not probable or cannot be reasonably estimated, a liability is not recorded in the consolidated financial statements. If a loss is probable but the amount of loss cannot be reasonably estimated, the Company discloses the loss contingency and an estimate of possible loss or range of loss (unless such an estimate cannot be made). The Company does not recognize gain contingencies until they are realized. Legal costs incurred in connection with loss contingencies are expensed as incurred. See Note 13 – "Commitments and Contingencies,” for further information regarding the Company’s pending litigation.
Fair Value Measurement, Policy	FAIR VALUE
	The Company follows the authoritative guidance fair value measurement and the fair value option for financial assets and financial liabilities. Fair value is defined as the exchange price that would be received for an asset or paid to transfer a liability, or an exit price, in the principal or most advantageous market for the asset or liability in an orderly transaction between market participants on the measurement date. The established fair value hierarchy requires an entity to maximize the use of observable inputs and minimize the use of unobservable inputs when measuring fair value. There are three levels of inputs that may be used to measure fair value:
	Level 1	Quoted prices in active markets for identical assets.
	Level 2	Observable market-based inputs or unobservable inputs that are corroborated by market data.
	Level 3	Unobservable inputs that are supported by little or no market activity and that are significant to the fair value of the assets. Level 3 assets and liabilities include financial instruments whose value is determined using pricing models, discounted cash flow methodologies, or similar techniques, as well as instruments for which the determination of fair value requires significant management judgment or estimation.
Property, Plant and Equipment, Policy [Policy Text Block]	Property and equipment
	Property and equipment are recorded at cost and depreciated using the straight-line method over their estimated useful lives. The depreciable lives range from one to five years.

Recovered_Sheet1

Summary of Significant Accounting Policies (Tables)	12 Months Ended
	Dec. 31, 2014
Accounting Policies [Abstract]
Summary of Customers Comprising 10% or More of Total Revenues	The following table sets forth revenues generated from customers which comprise 10% or more of total revenues for the periods indicated:
			Years Ended
			December 31,
			2014		2013		2012
	Powertech Technology Inc.		34	%	* %		11	%
	Samsung Electronics, Co. Ltd.		24	%	11	%	10	%
	SK hynix Inc.		11	%	26	%	*%
	Sony Corporation		*%		18	%	*%
	Micron Technology, Inc.		*%		*%		15	%
	Spansion Inc.		*%		*%		12	%
	*	denotes less than 10% of total revenues.

Composition_Of_Certain_Financi1

Composition Of Certain Financial Statement Captions (Tables)	12 Months Ended
	Dec. 31, 2014
Organization, Consolidation and Presentation of Financial Statements [Abstract]
Other Current Assets	Other current assets consisted of the following (in thousands):
		31-Dec-14			31-Dec-13
	Prepaid income taxes	$	12,841		$	14,817
	Interest receivable	2,138			2,311
	Other	2,142			5,373
		$	17,121		$	22,501
Accrued Liabilities	Accrued liabilities consisted of the following (in thousands):
		31-Dec-14			December 31, 2013 (1) (2)
	Employee compensation and benefits	$	10,734		$	7,460
	Purchase obligations	—			9,800
	Other	2,550			6,275
		$	13,284		$	23,535
	(1) Accrued liabilities at December 31, 2013 relating to the Company's operations in Charlotte, North Carolina and Zhuhai, China are included in current liabilities of discontinued operations. See Note 6 – "Discontinued Operations," for additional details.
	(2) Purchase obligations are related to inventory and equipment. See Note 15 - "Restructuring, Impairment of Long-lived Assets and Other Charges and Gain on Sale of Patents" for additional details.
Accumulated Other Comprehensive Income (Loss)	Accumulated other comprehensive income (loss) consisted of the following (in thousands):
		31-Dec-14			31-Dec-13
	Unrealized gain (loss) on available-for-sale securities, net of tax	$	(333	)	$	133
		$	(333	)	$	133

Financial_Instruments_Tables

Financial Instruments (Tables)	12 Months Ended
	Dec. 31, 2014
Investments, Debt and Equity Securities [Abstract]
Summary of Marketable Securities	The following is a summary of marketable securities at December 31, 2014 and December 31, 2013 (in thousands):
		31-Dec-14
		Cost		Gross			Gross			Estimated
				Unrealized			Unrealized			Fair
				Gains			Losses			Values
	Available-for-sale securities
	Corporate bonds and notes	$	282,279	$	13		$	(538	)	$	281,754
	Municipal bonds and notes	37,201		15			(1		)	37,215
	Treasury and agency notes and bills	41,271		10			(13		)	41,268
	Commercial paper	33,774		2			(1		)	33,775
	Money market funds	20,883		—			—			20,883
	Total available-for-sale securities	$	415,408	$	40		$	(553	)	$	414,895
	Reported in:
	Cash and cash equivalents									$	31,382
	Short-term investments									383,513
	Total marketable securities									$	414,895
		31-Dec-13
		Cost		Gross			Gross			Estimated
				Unrealized			Unrealized			Fair
				Gains			Losses			Values
	Available-for-sale securities
	Corporate bonds and notes	$	131,374	$	75		$	(31	)	$	131,418
	Municipal bonds and notes	109,879		74			(3		)	109,950
	Commercial paper	21,216		4			(1		)	21,219
	Treasury and agency notes and bills	28,038		17			(2		)	28,053
	Money market funds	13,198		—			—			13,198
	Total available-for-sale securities	$	303,705	$	170		$	(37	)	$	303,838
	Reported in:
	Cash and cash equivalents									$	17,973
	Short-term investments									285,865
	Total marketable securities									$	303,838
Schedule of Gross Unrealized Losses on Investments	The following table summarizes the fair value and gross unrealized losses related to individual available-for-sale securities at December 31, 2014 and 2013, which have been in a continuous unrealized loss position, aggregated by investment category and length of time (in thousands):
	31-Dec-14	Less Than 12 Months					12 Months or More						Total
		Fair Value		Gross			Fair			Gross			Fair Value		Gross
				Unrealized			Value			Unrealized					Unrealized
				Losses						Losses					Losses
	Corporate bonds and notes	$	240,165	$	(535	)	$	5,453		$	(3	)	$	245,618	$	(538	)
	Municipal bonds and notes	1,061		(1		)	—			—			1,061		(1		)
	Commercial paper	9,482		(1		)	—			—			9,482		(1		)
	Treasury and agency notes and bills	16,245		(13		)	—			—			16,245		(13		)
	Total	$	266,953	$	(550	)	$	5,453		$	(3	)	$	272,406	$	(553	)
	31-Dec-13	Less Than 12 Months					12 Months or More						Total
		Fair Value		Gross			Fair			Gross			Fair Value		Gross
				Unrealized			Value			Unrealized					Unrealized
				Losses						Losses					Losses
	Corporate bonds and notes	$	9,151	$	(31	)	$	—		$	—		$	9,151	$	(31	)
	Municipal bonds and notes	5,495		(3		)	—			—			5,495		(3		)
	Commercial paper	66,379		(1		)	—			—			66,379		(1		)
	Total	$	81,025	$	(35	)	$	—		$	—		$	81,025	$	(35	)
Estimated Fair Value of Marketable Securities by Contractual Maturity	The estimated fair value of marketable securities by contractual maturity at December 31, 2014 is shown below (in thousands). Actual maturities may differ from contractual maturities because issuers may have the right to call or prepay obligations without call or prepayment penalties.
		Estimated
		Fair Value
	Due in one year or less	$	252,110
	Due in one to two years	149,787
	Due in two to three years	12,998
	Total	$	414,895

Discontinued_Operations_Tables

Discontinued Operations (Tables)	12 Months Ended
	Dec. 31, 2014
Discontinued Operations and Disposal Groups [Abstract]
Schedule of Disposal Groups, Including Discontinued Operations, Income Statement, Balance Sheet and Additional Disclosures	The results from discontinued operations were as follows (in thousands):
		Years Ended December 31,
		2014					2013					2012
	Revenues:
	Product and service revenues	$	32				$	6,524				$	24,267
	Total revenues	32					6,524					24,267
	Operating expenses:
	Cost of revenues	21					12,276					35,842
	Research, development and other related costs	6,190					60,117					61,745
	Selling, general and administrative	6,254					11,833					14,437
	Restructuring, impairment of long-lived assets and other charges and gain on sale of patents	(3,178		)	(1	)	72,280			(2	)	2,257
	Impairment of goodwill	—					6,548			(3	)	—
	Total operating expenses	9,287					163,054					114,281
	Other income and (expense), net	629					572					204
	Operating loss before taxes	(8,626		)			(155,958		)			(89,810		)
	Benefit from income taxes	(4,137		)			(11,312		)			(24,850		)
	Net loss from discontinued operations	$	(4,489	)			$	(144,646	)			$	(64,960	)
	(1) As noted above, the Company has undergone significant restructuring activities in 2014. The majority of restructuring, impairment and other charges occurred during 2013. In 2014, the company sold assets and the proceeds are netted against expenses.
	(2) As noted above, the Company has undergone restructuring activities in 2013. The majority of restructuring, impairment and other charges occurred during 2013. In 2013, the Company incurred $45.0 million in the impairment of fixed assets which primarily consisted of manufacturing equipment used in both the Zhuhai and Taiwan facilities, $16.6 million in the impairment of intangible assets which included the Eyesquad and Siimpel portfolios and $4.7 million of severance costs due to the related reductions in force.
	(3) See Note 8 – "Goodwill and Identified Intangible Assets."
	The current assets and current liabilities of discontinued operations were as follows (in thousands):
		December 31,			December 31,
		2014			2013
	Accounts receivable and other assets, net	$	390		$	29
	Property and equipment, net (1)	—			7,000
	Total assets of discontinued operations	$	390		$	7,029
	Accrued liabilities (2)	$	2,873		$	407
	Total liabilities of discontinued operations	$	2,873		$	407
	(1) The decrease in the December 31, 2014 balance from the December 31, 2013 balance results from the sale of land and building assets in August 2014. These assets originally belonged to the Company's DigitalOptics operations in Charlotte, N.C. but were not part of the sale of this business in 2013.
	(2) The increase in the December 31, 2014 balances from the December 31, 2013 balances is related to the cessation of all mems|cam manufacturing operations with the liabilities of those operations being included in discontinued operations since 2014, whereas they were included in continuing operations as of December 31, 2013. At December 31, 2014, this amount is primarily related to lease obligations and employee severance which are expected to be settled in cash in the first half of 2015.

