Xcerra (XCRA) 10-K 11 Oct 13 2013 FY Annual report Financial data

Document_and_Entity_Informatio

Document and Entity Information (USD $)	12 Months Ended
	Jul. 31, 2013	Oct. 07, 2013	Jan. 31, 2013
Document Information [Line Items]
Document Type	10-K
Amendment Flag	FALSE
Document Period End Date	31-Jul-13
Document Fiscal Year Focus	2013
Document Fiscal Period Focus	FY
Trading Symbol	LTXC
Entity Registrant Name	LTX-CREDENCE CORP
Entity Central Index Key	357020
Current Fiscal Year End Date	-24
Entity Well-known Seasoned Issuer	No
Entity Current Reporting Status	Yes
Entity Voluntary Filers	No
Entity Filer Category	Accelerated Filer
Entity Common Stock, Shares Outstanding		48,056,030
Entity Public Float			$281,289,468

Consolidated_Balance_Sheets

Consolidated Balance Sheets (USD $)	Jul. 31, 2013	Jul. 31, 2012
In Thousands, unless otherwise specified
Current assets:
Cash and cash equivalents	$28,235	$29,446
Marketable securities	96,159	107,728
Accounts receivable-trade, net of allowances of $0 and $39, respectively	28,102	31,182
Accounts receivable-other	963	740
Inventories, net	29,139	28,850
Prepaid expenses and other current assets	2,497	3,440
Total current assets	185,095	201,386
Property and equipment, net	16,647	18,229
Intangible assets, net	1,571	3,153
Goodwill	43,030	43,030
Other assets	1,258	1,270
Total assets	247,601	267,068
Current liabilities:
Accounts payable	13,266	12,734
Deferred revenues	5,084	5,347
Other accrued expenses	19,352	19,736
Total current liabilities	37,702	37,817
Other long-term liabilities	11,402	13,547
Commitments and contingencies (Note 9)
Stockholders' equity:
Common stock, $0.05 par value: 150,000,000 shares authorized; 47,688,410 and 48,607,228 shares issued and outstanding in 2013 and 2012, respectively	2,384	2,430
Additional paid-in capital	746,020	750,760
Accumulated other comprehensive (loss) income	-64	230
Accumulated deficit	-549,843	-537,716
Total stockholders' equity	198,497	215,704
Total liabilities and stockholders' equity	$247,601	$267,068

Consolidated_Balance_Sheets_Pa

Consolidated Balance Sheets (Parenthetical) (USD $)	Jul. 31, 2013	Jul. 31, 2012
In Thousands, except Share data, unless otherwise specified
Accounts receivable-trade, Allowances	$0	$39
Common stock, par value	$0.05	$0.05
Common stock, shares authorized	150,000,000	150,000,000
Common stock, shares issued	47,688,410	48,607,228
Common stock, shares outstanding	47,688,410	48,607,228

Consolidated_Statements_of_Ope

Consolidated Statements of Operations and Comprehensive (Loss) Income (USD $)	12 Months Ended
In Thousands, except Per Share data, unless otherwise specified	Jul. 31, 2013	Jul. 31, 2012	Jul. 31, 2011
Net product sales	$117,997	$95,357	$207,831
Net service sales	33,985	36,777	41,699
Net sales	151,982	132,134	249,530
Cost of sales	71,223	63,637	95,290
Gross profit	80,759	68,497	154,240
Engineering and product development expenses	52,314	49,864	52,697
Selling, general and administrative expenses	39,253	36,348	48,968
Amortization of purchased intangible assets	1,582	3,163	5,961
Restructuring	476	1,104	363
(Loss) income from operations	-12,866	-21,982	46,251
Other (expense) income:
Interest expense	-233	-179	-309
Interest income	883	910	349
Other (expense) income, net	-186	444	13,472
(Loss) income before income taxes	-12,402	-20,807	59,763
Benefit from income taxes	-275	-938	-315
Net (loss) income	-12,127	-19,869	60,078
Net (loss) income per share:
Basic	($0.25)	($0.40)	$1.22
Diluted	($0.25)	($0.40)	$1.19
Weighted-average common shares used in computing net (loss) income per share:
Basic	47,719	49,080	49,398
Diluted	47,719	49,080	50,415
Comprehensive (loss) income:
Net (loss) income	-12,127	-19,869	60,078
Unrealized gain (loss) on marketable securities	-294	189	5
Comprehensive (loss) income	($12,421)	($19,680)	$60,083

Consolidated_Statements_Of_Sto

Consolidated Statements Of Stockholders' Equity (USD $)	Total	Common Stock	Additional Paid-In Capital	Accumulated Other Comprehensive Income (Loss)	Accumulated Deficit
In Thousands, except Share data
Beginning Balance at Jul. 31, 2010	$176,752	$2,453	$752,188	$36	($577,925)
Beginning Balance (in shares) at Jul. 31, 2010		49,051,312
Vesting of stock based awards, net of shares withheld for taxes (in shares)		416,804
Vesting of stock based awards, net of shares withheld for taxes	2,993	20	2,973
Stock option exercises (in shares)	37,985	37,985
Stock option exercises	213	2	211
Issuance of shares under employees' stock purchase plan (in shares)		101,122
Issuance of shares under employees' stock purchase plan	679	5	674
Unrealized gain on marketable securities	5			5
Net (loss) income	60,078				60,078
Ending Balance at Jul. 31, 2011	240,720	2,480	756,046	41	-517,847
Ending Balance (in shares) at Jul. 31, 2011		49,607,223
Vesting of stock based awards, net of shares withheld for taxes (in shares)		485,456
Vesting of stock based awards, net of shares withheld for taxes	3,292	24	3,268
Stock option exercises (in shares)	20,046	20,046
Stock option exercises	117	1	116
Repurchases of common stock (in shares)		-1,652,394
Repurchases of common stock	-9,525	-82	-9,443
Issuance of shares under employees' stock purchase plan (in shares)		146,897
Issuance of shares under employees' stock purchase plan	780	7	773
Unrealized gain on marketable securities	189			189
Net (loss) income	-19,869				-19,869
Ending Balance at Jul. 31, 2012	215,704	2,430	750,760	230	-537,716
Ending Balance (in shares) at Jul. 31, 2012		48,607,228
Vesting of stock based awards, net of shares withheld for taxes (in shares)		555,433
Vesting of stock based awards, net of shares withheld for taxes	3,605	28	3,577
Stock option exercises (in shares)	2,449	2,449
Stock option exercises	13		13
Repurchases of common stock (in shares)		-1,642,272
Repurchases of common stock	-9,208	-82	-9,126
Issuance of shares under employees' stock purchase plan (in shares)		165,572
Issuance of shares under employees' stock purchase plan	804	8	796
Unrealized gain on marketable securities	-294			-294
Net (loss) income	-12,127				-12,127
Ending Balance at Jul. 31, 2013	$198,497	$2,384	$746,020	($64)	($549,843)
Ending Balance (in shares) at Jul. 31, 2013		47,688,410

Consolidated_Statements_Of_Cas

Consolidated Statements Of Cash Flows (USD $)	12 Months Ended
In Thousands, unless otherwise specified	Jul. 31, 2013	Jul. 31, 2012	Jul. 31, 2011
Cash Flows from Operating Activities:
Net (loss) income	($12,127)	($19,869)	$60,078
Add (deduct) non-cash items:
Stock-based compensation	4,717	4,449	3,905
Depreciation and amortization	8,044	10,917	17,655
Restructuring	476	1,104	363
Loss on disposal of property and equipment	157	50	54
Other non-cash items	428	1,636	1,910
Changes in operating assets and liabilities:
Accounts receivable	2,906	10,613	3,618
Inventories	-3,046	-9,377	-839
Prepaid expenses	1,245	568	490
Other assets		62	-536
Accounts payable	532	-2,498	-1,407
Accrued expenses	-1,540	-6,921	-5,455
Deferred revenues	-264	-242	-2,728
Net cash provided by (used in) operating activities	1,528	-9,508	77,108
Cash Flows from Investing Activities:
Purchases of property and equipment	-2,769	-3,328	-6,769
Purchases of held-to-maturity securities	-4,842	-10,678	-3,995
Purchases of available-for-sale securities	-66,725	-128,864	-49,418
Proceeds from sales and maturities of held-to-maturity securities	5,800	5,750	1,100
Proceeds from sales and maturities of available-for-sale securities	75,220	63,413	30,661
Net cash provided by (used in) investing activities	6,684	-73,707	-28,421
Cash Flows from Financing Activities:
Repurchases of common stock	-9,208	-9,525
Proceeds from employees' stock purchase plan	804	780	679
Payments of tax withholdings for vested RSUs, net of proceeds from stock option exercises	-1,146	-1,124	-832
Payments of convertible senior subordinated notes			-876
Net cash used in financing activities	-9,550	-9,869	-1,029
Effect of exchange rate changes on cash and cash equivalents	127	-668	562
Net (decrease) increase in cash and cash equivalents	-1,211	-93,752	48,220
Cash and cash equivalents at beginning of year	29,446	123,198	74,978
Cash and cash equivalents at end of year	$28,235	$29,446	$123,198

The_Company

The Company	12 Months Ended
	Jul. 31, 2013
The Company	1. THE COMPANY
	LTX-Credence Corporation (“LTX-Credence” or the “Company”) provides market-focused, cost-optimized automated test equipment (ATE) solutions for the semiconductor industry. The Company designs, manufactures, markets and services ATE solutions that address the broad, divergent test requirements of the wireless, computing, automotive and digital consumer market segments of the semiconductor industry. Semiconductor designers and manufacturers worldwide use the Company’s equipment to test their devices during the manufacturing process. After testing, these devices are incorporated in a wide range of products, including personal and tablet computers, mobile internet equipment such as wireless access points and interfaces, broadband access products such as cable modems and set top boxes, personal communication and entertainment products such as mobile phones and personal digital music players, consumer products such as televisions, videogame systems and digital cameras, automobile electronics and power management devices used in portable and automotive electronics. The Company also sells hardware and software support and maintenance services for its test systems.

Summary_of_Significant_Account

Summary of Significant Accounting Policies	12 Months Ended
	Jul. 31, 2013
Summary of Significant Accounting Policies	2. SUMMARY OF SIGNIFICANT ACCOUNTING POLICIES
	Basis of Presentation
	The consolidated financial statements include the accounts of the Company and its wholly-owned subsidiaries. All significant inter-company transactions and balances have been eliminated in consolidation.
	Preparation of Financial Statements and Use of Estimates
	The accompanying financial statements have been prepared by the Company, and reflect all adjustments, which, in the opinion of management, are necessary for fair presentation. The preparation of financial statements in conformity with generally accepted accounting principles requires management to make estimates and assumptions that affect the reported amounts of assets and liabilities and disclosures of contingent assets and liabilities as of the date of the financial statements and the reported amounts of income and expenses during the reporting periods. Actual results may differ from those estimates and such differences may be material to the consolidated financial statements. Such estimates relate to fair values ascribed to the assets and liabilities acquired in connection with the Credence merger, revenue recognition, the allowance for doubtful accounts, inventory valuation, depreciation, product warranty costs, stock-based compensation and income taxes, among others.
	Revenue Recognition
	The Company recognizes revenue based on guidance provided in Topic 605, Revenue Recognition, to the FASB ASC (“ASC 605”) and Accounting Standards Update (“ASU”) 2009-13, Multiple-Deliverable Revenue Arrangements (“ASU 2009-13”). The Company recognizes revenue when persuasive evidence of an arrangement exists, delivery has occurred or services have been rendered, the seller’s price is fixed or determinable and collectability is reasonably assured.
	Revenue related to equipment sales is recognized when: (a) the Company has a written sales agreement; (b) delivery has occurred or service has been rendered; (c) the price is fixed or determinable; (d) collectability is reasonably assured; (e) the product delivered is a standard product with historically demonstrated acceptance; and (f) there is no unique customer acceptance provision or payment tied to acceptance or an undelivered element significant to the functionality of the system. Generally, payment terms are time based after product shipment. When sales to a customer involve multiple elements, revenue is recognized on the delivered element provided that (1) the undelivered element is a proven technology, (2) there is a history of acceptance on the product with the customer, (3) the undelivered element is not essential to the customer’s application, (4) the delivered item(s) has value to the customer on a stand-alone basis, and (5) if the arrangement included a general right of return relative to the delivered item(s), delivery or performance of the undelivered item(s) is considered probable and substantially in the control of the Company. The arrangement consideration, or the amount of revenue to be recognized on each separate unit of accounting, is allocated at the inception of the arrangement to all deliverables on the basis of their relative selling price.
	Revenue related to spare parts is recognized on shipment.
	Revenue related to maintenance and service contracts is recognized ratably over the duration of the contracts.
	Inventories
	Inventories are stated at the lower of cost or market, determined on the first-in, first-out (“FIFO”) method, and include materials, labor and manufacturing overhead. The components of inventories are as follows:
			As of July 31,
			2013			2012
			(in thousands)
	Material and purchased components		$	15,379		$	13,811
	Work-in-process			2,887			3,045
	Finished testers, including inventory consigned to customers			10,873			11,994
	Total inventories		$	29,139		$	28,850
	Of the $29.1 million inventory balance at July 31, 2013, $19.1 million consists primarily of materials and components and some finished testers to support current requirements for X-Series, ASL and Diamond products, $7.7 million consists of evaluation inventory at customers, and $2.2 million consists of “last time buy” custom components primarily for ASL products. In addition, the Company had $0.1 million of deferred inventory costs related to shipment of inventory where revenue recognition is subject to customer-specific product acceptance and such product had not been accepted by July 31, 2013. If actual demand for the Company’s products deteriorates or market conditions are less favorable than those that the Company projects, additional inventory reserves may be required.
	The Company establishes inventory reserves when conditions exist that indicate inventory may be in excess of anticipated demand or is obsolete based upon assumptions about future demand for the Company’s products or market conditions. The Company regularly evaluates its ability to realize the value of inventory based on a combination of factors including the following: forecasted sales or usage, estimated product end of life dates, estimated current and future market value and new product introductions. Purchasing and usage alternatives are also explored to mitigate inventory exposure. When recorded, reserves are intended to reduce the carrying value of inventory to its net realizable value.
	As of July 31, 2013 and July 31, 2012, inventory is stated net of inventory reserves of $41.8 million and $42.4 million, respectively. If actual demand for products deteriorates or market conditions are less favorable than projected, additional inventory reserves may be required. Such reserves are not reversed until the related inventory is sold or otherwise disposed.
	The following table shows sales of previously reserved inventory and the inventory reserves released for these sales for the fiscal years ended 2013, 2013, and 2011:
			Fiscal Year Ended July 31,
			2013			2012			2011
			(in thousands)
	Sales of previously reserved inventory		$	869		$	6,859		$	20,437
	Inventory reserves released for these sales			300			2,035			4,122
	Goodwill and Other Intangibles
	In accordance with Topic 350, Intangibles—Goodwill and Other, to the FASB ASC (“ASC 350”), the Company is required to review goodwill by reporting unit for impairment at least annually or more often if there are indicators of impairment present. The Company has determined its entire business represents one reporting unit. Historically, the Company has performed its annual impairment analysis during the fourth quarter of each year. The Company evaluated the implied fair value based on the Company’s market capitalization of its one reporting unit as compared to the carrying value of the net assets assigned to its reporting unit as of July 31, 2013 and July 31, 2012. As of those dates, the fair value of the reporting unit exceeded the Company’s carrying value of its net assets and therefore no impairment existed.
	The Company’s goodwill consists of the following:
	Goodwill		July 31,			July 31,
			2013			2012
			(in thousands)
	Merger with Credence Systems Corporation (August 29, 2008)		$	28,662		$	28,662
	Acquisition of Step Tech Inc. (June 10, 2003)			14,368			14,368
	Total goodwill		$	43,030		$	43,030
	Intangible assets, all of which relate to the Credence merger, consist of the following:
						As of July 31, 2013
						(in thousands)
	Description		Estimated			Gross Carrying			Accumulated			Net Amount
			Useful Life			Amount			Amortization
			(in years)
	Trade names			1		$	300		$	300		$	—
	Distributor relationships			2			2,800			2,800			—
	Key customer relationships			3			8,500			8,500			—
	Developed technology—ASL			6			16,000			15,737			263
	Developed technology—Diamond			9			9,400			8,906			494
	Maintenance agreements			7			1,900			1,086			814
	Total intangible assets					$	38,900		$	37,329		$	1,571
						As of July 31, 2012
						(in thousands)
	Description		Estimated			Gross Carrying			Accumulated			Net Amount
			Useful Life			Amount			Amortization
			(in years)
	Trade names			1		$	300		$	300		$	—
	Distributor relationships			2			2,800			2,800			—
	Key customer relationships			3			8,500			8,500			—
	Developed technology—ASL			6			16,000			14,965			1,035
	Developed technology—Diamond			9			9,400			8,367			1,033
	Maintenance agreements			7			1,900			815			1,085
	Total intangible assets					$	38,900		$	35,747		$	3,153
	Intangible assets are amortized based upon the pattern of estimated economic use, over their estimated useful lives. The weighted average estimated remaining useful life over which these intangible assets will be amortized is 1.5 years.
	The Company expects amortization for these intangible assets to be:
Year ending July 31,		Amount
		(in thousands)
2014		$	769
2015			396
2016			321
2017			85
Thereafter			—
Total		$	1,571
Impairment of Long-Lived Assets Other Than Goodwill
On an on-going basis, management reviews the value and period of amortization or depreciation of long-lived assets. In accordance with Topic 360, Property, Plant and Equipment, to the FASB ASC, the Company reviews whether possible impairment losses exist on long-lived assets other than goodwill when indicators of impairment are present. During this review, the Company reevaluates the significant assumptions used in determining the original cost of long-lived assets other than goodwill. Although the assumptions may vary, they generally include revenue growth, operating results, cash flows and other indicators of value. Management then determines whether there has been a permanent impairment of the value of long-lived assets based upon events or circumstances that have occurred since acquisition. The extent of the impairment amount recognized is based upon the difference between the impaired asset’s carrying value and its fair value. During the year ended July 31, 2013, there were no indicators that required the Company to conduct a recoverability test; therefore, the Company did not recognize an impairment loss during the year ended July 31, 2013.
Foreign Currency Remeasurement
The financial statements of the Company’s foreign subsidiaries are remeasured in accordance with Topic 830, Foreign Currency Matters, to the Financial Accounting Standards Board Codification (FASB ASC). The Company’s functional currency is the U.S. dollar. Accordingly, the Company’s foreign subsidiaries remeasure monetary assets and liabilities at month-end exchange rates while long-term non-monetary items are remeasured at historical rates. Income and expense accounts are remeasured at the average rates in effect during the month. Net gains or losses resulting from foreign currency remeasurement and transaction gains or losses are included in the consolidated results of operations as a component of other income, net, and were not significant for the years ended July 31, 2013, 2012, or 2011.
Product Warranty Costs
The Company’s products are sold with warranty provisions that require it to remedy deficiencies in quality or performance of products over a specified period of time at no cost to its customers. The Company offers a one or two year warranty for all of its products, the terms and conditions of which are based on the product sold and the customer. For all products sold, the Company accrues a liability for the estimated cost of standard warranty at the time of shipment. Factors that impact the warranty liability include the number of installed products, historical and anticipated product failure rates, material usage and service labor costs. The Company periodically assesses the adequacy of its recorded liability and adjusts amounts as necessary.
The following table shows the change in the product warranty liability, as required by Topic 460, Guarantees, to the FASB ASC, for the years ended July 31, 2013 and 2012:
Product Warranty Activity		2013			2012
		(in thousands)
Balance at beginning of period		$	1,672		$	2,281
Warranty expenditures for current period			(3,866	)		(3,297	)
Changes in liability related to pre-existing warranties			(52	)		12
Provision for warranty costs in the period			3,463			2,676
Balance at end of period		$	1,217		$	1,672
Derivatives
The Company conducts business in a number of foreign countries, with certain transactions denominated in local currencies. The purpose of the Company’s foreign currency management is to minimize the effect of exchange rate fluctuations on certain foreign denominated net monetary assets. The Company does not use derivative financial instruments for trading purposes.
During the twelve months ended July 31, 2011, the Company entered into a derivative in the form of a foreign currency forward contract to minimize the effect of exchange rate fluctuations associated with the remeasurement of net monetary assets denominated in foreign currencies. This transaction did not qualify for hedge accounting under Topic 815, Derivatives and Hedging to the FASB ASC. The change in fair value of this derivative is recorded directly in the Company’s statement of operations, and offsets the change in fair value of the net monetary assets denominated in foreign currencies. The Company recorded $0.2 million of expense in Other income, net for the fiscal year ended July 31, 2011.
During the fiscal year ended July 31, 2012, the Company settled its foreign currency forward contract. Therefore, there are no foreign currency contracts outstanding as of July 31, 2013.
Trade Accounts Receivable and Allowance for Doubtful Accounts
Trade accounts receivable are recorded at the invoiced amount, do not bear interest, and typically have a contractual maturity of ninety days or less. A majority of the Company’s trade receivables are derived from sales to large multinational semiconductor manufacturers throughout the world. The volatility of the industries that the Company serves can cause certain of its customers to experience shortages of cash, which can impact their ability to make required payments. An allowance for doubtful accounts is maintained for potential credit losses based upon the Company’s assessment of the expected collectability of all accounts receivable. The allowance for doubtful accounts is reviewed periodically to assess the adequacy of the allowances. In any circumstances in which the Company is aware of a customer’s inability to meet its financial obligations, an allowance is provided, which is based on the age of the receivables, the circumstances surrounding the customer’s financial situation, and historical experience. If circumstances change, and the financial condition of customers is adversely affected resulting in their inability to meet their financial obligations to the Company, additional allowances may be recorded.
Engineering and Product Development Costs
The Company expenses all engineering and product development costs as incurred. Expenses relating to certain software development costs, subject to capitalization in accordance with the Topic 985, Software, to the FASB ASC, were insignificant.
Shipping and Handling Costs
Shipping and handling costs are included in cost of sales in the consolidated statements of operations. Shipping and handling costs were $2.7 million, $3.4 million, and $4.1 million for fiscal years ended July 31, 2013, 2012, and 2011, respectively.
Income Taxes
The benefit from income taxes was primarily due to the release of reserves due to statute of limitation expirations offset by foreign tax expense associated with earnings generated in foreign jurisdictions.
The Company recorded an income tax benefit of $0.3 million for the twelve months ended July 31, 2013, primarily due to the release of reserves related to statute of limitation expirations and foreign tax on earnings generated in foreign jurisdictions. For the twelve months ended July 31, 2012, the Company recorded an income tax benefit of $0.9 million, primarily due to the release of reserves related to statute of limitation expirations and legal entity dissolutions.
As of July 31, 2013 and July 31, 2012, the total unrecognized income tax benefits were $6.8 million and $8.0 million, respectively, of which $3.2 million and $4.4 million, respectively, if recognized, would impact the Company’s income tax rate. The Company recognizes interest and penalties related to uncertain tax positions as a component of income tax expense. As of July 31, 2013 and July 31, 2012, the Company had accrued approximately $0.9 million and $1.0 million, respectively, for potential payment of accrued interest and penalties.
The Company conducts business globally and, as a result, the Company and its subsidiaries or branches file income tax returns in the U.S. federal jurisdiction and various state and foreign jurisdictions. In the normal course of business, the Company is subject to examination by taxing authorities throughout the world, including such major jurisdictions as the United States, Singapore, France and Germany. With few exceptions, the Company is no longer subject to U.S. federal, state and local or non-U.S. income tax examinations for years prior to 1998.
As a result of the merger with Credence on August 29, 2008, a greater than 50% cumulative ownership change in both entities triggered a significant limitation on net operating loss carryforward utilization. The Company’s ability to use acquired net operating loss and credit carryforwards is subject to annual limitation as defined in sections 382 and 383 of the Internal Revenue Code. The Company currently estimates that the annual limitation on its use of net operating losses generated through August 29, 2008 is approximately $10.1 million which, based on currently enacted federal carryforward periods, limits the amount of net operating losses that are able to be used to approximately $202.0 million. The Company will continue to assess the realizability of these carryforwards in subsequent periods.
Accounting for Stock-Based Compensation
The Company has equity awards outstanding under various stock-based compensation plans, including the 2010 Stock Plan (“2010 Plan”), 2004 Stock Plan (“2004 Plan”), 2001 Stock Plan (“2001 Plan”), 1999 Stock Plan (“1999 Plan”), and 1993 Stock Plan (“1993 Plan”). In addition, the Company assumed the StepTech, Inc. Stock Option Plan (the “STI 2000 Plan”) as part of its acquisition of StepTech, Inc. (“StepTech”) and the Credence 2005 Stock Incentive Plan (the “Credence 2005 Plan”) with its acquisition of Credence. The Company can only grant awards from the 2010 Plan.
During the fiscal year ended July 31, 2013, the Company granted 895,900 Restricted Stock Units (“RSUs”) to certain executives, directors and employees, with time-based vesting terms ranging from one to four years. Of these, 390,000 RSUs were granted to executives.
The Company recognizes stock-based compensation expense on its equity awards in accordance with the provisions of Topic 718, Compensation—Stock Compensation, to the FASB ASC (“ASC 718”). Under ASC 718, the Company is required to recognize, as expense, the estimated fair value of all share-based payments to employees. In accordance with this standard, the Company has elected to recognize the compensation cost of all service based awards on a straight-line basis over the vesting period of the award.
For the years ended July 31, 2013, 2012, and 2011, the Company recorded stock-based compensation expense as follows:
		Fiscal Year Ended July 31,
		2013			2012			2011
		(in thousands)
Cost of sales		$	148		$	123		$	165
Engineering and product development expenses			611			533			891
Selling, general and administrative expenses			3,958			3,793			2,849
Total stock-based compensation expense		$	4,717		$	4,449		$	3,905
As of July 31, 2013, there was approximately $8.3 million of unrecognized stock-based compensation expense related to share-based equity grants to employees that is expected to be recognized over the next 3.6 years.
Net (loss) income per Share
Basic net (loss) income per common share is computed by dividing net (loss) income available to common stockholders by the weighted average number of common shares outstanding for the period. Diluted net (loss) income per common share reflects the maximum dilution that would have resulted from the assumed exercise and share repurchase related to dilutive stock options and RSUs, and is computed by dividing net (loss) income by the weighted average number of common shares and the dilutive effect of all securities outstanding.
Reconciliation between basic and diluted net (loss) income per share is as follows:
		Fiscal Year Ended July 31,
		2013			2012			2011
		(in thousands, except per share data)
Net (loss) income		$	(12,127	)	$	(19,869	)	$	60,078
Basic EPS
Weighted average shares outstanding—basic			47,719			49,080			49,398
Basic EPS		$	(0.25	)	$	(0.40	)	$	1.22
Diluted EPS
Weighted average shares outstanding—basic			47,719			49,080			49,398
Plus: impact of stock options and unvested restricted stock units			—			—			1,017
Weighted average shares outstanding—diluted			47,719			49,080			50,415
Diluted EPS		$	(0.25	)	$	(0.40	)	$	1.19
For the years ended July 31, 2013, 2012 and 2011, options to purchase approximately 1.0 million, 1.2 million, and 1.5 million shares, respectively, of common stock were not included in the calculation of diluted EPS because the effect of including the options would have been anti-dilutive. These options could be dilutive in the future. In accordance with the contingently issuable shares guidance of the FASB ASC Topic 260, Earnings Per Share, the calculation of diluted net (loss) income per share excludes 2.0 million, 1.8 million, and 0 RSUs for the years ended July 31, 2013, 2012, and 2011, respectively, as to include them would have been anti-dilutive.
Cash and Cash Equivalents and Marketable Securities
The Company considers all highly liquid investments that are readily convertible to cash and that have original maturity dates of three months or less to be cash equivalents. Cash and cash equivalents consist primarily of operating cash, money market accounts and reverse repurchase agreements. Marketable securities consist primarily of debt securities that are classified as available-for-sale, in accordance with Topic 320, Investments—Debt and Equity Securities, to the FASB ASC. The Company also holds certain investments in commercial paper that it considers to be held to maturity, based on their maturity dates. Securities available for sale include corporate and governmental obligations with various contractual maturity dates some of which are greater than one year. The Company considers the securities to be liquid and convertible to cash within 30 days. The Company has the ability and intent to liquidate any security that the Company holds to fund operations over the next twelve months, if necessary, and as such has classified all of its marketable securities as short-term. Governmental obligations include U.S. Government, State, Municipal and Federal Agency securities. The Company has an overnight sweep investment arrangement with its bank for certain accounts to allow the Company to enter into diversified overnight investments via a money market mutual fund which generally provides a higher investment yield than a regular operating account.
The market value and maturities of the Company’s marketable securities are as follows:
		Total Amount
		(in thousands)
July 31, 2013
Due in less than one year		$	56,222
Due in 1 to 3 years			39,937
Total marketable securities		$	96,159
		Total Amount
		(in thousands)
July 31, 2012
Due in less than one year		$	69,044
Due in 1 to 3 years			38,684
Total marketable securities		$	107,728
The market value and amortized cost of marketable securities are as follows:
		Market			Amortized
		Value			Cost
		(in thousands)
July 31, 2013
Corporate (a)		$	52,669		$	52,241
Government			15,656			15,627
Mortgage-Backed			6,381			6,390
Asset-Backed			21,453			21,449
Total		$	96,159		$	95,707
		Market			Amortized
		Value			Cost
		(in thousands)
31-Jul-12
Corporate (a)		$	53,012		$	52,553
Government			17,148			17,078
Mortgage-Backed			6,351			6,305
Asset-Backed			31,217			31,062
Total		$	107,728		$	106,998
(a)	Included in the above figures is $2,853 and $2,797 of market value and amortized cost related to the Company’s held to maturity investments as of July 31, 2013 and 2012, respectively.
Realized gains, losses and interest income are included in interest income in the Statements of Operations. Unrealized gains and losses are reflected as a separate component of comprehensive income (loss) within Stockholders’ Equity. The Company analyzes its securities portfolio for other-than-temporary impairment on a quarterly basis or upon occurrence of a significant change in circumstances. There were no other-than-temporary impairment losses recorded in the twelve months ended July 31, 2013, 2012, or 2011.
The following table summarizes marketable securities and related unrealized gains and losses as of July 31, 2013 and 2012:
July 31, 2013		Market			Unrealized
		Value			Gain/(Loss)
		(in thousands)
Securities < 12 months unrealized losses		$	21,842		$	(80	)
Securities > 12 months unrealized losses			21,983			(98	)
Securities < 12 months unrealized gains			34,380			54
Securities > 12 months unrealized gains			17,954			60
Total		$	96,159		$	(64	)
July 31, 2012		Market			Unrealized
		Value			Gain/(Loss)
		(in thousands)
Securities < 12 months unrealized losses		$	14,727		$	(27	)
Securities > 12 months unrealized losses			7,313			(22	)
Securities < 12 months unrealized gains			54,317			80
Securities > 12 months unrealized gains			31,371			199
Total		$	107,728		$	230
Interest income and realized gains and losses from sales of marketable securities, included in interest income in the Statement of Operations, are as follows:
		Year Ended July 31,
		2013			2012			2011
		(in thousands)
Interest income on marketable securities		$	2,483		$	2,637		$	895
Realized gain (loss) from sales of securities			96			(14	)		(12	)
Total		$	2,579		$	2,623		$	883
Fair Value of Financial Instruments
The Company determines its fair value measurements for assets and liabilities based upon the provisions of Topic 820, Fair Value Measurements and Disclosures, to FASB ASC.
Topic 825 to the FASB ASC, Financial Instruments, requires that disclosure be made of estimates of the fair value of financial instruments. The carrying amounts of certain of the Company’s financial instruments, including cash equivalents, accounts receivable, accounts payable and other accrued liabilities approximate fair value due to their short maturities. Marketable securities classified as available-for-sale are all debt securities and are recorded at fair value based upon quoted market prices.
Concentration of Credit and Supplier Risk
		Year Ended July 31,
		2013			2012			2011
		(in millions except %’s)
Revenue from top ten customers			70	%		68	%		80	%
Accounts receivable from the same top ten customers		$	21.2		$	22.8		$	35.3
Sales to customers outside the United States		$	126		$	101.6		$	212.3
Financial instruments, which potentially subject the Company to concentrations of credit risk, are cash equivalents, marketable securities and accounts receivable. All of the Company’s cash equivalents and marketable securities are maintained by major financial institutions. The Company periodically reviews these investments to evaluate and minimize credit risk. Concentration of credit risk with respect to accounts receivable is limited to certain customers to whom the Company makes substantial sales. To reduce risk, the Company routinely assesses the financial strength of its customers. The Company does not require collateral, although the Company does obtain letters of credit on sales to certain foreign customers. There were no write-offs of accounts receivable during the fiscal years ended July 31, 2013, 2012, or 2011.
The Company outsources certain components and subassemblies for our test equipment to contract manufacturers other than its sole source supplier manufacturer. The Company’s products incorporate standard components and prefabricated parts manufactured to its specifications. These components and subassemblies are used to produce testers in configurations specified by its customers. Some of the standard components for the Company’s products are available from a number of different suppliers; however, many such standard components are purchased from a single supplier or a limited group of suppliers. Although the Company believes that all single sourced components currently are available in adequate amounts, shortages or delivery delays may develop in the future. The Company is dependent on certain semiconductor device manufacturers, who are sole source suppliers of custom components for its products. The Company has no written supply agreements with these sole source suppliers and purchases its custom components through individual purchase orders. The Company continuously evaluates alternative sources for the manufacture of our custom components and the supply of our standard components; however, such alternative sources may not meet its required qualifications or have capacity that is available to the Company.
Property and Equipment
Property and equipment acquired is recorded at cost. The Company provides for depreciation and amortization using the straight-line method. Charges are made to operating expenses in amounts that are sufficient to amortize the cost of the assets over their estimated useful lives. Equipment spares used for service and internally manufactured test systems used for testing components and engineering projects are recorded at cost and depreciated over three to seven years. Repair and maintenance costs that do not extend the lives of property and equipment are expensed as incurred. Property and equipment are summarized as follows:
		As of July 31,						Estimated Useful
		2013			2012			Lives
		(in thousands)						(in years)
Equipment spares		$	58,461		$	57,841		5 or 7
Machinery, equipment and internally manufactured systems			34,587			38,067		7-Mar
Office furniture and equipment			2,014			3,885		7-Mar
Purchased software			488			2,870		3
Land			2,524			2,524		—
Leasehold improvements			6,983			6,187		Term of lease or
								useful life, not to
								exceed 10 years
Property and equipment, gross			105,057			111,374
Accumulated depreciation and amortization			(88,410	)		(93,145	)
Property and equipment, net		$	16,647		$	18,229
Depreciation expense was $6.5 million, $7.8 million, and $11.6 million for the years ended July 31, 2013, 2012, and 2011, respectively.
Recent Accounting Pronouncements
In July 2013, the FASB issued ASU No. 2013-11, Presentation of an Unrecognized Tax Benefit When a Net Operating Loss Carryforward, a Similar Tax Loss, or a Tax Loss, or a Tax Credit Carryforward Exists. Topic 740, Income Taxes, does not include explicit guidance on the financial statement presented of an unrecognized tax benefit when a net operating loss carryforward, a similar tax loss, or a tax credit carryforward exists. There is diversity in practice in the presentation of unrecognized tax benefits in those instances and the amendments in this update are intended to eliminate that diversity in practice. The amendments are effective for fiscal years, and interim periods within those years, beginning after December 15, 2013. The amendments should be applied prospectively to all unrecognized tax benefits that exist at the effective date. Early adoption is permitted. The Company is currently evaluating the impact of adoption of this amended standard.

Other_Accrued_Expenses

Other Accrued Expenses	12 Months Ended
	Jul. 31, 2013
Other Accrued Expenses	3. OTHER ACCRUED EXPENSES
	Other accrued expenses consisted of the following:
		July 31,
		2013		2012
		(in thousands)
	Accrued compensation	$	7,538	$	7,059
	Accrued vendor liability		2,153		2,373
	Accrued professional fees		2,043		835
	Warranty reserve		1,217		1,672
	Accrued income, and other taxes		1,115		931
	Accrued restructuring		1,037		1,502
	Other accrued expenses		4,249		5,364
	Total accrued expenses	$	19,352	$	19,736

Long_Term_Debt

Long Term Debt	12 Months Ended
	Jul. 31, 2013
Long Term Debt	4. LONG TERM DEBT
	Convertible Senior Subordinated Notes Due 2011
	In the year ended July 31, 2010, the Company repurchased $33.1 million of its 3.5% Convertible Senior Subordinated Notes due May 2011 (the “2011 Notes”) at a discount to their par value for net cash consideration of $31.6 million. The Company accounted for the repurchase of the notes as an extinguishment of debt in accordance with FASB ASC Topic 860, Transfers and Servicing and recorded a net gain on extinguishment of debt of $0.9 million in the twelve months ended July 31, 2010.
	On May 15, 2011, at maturity of the 2011 Notes, the Company repaid the outstanding principal of the Notes, together with accrued and unpaid interest thereon, and a maturity premium equal to 7.5% of such principal. As a result, as of July 31, 2013 and 2012, the Company had no 2011 Notes outstanding.