Fair_Value_Tables

Fair Value (Tables)	12 Months Ended
	Dec. 31, 2014
Fair Value Disclosures [Abstract]
Schedule of Fair Value Assets and Liabilities Measured on Recurring Basis	The following is a list of the Company’s assets required to be measured at fair value on a recurring basis and where they were classified within the hierarchy as of December 31, 2014 (in thousands):
		Fair Value				Quoted				Significant				Significant
						Prices in				Other				Unobservable
						Active Markets				Observable				Inputs
						for Identical				Inputs				(Level 3)
						Assets				(Level 2)
						(Level  1)
	Assets
	Marketable Securities
	Money market funds (1)	$	20,883			$	20,883			$	—			$	—
	Corporate bonds and notes (2)	281,754				—				281,754				—
	Municipal bonds and notes (2)	37,215				—				37,215				—
	Treasury and agency notes and bills (2)	41,268				—				41,268				—
	Commercial paper (3)	33,775				—				33,775				—
	Total Assets	$	414,895			$	20,883			$	394,012			$	—
	The following footnotes indicate where the noted items were recorded in the Consolidated Balance Sheet at December 31, 2014:
	-1	Reported as cash and cash equivalents.
	-2	Reported as short-term investments.
	-3	Reported as either cash and cash equivalents or short-term investments.
	The following is a list of the Company’s assets required to be measured at fair value on a recurring basis and where they were classified within the hierarchy as of December 31, 2013 (in thousands):
		Fair Value				Quoted				Significant				Significant
						Prices in				Other				Unobservable
						Active Markets				Observable				Inputs
						for Identical				Inputs				(Level 3)
						Assets				(Level 2)
						(Level 1)
	Assets
	Marketable Securities
	Money market funds (1)	$	13,198			$	13,198			$	—			$	—
	Corporate bonds and notes (2)	131,418				—				131,418				—
	Municipal bonds and notes (2)	109,950				—				109,950				—
	Treasury and agency notes and bills (2)	28,053				—				28,053				—
	Commercial paper (3)	21,219				—				21,219				—
	Total Assets	$	303,838			$	13,198			$	290,640			$	—
	The following footnotes indicate where the noted items were recorded in the Consolidated Balance Sheet at December 31, 2013:
	-1	Reported as cash and cash equivalents.
	-2	Reported as short-term investments.
	-3	Reported as either cash and cash equivalents or short-term investments.
Fair Value Measurements, Nonrecurring	The following table represents the activity in level 3 assets (in thousands):
			Assets held for sale				Assets included in discontinued operations and held for sale					Other
	Balance at December 31, 2012		$	—			$	—				$	—
	Assets transferred		9,581				19,917					—
	Assets sold		(6,200		)		(3,978		)			—
	Assets written-off		(3,381		)		(6,219		)			—
	Balance at December 31, 2013		$	—			$	9,720		(1	)	$	—
	Assets transferred		—				1,398					—
	Assets sold		—				(11,118		)	(2	)	—
	Assets received		—				—					4,280			(3	)
	Balance at December 31, 2014		$	—			$	—				$	4,280
	(1) Comprised of assets remaining after the sale of the Micro-Optics business located in Charlotte, North Carolina, which was completed in August 2013 and as a result of the cessation of the Company's mems|cam manufacturing activities. See Note 5 - "Discontinued Operations" for more information. These assets are carried at market value as determined by specific third party quotes.
	(2) The assets in footnote 1 above were sold in 2014. Combined these assets sold for $17.1 million and resulted in a gain of $5.8 million.
	(3) This amount represents the value of the patents that were received as part of licensing settlements with customers. These assets were valued using a methodology based on an arms-length purchase price of bulk patent assets, with adjustments based on limited pick rights, the total available market, and remaining average patent life.

Goodwill_And_Identified_Intang1

Goodwill And Identified Intangible Assets (Tables)	12 Months Ended
	Dec. 31, 2014
Goodwill and Intangible Assets Disclosure [Abstract]
Identified Intangible Assets	Identified intangible assets consisted of the following (in thousands):
				31-Dec-14							31-Dec-13
		Average		Gross		Accumulated			Net		Gross		Accumulated			Net
		Life		Assets		Amortization					Assets		Amortization
		(Years)
	Acquired patents / core technology (1)	15-Mar		$	132,157	$	(62,053	)	$	70,104	$	121,962	$	(45,551	)	$	76,411
	Existing technology (2)	10-May		18,700		(17,932		)	768		18,700		(16,939		)	1,761
	Customer contracts (3)	9-Mar		8,600		(6,569		)	2,031		8,600		(5,614		)	2,986
	Trade name (4)	10-Apr		520		(498		)	22		520		(476		)	44
				$	159,977	$	(87,052	)	$	72,925	$	149,782	$	(68,580	)	$	81,202
	(1) In the first quarter of 2013, the Company recorded a $0.4 million impairment charge, which was included in the net loss from continuing operations due to abandonment of acquired patents and an impairment of $0.9 million relating to patents acquired in the Zhuhai Transaction, which impairment was included in the loss from discontinued operations. In addition, the Company sold $1.1 million (representing net book value) of patents relating to the Charlotte, North Carolina asset sale in the third quarter of 2013. In the fourth quarter of 2013, the Company recorded $5.2 million in impairment charges, which was included in the net loss from continuing operations, relating to patents that were part of the DigitalOptics business. In 2014, $5.9 million in patents were purchased and $4.3 million in patents were received through license settlements with customers.
	(2) In the first quarter of 2013, the Company incurred an $8.3 million charge, which was included in the net loss from continuing operations, due to the abandonment of existing technology which caused a revision of the useful life estimate of these technology assets thus fully impairing them. In the fourth quarter of 2013, the Company recorded $1.8 million of impairment charges relating to patents that were part of the DigitalOptics patent group.
	(3) In the first quarter of 2013, the Company incurred a $0.7 million impairment charge, which was included in the loss from discontinued operations, relating to the customer contracts of the Zhuhai Facility.
	(4) In the third quarter of 2013, the Company recorded a $0.9 million impairment charge, which was included in the loss from discontinued operations, relating to the trade name intangibles of the Charlotte, North Carolina operation.
Estimated Future Amortization Expense	As of December 31, 2014, the estimated future amortization expense of intangible assets is as follows (in thousands):
	2015	$	18,263
	2016	17,413
	2017	15,138
	2018	13,390
	2019	5,339
	Thereafter	3,382
		$	72,925

Net_Income_Loss_Per_Share_Tabl

Net Income (Loss) Per Share (Tables)	12 Months Ended
	Dec. 31, 2014
Earnings Per Share [Abstract]
Computation of Basic and Diluted Net Loss Per Share	The following table sets forth the computation of basic and diluted shares (in thousands):
		Years Ended December 31,
		2014		2013		2012
	Weighted average common shares outstanding	52,898		53,431		52,010
	Unvested common shares subject to repurchase	(79	)	(85	)	(33	)
	Total common shares-basic	52,819		53,346		51,977
	Effect of dilutive securities:
	Stock awards	346		—		80
	Restricted stock awards and units	398		—		193
	Total common shares-diluted	53,563		53,346		52,250

Stockholders_Equity_Tables

Stockholders' Equity (Tables)	12 Months Ended
	Dec. 31, 2014
Disclosure of Compensation Related Costs, Share-based Payments [Abstract]
Summary of Stock Option Activity	A summary of the stock option activity is presented below (in thousands, except per share amounts):
				Options Outstanding
		Number of		Weighted		Weighted Average Remaining Contractual Life (in years)		Aggregate Intrinsic Value
		Shares Subject to Options		Average
				Exercise
				Price Per
				Share
	Balance at December 31, 2011	6,819		$20.16
	Options granted	2,366		$15.14
	Options exercised	(167	)	$14.18
	Options canceled / forfeited / expired	(1,919	)	$23.22
	Balance at December 31, 2012	7,099		$17.80
	Options granted	1,204		$19.00
	Options exercised	(2,031	)	$16.51
	Options canceled / forfeited / expired	(2,355	)	$18.59
	Balance at December 31, 2013	3,917		$18.37
	Options granted	220		$22.29
	Options exercised	(1,797	)	$18.13
	Options canceled / forfeited / expired	(724	)	$18.00
	Balance at December 31, 2014	1,616		$19.34		7.76		$	26,634
	Vested and expected to vest at December 31, 2014	1,419				7.62		$	23,433
	Exercisable at December 31, 2014	559				6.26		$	8,785
Summary of Stock Options Outstanding and Exercisable	The following table summarizes information about stock options outstanding and exercisable under all of the Company’s plans at December 31, 2014:
			Options Outstanding								Options Exercisable
	Range of Exercise		Number		Weighted		Weighted				Number	Weighted
	Prices per Share		Outstanding		Average		Average				Exercisable	Average
			(in thousands)		Remaining		Exercise Price				(in thousands)	Exercise Price
					Contractual		per Share					per Share
					Life (in years)
	$12.52 - $14.91		251		7.17		$	13.97			98	$	13.69
	$15.35 - $17.55		204		7.37		$	16.94			65	$	16.84
	$17.74 - $18.74		34		7.2		$	18.26			14	$	18.58
	$18.84 - $18.84		438		8.94		$	18.84			110	$	18.84
	$18.89 - $20.35		221		7.85		$	19.35			105	$	19.35
	$20.43 - $20.43		191		8.78		$	20.43			34	$	20.43
	$20.63 - $26.16		182		6.73		$	23.57			77	$	25.08
	$26.34 - $44.27		95		4.75		$	33.13			56	$	35.13
	$12.52 - $44.27		1,616		7.76		$	19.34			559	$	20.22
Summary of Restricted Stock Awards and Units	Information with respect to outstanding restricted stock awards and units as of December 31, 2014 is as follows (in thousands, except per share amounts):
		Restricted Stock and Restricted Stock Units
		Number of Shares		Number of Shares			Total Number			Weighted Average
		Subject to Time-		Subject to			of Shares			Grant Date Fair
		based Vesting		Performance-						Value Per Share
				based Vesting
	Balance at December 31, 2011	730		261			991			$	17.6
	Awards and units granted	367		133			500			$	16.48
	Awards and units vested / earned	(233	)	(30	)		(263	)		$	17.14
	Awards and units canceled / forfeited	(149	)	(248	)		(397	)		$	19.09
	Balance at December 31, 2012	715		116			831			$	16.36
	Awards and units granted	596		358			954			$	19.26
	Awards and units vested / earned	(262	)	(27	)		(289	)		$	17.45
	Awards and units canceled / forfeited	(312	)	(99	)		(411	)		$	16.77
	Balance at December 31, 2013	737		348			1,085			$	18.46
	Awards and units granted	222		309			531			$	22.41
	Awards and units vested / earned	(289	)	—			(289	)		$	18.85
	Awards and units canceled / forfeited	(168	)	(24	)		(192	)		$	17.91
	Balance at December 31, 2014	502		633			1,135			$	20.3

StockBased_Compensation_Expens1

Stock-Based Compensation Expense (Tables)	12 Months Ended
	Dec. 31, 2014
Disclosure of Compensation Related Costs, Share-based Payments [Abstract]
Effect of Recording Stock-Based Compensation Expense	The effect of recording stock-based compensation expense for the years ended December 31, 2014, 2013 and 2012 is as follows (in thousands):
		Years Ended December 31,
		2014				2013		2012
	Cost of revenues	$	18			$	50	$	641
	Research, development and other related costs	2,823				3,591		6,455
	Selling, general and administrative	10,428				9,862		9,940
	Total stock-based compensation expense	13,269				13,503		17,036
	Tax effect on stock-based compensation expense	(1,968		)		—		(5,148		)
	Net effect on net income (loss)	$	11,301			$	13,503	$	11,888
Stock-Based Compensation Expense Categorized by Equity Components	Stock-based compensation expense categorized by various equity components for the years ended December 31, 2014, 2013 and 2012 is summarized in the table below (in thousands):
		Years Ended December 31,
		2014				2013		2012
	Employee stock options	$	3,336			$	7,815	$	10,332
	Restricted stock awards and units	9,322				4,317		4,792
	Employee stock purchase plan	611				1,371		1,912
	Total stock-based compensation expense	$	13,269			$	13,503	$	17,036
Schedule of Assumptions Used To Value Options Granted	The following assumptions were used to value the options granted:
		Years Ended December 31,
		2014		2013		2012
	Expected life (in years)	4.9		5		3.7
	Risk-free interest rate	1.6 - 1.8%		0.8 - 1.8%		0.5 - 0.8%
	Dividend yield	3.4 - 4.1%		2.1 - 3.8%		2.2 - 2.8%
	Expected volatility	37.3 - 41.4%		44.2 - 59.5%		45.3 - 66.4%
	The following assumptions were used to value the ESPP shares:
			Years Ended December 31,
			2014		2013		2012
	Expected life (years)		2		2		2
	Risk-free interest rate		0.3 - 0.5%		0.3 - 0.4%		0.2 - 0.6%
	Dividend yield		3.4 - 3.5%		2.3 - 3.8%		2.2 - 2.7%
	Expected volatility		27.6 - 30.6%		38.9 - 40.6%		43.7 - 79.7%

Income_Taxes_Tables

Income Taxes (Tables)	12 Months Ended
	Dec. 31, 2014
Income Tax Disclosure [Abstract]
Components of Income (Loss) Before Income Taxes	The components of total income (loss) before income taxes from continuing operations are as follows (in thousands):
		Years ended December 31,
		2014				2013				2012
	U.S.	$	155,757			$	(36,096	)		$	22,255
	Foreign	11,489				31,047				32,566
	Total income (loss) before income taxes from continuing operations	$	167,246			$	(5,049	)		$	54,821
Components of Provision for Income Taxes	The provision for (benefit from) income taxes consisted of the following (in thousands):
		Years ended December 31,
		2014				2013				2012
	Current:
	U.S. federal	$	(797	)		$	(4,350	)		$	17,600
	Foreign	31,824				14,967				7,835
	State and local	8				8				69
	Total current	31,035				10,625				25,504
	Deferred:
	U.S. federal	(38,732		)		25,235				(6,719		)
	Foreign	—				—				—
	State and local	—				—				1,301
	Total deferred	(38,732		)		25,235				(5,418		)
	Provision for (benefit from) income taxes	$	(7,697	)		$	35,860			$	20,086
Component of Company's Deferred Tax Assets and Liabilities	A reconciliation of the statutory U.S. federal income tax rate to the Company’s effective tax rate is as follows:
		Years Ended December 31,
		2014			2013			2012
	U.S. federal statutory rate	35	%		(35.0	)%		35	%
	State, net of federal benefit	—			0.1			2.5
	Stock-based compensation expense	0.3			4			0.6
	Tax exempt interest	—			(2.6	)		(0.3	)
	Research tax credit and other	(0.3	)		(11.2	)		—
	Foreign withholding tax	18.8			292.5			14.1
	Foreign losses not benefited	—			(32.8	)		(2.6	)
	Foreign tax rate differential	(2.2	)		(7.4	)		(1.0	)
	Foreign tax credit	(17.9	)		—			(11.9	)
	Change in valuation allowance	(38.7	)		491.1			—
	Others	0.4			11.5			0.2
	Total	(4.6	)%		710.2	%		36.6	%
	Significant components of the company’s deferred tax assets and liabilities are as follows (in thousands):
		December 31,
		2014				2013
	Deferred tax assets
	Net operating loss carryforwards	$	15,053			$	29,235
	Research tax credit	8,332				7,273
	Foreign tax credit	22,885				19,945
	Expenses not currently deductible	15,096				17,688
	Basis difference in fixed and intangible assets	7,090				18,467
	Gross deferred tax assets	68,456				92,608
	Valuation allowance	(27,087		)		(91,130		)
	Net deferred tax assets	41,369				1,478
	Deferred tax liabilities
	Acquired intangible assets, foreign	(276		)		(518		)
	Unremitted earnings of foreign subsidiaries	(187		)		(520		)
	Net deferred tax assets	$	40,906			$	440
Reconciliation of Unrecognized Tax Benefits	The reconciliation of the Company's unrecognized tax benefits for the years ended December 31, 2014, 2013 and 2012 is as follows (in thousands):
		Years Ended December 31,
		2014				2013				2012
	Total unrecognized tax benefits at January 1	$	5,031			$	4,831			$	3,770
	Gross increases and decreases due to tax positions taken in prior periods	(193		)		18				822
	Gross increases and decreases due to tax positions taken in the current period	150				290				239
	Gross increases and decreases due to settlements with taxing authorities	(2,023		)		(87		)		—
	Gross increases and decreases due to lapses in applicable statutes of limitations	(231		)		(21		)		—
	Total unrecognized tax benefits at December 31	$	2,734			$	5,031			$	4,831

Commitments_And_Contingencies_

Commitments And Contingencies (Tables)	12 Months Ended
	Dec. 31, 2014
Commitments and Contingencies Disclosure [Abstract]
Schedule of Future Minimum Lease Payments and Purchase Obligations	As of December 31, 2014, future minimum lease payments are as follows (in thousands):
		Lease
		Obligations
	2015	$	2,814
	2016	2,257
	2017	2,303
	2018	2,340
	2019	2,150
	Thereafter	1,808
		$	13,672

Segment_And_Geographic_Informa1

Segment And Geographic Information (Tables)	12 Months Ended
	Dec. 31, 2014
Segment Reporting [Abstract]
Schedule of Geographic Revenue Information	The table below lists the geographic revenues from continuing operations for the periods indicated (in thousands):
		Years Ended December 31,
		2014				2013					2012
	Taiwan	$	100,049	36	%	$	2,596		2	%	$	27,179	14	%
	Korea	98,100		35		64,092			37		40,257		20
	U.S.	39,448		14		41,878			25		103,152		49
	Other Asia	28,979		10		10,103			6		11,503		4
	Japan	10,014		4		48,481			29		23,312		11
	Europe and other	2,217		1		1,661			1		4,353		2
		$	278,807	100	%	$	168,811		100	%	$	209,756	100	%
Schedule of Property and Equipment, Net, by Geographical Area	As of December 31, 2014, 2013 and 2012 property and equipment, net, by geographical area are presented below (in thousands):
		Years Ended December 31,
		2014		2013			2012
	U.S.	$	3,802	$	4,725		$	39,467
	Taiwan	—		2,394			18,176
	Israel	—		1,431			1,834
	Europe and other	520		931			2,028
	China	—		—			11,039
	Total	$	4,322	$	9,481		$	72,544

Summary_Of_Significant_Account2

Summary Of Significant Accounting Policies (Narrative) (Details)	12 Months Ended
	Dec. 31, 2014	Dec. 31, 2013	Dec. 31, 2012
Concentration Risk [Line Items]
Concentration of risk	100.00%	100.00%	100.00%
Accounts Receivable [Member] | Customer Concentration Risk [Member]
Concentration Risk [Line Items]
Number of customers, concentration of risk disclosure	2	2
Customer One [Member] | Accounts Receivable [Member] | Customer Concentration Risk [Member]
Concentration Risk [Line Items]
Concentration of risk	60.00%	73.00%
Customer Two [Member] | Accounts Receivable [Member] | Customer Concentration Risk [Member]
Concentration Risk [Line Items]
Concentration of risk	11.00%	15.00%
Powertech Technology Inc [Member] | Sales Revenue, Net [Member]
Concentration Risk [Line Items]
Concentration of risk	34.00%		11.00%
Samsung Electronics [Member] | Sales Revenue, Net [Member]
Concentration Risk [Line Items]
Concentration of risk	24.00%	11.00%	10.00%
SK Hynix Semiconductor [Member] | Sales Revenue, Net [Member]
Concentration Risk [Line Items]
Concentration of risk	11.00%	26.00%
Sony Corporation [Member] | Sales Revenue, Net [Member]
Concentration Risk [Line Items]
Concentration of risk		18.00%
Micron Technology Inc [Member] | Sales Revenue, Net [Member]
Concentration Risk [Line Items]
Concentration of risk			15.00%
Spansion Inc [Member] | Sales Revenue, Net [Member]
Concentration Risk [Line Items]
Concentration of risk			12.00%

Summary_Of_Significant_Account3

Summary Of Significant Accounting Policies - Identifiable Intangible Assets (Details)	12 Months Ended
	Dec. 31, 2014
Minimum
Finite-Lived Intangible Assets [Line Items]
Useful Life	4 years
Maximum
Finite-Lived Intangible Assets [Line Items]
Useful Life	15 years

Composition_Of_Certain_Financi2

Composition Of Certain Financial Statement Captions - Other Current Assets (Details) (USD $)	Dec. 31, 2014	Dec. 31, 2013
In Thousands, unless otherwise specified
Organization, Consolidation and Presentation of Financial Statements [Abstract]
Prepaid income taxes	$12,841	$14,817
Interest receivable	2,138	2,311
Other	2,142	5,373
Other current assets, total	$17,121	$22,501

Composition_Of_Certain_Financi3

Composition Of Certain Financial Statement Captions- - Accrued Liabilities (Details) (USD $)	Dec. 31, 2014	Dec. 31, 2013
In Thousands, unless otherwise specified
Organization, Consolidation and Presentation of Financial Statements [Abstract]
Employee compensation and benefits	$10,734	$7,460
Purchase obligations	0	9,800
Other	2,550	6,275
Accrued liabilities, total	$13,284	$23,535