Income_Taxes

Income Taxes	12 Months Ended
	Jul. 31, 2013
Income Taxes	5. INCOME TAXES
	The components of income (loss) before income taxes and the benefit from income taxes consist of the following:
		Fiscal Year Ended July 31,
		2013			2012			2011
		(in thousands)
	Income (loss) before income taxes
	U.S.	$	(15,388	)	$	(22,857	)	$	73,666
	Foreign		2,986			2,050			(13,903	)
	Income (loss) before income taxes	$	(12,402	)	$	(20,807	)	$	59,763
	Provision for (benefit from) income taxes:
	Current:
	Federal	$	—		$	—		$	(405	)
	State		—			—			(17	)
	Foreign		(275	)		(938	)		107
	Total Current	$	(275	)	$	(938	)	$	(315	)
	Deferred
	Foreign		—			—			—
	Total Deferred		—			—			—
	Total benefit from income taxes	$	(275	)	$	(938	)	$	(315	)
	Reconciliation of the U.S. federal statutory rate to the Company’s effective tax rate is as follows:
		Fiscal Year Ended July 31,
		2013			2012			2011
	U.S. federal statutory rate		35	%		35	%		35	%
	Change in valuation allowance/utilization of net operating loss carryforwards		(37.76	)		(34.11	)		(34.68	)
	Tax credits		—			—			(0.67	)
	Change in uncertain tax positions		7.16			4.99			0.09
	Other		(2.18	)		(1.37	)		(0.26	)
	Effective tax rate		2.22	%		4.51	%		(0.52	)%
	The temporary differences and carryforwards that created the deferred tax assets and liabilities as of July 31, 2013, and 2012 are as follows:
		As of July 31,
		2013			2012
		(in thousands)
	Deferred tax assets:
	Net operating loss carryforwards	$	144,399		$	137,984
	Capital loss carryforwards		393			757
	Tax credits		26,965			24,998
	Inventory valuation reserves		20,694			21,336
	Deferred revenue		648			2,677
	Fixed assets and spares		14			—
	Other		13,018			13,909
	Total deferred tax assets		206,131			201,661
	Valuation allowance		(204,484	)		(200,103	)
	Net deferred tax assets	$	1,647		$	1,558
	Deferred tax liabilities:
	Intangibles	$	—		$	(99	)
	Fixed assets and spares		(1,212	)		(605	)
	Prepaid expenses		(22	)		(28	)
	Other		(413	)		(826	)
	Total deferred tax liabilities		(1,647	)		(1,558	)
	Net deferred tax assets (liabilities)	$	—		$	—
	Cumulative unremitted foreign earnings that are considered to be indefinitely reinvested outside of the U.S. and on which no U.S. taxes have been provided are approximately $0.1 million and $0.2 million as of July 31, 2013 and 2012. Due to net operating loss and credit carryforwards, the residual U.S. tax liability, if such amounts were remitted, would be minimal.
	Compliance with section 10-30 of FASB ASC Topic 740, Income Taxes, requires the Company to periodically evaluate the necessity of establishing or increasing a valuation allowance for deferred tax assets depending on whether it is more likely than not that a related benefit will be realized in future periods. Because of the cumulative net loss position of the Company and the uncertainty of the timing of profitability in future periods, the Company determined that a valuation allowance against its net deferred tax assets is appropriate as the Company determined it would be more likely than not unable to realize its deferred tax assets. The valuation allowance totaled $204.5 million and $200.1 million as of July 31, 2013 and 2012, respectively. The increase in the Company’s valuation allowance compared to the prior year was primarily due to an increase in deferred tax assets associated with the current year taxable loss generated in various jurisdictions.
	As of July 31, 2013, the Company had federal net operating loss carryforwards of $356.4 million, which expire from 2017 to 2033, federal tax credit carryforwards, including research and development and foreign tax credits, of $6.9 million which expire from 2018 to 2033, state net operating loss carryforwards of $247.2 million, which expire from 2014 to 2033, and state tax credits and carryforwards of $33.4 million, of which the majority have an indefinite credit carryforward period. The remaining state tax credit carryforwards begin expiring in 2014 to 2028. The Company also has foreign net operating loss carryforwards of approximately $16.1 million in various foreign jurisdictions.
	As of July 31, 2012, the Company had federal net operating loss carryforwards of $340.1 million, which expire from 2017 to 2032, federal tax credit carryforwards, including research and development and foreign tax credits, of $5.7 million which expire from 2018 to 2032, state net operating loss carryforwards of $238.8 million, which expire from 2013 to 2032, and state tax credits and carryforwards of $31.4 million, of which the majority have an indefinite credit carryforward period. The remaining state tax credit carryforwards begin expiring in 2013 to 2027. The Company also has foreign net operating loss carryforwards of approximately $15.8 million in various foreign jurisdictions.
	As a result of the merger with Credence Systems Corporation on August 29, 2008, a greater than 50% cumulative ownership change in both entities triggered a significant limitation in net operating loss carryforward utilization. The Company’s ability to use the operating and acquired net operating loss and credit carryforwards is subject to annual limitations as defined in sections 382 and 383 of the Internal Revenue Code. The Company currently estimates that the annual limitation on its use of net operating losses generated through August 29, 2008 will be approximately $10.1 million, which, based on the currently enacted federal carryforward period, limits the amount of net operating losses able to be used to approximately $202.0 million as of July 31, 2013. The Company will continue to assess the realizability of these carryforwards in subsequent periods.
	A summary of the Company’s adjustments to its uncertain tax positions in the fiscal years ended July 31, 2013 and 2012 is as follows:
		July 31,			July 31,
		2013			2012
		(in thousands)
	Balance at beginning of year	$	8,009		$	9,094
	Decrease for uncertain tax positions related to the current year		(242	)		(195	)
	Decrease for uncertain tax positions related to prior years		(54	)		(385	)
	Decreases for settlements with applicable taxing authorities		—			—
	Decreases for lapses of statutes of limitations		(925	)		(505	)
Balance at end of year	$	6,788		$	8,009
As of July 31, 2013 and 2012, the Company’s unrecognized tax benefits were $6.8 million and $8.0 million, respectively, of which $3.2 million and $4.4 million, respectively, if recognized, would impact the effective income tax rate. The Company recognizes interest and penalties related to uncertain tax positions as a component of income tax expense. The Company has accrued a total of $0.9 million and $1.0 million, respectively, for the potential payment of interest and penalties at July 31, 2013 and July 31, 2012. The Company does not anticipate the amount of the reserve for uncertain tax positions that will be reduced over the next 12 month period will be material as the Company settles disputed items with the appropriate taxing authorities.
The Company files income tax returns with the U.S. federal government and various state and international jurisdictions, which are subject to potential examination by tax authorities. With few exceptions, the Company’s 1998 and subsequent federal and state tax years remain open by statute, principally relating to net operating loss carryforwards.
Net cash paid for income taxes during the year ended July 31, 2013 and July 31, 2012 was approximately $0.2 million and $0.1 million, respectively.

Stockholders_Equity

Stockholders' Equity	12 Months Ended
	Jul. 31, 2013
Stockholders' Equity	6. STOCKHOLDERS’ EQUITY
	Stock Repurchases
	On September 15, 2011, the Company announced that its board of directors authorized a stock repurchase program for up to $25 million. Under this program, the Company is authorized to repurchase shares of its common stock from time to time in open market transactions. The Company determines the timing and amount of the transaction based on its evaluation of market conditions and other factors. The repurchase program may be suspended or discontinued at any time and has no expiration date. As of July 31, 2013, the Company has repurchased 3,294,666 shares of common stock for a total purchase price of $18.7 million since the inception of the program.
	Reserved Unissued Shares
	At July 31, 2013 and July 31, 2012, the Company had reserved 8,866,509 and 8,916,747 of unissued shares of its common stock for possible issuance under stock-based compensation plans and the Company’s Employee Stock Purchase Plan.

Employee_Benefit_Plans

Employee Benefit Plans	12 Months Ended
	Jul. 31, 2013
Employee Benefit Plans	7. EMPLOYEE BENEFIT PLANS
	Stock Option Plans
	In connection with the Company’s Stock Option Plans, at July 31, 2013, 5,234,379 shares were available for future grant under the 2010 Plan. No shares were available for future grant under any of the other Company Stock Option Plans. The Company’s general practice has been to issue new shares upon the exercise of stock options or vesting of RSUs.
	For the fiscal years ended July 31, 2013, 2012 and 2011 the Company’s stock option activity is as follows:
		2013					2012					2011
		Number of			Weighted		Number of			Weighted		Number of			Weighted
		Shares			Average		Shares			Average		Shares			Average
					Exercise Price					Exercise Price					Exercise Price
	Options outstanding, beginning of year		1,242,471		$	21.87		1,739,275		$	25.04		2,371,252		$	29.79
	Exercised		(2,449	)		5.55		(20,046	)		5.77		(37,985	)		5.62
	Forfeited		(289,468	)		18.71		(476,758	)		34.09		(593,992	)		45.31
	Options outstanding, end of year		950,554		$	22.88		1,242,471		$	21.87		1,739,275		$	25.04
	Options exercisable		950,554		$	22.88		1,242,471		$	21.87		1,701,971		$	25.45
	The intrinsic value of options exercised during the years ended July 31, 2013, 2012 and 2011 was $1,307, $26,160, and, $111,814, respectively.
	As of July 31, 2013, the status of the Company’s outstanding and exercisable stock options is as follows:
	Options Outstanding									Options Exercisable
	Range of Exercise Price ($)	Number			Weighted		Weighted			Number		Weighted
		Outstanding (#)			Average		Average			Exercisable (#)		Average
					Remaining		Exercise Price ($)					Exercise Price ($)
					Contractual Life (yrs)
	$    0.00  –  13.88		271,735			3.75	$	8.27			271,735	$	8.27
	13.90  –  26.81		394,350			1.52		19.11			394,350		19.11
	27.82  –  41.49		666			0.6		40.92			666		40.92
	41.50  –  54.75		281,942			0.15		41.89			281,942		41.89
	54.76  –  68.58		1,270			0.61		62.54			1,270		62.54
	68.59  –  83.22		591			0.25		82.14			591		82.14
			950,554			1.75	$	22.88			950,554	$	22.88
	Intrinsic value at July 31, 2013	$	31,641							$	31,641
	Restricted Stock Units (“RSUs”)
	During the fiscal year ended July 31, 2013, the Company granted 895,900 RSUs to certain executives, directors and employees, with time-based vesting terms ranging from one to four years. Of these, 390,000 RSUs were granted to executives.
	During the fiscal year ended July 31, 2012, the Company granted 939,600 RSUs to certain executives, directors and employees, with time-based vesting terms ranging from one to four years. Of these, 465,000 RSUs were granted to executives.
	During the fiscal year ended July 31, 2011, the Company granted 784,450 RSUs to certain executives, directors and employees, with time-based vesting terms ranging from six months to four years. Of these, 330,000 RSUs were granted to executives.
	For the fiscal years ended July 31, 2013, 2012, and 2011 the status of the Company’s outstanding RSUs is as follows:
		2013					2012					2011
		Number of			Weighted		Number of			Weighted		Number of			Weighted
		Shares			Average		Shares			Average		Shares			Average
					Grant-Date					Grant-Date					Grant-Date
					Fair Value					Fair Value					Fair Value
	RSUs outstanding, beginning of year		1,848,598		$	5.81		1,678,108		$	5.64		1,490,232		$	5.24
	Granted		895,900			5.82		939,600			6.04		784,450			6.8
	Vested		(754,556	)		5.39		(702,277	)		5.74		(585,492	)		6.24
	Forfeited		(21,252	)		5.54		(66,833	)		5.45		(11,082	)		3.36
	RSUs outstanding, end of year		1,968,690		$	5.98		1,848,598		$	5.81		1,678,108		$	5.64
	The fair value of RSUs vested during the years ended July 31, 2013, 2012, and 2011 was $4.1 million, $4.0 million, and $3.6 million, respectively.
	Employee Stock Purchase Plan
	In December 2003, the shareholders approved an employee stock purchase plan, which was subsequently amended in September 2005,July 2009 and October 2012 (“2004 ESPP”). Under the 2004 ESPP, as amended, eligible employees may contribute up to 15% of their annual compensation for the purchase of common stock of the Company, subject to an annual limit of $25,000. The price paid for the common stock is equal to 85% of the price of the Company’s common stock on the last business day of a six-month offering period. The 2004 ESPP limited the number of shares that can be issued over the term of the plan to eligible employees to 400,000 shares, and the July 2009 amendment increased the number of shares that may be issued by an additional 400,000 shares. An October 2012 amendment increased the number of shares that may be issued by an additional 800,000 shares. In fiscal years 2013, 2012, and 2011, the total number of shares issued under the 2004 ESPP were 165,572, 146,897, and 101,122, respectively. As of July 31, 2013, there are 712,886 shares available for issuance under the 2004 ESPP.
	Other Compensation Plans
	The Company has established a Profit Sharing Bonus Plan, whereby a percentage of pretax profits are distributed quarterly to all eligible non-executive employees. Under the Profit Sharing Bonus Plan, the Company recorded profit sharing expense for all eligible employees of approximately $0.1 million, $0.1 million, and $3.7 million for the years ended July 31, 2013, 2012, and 2011 respectively.
	The Company has an Executive Profit Sharing Plan pursuant to which the Company’s executives are eligible to receive cash awards based on the Company’s achievement of certain profitability milestones. Executive employees included in this plan are excluded from the Profit Sharing Bonus Plan. Under the Executive Profit Sharing Plan, the Company recorded profit sharing expense of approximately $2.5 million for the year ended July 31, 2011. There was no executive profit sharing expense for the fiscal years ended July 31, 2013 and 2012.
	The Company maintains a 401(k) Growth and Investment Plan (“401(k) Plan”). Eligible employees may make voluntary contributions to the 401(k) Plan through a salary reduction contract up to the statutory limit or 20% of their annual compensation. The Company matches 50% of employees’ first 6% of voluntary contributions. Company contributions vest at a rate of 20% per year and employees are 100% vested after 5 years of service. The Company funded the match with a contribution of $1.1 million for each the fiscal years ended July 31, 2013, 2012, and 2011, respectively.

Industry_And_Geographic_And_Si

Industry And Geographic And Significant Customer Segment Information	12 Months Ended
	Jul. 31, 2013
Industry And Geographic And Significant Customer Segment Information	8. INDUSTRY AND GEOGRAPHIC AND SIGNIFICANT CUSTOMER SEGMENT INFORMATION
	In accordance with the provisions of Topic 280, Segment Reporting to the FASB ASC (“ASC 280”) the Company operates in one reporting unit, that is, the design, manufacture and sale of automated test equipment for the semiconductor industry that is used to test system-on-a-chip, digital, analog and mixed signal integrated circuits.
	The Company’s sales to top ten customers for the twelve months ended July 31, 2013, 2012, and 2011, along with the accounts receivable for the same customers at July 31, 2013, 2012, and 2011, are summarized as follows:
		Year Ended July 31,
		2013			2012			2011
	Net sales to the top ten customers		70	%		68	%		80	%
	Accounts receivable from top ten customers (in millions)	$	21.2		$	22.8		$	35.3
		Year Ended July 31,
		2013			2012			2011
	The Company’s customers over 10% of net sales:
	Spirox		27	%		22	%		14	%
	Texas Instruments		12	%		21	%		23	%
	Atmel		—			—			13	%
	The Company’s net sales to geographic area for the twelve months ended July 31, 2013, 2012, and 2011, along with the long-lived assets by location at July 31, 2013 and July 31, 2012, are summarized as follows:
		Year Ended July 31,
		2013			2012			2011
		(in thousands)
	Sales to unaffiliated customers (ship to location):
	Taiwan	$	39,913		$	26,308		$	50,914
	United States		25,999			30,486			37,160
	Philippines		23,106			25,117			62,218
	Malaysia		15,935			10,959			16,143
	Singapore		9,221			5,302			32,416
	All other countries (none of which is individually greater than 10% of net sales)		37,808			33,962			50,679
	Total sales to unaffiliated customers	$	151,982		$	132,134		$	249,530
		As of July 31,
		2013			2012
		(in thousands)
	Long-lived assets:
	United States	$	14,844		$	16,386
	Philippines		517			166
	Singapore		311			312
	Japan		311			564
	All other countries		664			801
	Total long-lived assets	$	16,647		$	18,229
	Transfer prices on products sold to foreign subsidiaries are intended to produce profit margins that correspond to the subsidiary’s sales and support efforts.