Composition_Of_Certain_Financi4

Composition Of Certain Financial Statement Captions - Accumulated Other Comprehensive Income (Details) (USD $)	Dec. 31, 2014	Dec. 31, 2013
In Thousands, unless otherwise specified
Organization, Consolidation and Presentation of Financial Statements [Abstract]
Unrealized gain (loss) on available-for-sale securities, net of tax	($333)	$133
Accumulated other comprehensive income (loss)	($333)	$133

Financial_Instruments_Summary_

Financial Instruments - Summary of Marketable Securities (Detail) (USD $)	Dec. 31, 2014	Dec. 31, 2013
In Thousands, unless otherwise specified
Schedule of Available-for-sale Securities [Line Items]
Available-for-sale securities, Cost	$415,408	$303,705
Available-for-sale securities, Gross Unrealized Gains	40	170
Available-for-sale securities, Gross Unrealized Losses	-553	-37
Estimated Fair Value	414,895	303,838
Corporate Bonds And Notes
Schedule of Available-for-sale Securities [Line Items]
Available-for-sale securities, Cost	282,279	131,374
Available-for-sale securities, Gross Unrealized Gains	13	75
Available-for-sale securities, Gross Unrealized Losses	-538	-31
Estimated Fair Value	281,754	131,418
Municipal Bonds And Notes
Schedule of Available-for-sale Securities [Line Items]
Available-for-sale securities, Cost	37,201	109,879
Available-for-sale securities, Gross Unrealized Gains	15	74
Available-for-sale securities, Gross Unrealized Losses	-1	-3
Estimated Fair Value	37,215	109,950
Treasury And Agency Notes And Bills
Schedule of Available-for-sale Securities [Line Items]
Available-for-sale securities, Cost	41,271	28,038
Available-for-sale securities, Gross Unrealized Gains	10	17
Available-for-sale securities, Gross Unrealized Losses	-13	-2
Estimated Fair Value	41,268	28,053
Commercial Paper
Schedule of Available-for-sale Securities [Line Items]
Available-for-sale securities, Cost	33,774	21,216
Available-for-sale securities, Gross Unrealized Gains	2	4
Available-for-sale securities, Gross Unrealized Losses	-1	-1
Estimated Fair Value	33,775	21,219
Money Market Funds
Schedule of Available-for-sale Securities [Line Items]
Available-for-sale securities, Cost	20,883	13,198
Available-for-sale securities, Gross Unrealized Gains	0	0
Available-for-sale securities, Gross Unrealized Losses	0	0
Estimated Fair Value	20,883	13,198
Cash and Cash Equivalents
Schedule of Available-for-sale Securities [Line Items]
Estimated Fair Value	31,382	17,973
Short-term Investments
Schedule of Available-for-sale Securities [Line Items]
Estimated Fair Value	$383,513	$285,865

Financial_Instruments_Addition

Financial Instruments - Additional Information (Detail) (USD $)	12 Months Ended
In Millions, unless otherwise specified	Dec. 31, 2014	Dec. 31, 2013
Schedule of Investments [Line Items]
Cash, cash equivalents and short-term investments	$434.40	$359.60
Net unrealized gain (loss), net of tax, related to temporary decrease in value of available-for-sale securities	-0.3
Operating Accounts
Schedule of Investments [Line Items]
Cash, cash equivalents and short-term investments	$19.50	$55.80

Financial_Instruments_Fair_Val

Financial Instruments - Fair Value and Gross Unrealized Losses Related to Individual Available-for-Sale Securities (Details) (USD $)	12 Months Ended
In Thousands, unless otherwise specified	Dec. 31, 2014	Dec. 31, 2013
Schedule of Available-for-sale Securities [Line Items]
Available-for-sale Securities, Continuous Unrealized Loss Position, Less than Twelve Months, Fair Value	$266,953	$81,025
Available-for-sale Securities, Continuous Unrealized Loss Position, Less than 12 Months, Gross Unrealized Losses	-550	-35
Available-for-sale Securities, Continuous Unrealized Loss Position, Twelve Months or Longer, Fair Value	5,453	0
Available-for-sale Securities, Continuous Unrealized Loss Position, 12 Months or Longer, Gross Unrealized Losses	-3	0
Available-for-sale Securities, Continuous Unrealized Loss Position, Fair Value	272,406	81,025
Available-for-sale Securities, Continuous Unrealized Loss Position, Aggregate Losses	-553	-35
Corporate Bonds And Notes
Schedule of Available-for-sale Securities [Line Items]
Available-for-sale Securities, Continuous Unrealized Loss Position, Less than Twelve Months, Fair Value	240,165	9,151
Available-for-sale Securities, Continuous Unrealized Loss Position, Less than 12 Months, Gross Unrealized Losses	-535	-31
Available-for-sale Securities, Continuous Unrealized Loss Position, Twelve Months or Longer, Fair Value	5,453	0
Available-for-sale Securities, Continuous Unrealized Loss Position, 12 Months or Longer, Gross Unrealized Losses	-3	0
Available-for-sale Securities, Continuous Unrealized Loss Position, Fair Value	245,618	9,151
Available-for-sale Securities, Continuous Unrealized Loss Position, Aggregate Losses	-538	-31
Municipal Bonds And Notes
Schedule of Available-for-sale Securities [Line Items]
Available-for-sale Securities, Continuous Unrealized Loss Position, Less than Twelve Months, Fair Value	1,061	5,495
Available-for-sale Securities, Continuous Unrealized Loss Position, Less than 12 Months, Gross Unrealized Losses	-1	-3
Available-for-sale Securities, Continuous Unrealized Loss Position, Twelve Months or Longer, Fair Value	0	0
Available-for-sale Securities, Continuous Unrealized Loss Position, 12 Months or Longer, Gross Unrealized Losses	0	0
Available-for-sale Securities, Continuous Unrealized Loss Position, Fair Value	1,061	5,495
Available-for-sale Securities, Continuous Unrealized Loss Position, Aggregate Losses	-1	-3
Commercial Paper
Schedule of Available-for-sale Securities [Line Items]
Available-for-sale Securities, Continuous Unrealized Loss Position, Less than Twelve Months, Fair Value	9,482	66,379
Available-for-sale Securities, Continuous Unrealized Loss Position, Less than 12 Months, Gross Unrealized Losses	-1	-1
Available-for-sale Securities, Continuous Unrealized Loss Position, Twelve Months or Longer, Fair Value		0
Available-for-sale Securities, Continuous Unrealized Loss Position, 12 Months or Longer, Gross Unrealized Losses	0	0
Available-for-sale Securities, Continuous Unrealized Loss Position, Fair Value	9,482	66,379
Available-for-sale Securities, Continuous Unrealized Loss Position, Aggregate Losses	-1	-1
Treasury And Agency Notes And Bills
Schedule of Available-for-sale Securities [Line Items]
Available-for-sale Securities, Continuous Unrealized Loss Position, Less than Twelve Months, Fair Value	16,245
Available-for-sale Securities, Continuous Unrealized Loss Position, Less than 12 Months, Gross Unrealized Losses	-13
Available-for-sale Securities, Continuous Unrealized Loss Position, 12 Months or Longer, Gross Unrealized Losses	0
Available-for-sale Securities, Continuous Unrealized Loss Position, Fair Value	16,245
Available-for-sale Securities, Continuous Unrealized Loss Position, Aggregate Losses	($13)

Financial_Instruments_Estimate

Financial Instruments - Estimated Fair Value of Marketable Securities by Contractual Maturity (Detail) (USD $)	Dec. 31, 2014	Dec. 31, 2013
In Thousands, unless otherwise specified
Investments, Debt and Equity Securities [Abstract]
Estimated Fair Value, Due in one year or less	$252,110
Estimated Fair Value, Due in year two	149,787
Estimated Fair Value, Due in year three	12,998
Estimated Fair Value	$414,895	$303,838

Discontinued_Operations_Additi

Discontinued Operations - Additional Information (Details) (USD $)	0 Months Ended	1 Months Ended		3 Months Ended	12 Months Ended
In Millions, unless otherwise specified	Aug. 09, 2013	Dec. 31, 2014	Jan. 31, 2014	Dec. 31, 2012	Dec. 31, 2013
Income Statement, Balance Sheet and Additional Disclosures by Disposal Groups, Including Discontinued Operations [Line Items]
Proceeds from disposition of business	$14.90	$17.10
Gain on discontinued operations	8.7	5.8	7.6
Restructuring, impairment of long-lived assets and other charges and gain on sale of patents				2.5	45
Intangible asset impairment charge					16.6
Employee Severance
Income Statement, Balance Sheet and Additional Disclosures by Disposal Groups, Including Discontinued Operations [Line Items]
Restructuring, impairment of long-lived assets and other charges and gain on sale of patents					5.9
Restructuring charges					4.7
Impairment of Long-lived Assets and Other Assets
Income Statement, Balance Sheet and Additional Disclosures by Disposal Groups, Including Discontinued Operations [Line Items]
Restructuring, impairment of long-lived assets and other charges and gain on sale of patents					70.9
Zhuhai | Employee Severance
Income Statement, Balance Sheet and Additional Disclosures by Disposal Groups, Including Discontinued Operations [Line Items]
Restructuring, impairment of long-lived assets and other charges and gain on sale of patents					$5.90

Discontinued_Operations_Result

Discontinued Operations - Results from Discontinued Operations (Detail) (USD $)	12 Months Ended
In Thousands, unless otherwise specified	Dec. 31, 2014	Dec. 31, 2013	Dec. 31, 2012
Disposal Group, Including Discontinued Operation, Income Statement Disclosures [Abstract]
Product and service revenues	$32	$6,524	$24,267
Total revenues	32	6,524	24,267
Cost of revenues	21	12,276	35,842
Research, development and other related costs	6,190	60,117	61,745
Selling, general and administrative	6,254	11,833	14,437
Restructuring, impairment of long-lived assets and other charges and gain on sale of patents	-3,178	72,280	2,257
Impairment of goodwill	0	6,548	0
Total operating expenses	9,287	163,054	114,281
Other income and (expense), net	629	572	204
Operating loss before taxes	-8,626	-155,958	-89,810
Benefit from income taxes	-4,137	-11,312	-24,850
Net loss from discontinued operations	($4,489)	($144,646)	($64,960)