Commitments_And_Contingencies

Commitments And Contingencies	12 Months Ended
	Jul. 31, 2013
Commitments And Contingencies	9. COMMITMENTS AND CONTINGENCIES
	From time to time, the Company is subject to certain legal proceedings and other contingencies, the outcomes of which are subject to significant uncertainty. The Company accrues for estimated losses if it is probable that an asset has been impaired or a liability has been incurred and the amount of the loss can be reasonably estimated. The Company uses judgment and evaluates, with the assistance of legal counsel, whether a loss contingency arising from litigation should be disclosed or recorded. The outcome of legal proceedings and other contingencies is inherently uncertain and often difficult to estimate. Accordingly, if the outcome of legal proceedings and other contingencies is different than is anticipated by the Company, the Company would record the difference between any previously recorded amount and the full amount at which the matter was resolved, in earnings in the period resolved, which could negatively impact the Company’s results of operations and financial position for the period.
	We are a defendant in a litigation matter incidental to the business that is related to customer expectations of test system performance for product that was shipped in 2006 by Credence Systems Corporation. We do not believe the plaintiff’s claims have merit and we are vigorously defending our position. An estimate of any potential loss cannot be made, and accordingly we have not accrued any amounts related to this matter.
	On November 17, 2010, the Company entered into an Agreement and Plan of Merger (the “Merger Agreement”) with Verigy Ltd., a corporation organized under the laws of Singapore (“Verigy”). In March 2011, prior to the closing of our merger with Verigy, the board of directors of Verigy determined that a proposal from Advantest to acquire all of the outstanding ordinary shares of Verigy for $15.00 per share in cash, on the terms and conditions set forth in a definitive implementation agreement proposed by Advantest, constituted a “Superior Offer” within the meaning of the Merger Agreement, the Verigy board of directors withdrew its recommendation in favor of the pending merger transaction between Verigy and the Company and, as a result the Company then terminated the Merger Agreement. As a result of the termination of the Merger Agreement, on March 25, 2011 Verigy paid the Company the $15.0 million Verigy Termination Fee required pursuant to the terms and conditions of the Merger Agreement, which is classified as other income in the Company’s statement of operations for the year ended.
	In the twelve months ended July 31, 2011, the Company incurred approximately $4.9 million of expenses related to the Verigy transaction, of which $3.6 million was recorded in selling, general and administrative expenses on the Company’s consolidated statement of operations. The remaining $1.3 million was related to a break-up fee and was recorded as Other income (expense).
	In the ordinary course of business, the Company agrees from time to time to indemnify certain customers against certain third party claims for property damage, bodily injury, personal injury or intellectual property infringement arising from the operation or use of the Company’s products. Also, from time to time in agreements with suppliers, licensors and other business partners, the Company agrees to indemnify these partners against certain liabilities arising out of the sale or use of the Company’s products. The maximum potential amount of future payments the Company could be required to make under these indemnification obligations is theoretically unlimited; however, the Company has general and umbrella insurance policies that enable it to recover a portion of any amounts paid and many of its agreements contain a limit on the maximum amount, as well as limits on the types of damages recoverable. Based on the Company’s experience with such indemnification claims, it believes the estimated fair value of these obligations is minimal. Accordingly, the Company has no liabilities recorded for these agreements as of July 31, 2013 or July 31, 2012.
	Subject to certain limitations, LTX-Credence indemnifies its current and former officers and directors for liability or costs they may incur upon certain events or occurrences encountered in the course of performing their duties to the Company. Although the maximum potential amount of future payments LTX-Credence could be required to make under these agreements is theoretically unlimited, as there were no known or pending claims, the Company has not accrued a liability for these agreements as of July 31, 2013 or July 31, 2012.
	As of July 31, 2013, the Company has approximately $14.8 million of non-cancelable inventory commitments with its outsource suppliers. Included in the non-cancelable inventory are purchase commitments of approximately $8.5 million related to the Company’s consolidation of its outsource manufacturing activities with Jabil Circuit. The Company expects to consume this inventory through normal operating activity.
	The Company has operating lease commitments for certain facilities and equipment that expire at various dates through 2021. The Company has an option to extend the term for its Norwood, Massachusetts facility lease for a single extension term of five years provided that the Company notifies its landlord at least 425 days prior to expiration of the current extension term. Minimum lease payment obligations under non-cancelable leases as of July 31, 2013, are as follows:
	Year ending July 31,	Facilities		Equipment		Total
						Operating
						Leases
		(in thousands)
	2014	$	5,393	$	75	$	5,468
	2015		4,700		13		4,713
	2016		4,296		2		4,298
	2017		2,542		—		2,542
	2018		1,038		—		1,038
	Thereafter		3,605		—		3,605
	Total minimum lease payments	$	21,574	$	90	$	21,664
	Total rent expense for the years ended July 31, 2013, 2012, and 2011 was $4.1 million, $4.2 million, and $4.6 million, respectively.

Restructuring

Restructuring	12 Months Ended
	Jul. 31, 2013
Restructuring	10. RESTRUCTURING
	In accordance with the provisions of Topic 420, Exit or Disposal Cost Obligation, to the FASB ASC, the Company recognizes certain costs associated with headcount reductions, office vacancies and other costs to move or relocate operations or employees as restructuring costs in the period in which such actions are initiated and approved by management or the obligations are incurred, as applicable. The following table sets forth the Company’s restructuring accrual activity for the three years ending July 31, 2013:
		Severance			Facility			Total
		Costs			Leases
		(in thousands)
	Balance July 31, 2010	$	84		$	5,810		$	5,894
	Restructuring expense		(24	)		387			363
	Accretion		—			140			140
	Cash paid		(54	)		(1,576	)		(1,630	)
	Balance July 31, 2011		6			4,761			4,767
	Restructuring expense		812			291			1,103
	Accretion		—			182			182
	Stock based compensation		(84	)		—			(84	)
	Cash paid		(371	)		(1,537	)		(1,908	)
	Balance July 31, 2012		363			3,697			4,060
	Restructuring expense		216			260			476
	Accretion		—			229			229
	Stock based compensation		(47	)		—			(47	)
	Cash paid		(530	)		(1,414	)		(1,944	)
	Balance July 31, 2013	$	2		$	2,772		$	2,774
	As of July 31, 2013, the Company’s restructuring accrual represents obligations related to remaining lease and property tax payments associated with the Company’s decision to vacate a facility during the year ended July 31, 2009, as well as severance obligations payable related to headcount reductions from actions undertaken during the fiscal year ending July 31, 2013.
	In the year ended July 31, 2009, the Company vacated certain facilities in an effort to consolidate operations and align the Company’s capacity after the merger with Credence. During the year ended July 31, 2013, the Company recognized expense of $0.3 million as a result of modifying sublease assumptions for its facility accrual associated with its Milpitas, California location. Offsetting this expense was a reduction to the liability of $0.2 million, as a result of changing property tax assumptions in the calculation to reflect current valuations. As of July 31, 2013 and 2012, the accrual for the previously restructured facility leases was $2.8 million and $3.7 million, respectively. This includes $1.8 million and $2.6 million, respectively, of long-term payments to be made for the remainder of the respective lease terms, the longest of which is through 2017. This liability is included in other long term liabilities on the Company’s consolidated balance sheets. The remainder of the accrual of $1.0 million and $1.1 million, respectively, is included in other accrued expenses on the Company’s consolidated balance sheets as of July 31, 2013 and 2012, respectively.
	During the year ended July 31, 2013, the Company paid the remaining severance and other post-employment obligations associated with headcount reductions undertaken during the year ended July 31, 2012 in the Company’s global field service and application engineering groups. This activity also included the final recognition of stock based compensation (in accordance with the provisions of ASC 718) associated with outstanding equity awards that were included in the severance obligation and vested in accordance with the recipients’ severance agreements.
	During the year ended July 31, 2013, the Company reorganized its service organization, and moved certain printed circuit board repair functions and other roles from North American locations to subsidiary offices in Singapore and the Philippines, which resulted in headcount reductions, and incurred relocation costs between the Company’s former and current facilities in the Philippines. The Company recognized $0.2 million of severance and other post-employment obligations associated with these moves during the year ended July 31, 2013, of which less than $0.1 million remains to be paid as of July 31, 2013. The Company also recognized $0.1 million of facility related costs, all of which were paid during the year.

Fair_Value_Measurements

Fair Value Measurements	12 Months Ended
	Jul. 31, 2013
Fair Value Measurements	11. FAIR VALUE MEASUREMENTS
	The Company determines its fair value measurements for assets and liabilities based upon the provisions of Topic 820, Fair Value Measurements and Disclosures, to FASB ASC.
	The Company holds short-term money market investments and certain other financial instruments which are carried at fair value. The Company determines fair value based upon quoted prices, when available or through the use of alternative approaches when market quotes are not readily accessible or available.
	Valuation techniques for fair value are based upon observable and unobservable inputs. Observable inputs reflect market data obtained from independent sources, while unobservable inputs reflect the Company’s best estimate, considering all relevant information. These valuation techniques involve some level of management estimation and judgment. The valuation process to determine fair value also includes making appropriate adjustments to the valuation model outputs to consider risk factors.
	The fair value hierarchy of the Company’s inputs used in the determination of fair value for assets and liabilities during the current period consists of three levels. Level 1 inputs are composed of unadjusted, quoted prices in active markets for identical assets or liabilities at the measurement date. Level 2 inputs include quoted prices for similar instruments in active markets; quoted prices for identical or similar instruments in markets that are not active; inputs other than quoted prices that are observable for the asset or liability; and inputs that are derived principally from or corroborated by observable market data by correlation or other means. Level 3 inputs incorporate the Company’s own best estimate of what market participants would use in pricing the asset or liability at the measurement date where consideration is given to the risk inherent in the valuation technique and the risk inherent in the inputs to the model. If inputs used to measure an asset or liability fall within different levels of the hierarchy, the categorization is based on the lowest level input that is significant to the fair value measurement of the asset or liability. The Company’s assessment of the significance of a particular input to the fair value measurement in its entirety requires judgment, and considers factors specific to the asset or liability.
	The following table presents financial assets and liabilities measured at fair value and their related valuation inputs as of July 31, 2013 and as of July 31, 2012, respectively.
					Fair Value Measurements at Reporting Date Using
					(in thousands)
	July 31, 2013		Total Fair Value of Asset		Quoted Prices in Active		Significant Other		Significant
			or Liability		Markets for Identical		Observable Inputs		Unobservable Inputs
					Assets (Level 1)		(Level 2)		(Level 3)
	Cash and cash equivalents (1)		$	28,235	$	28,235	$	—	$	—
	Marketable securities (2)			93,306		8,553		84,753		—
	Total Assets		$	121,541	$	36,788	$	84,753	$	—
	July 31, 2012		Total Fair Value of Asset		Quoted Prices in Active		Significant Other		Significant
			or Liability		Markets for Identical		Observable Inputs		Unobservable Inputs
					Assets (Level 1)		(Level 2)		(Level 3)
	Cash and cash equivalents (1)		$	29,446	$	29,081	$	365	$	—
	Marketable securities (2)			104,932		7,226		97,706		—
	Total Assets		$	134,378	$	36,307	$	98,071	$	—
	-1	Cash and cash equivalents as of July 31, 2013 and July 31, 2012 includes cash held in operating accounts of approximately $25.9 million and $28.6 million, respectively, that are not subject to fair value measurements. For purposes of this disclosure they are included as having Level 1 inputs.
	-2	Marketable securities as of July 31, 2013 and July 31, 2012 excluded approximately $2.8 million of commercial paper which is held-to-maturity and not subject to fair value measurements.
	The carrying value of accounts receivable, prepaid expenses, accounts payable and accrued expenses approximate fair value due to their short-term nature.
	There were no assets or liabilities recorded at fair value on a non-recurring basis requiring valuation disclosures as of July 31, 2013 or as of July 31, 2012.

Quarterly_Results_of_Operation

Quarterly Results of Operations	12 Months Ended
	Jul. 31, 2013
Quarterly Results of Operations	12. QUARTERLY RESULTS OF OPERATIONS (unaudited)
	Fiscal Year Ended July 31, 2013	First			Second			Third			Fourth
		Quarter			Quarter			Quarter			Quarter
		(in thousands, except per share data)
	Net sales	$	43,188		$	35,016		$	36,257		$	37,521
	Gross profit		23,504			18,559			18,699			19,996
	Net (loss) income		549			(3,276	)		(4,744	)		(4,656	)
	Net (loss) income per share:
	Basic and diluted	$	0.01		$	(0.07	)	$	(0.10	)	$	(0.10	)
	Net loss for the year ended July 31, 2013 includes the following activity associated with non-recurring transactions:
	Fiscal Year Ended July 31, 2013	First			Second			Third			Fourth
		Quarter			Quarter			Quarter			Quarter
		(in thousands)
	Release of income tax liabilities due to lapses in statutes of limitations		—			(1,058	)		—			—
	Income tax expense from foreign entity mergers		(167	)		—			—			—
	Restructuring		(231	)		(69	)		(356	)		180
	Merger-related expense		—			—			—			(1,300	)
	Total non-recurring income (expense)	$	(398	)	$	(1,127	)	$	(356	)	$	(1,120	)
	Fiscal Year Ended July 31, 2012	First			Second			Third			Fourth
		Quarter			Quarter			Quarter			Quarter
		(in thousands, except per share data)
	Net sales	$	33,752		$	24,082		$	30,837		$	43,463
	Gross profit		18,037			10,880			15,813			23,767
	Net (loss) income		(4,909	)		(9,688	)		(6,628	)		1,356
	Net (loss) income per share:
	Basic and diluted	$	(0.10	)	$	(0.20	)	$	(0.14	)	$	0.04
	Net loss for the year ended July 31, 2012 includes the following activity associated with non-recurring transactions:
	Fiscal Year Ended July 31, 2012	First			Second			Third			Fourth
		Quarter			Quarter			Quarter			Quarter
		(in thousands)
	Merger-related income (expense)		(115	)		49			—			—
	Release of income tax liabilities from lapses of statute of limitations		—			734			—			581
	Restructuring		(46	)		(141	)		(739	)		(178	)
	Total non-recurring income (expense)	$	(161	)	$	642		$	(739	)	$	403
	Fiscal Year Ended July 31, 2011	First			Second			Third			Fourth
		Quarter			Quarter			Quarter			Quarter
		(in thousands, except per share data)
	Net sales	$	75,647		$	52,549		$	58,665		$	62,669
	Gross profit		47,246			31,423			36,461			39,110
	Net income		19,675			4,705			23,622			12,076
	Net income per share:
	Basic	$	0.4		$	0.1		$	0.48		$	0.24
	Diluted	$	0.39		$	0.09		$	0.47		$	0.24
	Net income for the year ended July 31, 2011 includes the following activity associated with non-recurring transactions:
	Fiscal Year Ended July 31, 2011	First			Second			Third			Fourth
		Quarter			Quarter			Quarter			Quarter
		(in thousands)
	Merger breakup fees	$	—		$	—		$	15,000		$	—
	Merger-related expenses		—			(2,828	)		(1,856	)		(189	)
	Restructuring		(116	)		—			(247	)		—
	Total non-recurring income (expense)	$	(116	)	$	(2,828	)	$	12,897		$	(189	)

Subsequent_Events

Subsequent Events	12 Months Ended
	Jul. 31, 2013
Subsequent Events	13. SUBSEQUENT EVENTS
	On September 6, 2013, the Company entered into a Master Sale and Purchase Agreement (the “Purchase Agreement”) with Dover Printing & Identification, Inc. (“Dover”) and, solely for the limited purposes set forth in the Purchase Agreement, Dover Corporation (“Dover Parent”). Pursuant to the Purchase Agreement, the Company has agreed to purchase from Dover or its specified affiliates (collectively, the “Sellers”) all assets of the Sellers used exclusively or primarily in connection with the research and development, design, manufacture, assembly, production, marketing, distribution, sale and repair of probes, assembled board and bare board test equipment, and fixturing products and the provision of services related thereto (the “ECT Business,” and such assets and intellectual property, the “ECT Assets”) and all assets of the Sellers used exclusively or primarily in connection with the research and development, design, manufacture, assembly, production, marketing, distribution, sale and repair of semiconductor test handlers, semiconductor test contactors and sockets and semiconductor test load boards, and the provision of services related thereto (the “MT Business,” and such assets and intellectual property, the “MT Assets”). The Company has also agreed to assume certain specified liabilities of the Sellers related primarily or exclusively to the Acquired Businesses or the Acquired Assets (as defined below) (such transaction, the “Acquisition”). Under the Purchase Agreement, the Company will also acquire all of the issued and outstanding capital stock and other equity interests of specified indirect subsidiaries of Dover Parent and its affiliates that are engaged in the Acquired Businesses (such capital stock and other equity interests, the “Acquired Shares”). The ECT Business and the MT Business are collectively referred to as the “Acquired Businesses” and the ECT Assets, the MT Assets and the Acquired Shares are collectively referred to as the “Acquired Assets.”
	The Company and Dover currently expect the Acquisition to be completed during the fourth calendar quarter of 2013 (the “Closing”). At the Closing, the Company will pay the Sellers an aggregate purchase price of $93.5 million, of which $73.5 million will be paid in cash through a combination of existing cash-on-hand and bank debt and $20.0 million will be paid by the issuance of a promissory note by the Company to Dover in the original principal amount of $20.0 million. The cash purchase price is subject to a post-Closing working capital adjustment and will be increased by an amount equal to specified cash balances held by the Sellers as of the Closing and decreased by an amount equal to any acquired indebtedness and the amount of certain transaction costs and employee related liabilities of the Sellers as of the Closing. Subject to certain conditions, the original principal amount of the promissory note is also subject to reduction upon written certification from the Company to Dover prior to January 1, 2015 of certain specified events related to the Company’s relocation from or refurbishment of certain properties of the Acquired Businesses or the prepayment of the promissory note in full prior to such date. The promissory note will accrue interest on the unpaid balance for each day that it remains outstanding after the first anniversary of the date of issuance at a per annum rate equal to the London Interbank Offered Rate plus 10%, and may be prepaid by the Company at any time without penalty prior to the maturity date, which will be the date that is five years and three months following the issuance of the promissory note.

Schedule_II_Valuation_And_Qual

Schedule II Valuation And Qualifying Accounts	12 Months Ended
	Jul. 31, 2013
Schedule II Valuation And Qualifying Accounts	SCHEDULE II
	LTX-CREDENCE CORPORATION
	VALUATION AND QUALIFYING ACCOUNTS
	For Years Ended July 31, 2013, 2012 and 2011
	(in thousands)
	Description		Balance at		Charged		Transfers,			Deductions(2)			Balance
			beginning		to expense		Net(1)						at end
			of period										of period
	Reserve for doubtful accounts
	31-Jul-13		$	39	$	—	$	—		$	(39	)	$	—
	31-Jul-12		$	40	$	2	$	—		$	(3	)	$	39
	July 31, 2011		$	108	$	6	$	—		$	(74	)	$	40
	Reserve for excess and obsolete inventory (3)
	31-Jul-13		$	42,392	$	1,822	$	359		$	(2,756	)	$	41,817
	July 31, 2012		$	42,978	$	2,360	$	304		$	(3,250	)	$	42,392
	July 31, 2011		$	45,600	$	2,630	$	(297	)	$	(4,955	)	$	42,978
	-1	Represents transfers from fully reserved vendor liability obligations and internal capital equipment and transfers to fixed assets.
	-2	Represents amounts written off or utilization of reserve or recovery of previously written off amounts.
	-3	Amounts charged to expense and recorded in cost of sales are costs relating to product deemed defective or unusable during the normal manufacturing process which total $1.8 million, $2.4 million and $2.6 million for fiscal years 2013, 2012, and 2011, respectively. Deductions are also recorded to cost of sales and primarily represent release of reserves related to sales of previously reserved inventory, which totaled $2.8 million, $3.3 million and $5.0 million for the fiscal years 2013, 2012 and 2011, respectively.