Discontinued_Operations_Curren

Discontinued Operations - Current and Non-current Asset and Current Liabilities of Discontinued Operations (Detail) (USD $)	Dec. 31, 2014	Dec. 31, 2013
In Thousands, unless otherwise specified
Disposal Group, Including Discontinued Operation, Classified Balance Sheet Disclosures [Abstract]
Accounts receivable and other assets, net	$390	$29
Property and equipment, net	0	7,000
Total assets of discontinued operations	390	7,029
Accrued liabilities	2,873	407
Total liabilities of discontinued operations	$2,873	$407

Fair_Value_Assets_Required_to_

Fair Value - Assets Required to be Measured at Fair Value on Recurring Basis (Detail) (USD $)	Dec. 31, 2014	Dec. 31, 2013
In Thousands, unless otherwise specified
Fair Value, Assets and Liabilities Measured on Recurring and Nonrecurring Basis [Line Items]
Fair Value	$414,895	$303,838
Quoted Prices in Active Markets for Identical Assets (Level 1)
Fair Value, Assets and Liabilities Measured on Recurring and Nonrecurring Basis [Line Items]
Fair Value	20,883	13,198
Significant Other Observable Inputs (Level 2)
Fair Value, Assets and Liabilities Measured on Recurring and Nonrecurring Basis [Line Items]
Fair Value	394,012	290,640
Significant Unobservable Inputs (Level 3)
Fair Value, Assets and Liabilities Measured on Recurring and Nonrecurring Basis [Line Items]
Fair Value	0	0
Money Market Funds
Fair Value, Assets and Liabilities Measured on Recurring and Nonrecurring Basis [Line Items]
Fair Value	20,883	13,198
Money Market Funds | Quoted Prices in Active Markets for Identical Assets (Level 1)
Fair Value, Assets and Liabilities Measured on Recurring and Nonrecurring Basis [Line Items]
Fair Value	20,883	13,198
Money Market Funds | Significant Other Observable Inputs (Level 2)
Fair Value, Assets and Liabilities Measured on Recurring and Nonrecurring Basis [Line Items]
Fair Value	0	0
Money Market Funds | Significant Unobservable Inputs (Level 3)
Fair Value, Assets and Liabilities Measured on Recurring and Nonrecurring Basis [Line Items]
Fair Value	0	0
Corporate Bonds And Notes
Fair Value, Assets and Liabilities Measured on Recurring and Nonrecurring Basis [Line Items]
Fair Value	281,754	131,418
Corporate Bonds And Notes | Quoted Prices in Active Markets for Identical Assets (Level 1)
Fair Value, Assets and Liabilities Measured on Recurring and Nonrecurring Basis [Line Items]
Fair Value	0	0
Corporate Bonds And Notes | Significant Other Observable Inputs (Level 2)
Fair Value, Assets and Liabilities Measured on Recurring and Nonrecurring Basis [Line Items]
Fair Value	281,754	131,418
Corporate Bonds And Notes | Significant Unobservable Inputs (Level 3)
Fair Value, Assets and Liabilities Measured on Recurring and Nonrecurring Basis [Line Items]
Fair Value	0	0
Municipal Bonds And Notes
Fair Value, Assets and Liabilities Measured on Recurring and Nonrecurring Basis [Line Items]
Fair Value	37,215	109,950
Municipal Bonds And Notes | Quoted Prices in Active Markets for Identical Assets (Level 1)
Fair Value, Assets and Liabilities Measured on Recurring and Nonrecurring Basis [Line Items]
Fair Value	0	0
Municipal Bonds And Notes | Significant Other Observable Inputs (Level 2)
Fair Value, Assets and Liabilities Measured on Recurring and Nonrecurring Basis [Line Items]
Fair Value	37,215	109,950
Municipal Bonds And Notes | Significant Unobservable Inputs (Level 3)
Fair Value, Assets and Liabilities Measured on Recurring and Nonrecurring Basis [Line Items]
Fair Value	0	0
Treasury And Agency Notes And Bills
Fair Value, Assets and Liabilities Measured on Recurring and Nonrecurring Basis [Line Items]
Fair Value	41,268	28,053
Treasury And Agency Notes And Bills | Quoted Prices in Active Markets for Identical Assets (Level 1)
Fair Value, Assets and Liabilities Measured on Recurring and Nonrecurring Basis [Line Items]
Fair Value	0	0
Treasury And Agency Notes And Bills | Significant Other Observable Inputs (Level 2)
Fair Value, Assets and Liabilities Measured on Recurring and Nonrecurring Basis [Line Items]
Fair Value	41,268	28,053
Treasury And Agency Notes And Bills | Significant Unobservable Inputs (Level 3)
Fair Value, Assets and Liabilities Measured on Recurring and Nonrecurring Basis [Line Items]
Fair Value	0	0
Commercial Paper
Fair Value, Assets and Liabilities Measured on Recurring and Nonrecurring Basis [Line Items]
Fair Value	33,775	21,219
Commercial Paper | Quoted Prices in Active Markets for Identical Assets (Level 1)
Fair Value, Assets and Liabilities Measured on Recurring and Nonrecurring Basis [Line Items]
Fair Value	0	0
Commercial Paper | Significant Other Observable Inputs (Level 2)
Fair Value, Assets and Liabilities Measured on Recurring and Nonrecurring Basis [Line Items]
Fair Value	33,775	21,219
Commercial Paper | Significant Unobservable Inputs (Level 3)
Fair Value, Assets and Liabilities Measured on Recurring and Nonrecurring Basis [Line Items]
Fair Value	$0	$0

Fair_Value_Measured_on_a_Nonre

Fair Value - Measured on a Nonrecurring Basis (Details) (USD $)	0 Months Ended	1 Months Ended		12 Months Ended
	Aug. 09, 2013	Dec. 31, 2014	Jan. 31, 2014	Dec. 31, 2014	Dec. 31, 2013
Fair Value, Assets Measured on NonRecurring Basis, Unobservable Input Reconciliation, Calculation [Roll Forward]
Proceeds from disposition of business	$14,900,000	$17,100,000
Gain (Loss) on Disposition of Assets	8,700,000	5,800,000	7,600,000
Assets held for sale | Fair Value, Measurements, Nonrecurring | Significant Unobservable Inputs (Level 3)
Fair Value, Assets Measured on NonRecurring Basis, Unobservable Input Reconciliation, Calculation [Roll Forward]
Balance, beginning period			0	0	0
Assets transferred				0	9,581,000
Assets sold				0	-6,200,000
Assets received				0	-3,381,000
Balance, ending period		0		0	0
Assets included in discontinued operations and held for sale | Fair Value, Measurements, Nonrecurring | Significant Unobservable Inputs (Level 3)
Fair Value, Assets Measured on NonRecurring Basis, Unobservable Input Reconciliation, Calculation [Roll Forward]
Balance, beginning period			9,720,000	9,720,000	0
Assets transferred				1,398,000	19,917,000
Assets sold				-11,118,000	-3,978,000
Assets received				0	-6,219,000
Balance, ending period		0		0	9,720,000
Other | Fair Value, Measurements, Nonrecurring | Significant Unobservable Inputs (Level 3)
Fair Value, Assets Measured on NonRecurring Basis, Unobservable Input Reconciliation, Calculation [Roll Forward]
Balance, beginning period			0	0	0
Assets transferred				0	0
Assets sold				0	0
Assets received				-4,280,000	0
Balance, ending period		$4,280,000		$4,280,000	$0

Recovered_Sheet2

Goodwill and Identified Intangible Assets - Additional Information (Detail) (USD $)	12 Months Ended			3 Months Ended
	Dec. 31, 2014	Dec. 31, 2013	Dec. 31, 2012	Dec. 31, 2013	Mar. 31, 2013	Sep. 30, 2013
Goodwill [Line Items]
Intangible asset impairment charge		$16,600,000
Net intangible assets	72,925,000	81,202,000		81,202,000
Amortization expense	18,500,000	22,300,000	25,100,000
Digitaloptics Segment
Goodwill [Line Items]
Impairment of goodwill					6,700,000
Intangible asset impairment charge				5,200,000
Acquired Patents Core Technology
Goodwill [Line Items]
Intangible asset impairment charge					400,000
Net intangible assets	70,104,000	76,411,000		76,411,000
Patents
Goodwill [Line Items]
Intangible asset impairment charge					900,000
Net intangible assets						1,100,000
Finite-lived Intangible Assets Acquired	5,900,000
Finite-lived Intangible Assets Acquired Through Customer Settlement	4,300,000
Existing Technology
Goodwill [Line Items]
Intangible asset impairment charge				1,800,000	8,300,000
Net intangible assets	768,000	1,761,000		1,761,000
Customer Contracts
Goodwill [Line Items]
Intangible asset impairment charge					700,000
Net intangible assets	2,031,000	2,986,000		2,986,000
Trade Names
Goodwill [Line Items]
Intangible asset impairment charge						900,000
Net intangible assets	$22,000	$44,000		$44,000

Recovered_Sheet3

Goodwill and Identified Intangible Assets - Identified Intangible Assets (Detail) (USD $)	12 Months Ended
In Thousands, unless otherwise specified	Dec. 31, 2014	Dec. 31, 2013
Finite-Lived Intangible Assets [Line Items]
Gross Assets	159,977	$149,782
Accumulated Amortization	-87,052	-68,580
Net intangible assets	72,925	81,202
Minimum
Finite-Lived Intangible Assets [Line Items]
Average Life	4 years
Maximum
Finite-Lived Intangible Assets [Line Items]
Average Life	15 years
Acquired Patents Core Technology
Finite-Lived Intangible Assets [Line Items]
Gross Assets	132,157	121,962
Accumulated Amortization	-62,053	-45,551
Net intangible assets	70,104	76,411
Acquired Patents Core Technology | Minimum
Finite-Lived Intangible Assets [Line Items]
Average Life	3 years
Acquired Patents Core Technology | Maximum
Finite-Lived Intangible Assets [Line Items]
Average Life	15 years
Existing Technology
Finite-Lived Intangible Assets [Line Items]
Gross Assets	18,700	18,700
Accumulated Amortization	-17,932	-16,939
Net intangible assets	768	1,761
Existing Technology | Minimum
Finite-Lived Intangible Assets [Line Items]
Average Life	5 years
Existing Technology | Maximum
Finite-Lived Intangible Assets [Line Items]
Average Life	10 years
Customer Contracts
Finite-Lived Intangible Assets [Line Items]
Gross Assets	8,600	8,600
Accumulated Amortization	-6,569	-5,614
Net intangible assets	2,031	2,986
Customer Contracts | Minimum
Finite-Lived Intangible Assets [Line Items]
Average Life	3 years
Customer Contracts | Maximum
Finite-Lived Intangible Assets [Line Items]
Average Life	9 years
Trade Names
Finite-Lived Intangible Assets [Line Items]
Gross Assets	520	520
Accumulated Amortization	-498	-476
Net intangible assets	22	$44
Trade Names | Minimum
Finite-Lived Intangible Assets [Line Items]
Average Life	4 years
Trade Names | Maximum
Finite-Lived Intangible Assets [Line Items]
Average Life	10 years