Summary_of_Significant_Account1

Summary of Significant Accounting Policies (Policies)	12 Months Ended
	Jul. 31, 2013
Basis of Presentation	Basis of Presentation
	The consolidated financial statements include the accounts of the Company and its wholly-owned subsidiaries. All significant inter-company transactions and balances have been eliminated in consolidation.
Preparation of Financial Statements and Use of Estimates	Preparation of Financial Statements and Use of Estimates
	The accompanying financial statements have been prepared by the Company, and reflect all adjustments, which, in the opinion of management, are necessary for fair presentation. The preparation of financial statements in conformity with generally accepted accounting principles requires management to make estimates and assumptions that affect the reported amounts of assets and liabilities and disclosures of contingent assets and liabilities as of the date of the financial statements and the reported amounts of income and expenses during the reporting periods. Actual results may differ from those estimates and such differences may be material to the consolidated financial statements. Such estimates relate to fair values ascribed to the assets and liabilities acquired in connection with the Credence merger, revenue recognition, the allowance for doubtful accounts, inventory valuation, depreciation, product warranty costs, stock-based compensation and income taxes, among others.
Revenue Recognition	Revenue Recognition
	The Company recognizes revenue based on guidance provided in Topic 605, Revenue Recognition, to the FASB ASC (“ASC 605”) and Accounting Standards Update (“ASU”) 2009-13, Multiple-Deliverable Revenue Arrangements (“ASU 2009-13”). The Company recognizes revenue when persuasive evidence of an arrangement exists, delivery has occurred or services have been rendered, the seller’s price is fixed or determinable and collectability is reasonably assured.
	Revenue related to equipment sales is recognized when: (a) the Company has a written sales agreement; (b) delivery has occurred or service has been rendered; (c) the price is fixed or determinable; (d) collectability is reasonably assured; (e) the product delivered is a standard product with historically demonstrated acceptance; and (f) there is no unique customer acceptance provision or payment tied to acceptance or an undelivered element significant to the functionality of the system. Generally, payment terms are time based after product shipment. When sales to a customer involve multiple elements, revenue is recognized on the delivered element provided that (1) the undelivered element is a proven technology, (2) there is a history of acceptance on the product with the customer, (3) the undelivered element is not essential to the customer’s application, (4) the delivered item(s) has value to the customer on a stand-alone basis, and (5) if the arrangement included a general right of return relative to the delivered item(s), delivery or performance of the undelivered item(s) is considered probable and substantially in the control of the Company. The arrangement consideration, or the amount of revenue to be recognized on each separate unit of accounting, is allocated at the inception of the arrangement to all deliverables on the basis of their relative selling price.
	Revenue related to spare parts is recognized on shipment.
	Revenue related to maintenance and service contracts is recognized ratably over the duration of the contracts.
Inventories	Inventories
	Inventories are stated at the lower of cost or market, determined on the first-in, first-out (“FIFO”) method, and include materials, labor and manufacturing overhead. The components of inventories are as follows:
			As of July 31,
			2013			2012
			(in thousands)
	Material and purchased components		$	15,379		$	13,811
	Work-in-process			2,887			3,045
	Finished testers, including inventory consigned to customers			10,873			11,994
	Total inventories		$	29,139		$	28,850
	Of the $29.1 million inventory balance at July 31, 2013, $19.1 million consists primarily of materials and components and some finished testers to support current requirements for X-Series, ASL and Diamond products, $7.7 million consists of evaluation inventory at customers, and $2.2 million consists of “last time buy” custom components primarily for ASL products. In addition, the Company had $0.1 million of deferred inventory costs related to shipment of inventory where revenue recognition is subject to customer-specific product acceptance and such product had not been accepted by July 31, 2013. If actual demand for the Company’s products deteriorates or market conditions are less favorable than those that the Company projects, additional inventory reserves may be required.
	The Company establishes inventory reserves when conditions exist that indicate inventory may be in excess of anticipated demand or is obsolete based upon assumptions about future demand for the Company’s products or market conditions. The Company regularly evaluates its ability to realize the value of inventory based on a combination of factors including the following: forecasted sales or usage, estimated product end of life dates, estimated current and future market value and new product introductions. Purchasing and usage alternatives are also explored to mitigate inventory exposure. When recorded, reserves are intended to reduce the carrying value of inventory to its net realizable value.
	As of July 31, 2013 and July 31, 2012, inventory is stated net of inventory reserves of $41.8 million and $42.4 million, respectively. If actual demand for products deteriorates or market conditions are less favorable than projected, additional inventory reserves may be required. Such reserves are not reversed until the related inventory is sold or otherwise disposed.
	The following table shows sales of previously reserved inventory and the inventory reserves released for these sales for the fiscal years ended 2013, 2013, and 2011:
			Fiscal Year Ended July 31,
			2013			2012			2011
			(in thousands)
	Sales of previously reserved inventory		$	869		$	6,859		$	20,437
	Inventory reserves released for these sales			300			2,035			4,122
Goodwill and Other Intangibles	Goodwill and Other Intangibles
	In accordance with Topic 350, Intangibles—Goodwill and Other, to the FASB ASC (“ASC 350”), the Company is required to review goodwill by reporting unit for impairment at least annually or more often if there are indicators of impairment present. The Company has determined its entire business represents one reporting unit. Historically, the Company has performed its annual impairment analysis during the fourth quarter of each year. The Company evaluated the implied fair value based on the Company’s market capitalization of its one reporting unit as compared to the carrying value of the net assets assigned to its reporting unit as of July 31, 2013 and July 31, 2012. As of those dates, the fair value of the reporting unit exceeded the Company’s carrying value of its net assets and therefore no impairment existed.
	The Company’s goodwill consists of the following:
	Goodwill		July 31,			July 31,
			2013			2012
			(in thousands)
	Merger with Credence Systems Corporation (August 29, 2008)		$	28,662		$	28,662
	Acquisition of Step Tech Inc. (June 10, 2003)			14,368			14,368
	Total goodwill		$	43,030		$	43,030
	Intangible assets, all of which relate to the Credence merger, consist of the following:
						As of July 31, 2013
						(in thousands)
	Description		Estimated			Gross Carrying			Accumulated			Net Amount
			Useful Life			Amount			Amortization
			(in years)
	Trade names			1		$	300		$	300		$	—
	Distributor relationships			2			2,800			2,800			—
	Key customer relationships			3			8,500			8,500			—
	Developed technology—ASL			6			16,000			15,737			263
	Developed technology—Diamond			9			9,400			8,906			494
	Maintenance agreements			7			1,900			1,086			814
	Total intangible assets					$	38,900		$	37,329		$	1,571
						As of July 31, 2012
						(in thousands)
	Description		Estimated			Gross Carrying			Accumulated			Net Amount
			Useful Life			Amount			Amortization
			(in years)
	Trade names			1		$	300		$	300		$	—
	Distributor relationships			2			2,800			2,800			—
	Key customer relationships			3			8,500			8,500			—
	Developed technology—ASL			6			16,000			14,965			1,035
	Developed technology—Diamond			9			9,400			8,367			1,033
	Maintenance agreements			7			1,900			815			1,085
	Total intangible assets					$	38,900		$	35,747		$	3,153
	Intangible assets are amortized based upon the pattern of estimated economic use, over their estimated useful lives. The weighted average estimated remaining useful life over which these intangible assets will be amortized is 1.5 years.
	The Company expects amortization for these intangible assets to be:
	Year ending July 31,		Amount
			(in thousands)
	2014		$	769
	2015			396
	2016			321
	2017			85
	Thereafter			—
	Total		$	1,571
Impairment of Long-Lived Assets Other Than Goodwill	Impairment of Long-Lived Assets Other Than Goodwill
	On an on-going basis, management reviews the value and period of amortization or depreciation of long-lived assets. In accordance with Topic 360, Property, Plant and Equipment, to the FASB ASC, the Company reviews whether possible impairment losses exist on long-lived assets other than goodwill when indicators of impairment are present. During this review, the Company reevaluates the significant assumptions used in determining the original cost of long-lived assets other than goodwill. Although the assumptions may vary, they generally include revenue growth, operating results, cash flows and other indicators of value. Management then determines whether there has been a permanent impairment of the value of long-lived assets based upon events or circumstances that have occurred since acquisition. The extent of the impairment amount recognized is based upon the difference between the impaired asset’s carrying value and its fair value. During the year ended July 31, 2013, there were no indicators that required the Company to conduct a recoverability test; therefore, the Company did not recognize an impairment loss during the year ended July 31, 2013.
Foreign Currency Remeasurement	Foreign Currency Remeasurement
	The financial statements of the Company’s foreign subsidiaries are remeasured in accordance with Topic 830, Foreign Currency Matters, to the Financial Accounting Standards Board Codification (FASB ASC). The Company’s functional currency is the U.S. dollar. Accordingly, the Company’s foreign subsidiaries remeasure monetary assets and liabilities at month-end exchange rates while long-term non-monetary items are remeasured at historical rates. Income and expense accounts are remeasured at the average rates in effect during the month. Net gains or losses resulting from foreign currency remeasurement and transaction gains or losses are included in the consolidated results of operations as a component of other income, net, and were not significant for the years ended July 31, 2013, 2012, or 2011.
Product Warranty Costs	Product Warranty Costs
	The Company’s products are sold with warranty provisions that require it to remedy deficiencies in quality or performance of products over a specified period of time at no cost to its customers. The Company offers a one or two year warranty for all of its products, the terms and conditions of which are based on the product sold and the customer. For all products sold, the Company accrues a liability for the estimated cost of standard warranty at the time of shipment Factors that impact the warranty liability include the number of installed products, historical and anticipated product failure rates, material usage and service labor costs. The Company periodically assesses the adequacy of its recorded liability and adjusts amounts as necessary.
	The following table shows the change in the product warranty liability, as required by Topic 460, Guarantees, to the FASB ASC, for the years ended July 31, 2013 and 2012:
	Product Warranty Activity		2013			2012
			(in thousands)
	Balance at beginning of period		$	1,672		$	2,281
	Warranty expenditures for current period			(3,866	)		(3,297	)
	Changes in liability related to pre-existing warranties			(52	)		12
	Provision for warranty costs in the period			3,463			2,676
	Balance at end of period		$	1,217		$	1,672
Derivatives	Derivatives
	The Company conducts business in a number of foreign countries, with certain transactions denominated in local currencies. The purpose of the Company’s foreign currency management is to minimize the effect of exchange rate fluctuations on certain foreign denominated net monetary assets. The Company does not use derivative financial instruments for trading purposes.
	During the twelve months ended July 31, 2011, the Company entered into a derivative in the form of a foreign currency forward contract to minimize the effect of exchange rate fluctuations associated with the remeasurement of net monetary assets denominated in foreign currencies. This transaction did not qualify for hedge accounting under Topic 815, Derivatives and Hedging to the FASB ASC. The change in fair value of this derivative is recorded directly in the Company’s statement of operations, and offsets the change in fair value of the net monetary assets denominated in foreign currencies. The Company recorded $0.2 million of expense in Other income, net for the fiscal year ended July 31, 2011.
	During the fiscal year ended July 31, 2012, the Company settled its foreign currency forward contract. Therefore, there are no foreign currency contracts outstanding as of July 31, 2013.
Trade Accounts Receivable and Allowance for Doubtful Accounts	Trade Accounts Receivable and Allowance for Doubtful Accounts
	Trade accounts receivable are recorded at the invoiced amount, do not bear interest, and typically have a contractual maturity of ninety days or less. A majority of the Company’s trade receivables are derived from sales to large multinational semiconductor manufacturers throughout the world. The volatility of the industries that the Company serves can cause certain of its customers to experience shortages of cash, which can impact their ability to make required payments. An allowance for doubtful accounts is maintained for potential credit losses based upon the Company’s assessment of the expected collectability of all accounts receivable. The allowance for doubtful accounts is reviewed periodically to assess the adequacy of the allowances. In any circumstances in which the Company is aware of a customer’s inability to meet its financial obligations, an allowance is provided, which is based on the age of the receivables, the circumstances surrounding the customer’s financial situation, and historical experience. If circumstances change, and the financial condition of customers is adversely affected resulting in their inability to meet their financial obligations to the Company, additional allowances may be recorded.
Engineering and Product Development Costs	Engineering and Product Development Costs
	The Company expenses all engineering and product development costs as incurred. Expenses relating to certain software development costs, subject to capitalization in accordance with the Topic 985, Software, to the FASB ASC, were insignificant.
Shipping and Handling Costs	Shipping and Handling Costs
	Shipping and handling costs are included in cost of sales in the consolidated statements of operations. Shipping and handling costs were $2.7 million, $3.4 million, and $4.1 million for fiscal years ended July 31, 2013, 2012, and 2011, respectively.
Income Taxes	Income Taxes
	The benefit from income taxes was primarily due to the release of reserves due to statute of limitation expirations offset by foreign tax expense associated with earnings generated in foreign jurisdictions.
	The Company recorded an income tax benefit of $0.3 million for the twelve months ended July 31, 2013, primarily due to the release of reserves related to statute of limitation expirations and foreign tax on earnings generated in foreign jurisdictions. For the twelve months ended July 31, 2012, the Company recorded an income tax benefit of $0.9 million, primarily due to the release of reserves related to statute of limitation expirations and legal entity dissolutions.
	As of July 31, 2013 and July 31, 2012, the total unrecognized income tax benefits were $6.8 million and $8.0 million, respectively, of which $3.2 million and $4.4 million, respectively, if recognized, would impact the Company’s income tax rate. The Company recognizes interest and penalties related to uncertain tax positions as a component of income tax expense. As of July 31, 2013 and July 31, 2012, the Company had accrued approximately $0.9 million and $1.0 million, respectively, for potential payment of accrued interest and penalties.
	The Company conducts business globally and, as a result, the Company and its subsidiaries or branches file income tax returns in the U.S. federal jurisdiction and various state and foreign jurisdictions. In the normal course of business, the Company is subject to examination by taxing authorities throughout the world, including such major jurisdictions as the United States, Singapore, France and Germany. With few exceptions, the Company is no longer subject to U.S. federal, state and local or non-U.S. income tax examinations for years prior to 1998.
	As a result of the merger with Credence on August 29, 2008, a greater than 50% cumulative ownership change in both entities triggered a significant limitation on net operating loss carryforward utilization. The Company’s ability to use acquired net operating loss and credit carryforwards is subject to annual limitation as defined in sections 382 and 383 of the Internal Revenue Code. The Company currently estimates that the annual limitation on its use of net operating losses generated through August 29, 2008 is approximately $10.1 million which, based on currently enacted federal carryforward periods, limits the amount of net operating losses that are able to be used to approximately $202.0 million. The Company will continue to assess the realizability of these carryforwards in subsequent periods.
Accounting for Stock-Based Compensation	Accounting for Stock-Based Compensation
	The Company has equity awards outstanding under various stock-based compensation plans, including the 2010 Stock Plan (“2010 Plan”), 2004 Stock Plan (“2004 Plan”), 2001 Stock Plan (“2001 Plan”), 1999 Stock Plan (“1999 Plan”), and 1993 Stock Plan (“1993 Plan”). In addition, the Company assumed the StepTech, Inc. Stock Option Plan (the “STI 2000 Plan”) as part of its acquisition of StepTech, Inc. (“StepTech”) and the Credence 2005 Stock Incentive Plan (the “Credence 2005 Plan”) with its acquisition of Credence. The Company can only grant awards from the 2010 Plan.
	During the fiscal year ended July 31, 2013, the Company granted 895,900 Restricted Stock Units (“RSUs”) to certain executives, directors and employees, with time-based vesting terms ranging from one to four years. Of these, 390,000 RSUs were granted to executives.
	The Company recognizes stock-based compensation expense on its equity awards in accordance with the provisions of Topic 718, Compensation—Stock Compensation, to the FASB ASC (“ASC 718”). Under ASC 718, the Company is required to recognize, as expense, the estimated fair value of all share-based payments to employees. In accordance with this standard, the Company has elected to recognize the compensation cost of all service based awards on a straight-line basis over the vesting period of the award.
	For the years ended July 31, 2013, 2012, and 2011, the Company recorded stock-based compensation expense as follows:
			Fiscal Year Ended July 31,
			2013			2012			2011
			(in thousands)
	Cost of sales		$	148		$	123		$	165
	Engineering and product development expenses			611			533			891
	Selling, general and administrative expenses			3,958			3,793			2,849
	Total stock-based compensation expense		$	4,717		$	4,449		$	3,905
	As of July 31, 2013, there was approximately $8.3 million of unrecognized stock-based compensation expense related to share-based equity grants to employees that is expected to be recognized over the next 3.6 years.
Net income (loss) per share	Net (loss) income per Share
	Basic net (loss) income per common share is computed by dividing net (loss) income available to common stockholders by the weighted average number of common shares outstanding for the period. Diluted net (loss) income per common share reflects the maximum dilution that would have resulted from the assumed exercise and share repurchase related to dilutive stock options and RSUs, and is computed by dividing net (loss) income by the weighted average number of common shares and the dilutive effect of all securities outstanding.
	Reconciliation between basic and diluted net (loss) income per share is as follows:
			Fiscal Year Ended July 31,
			2013			2012			2011
			(in thousands, except per share data)
	Net (loss) income		$	(12,127	)	$	(19,869	)	$	60,078
	Basic EPS
	Weighted average shares outstanding—basic			47,719			49,080			49,398
	Basic EPS		$	(0.25	)	$	(0.40	)	$	1.22
	Diluted EPS
	Weighted average shares outstanding—basic			47,719			49,080			49,398
	Plus: impact of stock options and unvested restricted stock units			—			—			1,017
	Weighted average shares outstanding—diluted			47,719			49,080			50,415
	Diluted EPS		$	(0.25	)	$	(0.40	)	$	1.19
	For the years ended July 31, 2013, 2012 and 2011, options to purchase approximately 1.0 million, 1.2 million, and 1.5 million shares, respectively, of common stock were not included in the calculation of diluted EPS because the effect of including the options would have been anti-dilutive. These options could be dilutive in the future. In accordance with the contingently issuable shares guidance of the FASB ASC Topic 260, Earnings Per Share, the calculation of diluted net (loss) income per share excludes 2.0 million, 1.8 million, and 0 RSUs for the years ended July 31, 2013, 2012, and 2011, respectively, as to include them would have been anti-dilutive.
Cash and Cash Equivalents and Marketable Securities	Cash and Cash Equivalents and Marketable Securities
	The Company considers all highly liquid investments that are readily convertible to cash and that have original maturity dates of three months or less to be cash equivalents. Cash and cash equivalents consist primarily of operating cash, money market accounts and reverse repurchase agreements. Marketable securities consist primarily of debt securities that are classified as available-for-sale, in accordance with Topic 320, Investments—Debt and Equity Securities, to the FASB ASC. The Company also holds certain investments in commercial paper that it considers to be held to maturity, based on their maturity dates. Securities available for sale include corporate and governmental obligations with various contractual maturity dates some of which are greater than one year. The Company considers the securities to be liquid and convertible to cash within 30 days. The Company has the ability and intent to liquidate any security that the Company holds to fund operations over the next twelve months, if necessary, and as such has classified all of its marketable securities as short-term. Governmental obligations include U.S. Government, State, Municipal and Federal Agency securities. The Company has an overnight sweep investment arrangement with its bank for certain accounts to allow the Company to enter into diversified overnight investments via a money market mutual fund which generally provides a higher investment yield than a regular operating account.
	The market value and maturities of the Company’s marketable securities are as follows:
			Total Amount
			(in thousands)
	July 31, 2013
	Due in less than one year		$	56,222
	Due in 1 to 3 years			39,937
	Total marketable securities		$	96,159
			Total Amount
			(in thousands)
	July 31, 2012
	Due in less than one year		$	69,044
	Due in 1 to 3 years			38,684
	Total marketable securities		$	107,728
	The market value and amortized cost of marketable securities are as follows:
			Market			Amortized
			Value			Cost
			(in thousands)
	July 31, 2013
	Corporate (a)		$	52,669		$	52,241
	Government			15,656			15,627
	Mortgage-Backed			6,381			6,390
	Asset-Backed			21,453			21,449
	Total		$	96,159		$	95,707
			Market			Amortized
			Value			Cost
			(in thousands)
	31-Jul-12
	Corporate (a)		$	53,012		$	52,553
	Government			17,148			17,078
	Mortgage-Backed			6,351			6,305
	Asset-Backed			31,217			31,062
	Total		$	107,728		$	106,998
	(a)	Included in the above figures is $2,853 and $2,797 of market value and amortized cost related to the Company’s held to maturity investments as of July 31, 2013 and 2012, respectively.
	Realized gains, losses and interest income are included in interest income in the Statements of Operations. Unrealized gains and losses are reflected as a separate component of comprehensive income (loss) within Stockholders’ Equity. The Company analyzes its securities portfolio for other-than-temporary impairment on a quarterly basis or upon occurrence of a significant change in circumstances. There were no other-than-temporary impairment losses recorded in the twelve months ended July 31, 2013, 2012, or 2011.
	The following table summarizes marketable securities and related unrealized gains and losses as of July 31, 2013 and 2012:
	July 31, 2013		Market			Unrealized
			Value			Gain/(Loss)
			(in thousands)
	Securities < 12 months unrealized losses		$	21,842		$	(80	)
	Securities > 12 months unrealized losses			21,983			(98	)
	Securities < 12 months unrealized gains			34,380			54
	Securities > 12 months unrealized gains			17,954			60
	Total		$	96,159		$	(64	)
	July 31, 2012		Market			Unrealized
			Value			Gain/(Loss)
			(in thousands)
	Securities < 12 months unrealized losses		$	14,727		$	(27	)
	Securities > 12 months unrealized losses			7,313			(22	)
	Securities < 12 months unrealized gains			54,317			80
	Securities > 12 months unrealized gains			31,371			199
	Total		$	107,728		$	230
	Interest income and realized gains and losses from sales of marketable securities, included in interest income in the Statement of Operations, are as follows:
			Year Ended July 31,
			2013			2012			2011
			(in thousands)
	Interest income on marketable securities		$	2,483		$	2,637		$	895
	Realized gain (loss) from sales of securities			96			(14	)		(12	)
	Total		$	2,579		$	2,623		$	883
Fair Value of Financial Instruments	Fair Value of Financial Instruments
	The Company determines its fair value measurements for assets and liabilities based upon the provisions of Topic 820, Fair Value Measurements and Disclosures, to FASB ASC.
	Topic 825 to the FASB ASC, Financial Instruments, requires that disclosure be made of estimates of the fair value of financial instruments. The carrying amounts of certain of the Company’s financial instruments, including cash equivalents, accounts receivable, accounts payable and other accrued liabilities approximate fair value due to their short maturities. Marketable securities classified as available-for-sale are all debt securities and are recorded at fair value based upon quoted market prices.
Concentration of Credit and Supplier Risk	Concentration of Credit and Supplier Risk
			Year Ended July 31,
			2013			2012			2011
			(in millions except %’s)
	Revenue from top ten customers			70	%		68	%		80	%
	Accounts receivable from the same top ten customers		$	21.2		$	22.8		$	35.3
	Sales to customers outside the United States		$	126		$	101.6		$	212.3
	Financial instruments, which potentially subject the Company to concentrations of credit risk, are cash equivalents, marketable securities and accounts receivable. All of the Company’s cash equivalents and marketable securities are maintained by major financial institutions. The Company periodically reviews these investments to evaluate and minimize credit risk. Concentration of credit risk with respect to accounts receivable is limited to certain customers to whom the Company makes substantial sales. To reduce risk, the Company routinely assesses the financial strength of its customers. The Company does not require collateral, although the Company does obtain letters of credit on sales to certain foreign customers. There were no write-offs of accounts receivable during the fiscal years ended July 31, 2013, 2012, or 2011.
	The Company outsources certain components and subassemblies for our test equipment to contract manufacturers other than its sole source supplier manufacturer. The Company’s products incorporate standard components and prefabricated parts manufactured to its specifications. These components and subassemblies are used to produce testers in configurations specified by its customers. Some of the standard components for the Company’s products are available from a number of different suppliers; however, many such standard components are purchased from a single supplier or a limited group of suppliers. Although the Company believes that all single sourced components currently are available in adequate amounts, shortages or delivery delays may develop in the future. The Company is dependent on certain semiconductor device manufacturers, who are sole source suppliers of custom components for its products. The Company has no written supply agreements with these sole source suppliers and purchases its custom components through individual purchase orders. The Company continuously evaluates alternative sources for the manufacture of our custom components and the supply of our standard components; however, such alternative sources may not meet its required qualifications or have capacity that is available to the Company.
Property and Equipment	Property and Equipment
	Property and equipment acquired is recorded at cost. The Company provides for depreciation and amortization using the straight-line method. Charges are made to operating expenses in amounts that are sufficient to amortize the cost of the assets over their estimated useful lives. Equipment spares used for service and internally manufactured test systems used for testing components and engineering projects are recorded at cost and depreciated over three to seven years. Repair and maintenance costs that do not extend the lives of property and equipment are expensed as incurred. Property and equipment are summarized as follows:
			As of July 31,						Estimated Useful
			2013			2012			Lives
			(in thousands)						(in years)
	Equipment spares		$	58,461		$	57,841		5 or 7
	Machinery, equipment and internally manufactured systems			34,587			38,067		7-Mar
	Office furniture and equipment			2,014			3,885		7-Mar
	Purchased software			488			2,870		3
	Land			2,524			2,524		—
	Leasehold improvements			6,983			6,187		Term of lease or
									useful life, not to
									exceed 10 years
	Property and equipment, gross			105,057			111,374
	Accumulated depreciation and amortization			(88,410	)		(93,145	)
	Property and equipment, net		$	16,647		$	18,229
	Depreciation expense was $6.5 million, $7.8 million, and $11.6 million for the years ended July 31, 2013, 2012, and 2011, respectively.
Recent Accounting Pronouncements	Recent Accounting Pronouncements
	In July 2013, the FASB issued ASU No. 2013-11, Presentation of an Unrecognized Tax Benefit When a Net Operating Loss Carryforward, a Similar Tax Loss, or a Tax Loss, or a Tax Credit Carryforward Exists. Topic 740, Income Taxes, does not include explicit guidance on the financial statement presented of an unrecognized tax benefit when a net operating loss carryforward, a similar tax loss, or a tax credit carryforward exists. There is diversity in practice in the presentation of unrecognized tax benefits in those instances and the amendments in this update are intended to eliminate that diversity in practice. The amendments are effective for fiscal years, and interim periods within those years, beginning after December 15, 2013. The amendments should be applied prospectively to all unrecognized tax benefits that exist at the effective date. Early adoption is permitted. The Company is currently evaluating the impact of adoption of this amended standard.