Goodwill_and_Identified_Intang2

Goodwill and Identified Intangible Assets - Estimated Future Amortization Expense of Intangible Assets, Excluding the In-Process Research and Development (Detail) (USD $)	Dec. 31, 2014
In Thousands, unless otherwise specified
Goodwill and Intangible Assets Disclosure [Abstract]
2015	$18,263
2016	17,413
2017	15,138
2018	13,390
2019	5,339
Thereafter	3,382
Finite-lived intangible assets, net	$72,925

Net_Income_Loss_Per_Share_Sche

Net Income (Loss) Per Share - Schedule of Basic and Diluted Net Loss Per Share (Detail)	12 Months Ended
In Thousands, unless otherwise specified	Dec. 31, 2014	Dec. 31, 2013	Dec. 31, 2012
Earnings Per Share [Abstract]
Weighted average common shares outstanding (in shares)	52,898	53,431	52,010
Unvested common shares subject to repurchase	-79	-85	-33
Total common shares-basic (in shares)	52,819	53,346	51,977
Stock awards (in shares)	346	0	80
Restricted stock awards and units (in shares)	398	0	193
Total common shares-diluted (in shares)	53,563	53,346	52,250

Net_Income_Loss_Per_Share_Addi

Net Income (Loss) Per Share - Additional Information (Detail)	12 Months Ended
In Millions, unless otherwise specified	Dec. 31, 2014	Dec. 31, 2013	Dec. 31, 2012
Earnings Per Share [Abstract]
Shares of common stock excluded from the computation of net loss per share	1.5	2.8	6.5

Stockholders_Equity_Additional

Stockholders' Equity - Additional Information (Detail) (USD $)	1 Months Ended			3 Months Ended	12 Months Ended			77 Months Ended	89 Months Ended
	Oct. 31, 2014	Nov. 30, 2013	Aug. 31, 2007	Jun. 30, 2012	Dec. 31, 2014	Dec. 31, 2013	Dec. 31, 2012	Dec. 31, 2013	Dec. 31, 2014
Schedule of Trading Securities and Other Trading Assets [Line Items]
Stock repurchase program, authorized amount	$250,000,000	$150,000,000	$100,000,000
Treasury stock, total repurchase during period (in shares)						2,145,000			4,901,000
Treasury stock, average price of share repurchased (in dollars per share)								$18.32	$21.39
Treasury stock, total cost of repurchased stock								39,300,000	104,900,000
Stock repurchase program, remaining amount available for repurchase					145,100,000
Dividends paid (usd per share)				$0.10
Cash dividends declared per share (in dollars per share)					$0.92	$0.70	$0.30
Performance Shares | Minimum
Schedule of Trading Securities and Other Trading Assets [Line Items]
Performance awards, percentage of grant available to vest					0.00%
Performance Shares | Maximum
Schedule of Trading Securities and Other Trading Assets [Line Items]
Performance awards, percentage of grant available to vest					100.00%
Employee Stock Purchase Plan
Schedule of Trading Securities and Other Trading Assets [Line Items]
Expiration period					24 months
Shares reserved for grant					573,803				573,803
Maximum ownership percentage					5.00%				5.00%
Required weekly hours					20 hours
Award requisite service period					5 months
Maximum employee subscription rate					20.00%				20.00%
Purchase price of common stock, percent					85.00%
Maximum employee subscription amount					$25,000				$25,000
Rolling expiration period					24 months
2003 Plan
Schedule of Trading Securities and Other Trading Assets [Line Items]
Incentive stock options granted to employees at exercise price					110.00%
Voting power of all classes of stock of the Company					10.00%
Expiration period					10 years
Vesting period					4 years
2003 Plan | Restricted Stock
Schedule of Trading Securities and Other Trading Assets [Line Items]
Vesting period					4 years
2003 Plan | Employee Stock Option
Schedule of Trading Securities and Other Trading Assets [Line Items]
Shares reserved for grant					4,800,000				4,800,000
Employee Stock Option | 2003 Plan
Schedule of Trading Securities and Other Trading Assets [Line Items]
Incentive stock options granted to employees at exercise price					100.00%
Non Employee Stock Options | 2003 Plan
Schedule of Trading Securities and Other Trading Assets [Line Items]
Incentive stock options granted to employees at exercise price					85.00%

Stockholders_Equity_Summary_of

Stockholders' Equity - Summary of Stock Option Activity (Detail) (USD $)	12 Months Ended
In Thousands, except Per Share data, unless otherwise specified	Dec. 31, 2014	Dec. 31, 2013	Dec. 31, 2012
Share-based Compensation Arrangement by Share-based Payment Award, Options, Outstanding [Roll Forward]
Number of Shares, Beginning balance (shares)	3,917	7,099	6,819
Number of Shares, Options granted (shares)	220	1,204	2,366
Number of Shares, Options exercised (shares)	-1,797	-2,031	-167
Number of Shares, Options cancelled / forfeited / expired (shares)	-724	-2,355	-1,919
Number of Shares, Ending balance (shares)	1,616	3,917	7,099
Share-based Compensation Arrangement by Share-based Payment Award, Options, Outstanding, Weighted Average Exercise Price [Roll Forward]
Weighted Average Exercise Price Per Share, Beginning balance (usd per share)	$18.37	$17.80	$20.16
Weighted Average Exercise Price Per Share, Options granted (usd per share)	$22.29	$19	$15.14
Weighted Average Exercise Price Per Share, Options exercised (usd per share)	$18.13	$16.51	$14.18
Weighted Average Exercise Price Per Share, Options cancelled / forfeited / expired (usd per share)	$18	$18.59	$23.22
Weighted Average Exercise Price Per Share, Ending balance (usd per share)	$19.34	$18.37	$17.80
Weighted Average Remaining Contractual Life (in years)	7 years 9 months 2 days
Aggregate Intrinsic Value	$26,634
Vested and expected to vest, Number of Shares Subject to Options	1,419
Vested and expected to vest, Weighted Average Remaining Contractual Life (in years)	7 years 7 months 14 days
Vested and expected to vest, Aggregate Intrinsic Value	23,433
Exercisable, Number of Shares Subject to Options	559
Exercisable, Weighted Average Remaining Contractual Life (in years)	6 years 3 months 5 days
Exercisable, Aggregate Intrinsic Value	$8,785

Stockholders_Equity_Stock_Opti

Stockholders' Equity - Stock Options Outstanding and Exercisable (Details) (USD $)	12 Months Ended
In Thousands, except Per Share data, unless otherwise specified	Dec. 31, 2014
$12.52 - $14.91
Share-based Compensation, Shares Authorized under Stock Option Plans, Exercise Price Range [Line Items]
Share-based Compensation, Shares Authorized under Stock Option Plans, Exercise Price Range, Lower Range Limit	$12.52
Share-based Compensation, Shares Authorized under Stock Option Plans, Exercise Price Range, Upper Range Limit	$14.91
Number Outstanding (in thousands)	251
Weighted Average Remaining Contractual Life (in years)	7 years 1 month 31 days
Weighted Average Exercise Price per Share	$13.97
Number Exercisable (in thousands)	98
Weighted Average Exercise Price per Share	$13.69
$15.35 - $17.55
Share-based Compensation, Shares Authorized under Stock Option Plans, Exercise Price Range [Line Items]
Share-based Compensation, Shares Authorized under Stock Option Plans, Exercise Price Range, Lower Range Limit	$15.35
Share-based Compensation, Shares Authorized under Stock Option Plans, Exercise Price Range, Upper Range Limit	$17.55
Number Outstanding (in thousands)	204
Weighted Average Remaining Contractual Life (in years)	7 years 4 months 12 days
Weighted Average Exercise Price per Share	$16.94
Number Exercisable (in thousands)	65
Weighted Average Exercise Price per Share	$16.84
$17.74 - $18.74
Share-based Compensation, Shares Authorized under Stock Option Plans, Exercise Price Range [Line Items]
Share-based Compensation, Shares Authorized under Stock Option Plans, Exercise Price Range, Lower Range Limit	$17.74
Share-based Compensation, Shares Authorized under Stock Option Plans, Exercise Price Range, Upper Range Limit	$18.74
Number Outstanding (in thousands)	34
Weighted Average Remaining Contractual Life (in years)	7 years 2 months 12 days
Weighted Average Exercise Price per Share	$18.26
Number Exercisable (in thousands)	14
Weighted Average Exercise Price per Share	$18.58
$18.84 - $18.84
Share-based Compensation, Shares Authorized under Stock Option Plans, Exercise Price Range [Line Items]
Share-based Compensation, Shares Authorized under Stock Option Plans, Exercise Price Range, Lower Range Limit	$18.84
Share-based Compensation, Shares Authorized under Stock Option Plans, Exercise Price Range, Upper Range Limit	$18.84
Number Outstanding (in thousands)	438
Weighted Average Remaining Contractual Life (in years)	8 years 11 months 10 days
Weighted Average Exercise Price per Share	$18.84
Number Exercisable (in thousands)	110
Weighted Average Exercise Price per Share	$18.84
$18.89 - $20.35
Share-based Compensation, Shares Authorized under Stock Option Plans, Exercise Price Range [Line Items]
Share-based Compensation, Shares Authorized under Stock Option Plans, Exercise Price Range, Lower Range Limit	$18.89
Share-based Compensation, Shares Authorized under Stock Option Plans, Exercise Price Range, Upper Range Limit	$20.35
Number Outstanding (in thousands)	221
Weighted Average Remaining Contractual Life (in years)	7 years 10 months 5 days
Weighted Average Exercise Price per Share	$19.35
Number Exercisable (in thousands)	105
Weighted Average Exercise Price per Share	$19.35
$20.43 - $20.43
Share-based Compensation, Shares Authorized under Stock Option Plans, Exercise Price Range [Line Items]
Share-based Compensation, Shares Authorized under Stock Option Plans, Exercise Price Range, Lower Range Limit	$20.43
Share-based Compensation, Shares Authorized under Stock Option Plans, Exercise Price Range, Upper Range Limit	$20.43
Number Outstanding (in thousands)	191
Weighted Average Remaining Contractual Life (in years)	8 years 9 months 11 days
Weighted Average Exercise Price per Share	$20.43
Number Exercisable (in thousands)	34
Weighted Average Exercise Price per Share	$20.43
$20.63 - $26.16
Share-based Compensation, Shares Authorized under Stock Option Plans, Exercise Price Range [Line Items]
Share-based Compensation, Shares Authorized under Stock Option Plans, Exercise Price Range, Lower Range Limit	$20.63
Share-based Compensation, Shares Authorized under Stock Option Plans, Exercise Price Range, Upper Range Limit	$26.16
Number Outstanding (in thousands)	182
Weighted Average Remaining Contractual Life (in years)	6 years 8 months 24 days
Weighted Average Exercise Price per Share	$23.57
Number Exercisable (in thousands)	77
Weighted Average Exercise Price per Share	$25.08
$26.34 - $44.27
Share-based Compensation, Shares Authorized under Stock Option Plans, Exercise Price Range [Line Items]
Share-based Compensation, Shares Authorized under Stock Option Plans, Exercise Price Range, Lower Range Limit	$26.34
Share-based Compensation, Shares Authorized under Stock Option Plans, Exercise Price Range, Upper Range Limit	$44.27
Number Outstanding (in thousands)	95
Weighted Average Remaining Contractual Life (in years)	4 years 9 months 1 day
Weighted Average Exercise Price per Share	$33.13
Number Exercisable (in thousands)	56
Weighted Average Exercise Price per Share	$35.13
$12.52 - $44.27
Share-based Compensation, Shares Authorized under Stock Option Plans, Exercise Price Range [Line Items]
Share-based Compensation, Shares Authorized under Stock Option Plans, Exercise Price Range, Lower Range Limit	$12.52
Share-based Compensation, Shares Authorized under Stock Option Plans, Exercise Price Range, Upper Range Limit	$44.27
Number Outstanding (in thousands)	1,616
Weighted Average Remaining Contractual Life (in years)	7 years 9 months 4 days
Weighted Average Exercise Price per Share	$19.34
Number Exercisable (in thousands)	559
Weighted Average Exercise Price per Share	$20.22

Stockholders_Equity_Summary_of1

Stockholders' Equity - Summary of Restricted Stock Awards and Units (Detail) (Restricted Stock, USD $)	12 Months Ended
In Thousands, except Per Share data, unless otherwise specified	Dec. 31, 2014	Dec. 31, 2013	Dec. 31, 2012
Share-based Compensation Arrangement by Share-based Payment Award, Equity Instruments Other than Options, Nonvested, Number of Shares [Roll Forward]
Restricted stock awards and units, beginning balance (shares)	1,085	831	991
Restricted stock awards and units, granted (shares)	531	954	500
Restricted stock awards and units, vested / earned (shares)	-289	-289	-263
Restricted stock awards and units, cancelled / forfeited (shares)	-192	-411	-397
Restricted stock awards and units, ending balance (shares)	1,135	1,085	831
Share-based Compensation Arrangement by Share-based Payment Award, Equity Instruments Other than Options, Nonvested, Weighted Average Grant Date Fair Value [Roll Forward]
Weighted average grant date fair value per share of restricted stock and units, beginning balance (usd per share)	$18.46	$16.36	$17.60
Weighted average grant date fair value per share of restricted stock and units, granted (usd per share)	$22.41	$19.26	$16.48
Weighted average grant date fair value per share of restricted stock and units, vested / earned (usd per share)	$18.85	$17.45	$17.14
Weighted average grant date fair value of restricted stock and units, cancelled / forfeited (usd per share)	$17.91	$16.77	$19.09
Weighted average grant date fair value per share of restricted stock and units, ending balance (usd per share)	$20.30	$18.46	$16.36
Number Of Shares Subject To Time-Based Vesting
Share-based Compensation Arrangement by Share-based Payment Award, Equity Instruments Other than Options, Nonvested, Number of Shares [Roll Forward]
Restricted stock awards and units, beginning balance (shares)	737	715	730
Restricted stock awards and units, granted (shares)	222	596	367
Restricted stock awards and units, vested / earned (shares)	-289	-262	-233
Restricted stock awards and units, cancelled / forfeited (shares)	-168	-312	-149
Restricted stock awards and units, ending balance (shares)	502	737	715
Number Of Shares Subject To Performance-Based Vesting
Share-based Compensation Arrangement by Share-based Payment Award, Equity Instruments Other than Options, Nonvested, Number of Shares [Roll Forward]
Restricted stock awards and units, beginning balance (shares)	348	116	261
Restricted stock awards and units, granted (shares)	309	358	133
Restricted stock awards and units, vested / earned (shares)	0	-27	-30
Restricted stock awards and units, cancelled / forfeited (shares)	-24	-99	-248
Restricted stock awards and units, ending balance (shares)	633	348	116

StockBased_Compensation_Expens2

Stock-Based Compensation Expense - Effect of Recording Stock-Based Compensation Expense (Details) (USD $)	12 Months Ended
In Thousands, unless otherwise specified	Dec. 31, 2014	Dec. 31, 2013	Dec. 31, 2012
Employee Service Share-based Compensation, Allocation of Recognized Period Costs [Line Items]
Total stock-based compensation expense	$13,269	$13,503	$17,036
Tax effect on stock-based compensation expense	-1,968	0	-5,148
Net effect on net income (loss)	11,301	13,503	11,888
Cost of Revenues
Employee Service Share-based Compensation, Allocation of Recognized Period Costs [Line Items]
Total stock-based compensation expense	18	50	641
Research, Development and Other Related Costs
Employee Service Share-based Compensation, Allocation of Recognized Period Costs [Line Items]
Total stock-based compensation expense	2,823	3,591	6,455
Selling, general and administrative
Employee Service Share-based Compensation, Allocation of Recognized Period Costs [Line Items]
Total stock-based compensation expense	$10,428	$9,862	$9,940

StockBased_Compensation_Expens3

Stock-Based Compensation Expense - Categorized by Equity Components (Detail) (USD $)	12 Months Ended
In Thousands, unless otherwise specified	Dec. 31, 2014	Dec. 31, 2013	Dec. 31, 2012
Share-based Compensation Arrangement by Share-based Payment Award [Line Items]
Total stock-based compensation expense	$13,269	$13,503	$17,036
Employee Stock Option
Share-based Compensation Arrangement by Share-based Payment Award [Line Items]
Total stock-based compensation expense	3,336	7,815	10,332
Restricted Stock Awards And Units
Share-based Compensation Arrangement by Share-based Payment Award [Line Items]
Total stock-based compensation expense	9,322	4,317	4,792
Employee Stock Purchase Plan
Share-based Compensation Arrangement by Share-based Payment Award [Line Items]
Total stock-based compensation expense	$611	$1,371	$1,912

StockBased_Compensation_Expens4

Stock-Based Compensation Expense - Additional Information (Detail) (USD $)	12 Months Ended
In Millions, except Share data, unless otherwise specified	Dec. 31, 2014	Dec. 31, 2013	Dec. 31, 2012
Employee Service Share-based Compensation, Allocation of Recognized Period Costs [Line Items]
Grants in Period, Net of Forfeitures	220,000	1,204,000	2,366,000
Share-based Compensation Arrangement by Share-based Payment Award, Options, Grants in Period, Weighted Average Grant Date Fair Value	$5.71	$6.82	$4.03
Share-based Compensation Arrangement by Share-based Payment Award, Options, Exercises in Period, Total Intrinsic Value	$13.30	$6.80	$0.60
Unrecognized stock-based compensation balance after estimated forfeitures related to unvested stock options	5	11.7
Estimated weighted average amortization period	2 years	3 years
Stock Issued During Period, Shares, Employee Stock Purchase Plans	137,000	288,000	292,000
Share-based Compensation Arrangement by Share-based Payment Award, Plan Modification, Incremental Compensation Cost	-0.3	3	0.1
Black Scholes Option Pricing Model
Employee Service Share-based Compensation, Allocation of Recognized Period Costs [Line Items]
Expected life (in years)	2 years
Restricted Stock Awards And Units
Employee Service Share-based Compensation, Allocation of Recognized Period Costs [Line Items]
Share Based Compensation Arrangement By Share Based Payment Award Options Vested Fair Value	5.5	5	4.5
Unrecognized stock-based compensation balance after estimated forfeitures related to unvested stock options	$5.40	$15.80
Estimated weighted average amortization period	2 years 7 months 6 days	2 years 3 months 18 days

StockBased_Compensation_Expens5

Stock-Based Compensation Expense - Schedule of Assumptions Used to Value Options Granted (Detail)	12 Months Ended
	Dec. 31, 2014	Dec. 31, 2013	Dec. 31, 2012
Stock Compensation Plan
Share-based Compensation Arrangement by Share-based Payment Award, Fair Value Assumptions and Methodology [Abstract]
Expected life (in years)	4 years 11 months	5 years	3 years 8 months 12 days
Dividend yield			2.20%
Employee Stock Purchase Plan
Share-based Compensation Arrangement by Share-based Payment Award, Fair Value Assumptions and Methodology [Abstract]
Expected life (in years)	2 years	2 years	2 years
Minimum | Stock Compensation Plan
Share-based Compensation Arrangement by Share-based Payment Award, Fair Value Assumptions and Methodology [Abstract]
Risk-free interest rate	1.60%	0.80%	0.50%
Dividend yield	3.40%	2.10%
Expected volatility	37.30%	44.20%	45.30%
Minimum | Employee Stock Purchase Plan
Share-based Compensation Arrangement by Share-based Payment Award, Fair Value Assumptions and Methodology [Abstract]
Risk-free interest rate	0.30%	0.30%	0.20%
Dividend yield	3.40%	2.30%	2.20%
Expected volatility	27.60%	38.90%	43.70%
Maximum | Stock Compensation Plan
Share-based Compensation Arrangement by Share-based Payment Award, Fair Value Assumptions and Methodology [Abstract]
Risk-free interest rate	1.80%	1.80%	0.80%
Dividend yield	4.10%	3.80%	2.80%
Expected volatility	41.40%	59.50%	66.40%
Maximum | Employee Stock Purchase Plan
Share-based Compensation Arrangement by Share-based Payment Award, Fair Value Assumptions and Methodology [Abstract]
Risk-free interest rate	0.50%	0.40%	0.60%
Dividend yield	3.50%	3.80%	2.70%
Expected volatility	30.60%	40.60%	79.70%

Income_Taxes_Components_Of_Inc

Income Taxes - Components Of Income (loss) Before Income Taxes (Details) (USD $)	12 Months Ended
In Thousands, unless otherwise specified	Dec. 31, 2014	Dec. 31, 2013	Dec. 31, 2012
Income Tax Disclosure [Abstract]
U.S.	$155,757	($36,096)	$22,255
Foreign	11,489	31,047	32,566
Income (loss) before taxes from continuing operations	$167,246	($5,049)	$54,821