Summary_of_Significant_Account2

Summary of Significant Accounting Policies (Tables)	12 Months Ended
	Jul. 31, 2013
Components of Inventories	The components of inventories are as follows:
			As of July 31,
			2013			2012
			(in thousands)
	Material and purchased components		$	15,379		$	13,811
	Work-in-process			2,887			3,045
	Finished testers, including inventory consigned to customers			10,873			11,994
	Total inventories		$	29,139		$	28,850
Sales of Previously Reserved Inventory and the Inventory Reserves	The following table shows sales of previously reserved inventory and the inventory reserves released for these sales for the fiscal years ended 2013, 2013, and 2011:
			Fiscal Year Ended July 31,
			2013			2012			2011
			(in thousands)
	Sales of previously reserved inventory		$	869		$	6,859		$	20,437
	Inventory reserves released for these sales			300			2,035			4,122
Goodwill	The Company’s goodwill consists of the following:
	Goodwill		July 31,			July 31,
			2013			2012
			(in thousands)
	Merger with Credence Systems Corporation (August 29, 2008)		$	28,662		$	28,662
	Acquisition of Step Tech Inc. (June 10, 2003)			14,368			14,368
	Total goodwill		$	43,030		$	43,030
Intangible Assets	Intangible assets, all of which relate to the Credence merger, consist of the following:
						As of July 31, 2013
						(in thousands)
	Description		Estimated			Gross Carrying			Accumulated			Net Amount
			Useful Life			Amount			Amortization
			(in years)
	Trade names			1		$	300		$	300		$	—
	Distributor relationships			2			2,800			2,800			—
	Key customer relationships			3			8,500			8,500			—
	Developed technology—ASL			6			16,000			15,737			263
	Developed technology—Diamond			9			9,400			8,906			494
	Maintenance agreements			7			1,900			1,086			814
	Total intangible assets					$	38,900		$	37,329		$	1,571
						As of July 31, 2012
						(in thousands)
	Description		Estimated			Gross Carrying			Accumulated			Net Amount
			Useful Life			Amount			Amortization
			(in years)
	Trade names			1		$	300		$	300		$	—
	Distributor relationships			2			2,800			2,800			—
	Key customer relationships			3			8,500			8,500			—
	Developed technology—ASL			6			16,000			14,965			1,035
	Developed technology—Diamond			9			9,400			8,367			1,033
	Maintenance agreements			7			1,900			815			1,085
	Total intangible assets					$	38,900		$	35,747		$	3,153
Expected Amortization of Intangible Assets	The Company expects amortization for these intangible assets to be:
	Year ending July 31,		Amount
			(in thousands)
	2014		$	769
	2015			396
	2016			321
	2017			85
	Thereafter			—
	Total		$	1,571
Change in Product Warranty Liability	The following table shows the change in the product warranty liability, as required by Topic 460, Guarantees, to the FASB ASC, for the years ended July 31, 2013 and 2012:
	Product Warranty Activity		2013			2012
			(in thousands)
	Balance at beginning of period		$	1,672		$	2,281
	Warranty expenditures for current period			(3,866	)		(3,297	)
	Changes in liability related to pre-existing warranties			(52	)		12
	Provision for warranty costs in the period			3,463			2,676
	Balance at end of period		$	1,217		$	1,672
Stock-Based Compensation Expense	For the years ended July 31, 2013, 2012, and 2011, the Company recorded stock-based compensation expense as follows:
			Fiscal Year Ended July 31,
			2013			2012			2011
			(in thousands)
	Cost of sales		$	148		$	123		$	165
	Engineering and product development expenses			611			533			891
	Selling, general and administrative expenses			3,958			3,793			2,849
	Total stock-based compensation expense		$	4,717		$	4,449		$	3,905
Reconciliation Between Basic and Diluted Net Income (Loss) Per Share	Reconciliation between basic and diluted net (loss) income per share is as follows:
			Fiscal Year Ended July 31,
			2013			2012			2011
			(in thousands, except per share data)
	Net (loss) income		$	(12,127	)	$	(19,869	)	$	60,078
	Basic EPS
	Weighted average shares outstanding—basic			47,719			49,080			49,398
	Basic EPS		$	(0.25	)	$	(0.40	)	$	1.22
	Diluted EPS
	Weighted average shares outstanding—basic			47,719			49,080			49,398
	Plus: impact of stock options and unvested restricted stock units			—			—			1,017
	Weighted average shares outstanding—diluted			47,719			49,080			50,415
	Diluted EPS		$	(0.25	)	$	(0.40	)	$	1.19
Market Value and Maturities of Marketable Securities	The market value and maturities of the Company’s marketable securities are as follows:
			Total Amount
			(in thousands)
	July 31, 2013
	Due in less than one year		$	56,222
	Due in 1 to 3 years			39,937
	Total marketable securities		$	96,159
			Total Amount
			(in thousands)
	July 31, 2012
	Due in less than one year		$	69,044
	Due in 1 to 3 years			38,684
	Total marketable securities		$	107,728
Market Value and Amortized Cost of Marketable Securities	The market value and amortized cost of marketable securities are as follows:
			Market			Amortized
			Value			Cost
			(in thousands)
	July 31, 2013
	Corporate (a)		$	52,669		$	52,241
	Government			15,656			15,627
	Mortgage-Backed			6,381			6,390
	Asset-Backed			21,453			21,449
	Total		$	96,159		$	95,707
			Market			Amortized
			Value			Cost
			(in thousands)
	July 31, 2012
	Corporate (a)		$	53,012		$	52,553
	Government			17,148			17,078
	Mortgage-Backed			6,351			6,305
	Asset-Backed			31,217			31,062
	Total		$	107,728		$	106,998
	(a)	Included in the above figures is $2,853 and $2,797 of market value and amortized cost related to the Company’s held to maturity investments as of July 31, 2013 and 2012, respectively.
Summary of Marketable Securities and Related Unrealized Gains and Losses	The following table summarizes marketable securities and related unrealized gains and losses as of July 31, 2013 and 2012:
	July 31, 2013		Market			Unrealized
			Value			Gain/(Loss)
			(in thousands)
	Securities < 12 months unrealized losses		$	21,842		$	(80	)
	Securities > 12 months unrealized losses			21,983			(98	)
	Securities < 12 months unrealized gains			34,380			54
	Securities > 12 months unrealized gains			17,954			60
	Total		$	96,159		$	(64	)
	July 31, 2012		Market			Unrealized
			Value			Gain/(Loss)
			(in thousands)
	Securities < 12 months unrealized losses		$	14,727		$	(27	)
	Securities > 12 months unrealized losses			7,313			(22	)
	Securities < 12 months unrealized gains			54,317			80
	Securities > 12 months unrealized gains			31,371			199
	Total		$	107,728		$	230
Interest Income and Realized Gains and Losses from Sales of Marketable Securities	Interest income and realized gains and losses from sales of marketable securities, included in interest income in the Statement of Operations, are as follows:
			Year Ended July 31,
			2013			2012			2011
			(in thousands)
	Interest income on marketable securities		$	2,483		$	2,637		$	895
	Realized gain (loss) from sales of securities			96			(14	)		(12	)
	Total		$	2,579		$	2,623		$	883
Concentration of Credit and Supplier Risk	Concentration of Credit and Supplier Risk
			Year Ended July 31,
			2013			2012			2011
			(in millions except %’s)
	Revenue from top ten customers			70	%		68	%		80	%
	Accounts receivable from the same top ten customers		$	21.2		$	22.8		$	35.3
	Sales to customers outside the United States		$	126		$	101.6		$	212.3
Summary of Property and Equipment	Property and equipment are summarized as follows:
			As of July 31,						Estimated Useful
			2013			2012			Lives
			(in thousands)						(in years)
	Equipment spares		$	58,461		$	57,841		5 or 7
	Machinery, equipment and internally manufactured systems			34,587			38,067		7-Mar
	Office furniture and equipment			2,014			3,885		7-Mar
	Purchased software			488			2,870		3
	Land			2,524			2,524		—
	Leasehold improvements			6,983			6,187			Term of lease or
										useful life, not to
										exceed 10 years
	Property and equipment, gross			105,057			111,374
	Accumulated depreciation and amortization			(88,410	)		(93,145	)
	Property and equipment, net		$	16,647		$	18,229

Other_Accrued_Expenses_Tables

Other Accrued Expenses (Tables)	12 Months Ended
	Jul. 31, 2013
Components of Other Accrued Expenses	Other accrued expenses consisted of the following:
		July 31,
		2013		2012
		(in thousands)
	Accrued compensation	$	7,538	$	7,059
	Accrued vendor liability		2,153		2,373
	Accrued professional fees		2,043		835
	Warranty reserve		1,217		1,672
	Accrued income, and other taxes		1,115		931
	Accrued restructuring		1,037		1,502
	Other accrued expenses		4,249		5,364
	Total accrued expenses	$	19,352	$	19,736

Income_Taxes_Tables

Income Taxes (Tables)	12 Months Ended
	Jul. 31, 2013
Components of Income (Loss) Before Income Taxes and Benefit From Income Taxes	The components of income (loss) before income taxes and the benefit from income taxes consist of the following:
		Fiscal Year Ended July 31,
		2013			2012			2011
		(in thousands)
	Income (loss) before income taxes
	U.S.	$	(15,388	)	$	(22,857	)	$	73,666
	Foreign		2,986			2,050			(13,903	)
	Income (loss) before income taxes	$	(12,402	)	$	(20,807	)	$	59,763
	Provision for (benefit from) income taxes:
	Current:
	Federal	$	—		$	—		$	(405	)
	State		—			—			(17	)
	Foreign		(275	)		(938	)		107
	Total Current	$	(275	)	$	(938	)	$	(315	)
	Deferred
	Foreign		—			—			—
	Total Deferred		—			—			—
	Total benefit from income taxes	$	(275	)	$	(938	)	$	(315	)
Reconciliation of U.S. Federal Statutory Rate to Company's Effective Tax Rate	Reconciliation of the U.S. federal statutory rate to the Company’s effective tax rate is as follows:
		Fiscal Year Ended July 31,
		2013			2012			2011
	U.S. federal statutory rate		35	%		35	%		35	%
	Change in valuation allowance/utilization of net operating loss carryforwards		(37.76	)		(34.11	)		(34.68	)
	Tax credits		—			—			(0.67	)
	Change in uncertain tax positions		7.16			4.99			0.09
	Other		(2.18	)		(1.37	)		(0.26	)
	Effective tax rate		2.22	%		4.51	%		(0.52	)%
Deferred Tax Assets and Liabilities	The temporary differences and carryforwards that created the deferred tax assets and liabilities as of July 31, 2013, and 2012 are as follows:
		As of July 31,
		2013			2012
		(in thousands)
	Deferred tax assets:
	Net operating loss carryforwards	$	144,399		$	137,984
	Capital loss carryforwards		393			757
	Tax credits		26,965			24,998
	Inventory valuation reserves		20,694			21,336
	Deferred revenue		648			2,677
	Fixed assets and spares		14			—
	Other		13,018			13,909
	Total deferred tax assets		206,131			201,661
	Valuation allowance		(204,484	)		(200,103	)
	Net deferred tax assets	$	1,647		$	1,558
	Deferred tax liabilities:
	Intangibles	$	—		$	(99	)
	Fixed assets and spares		(1,212	)		(605	)
	Prepaid expenses		(22	)		(28	)
	Other		(413	)		(826	)
	Total deferred tax liabilities		(1,647	)		(1,558	)
	Net deferred tax assets (liabilities)	$	—		$	—
Summary of Adjustments to Uncertain Tax Positions	A summary of the Company’s adjustments to its uncertain tax positions in the fiscal years ended July 31, 2013 and 2012 is as follows:
		July 31,			July 31,
		2013			2012
		(in thousands)
	Balance at beginning of year	$	8,009		$	9,094
	Decrease for uncertain tax positions related to the current year		(242	)		(195	)
	Decrease for uncertain tax positions related to prior years		(54	)		(385	)
	Decreases for settlements with applicable taxing authorities		—			—
	Decreases for lapses of statutes of limitations		(925	)		(505	)
	Balance at end of year	$	6,788		$	8,009

Employee_Benefit_Plans_Tables

Employee Benefit Plans (Tables)	12 Months Ended
	Jul. 31, 2013
Stock Option Activity	For the fiscal years ended July 31, 2013, 2012 and 2011 the Company’s stock option activity is as follows:
		2013					2012					2011
		Number of			Weighted		Number of			Weighted		Number of			Weighted
		Shares			Average		Shares			Average		Shares			Average
					Exercise Price					Exercise Price					Exercise Price
	Options outstanding, beginning of year		1,242,471		$	21.87		1,739,275		$	25.04		2,371,252		$	29.79
	Exercised		(2,449	)		5.55		(20,046	)		5.77		(37,985	)		5.62
	Forfeited		(289,468	)		18.71		(476,758	)		34.09		(593,992	)		45.31
	Options outstanding, end of year		950,554		$	22.88		1,242,471		$	21.87		1,739,275		$	25.04
	Options exercisable		950,554		$	22.88		1,242,471		$	21.87		1,701,971		$	25.45
Outstanding and Exercisable Stock Options	As of July 31, 2013, the status of the Company’s outstanding and exercisable stock options is as follows:
	Options Outstanding									Options Exercisable
	Range of Exercise Price ($)	Number			Weighted		Weighted			Number		Weighted
		Outstanding (#)			Average		Average			Exercisable (#)		Average
					Remaining		Exercise Price ($)					Exercise Price ($)
					Contractual Life (yrs)
	$    0.00  –  13.88		271,735			3.75	$	8.27			271,735	$	8.27
	13.90  –  26.81		394,350			1.52		19.11			394,350		19.11
	27.82  –  41.49		666			0.6		40.92			666		40.92
	41.50  –  54.75		281,942			0.15		41.89			281,942		41.89
	54.76  –  68.58		1,270			0.61		62.54			1,270		62.54
	68.59  –  83.22		591			0.25		82.14			591		82.14
			950,554			1.75	$	22.88			950,554	$	22.88
	Intrinsic value at July 31, 2013	$	31,641							$	31,641
Outstanding RSUs	For the fiscal years ended July 31, 2013, 2012, and 2011 the status of the Company’s outstanding RSUs is as follows:
		2013					2012					2011
		Number of			Weighted		Number of			Weighted		Number of			Weighted
		Shares			Average		Shares			Average		Shares			Average
					Grant-Date					Grant-Date					Grant-Date
					Fair Value					Fair Value					Fair Value
	RSUs outstanding, beginning of year		1,848,598		$	5.81		1,678,108		$	5.64		1,490,232		$	5.24
	Granted		895,900			5.82		939,600			6.04		784,450			6.8
	Vested		(754,556	)		5.39		(702,277	)		5.74		(585,492	)		6.24
	Forfeited		(21,252	)		5.54		(66,833	)		5.45		(11,082	)		3.36
	RSUs outstanding, end of year		1,968,690		$	5.98		1,848,598		$	5.81		1,678,108		$	5.64

Industry_And_Geographic_And_Si1

Industry And Geographic And Significant Customer Segment Information (Tables)	12 Months Ended
	Jul. 31, 2013
Net Sales by Geographic Area along with Long-Lived Assets by Location	The Company’s sales to top ten customers for the twelve months ended July 31, 2013, 2012, and 2011, along with the accounts receivable for the same customers at July 31, 2013, 2012, and 2011, are summarized as follows:
		Year Ended July 31,
		2013			2012			2011
	Net sales to the top ten customers		70	%		68	%		80	%
	Accounts receivable from top ten customers (in millions)	$	21.2		$	22.8		$	35.3
		Year Ended July 31,
		2013			2012			2011
	The Company’s customers over 10% of net sales:
	Spirox		27	%		22	%		14	%
	Texas Instruments		12	%		21	%		23	%
	Atmel		—			—			13	%
	The Company’s net sales to geographic area for the twelve months ended July 31, 2013, 2012, and 2011, along with the long-lived assets by location at July 31, 2013 and July 31, 2012, are summarized as follows:
		Year Ended July 31,
		2013			2012			2011
		(in thousands)
	Sales to unaffiliated customers (ship to location):
	Taiwan	$	39,913		$	26,308		$	50,914
	United States		25,999			30,486			37,160
	Philippines		23,106			25,117			62,218
	Malaysia		15,935			10,959			16,143
	Singapore		9,221			5,302			32,416
	All other countries (none of which is individually greater than 10% of net sales)		37,808			33,962			50,679
	Total sales to unaffiliated customers	$	151,982		$	132,134		$	249,530
		As of July 31,
		2013			2012
		(in thousands)
	Long-lived assets:
	United States	$	14,844		$	16,386
	Philippines		517			166
	Singapore		311			312
	Japan		311			564
	All other countries		664			801
	Total long-lived assets	$	16,647		$	18,229

Commitments_And_Contingencies_

Commitments And Contingencies (Tables)	12 Months Ended
	Jul. 31, 2013
Minimum Lease Payment Obligations Under Non-Cancelable Leases	Minimum lease payment obligations under non-cancelable leases as of July 31, 2013, are as follows:
	Year ending July 31,	Facilities		Equipment		Total
						Operating
						Leases
		(in thousands)
	2014	$	5,393	$	75	$	5,468
	2015		4,700		13		4,713
	2016		4,296		2		4,298
	2017		2,542		—		2,542
	2018		1,038		—		1,038
	Thereafter		3,605		—		3,605
	Total minimum lease payments	$	21,574	$	90	$	21,664

Restructuring_Tables

Restructuring (Tables)	12 Months Ended
	Jul. 31, 2013
Restructuring Accrual Activity Details	The following table sets forth the Company’s restructuring accrual activity for the three years ending July 31, 2013:
		Severance			Facility			Total
		Costs			Leases
		(in thousands)
	Balance July 31, 2010	$	84		$	5,810		$	5,894
	Restructuring expense		(24	)		387			363
	Accretion		—			140			140
	Cash paid		(54	)		(1,576	)		(1,630	)
	Balance July 31, 2011		6			4,761			4,767
	Restructuring expense		812			291			1,103
	Accretion		—			182			182
	Stock based compensation		(84	)		—			(84	)
	Cash paid		(371	)		(1,537	)		(1,908	)
	Balance July 31, 2012		363			3,697			4,060
	Restructuring expense		216			260			476
	Accretion		—			229			229
	Stock based compensation		(47	)		—			(47	)
	Cash paid		(530	)		(1,414	)		(1,944	)
	Balance July 31, 2013	$	2		$	2,772		$	2,774

Fair_Value_Measurements_Tables

Fair Value Measurements (Tables)	12 Months Ended
	Jul. 31, 2013
Financial Assets and Liabilities Measured at Fair Value Related Valuation Inputs	The following table presents financial assets and liabilities measured at fair value and their related valuation inputs as of July 31, 2013 and as of July 31, 2012, respectively.
					Fair Value Measurements at Reporting Date Using
					(in thousands)
	July 31, 2013		Total Fair Value of Asset		Quoted Prices in Active		Significant Other		Significant
			or Liability		Markets for Identical		Observable Inputs		Unobservable Inputs
					Assets (Level 1)		(Level 2)		(Level 3)
	Cash and cash equivalents (1)		$	28,235	$	28,235	$	—	$	—
	Marketable securities (2)			93,306		8,553		84,753		—
	Total Assets		$	121,541	$	36,788	$	84,753	$	—
	July 31, 2012		Total Fair Value of Asset		Quoted Prices in Active		Significant Other		Significant
			or Liability		Markets for Identical		Observable Inputs		Unobservable Inputs
					Assets (Level 1)		(Level 2)		(Level 3)
	Cash and cash equivalents (1)		$	29,446	$	29,081	$	365	$	—
	Marketable securities (2)			104,932		7,226		97,706		—
	Total Assets		$	134,378	$	36,307	$	98,071	$	—
	-1	Cash and cash equivalents as of July 31, 2013 and July 31, 2012 includes cash held in operating accounts of approximately $25.9 million and $28.6 million, respectively, that are not subject to fair value measurements. For purposes of this disclosure they are included as having Level 1 inputs.
	-2	Marketable securities as of July 31, 2013 and July 31, 2012 excluded approximately $2.8 million of commercial paper which is held-to-maturity and not subject to fair value measurements.

Quarterly_Results_of_Operation1

Quarterly Results of Operations (Tables)	12 Months Ended
	Jul. 31, 2013
Quarterly Results of Operations	Fiscal Year Ended July 31, 2013	First			Second			Third			Fourth
		Quarter			Quarter			Quarter			Quarter
		(in thousands, except per share data)
	Net sales	$	43,188		$	35,016		$	36,257		$	37,521
	Gross profit		23,504			18,559			18,699			19,996
	Net (loss) income		549			(3,276	)		(4,744	)		(4,656	)
	Net (loss) income per share:
	Basic and diluted	$	0.01		$	(0.07	)	$	(0.10	)	$	(0.10	)
	Fiscal Year Ended July 31, 2012	First			Second			Third			Fourth
		Quarter			Quarter			Quarter			Quarter
		(in thousands, except per share data)
	Net sales	$	33,752		$	24,082		$	30,837		$	43,463
	Gross profit		18,037			10,880			15,813			23,767
	Net (loss) income		(4,909	)		(9,688	)		(6,628	)		1,356
	Net (loss) income per share:
	Basic and diluted	$	(0.10	)	$	(0.20	)	$	(0.14	)	$	0.04
	Fiscal Year Ended July 31, 2011	First			Second			Third			Fourth
		Quarter			Quarter			Quarter			Quarter
		(in thousands, except per share data)
	Net sales	$	75,647		$	52,549		$	58,665		$	62,669
	Gross profit		47,246			31,423			36,461			39,110
	Net income		19,675			4,705			23,622			12,076
	Net income per share:
	Basic	$	0.4		$	0.1		$	0.48		$	0.24
	Diluted	$	0.39		$	0.09		$	0.47		$	0.24
Net Income (Loss) Includes Activity Associated with Non-Recurring Transactions	Net loss for the year ended July 31, 2013 includes the following activity associated with non-recurring transactions:
	Fiscal Year Ended July 31, 2013	First			Second			Third			Fourth
		Quarter			Quarter			Quarter			Quarter
		(in thousands)
	Release of income tax liabilities due to lapses in statutes of limitations		—			(1,058	)		—			—
	Income tax expense from foreign entity mergers		(167	)		—			—			—
	Restructuring		(231	)		(69	)		(356	)		180
	Merger-related expense		—			—			—			(1,300	)
	Total non-recurring income (expense)	$	(398	)	$	(1,127	)	$	(356	)	$	(1,120	)
	Net loss for the year ended July 31, 2012 includes the following activity associated with non-recurring transactions:
	Fiscal Year Ended July 31, 2012	First			Second			Third			Fourth
		Quarter			Quarter			Quarter			Quarter
		(in thousands)
	Merger-related income (expense)		(115	)		49			—			—
	Release of income tax liabilities from lapses of statute of limitations		—			734			—			581
	Restructuring		(46	)		(141	)		(739	)		(178	)
	Total non-recurring income (expense)	$	(161	)	$	642		$	(739	)	$	403
	Net income for the year ended July 31, 2011 includes the following activity associated with non-recurring transactions:
	Fiscal Year Ended July 31, 2011	First			Second			Third			Fourth
		Quarter			Quarter			Quarter			Quarter
		(in thousands)
	Merger breakup fees	$	—		$	—		$	15,000		$	—
	Merger-related expenses		—			(2,828	)		(1,856	)		(189	)
	Restructuring		(116	)		—			(247	)		—
	Total non-recurring income (expense)	$	(116	)	$	(2,828	)	$	12,897		$	(189	)

Components_of_Inventory_Detail

Components of Inventory (Detail) (USD $)	Jul. 31, 2013	Jul. 31, 2012
In Thousands, unless otherwise specified
Inventories [Line Items]
Material and purchased components	$15,379	$13,811
Work-in-process	2,887	3,045
Finished testers, including inventory consigned to customers	10,873	11,994
Total inventories	$29,139	$28,850

Summary_of_Significant_Account3

Summary of Significant Accounting Policies - Additional Information (Detail) (USD $)	1 Months Ended	12 Months Ended
	Aug. 29, 2008	Jul. 31, 2013	Jul. 31, 2012	Jul. 31, 2011	Aug. 31, 2008
Product Information [Line Items]
Total inventories		$29,139,000	$28,850,000
Inventory reserves		41,800,000	42,400,000
Amortization of intangible assets		1 year 6 months
Warranty for Products		The Company offers a one or two year warranty for all of its products, the terms and conditions of which are based on the product sold and the customer.
Other income, net		-186,000	444,000	13,472,000
Cost of sales		2,700,000	3,400,000	4,100,000
Provision for (benefit from) income taxes		-275,000	-938,000	-315,000
Unrecognized income tax benefits		6,788,000	8,009,000	9,094,000
Unrecognized income tax benefits that would impact impacting income tax rate if recognized		3,200,000	4,400,000
Uncertain tax positions accrued interest and penalties		900,000	1,000,000
Ownership percentage that trigger limitation on NOL carryforward utilization	50.00%				50.00%
Operating loss carryforwards, limitations on use	As a result of the merger with Credence on August 29, 2008, a greater than 50% cumulative ownership change in both entities triggered a significant limitation on net operating loss carryforward utilization. The Company's ability to use acquired net operating loss and credit carryforwards is subject to annual limitation as defined in sections 382 and 383 of the Internal Revenue Code.
Estimated annual limitation on use of net operating loss	10,100,000				10,100,000
Amount of net operating loss able to be used	202,000,000	202,000,000
Unrecognized stock-based compensation expense expected to be recognized		8,300,000
Stock-based compensation expense recognition period		3 years 7 months 6 days
Maturity period of highly liquid investments to be considered cash equivalent		3 months
Depreciation Expense		6,500,000	7,800,000	11,600,000
Materials and components and some finished testers to support current requirements for X-Series, ASL and Diamond products
Product Information [Line Items]
Total inventories		19,100,000
Evaluation inventory at customers
Product Information [Line Items]
Total inventories		7,700,000
"last time buy" custom components primarily for ASL products
Product Information [Line Items]
Total inventories		2,200,000
Deferred inventory costs related to shipment of inventory
Product Information [Line Items]
Total inventories		100,000
Minimum
Product Information [Line Items]
Product warranty period		1 year
Property plant and equipment estimated useful life		3 years
Maximum
Product Information [Line Items]
Product warranty period		2 years
Trade accounts receivable Contractual Maturity date		90 days
Property plant and equipment estimated useful life		7 years
Restricted Stock Units (RSUs)
Product Information [Line Items]
Restricted stock unit awards granted during period		895,900	939,600	784,450
Anti-dilutive securities excluded from computation of earnings per share		2,000,000	1,800,000	0
Restricted Stock Units (RSUs) | Minimum
Product Information [Line Items]
Restricted stock unit award granted vesting period		1 year	1 year	6 months
Restricted Stock Units (RSUs) | Maximum
Product Information [Line Items]
Restricted stock unit award granted vesting period		4 years	4 years	4 years
Restricted Stock Units (RSUs) | Executives
Product Information [Line Items]
Restricted stock unit awards granted during period		390,000	465,000	330,000
Stock Option
Product Information [Line Items]
Anti-dilutive securities excluded from computation of earnings per share		1,000,000	1,200,000	1,500,000
Foreign Currency Derivative Contracts
Product Information [Line Items]
Other income, net				$200,000

Sales_of_Previously_Reserved_I

Sales of Previously Reserved Inventory and Inventory Reserves (Detail) (USD $)	12 Months Ended
In Thousands, unless otherwise specified	Jul. 31, 2013	Jul. 31, 2012	Jul. 31, 2011
Inventory [Line Items]
Sales of previously reserved inventory	$869	$6,859	$20,437
Inventory reserves released for these sales	$300	$2,035	$4,122

Goodwill_Detail

Goodwill (Detail) (USD $)	Jul. 31, 2013	Jul. 31, 2012
In Thousands, unless otherwise specified
Goodwill [Line Items]
Goodwill	$43,030	$43,030
Merger with Credence Systems Corporation (August 29, 2008)
Goodwill [Line Items]
Goodwill	28,662	28,662
Acquisition with Step Tech Inc. (June 10, 2003)
Goodwill [Line Items]
Goodwill	$14,368	$14,368

Intangible_Assets_Detail

Intangible Assets (Detail) (USD $)	12 Months Ended
In Thousands, unless otherwise specified	Jul. 31, 2013	Jul. 31, 2012
Finite-Lived Intangible Assets [Line Items]
Net Amount	$1,571
Merger with Credence Systems Corporation (August 29, 2008)
Finite-Lived Intangible Assets [Line Items]
Gross Carrying Amount	38,900	38,900
Accumulated Amortization	37,329	35,747
Net Amount	1,571	3,153
Merger with Credence Systems Corporation (August 29, 2008) | Trade Names
Finite-Lived Intangible Assets [Line Items]
Estimated Useful Life	1 year	1 year
Gross Carrying Amount	300	300
Accumulated Amortization	300	300
Merger with Credence Systems Corporation (August 29, 2008) | Distributor relationships
Finite-Lived Intangible Assets [Line Items]
Estimated Useful Life	2 years	2 years
Gross Carrying Amount	2,800	2,800
Accumulated Amortization	2,800	2,800
Merger with Credence Systems Corporation (August 29, 2008) | Key customer relationships
Finite-Lived Intangible Assets [Line Items]
Estimated Useful Life	3 years	3 years
Gross Carrying Amount	8,500	8,500
Accumulated Amortization	8,500	8,500
Merger with Credence Systems Corporation (August 29, 2008) | Developed Technology Rights | Asl
Finite-Lived Intangible Assets [Line Items]
Estimated Useful Life	6 years	6 years
Gross Carrying Amount	16,000	16,000
Accumulated Amortization	15,737	14,965
Net Amount	263	1,035
Merger with Credence Systems Corporation (August 29, 2008) | Developed Technology Rights | Diamond
Finite-Lived Intangible Assets [Line Items]
Estimated Useful Life	9 years	9 years
Gross Carrying Amount	9,400	9,400
Accumulated Amortization	8,906	8,367
Net Amount	494	1,033
Merger with Credence Systems Corporation (August 29, 2008) | Maintenance agreements
Finite-Lived Intangible Assets [Line Items]
Estimated Useful Life	7 years	7 years
Gross Carrying Amount	1,900	1,900
Accumulated Amortization	1,086	815
Net Amount	$814	$1,085