Income_Taxes_Provision_for_Inc

Income Taxes - Provision for Income Taxes (Details) (USD $)	12 Months Ended
In Thousands, unless otherwise specified	Dec. 31, 2014	Dec. 31, 2013	Dec. 31, 2012
Current Income Tax Expense (Benefit), Continuing Operations [Abstract]
U.S. federal	($797)	($4,350)	$17,600
Foreign	31,824	14,967	7,835
State and local	8	8	69
Total current	31,035	10,625	25,504
Deferred Income Tax Expense (Benefit), Continuing Operations [Abstract]
U.S. federal	-38,732	25,235	-6,719
Foreign	0	0	0
State and local	0	0	1,301
Total deferred	-38,732	25,235	-5,418
Provision for income taxes	($7,697)	$35,860	$20,086

Income_Taxes_Components_Of_Com

Income Taxes - Components Of Company's Deferred Tax Assets and Liabilities (Details) (USD $)	Dec. 31, 2014	Dec. 31, 2013
In Thousands, unless otherwise specified
Deferred tax assets
Net operating loss carryforwards	$15,053	$29,235
Research tax credit	8,332	7,273
Foreign tax credit	22,885	19,945
Expenses not currently deductible	15,096	17,688
Basis difference in fixed and intangible assets	7,090	18,467
Gross deferred tax assets	68,456	92,608
Valuation allowance	-27,087	-91,130
Net deferred tax assets	41,369	1,478
Deferred tax liabilities
Acquired intangible assets, foreign	-276	-518
Unremitted earnings of foreign subsidiaries	-187	-520
Net deferred tax assets	$40,906	$440

Income_Taxes_Additional_Inform

Income Taxes - Additional Information (Detail) (USD $)	12 Months Ended
	Dec. 31, 2014	Dec. 31, 2013	Dec. 31, 2012	Dec. 31, 2011
Income Tax Contingency [Line Items]
Valuation allowance	$27,087,000	$91,130,000
Change in valuation	64,000,000
Operating loss carryforwards	15,053,000	29,235,000
Undistributed foreign earnings	200,000
Unrecognized tax benefits	2,734,000	5,031,000	4,831,000	3,770,000
Unrecognized tax benefits that would impact the effective income tax rate	1,100,000	3,500,000
Interest and tax penalties related to unrecognized tax benefits	500,000	600,000
Minimum
Income Tax Contingency [Line Items]
Expected reduction resulting from lapse of applicable statute of limitations	1,300,000
Maximum
Income Tax Contingency [Line Items]
Expected reduction resulting from lapse of applicable statute of limitations	1,500,000
State
Income Tax Contingency [Line Items]
Operating loss carryforwards	156,300,000
Tax credit carryforward	5,800,000
Federal
Income Tax Contingency [Line Items]
Tax credit carryforward	3,300,000
Foreign
Income Tax Contingency [Line Items]
Tax credit carryforward	1,300,000
Foreign Tax Credit Carryforwards
Income Tax Contingency [Line Items]
Tax credit carryforward	$22,900,000

Income_Taxes_Reconciliation_of

Income Taxes - Reconciliation of Statutory U.S. Federal Income Tax Rate to Company's Effective Tax Rate (Details)	12 Months Ended
	Dec. 31, 2014	Dec. 31, 2013	Dec. 31, 2012
Income Tax Disclosure [Abstract]
U.S. federal statutory rate	35.00%	-35.00%	35.00%
State, net of federal benefit	0.00%	0.10%	2.50%
Stock-based compensation expense	0.30%	4.00%	0.60%
Tax exempt interest	0.00%	-2.60%	-0.30%
Research tax credit and other	-0.30%	-11.20%	0.00%
Foreign withholding tax	18.80%	292.50%	14.10%
Foreign losses not benefited	0.00%	-32.80%	-2.60%
Foreign tax rate differential	-2.20%	-7.40%	-1.00%
Foreign tax credit	-17.90%	0.00%	-11.90%
Change in valuation allowance	-38.70%	491.10%	0.00%
Others	0.40%	11.50%	0.20%
Total	-4.60%	710.20%	36.60%

Recovered_Sheet4

Income Taxes - Reconciliation Of Unrecognized Tax Benefits (Details) (USD $)	12 Months Ended
In Thousands, unless otherwise specified	Dec. 31, 2014	Dec. 31, 2013	Dec. 31, 2012
Reconciliation of Unrecognized Tax Benefits, Excluding Amounts Pertaining to Examined Tax Returns [Roll Forward]
Total unrecognized tax benefits at January 1	$5,031	$4,831	$3,770
Gross increases and (decreases) due to tax positions taken in prior periods	-193	18	822
Gross increases and (decreases) due to tax positions taken in the current period	150	290	239
Gross increases and (decreases) due to settlements with taxing authorities	-2,023	-87	0
Gross increases and (decreases) due to lapses in applicable statutes of limitations	-231	-21	0
Total unrecognized tax benefits at December 31	$2,734	$5,031	$4,831

Commitments_And_Contingencies_1

Commitments And Contingencies - Additional Information (Detail) (USD $)	12 Months Ended
In Millions, unless otherwise specified	Dec. 31, 2014	Dec. 31, 2013	Dec. 31, 2012
Commitments and Contingencies Disclosure [Abstract]
Rent under operating lease agreement	$3.60	$3.90	$3.70

Commitments_And_Contingencies_2

Commitments And Contingencies - Schedule of Future Minimum Lease Payments and Purchase Obligations (Detail) (USD $)	Dec. 31, 2014
In Thousands, unless otherwise specified
Commitments and Contingencies Disclosure [Abstract]
2015	$2,814
2016	2,257
2017	2,303
2018	2,340
2019	2,150
Thereafter	1,808
Lease Obligations, Total	$13,672

Segment_And_Geographic_Informa2

Segment And Geographic Information - Schedule of Geographic Revenue Information (Detail) (USD $)	12 Months Ended
In Thousands, unless otherwise specified	Dec. 31, 2014	Dec. 31, 2013	Dec. 31, 2012
	customer	customer	customer
Revenues from External Customers and Long-Lived Assets [Line Items]
Foreign revenues	$278,807	$168,811	$209,756
Percentage of revenue	100.00%	100.00%	100.00%
Number of major customers each accounting for 10% or more of total revenues	3	3	4
Taiwan
Revenues from External Customers and Long-Lived Assets [Line Items]
Foreign revenues	100,049	2,596	27,179
Percentage of revenue	36.00%	2.00%	14.00%
Korea
Revenues from External Customers and Long-Lived Assets [Line Items]
Foreign revenues	98,100	64,092	40,257
Percentage of revenue	35.00%	37.00%	20.00%
U.S.
Revenues from External Customers and Long-Lived Assets [Line Items]
Foreign revenues	39,448	41,878	103,152
Percentage of revenue	14.00%	25.00%	49.00%
Other Asia
Revenues from External Customers and Long-Lived Assets [Line Items]
Foreign revenues	28,979	10,103	11,503
Percentage of revenue	10.00%	6.00%	4.00%
Japan
Revenues from External Customers and Long-Lived Assets [Line Items]
Foreign revenues	10,014	48,481	23,312
Percentage of revenue	4.00%	29.00%	11.00%
Europe and Other
Revenues from External Customers and Long-Lived Assets [Line Items]
Foreign revenues	$2,217	$1,661	$4,353
Percentage of revenue	1.00%	1.00%	2.00%

Segment_And_Geographic_Informa3

Segment And Geographic Information - Schedule of Property and Equipment, Net, by Geographical Area (Detail) (USD $)	Dec. 31, 2014	Dec. 31, 2013	Dec. 31, 2012
In Thousands, unless otherwise specified
Segment Reporting Information [Line Items]
Property and equipment, net	$4,322	$9,481	$72,544
U.S.
Segment Reporting Information [Line Items]
Property and equipment, net	3,802	4,725	39,467
Taiwan
Segment Reporting Information [Line Items]
Property and equipment, net	0	2,394	18,176
Israel
Segment Reporting Information [Line Items]
Property and equipment, net	0	1,431	1,834
Asia Pacific and other
Segment Reporting Information [Line Items]
Property and equipment, net	520	931	2,028
China
Segment Reporting Information [Line Items]
Property and equipment, net	$0	$0	$11,039

Restructuring_Impairment_of_Lo1

Restructuring, Impairment of Long-Lived Assets And Other Charges And Gain on Sale of Patents - Additional Information (Detail) (USD $)	3 Months Ended	12 Months Ended
In Millions, unless otherwise specified	Dec. 31, 2012	Dec. 31, 2013	Dec. 31, 2014
Restructuring Cost and Reserve [Line Items]
Restructuring, impairment of long-lived assets and other charges and gain on sale of patents	$2.50	$45
Employee Severance
Restructuring Cost and Reserve [Line Items]
Restructuring, impairment of long-lived assets and other charges and gain on sale of patents		5.9
Abandonment of Patents and Technology
Restructuring Cost and Reserve [Line Items]
Restructuring, impairment of long-lived assets and other charges and gain on sale of patents			1.5
Proceeds from Sale of Intangible Assets			$11.90

Benefit_Plan_Details

Benefit Plan (Details) (USD $)	12 Months Ended
In Millions, unless otherwise specified	Dec. 31, 2014	Dec. 31, 2013	Dec. 31, 2012
Compensation and Retirement Disclosure [Abstract]
Employers Contribution To Retirement Savings Plan	$0.40	$0.90	$1.40

Subsequent_Events_Additional_I

Subsequent Events - Additional Information (Detail) (USD $)	12 Months Ended			0 Months Ended
	Dec. 31, 2014	Dec. 31, 2013	Dec. 31, 2012	Feb. 03, 2015
Subsequent Event [Line Items]
Cash dividends declared per share (in dollars per share)	$0.92	$0.70	$0.30
Subsequent Event
Subsequent Event [Line Items]
Cash dividends declared per share (in dollars per share)				$0.20

Schedule_II_Valuation_and_Qual1

Schedule II Valuation and Qualifying (Details) (Valuation Allowance of Deferred Tax Assets, USD $)	12 Months Ended
In Thousands, unless otherwise specified	Dec. 31, 2014	Dec. 31, 2013	Dec. 31, 2012
Valuation Allowance of Deferred Tax Assets
Movement in Valuation Allowances and Reserves [Roll Forward]
Balance at Beginning of Year	$91,130	$14,583	$7,196
Charged (Credited) to Expenses	-64,043	76,547	6,454
Charged (Credited) to Other Accounts	0	0	933
Balance at End of Year	$27,087	$91,130	$14,583