Expected_Amortization_of_Intan

Expected Amortization of Intangible Assets (Detail) (USD $)	Jul. 31, 2013
In Thousands, unless otherwise specified
Finite-Lived Intangible Assets [Line Items]
2014	$769
2015	396
2016	321
2017	85
Thereafter
Net Amount	$1,571

Change_in_Product_Warranty_Lia

Change in Product Warranty Liability (Detail) (USD $)	12 Months Ended
In Thousands, unless otherwise specified	Jul. 31, 2013	Jul. 31, 2012
Product Information [Line Items]
Balance at beginning of period	$1,672	$2,281
Warranty expenditures for current period	-3,866	-3,297
Changes in liability related to pre-existing warranties	-52	12
Provision for warranty costs in the period	3,463	2,676
Balance at end of period	$1,217	$1,672

Stock_Based_Compensation_Expen

Stock Based Compensation Expense (Detail) (USD $)	12 Months Ended
In Thousands, unless otherwise specified	Jul. 31, 2013	Jul. 31, 2012	Jul. 31, 2011
Employee Service Share-based Compensation, Allocation of Recognized Period Costs [Line Items]
Stock-based compensation expense	$4,717	$4,449	$3,905
Cost of Sales
Employee Service Share-based Compensation, Allocation of Recognized Period Costs [Line Items]
Stock-based compensation expense	148	123	165
Engineering and Product Development Expenses
Employee Service Share-based Compensation, Allocation of Recognized Period Costs [Line Items]
Stock-based compensation expense	611	533	891
Selling, General and Administrative Expenses
Employee Service Share-based Compensation, Allocation of Recognized Period Costs [Line Items]
Stock-based compensation expense	$3,958	$3,793	$2,849

Net_Income_Loss_Per_Share_Deta

Net Income (Loss) Per Share (Detail) (USD $)	3 Months Ended												12 Months Ended
In Thousands, except Per Share data, unless otherwise specified	Jul. 31, 2013	Apr. 30, 2013	Jan. 31, 2013	Oct. 31, 2012	Jul. 31, 2012	Apr. 30, 2012	Jan. 31, 2012	Oct. 31, 2011	Jul. 31, 2011	Apr. 30, 2011	Jan. 31, 2011	Oct. 31, 2010	Jul. 31, 2013	Jul. 31, 2012	Jul. 31, 2011
Net (loss) income	($4,656)	($4,744)	($3,276)	$549	$1,356	($6,628)	($9,688)	($4,909)	$12,076	$23,622	$4,705	$19,675	($12,127)	($19,869)	$60,078
Basic EPS
Weighted average shares outstanding-basic													47,719	49,080	49,398
Basic EPS									$0.24	$0.48	$0.10	$0.40	($0.25)	($0.40)	$1.22
Diluted EPS
Weighted average shares outstanding-basic													47,719	49,080	49,398
Plus: impact of stock options and unvested restricted stock units															1,017
Weighted average shares outstanding-diluted													47,719	49,080	50,415
Diluted EPS									$0.24	$0.47	$0.09	$0.39	($0.25)	($0.40)	$1.19

Market_Value_and_Maturities_of

Market Value and Maturities of Marketable Securities (Detail) (USD $)	Jul. 31, 2013	Jul. 31, 2012
In Thousands, unless otherwise specified
Schedule of Available-for-sale Securities [Line Items]
Due in less than one year	$56,222	$69,044
Due in 1 to 3 years	39,937	38,684
Total marketable securities	$96,159	$107,728

Market_Value_and_Amortized_Cos

Market Value and Amortized Cost of Marketable Securities (Detail) (USD $)	Jul. 31, 2013		Jul. 31, 2012
In Thousands, unless otherwise specified
Schedule of Available-for-sale Securities [Line Items]
Market Value	$96,159		$107,728
Amortized Cost	95,707		106,998
Corporate
Schedule of Available-for-sale Securities [Line Items]
Market Value	52,669	[1]	53,012	[1]
Amortized Cost	52,241	[1]	52,553	[1]
Government
Schedule of Available-for-sale Securities [Line Items]
Market Value	15,656		17,148
Amortized Cost	15,627		17,078
Collateralized Mortgage Backed Securities
Schedule of Available-for-sale Securities [Line Items]
Market Value	6,381		6,351
Amortized Cost	6,390		6,305
Asset-backed Securities
Schedule of Available-for-sale Securities [Line Items]
Market Value	21,453		31,217
Amortized Cost	$21,449		$31,062
[1]	Included in the above figures is $2,853 and $2,797 of market value and amortized cost related to the Company's held to maturity investments as of July 31, 2013 and 2012, respectively.

Market_Value_and_Amortized_Cos1

Market Value and Amortized Cost of Marketable Securities (Parenthetical) (Detail) (Corporate, USD $)	Jul. 31, 2013	Jul. 31, 2012
In Thousands, unless otherwise specified
Corporate
Schedule of Available-for-sale Securities [Line Items]
Market Value	$2,853	$2,797
Amortized Cost	$2,853	$2,797

Summary_of_Marketable_Securiti

Summary of Marketable Securities and Related Unrealized Gains and Losses (Detail) (USD $)	Jul. 31, 2013	Jul. 31, 2012
In Thousands, unless otherwise specified
Schedule of Available-for-sale Securities [Line Items]
Market Value	$96,159	$107,728
Unrealized Gain/(Loss)	-64	230
Securities Less Than 12 months unrealized losses
Schedule of Available-for-sale Securities [Line Items]
Market Value	21,842	14,727
Unrealized Gain/(Loss)	-80	-27
Securities Greater Than 12 months unrealized losses
Schedule of Available-for-sale Securities [Line Items]
Market Value	21,983	7,313
Unrealized Gain/(Loss)	-98	-22
Securities Less Than 12 months unrealized gains
Schedule of Available-for-sale Securities [Line Items]
Market Value	34,380	54,317
Unrealized Gain/(Loss)	54	80
Securities Greater Than 12 months unrealized gains
Schedule of Available-for-sale Securities [Line Items]
Market Value	17,954	31,371
Unrealized Gain/(Loss)	$60	$199

Interest_Income_and_Realized_G

Interest Income and Realized Gain and Losses on Sale of Marketable Securities Included in Interest Income in Statement of Operations (Detail) (USD $)	12 Months Ended
In Thousands, unless otherwise specified	Jul. 31, 2013	Jul. 31, 2012	Jul. 31, 2011
Schedule of Available-for-sale Securities [Line Items]
Interest income on marketable securities	$2,483	$2,637	$895
Realized gain (loss) from sales of securities	96	-14	-12
Total	$2,579	$2,623	$883

Concentration_of_Credit_Risk_D

Concentration of Credit Risk (Detail) (USD $)	3 Months Ended												12 Months Ended
	Jul. 31, 2013	Apr. 30, 2013	Jan. 31, 2013	Oct. 31, 2012	Jul. 31, 2012	Apr. 30, 2012	Jan. 31, 2012	Oct. 31, 2011	Jul. 31, 2011	Apr. 30, 2011	Jan. 31, 2011	Oct. 31, 2010	Jul. 31, 2013	Jul. 31, 2012	Jul. 31, 2011
Concentration Risk [Line Items]
Sales	$37,521,000	$36,257,000	$35,016,000	$43,188,000	$43,463,000	$30,837,000	$24,082,000	$33,752,000	$62,669,000	$58,665,000	$52,549,000	$75,647,000	$151,982,000	$132,134,000	$249,530,000
Top Ten Customers
Concentration Risk [Line Items]
Accounts receivable	21,200,000				22,800,000				35,300,000				21,200,000	22,800,000	35,300,000
Customers outside United States
Concentration Risk [Line Items]
Sales													$126,000,000	$101,600,000	$212,300,000
Sales | Top Ten Customers
Concentration Risk [Line Items]
Revenue													70.00%	68.00%	80.00%

Summary_of_Property_and_Equipm

Summary of Property and Equipment (Detail) (USD $)

Jul. 31, 2013

Jul. 31, 2012

Jul. 31, 2013

Jul. 31, 2013

Jul. 31, 2013

Jul. 31, 2013

Jul. 31, 2013

Jul. 31, 2013

Jul. 31, 2013

Jul. 31, 2013

Jul. 31, 2013

Jul. 31, 2013

Jul. 31, 2013

In Thousands, unless otherwise specified

Minimum

Maximum

Equipment spares

Equipment spares

Machinery, equipment and internally manufactured systems

Machinery, equipment and internally manufactured systems

Furniture and Fixtures

Furniture and Fixtures

Purchased Software

Leasehold Improvements

Leasehold Improvements

Minimum

Maximum

Minimum

Maximum

Minimum

Maximum

Maximum

Property, Plant and Equipment [Line Items]

Equipment spares

$58,461

$57,841

Machinery, equipment and internally manufactured systems

34,587

38,067

Office furniture and equipment

2,014

3,885

Purchased software

488

2,870

Land

2,524

2,524

Leasehold improvements

6,983

6,187

Property and equipment, gross

105,057

111,374

Accumulated depreciation and amortization

-88,410

-93,145

Property and equipment, net

$16,647

$18,229

Property plant and equipment useful life

3 years

7 years

5 years

7 years

3 years

7 years

3 years

7 years

3 years

10 years

Property plant and equipment useful life

Term of lease or useful life, not to exceed 10 years

Components_of_Other_Accrued_Ex

Components of Other Accrued Expenses (Detail) (USD $)	Jul. 31, 2013	Jul. 31, 2012
In Thousands, unless otherwise specified
Accrued Liabilities [Line Items]
Accrued compensation	$7,538	$7,059
Accrued vendor liability	2,153	2,373
Accrued professional fees	2,043	835
Warranty reserve	1,217	1,672
Accrued income, and other taxes	1,115	931
Accrued restructuring	1,037	1,502
Other accrued expenses	4,249	5,364
Total accrued expenses	$19,352	$19,736

Long_Term_Debt_Additional_Info

Long Term Debt - Additional Information (Detail) (USD $)	12 Months Ended
	Jul. 31, 2011	Jul. 31, 2013	Jul. 31, 2010
		Convertible Senior Subordinated Notes	Convertible Senior Subordinated Notes
Debt Instrument [Line Items]
Repurchase of convertible senior subordinated notes			$33,100,000
Convertible Senior Subordinated Notes, stated percentage			3.50%
Senior Note Maturity Date		15-May-11	15-May-11
Net cash consideration paid for repurchase of notes	876,000		31,600,000
Net gain on extinguishment of debt			$900,000
Percentage of premium on notes		7.50%

Components_of_Income_Loss_Befo

Components of Income (Loss) Before Income Taxes and Benefit From Income Taxes (Detail) (USD $)	12 Months Ended
In Thousands, unless otherwise specified	Jul. 31, 2013	Jul. 31, 2012	Jul. 31, 2011
Income (loss) before income taxes
Income (loss) before income taxes	($12,402)	($20,807)	$59,763
Current:
Federal			-405
State			-17
Foreign	-275	-938	107
Total Current	-275	-938	-315
Deferred
Foreign
Total Deferred
Total benefit from income taxes	-275	-938	-315
U.S.
Income (loss) before income taxes
Income (loss) before income taxes	-15,388	-22,857	73,666
Foreign
Income (loss) before income taxes
Income (loss) before income taxes	$2,986	$2,050	($13,903)

Reconciliation_of_US_Federal_S

Reconciliation of U.S. Federal Statutory Rate to Company's Effective Tax Rate (Detail)	12 Months Ended
	Jul. 31, 2013	Jul. 31, 2012	Jul. 31, 2011
Schedule of Effective Tax Rate Reconciliation [Line Items]
U.S. federal statutory rate	35.00%	35.00%	35.00%
Change in valuation allowance/utilization of net operating loss carryforwards	-37.76%	-34.11%	-34.68%
Tax credits			-0.67%
Change in uncertain tax positions	7.16%	4.99%	0.09%
Other	-2.18%	-1.37%	-0.26%
Effective tax rate	2.22%	4.51%	-0.52%

Deferred_Tax_Assets_and_Liabil

Deferred Tax Assets and Liabilities (Detail) (USD $)	Jul. 31, 2013	Jul. 31, 2012
In Thousands, unless otherwise specified
Deferred tax assets:
Net operating loss carryforwards	$144,399	$137,984
Capital loss carryforwards	393	757
Tax credits	26,965	24,998
Inventory valuation reserves	20,694	21,336
Deferred revenue	648	2,677
Fixed assets and spares	14
Other	13,018	13,909
Total deferred tax assets	206,131	201,661
Valuation allowance	-204,484	-200,103
Net deferred tax assets	1,647	1,558
Deferred tax liabilities:
Intangibles		-99
Fixed assets and spares	-1,212	-605
Prepaid expenses	-22	-28
Other	-413	-826
Total deferred tax liabilities	-1,647	-1,558
Net deferred tax assets (liabilities)

Income_Taxes_Additional_Inform

Income Taxes - Additional Information (Detail) (USD $)	12 Months Ended
	Jul. 31, 2013	Jul. 31, 2012	Jul. 31, 2011	Aug. 31, 2008	Aug. 29, 2008
Income Taxes [Line Items]
Cumulative unremitted earnings considered to be indefinitely reinvested outside of U.S. taxes	$100,000	$200,000
Valuation allowance	204,484,000	200,103,000
Ownership percentage that trigger limitation on NOL carryforward utilization				50.00%	50.00%
Estimated annual limitation on use of net operating loss				10,100,000	10,100,000
Net operating loss subject to limitation	202,000,000				202,000,000
Unrecognized tax benefits	6,788,000	8,009,000	9,094,000
unrecognized tax benefit that would impact on effective income tax rate, if recognized	3,200,000	4,400,000
Accrued interest and penalties related to uncertain tax positions	900,000	1,000,000
Net cash paid for income taxes	200,000	100,000
Federal
Income Taxes [Line Items]
Net operating loss carry forwards	356,400,000	340,100,000
Tax credit carryforwards including research and development	6,900,000	5,700,000
Federal | Minimum
Income Taxes [Line Items]
Net operating loss carry forwards expiration year	2017	2017
Tax credit carryforwards expiration year	2018	2018
Federal | Maximum
Income Taxes [Line Items]
Net operating loss carry forwards expiration year	2033	2032
Tax credit carryforwards expiration year	2033	2032
State
Income Taxes [Line Items]
Net operating loss carry forwards	247,200,000	238,800,000
Tax credit carryforwards including research and development	33,400,000	31,400,000
State | Minimum
Income Taxes [Line Items]
Net operating loss carry forwards expiration year	2014	2013
Tax credit carryforwards expiration year	2014	2013
State | Maximum
Income Taxes [Line Items]
Net operating loss carry forwards expiration year	2033	2032
Tax credit carryforwards expiration year	2028	2027
Foreign
Income Taxes [Line Items]
Net operating loss carry forwards	$16,100,000	$15,800,000

Summary_of_Adjustments_to_Unce

Summary of Adjustments to Uncertain Tax Positions (Detail) (USD $)	12 Months Ended
In Thousands, unless otherwise specified	Jul. 31, 2013	Jul. 31, 2012
Significant Change in Unrecognized Tax Benefits is Reasonably Possible [Line Items]
Balance at beginning of year	$8,009	$9,094
Decrease for uncertain tax positions related to the current year	-242	-195
Decrease for uncertain tax positions related to prior years	-54	-385
Decreases for settlements with applicable taxing authorities
Decreases for lapses of statutes of limitations	-925	-505
Balance at end of year	$6,788	$8,009

Stockholders_Equity_Additional

Stockholders' Equity - Additional Information (Detail) (USD $)	12 Months Ended		1 Months Ended	12 Months Ended
	Jul. 31, 2013	Jul. 31, 2012	Sep. 15, 2011	Jul. 31, 2013
			Common Stock	Common Stock
Class of Stock [Line Items]
Stock repurchase program, authorized amount			$25,000,000
Share repurchase program, term			The Company determines the timing and amount of the transaction based on its evaluation of market conditions and other factors. The repurchase program may be suspended or discontinued at any time and has no expiration date.
Stock repurchased during period, shares				3,294,666
Stock repurchased during period, value	$9,208,000	$9,525,000		$18,700,000
Common stock reserved for possible issuance under stock based compensation plan and employee stock purchase plan	8,866,509	8,916,747

Employee_Benefit_Plans_Additio

Employee Benefit Plans - Additional Information (Detail) (USD $)	12 Months Ended
	Jul. 31, 2013	Jul. 31, 2012	Jul. 31, 2011
Defined Benefit Plan Disclosure [Line Items]
Intrinsic value of options exercised	$1,307	$26,160	$111,814
Profit Sharing Plan
Defined Benefit Plan Disclosure [Line Items]
Profit sharing expenses	100,000	100,000	3,700,000
Executive Profit Sharing Plan
Defined Benefit Plan Disclosure [Line Items]
Profit sharing expenses	0	0	2,500,000
401(k) Growth and Investment Program
Defined Benefit Plan Disclosure [Line Items]
Percentage employees contribution to 401(k) plan of their annual compensation	20.00%
Percentage of contribution by the company	50.00%
Percentage of contribution by employee	6.00%
Percentage of employer contribution vested per year	20.00%
Percentage of employee contribution vested	100.00%
Employee contribution vesting period	5 years
Defined contribution match funded by company	1,100,000	1,100,000	1,100,000
Restricted Stock Units (RSUs)
Defined Benefit Plan Disclosure [Line Items]
Restricted stock unit awards granted during period	895,900	939,600	784,450
Fair value of RSUs vested	4,100,000	4,000,000	3,600,000
Restricted Stock Units (RSUs) | Executives
Defined Benefit Plan Disclosure [Line Items]
Restricted stock unit awards granted during period	390,000	465,000	330,000
Restricted Stock Units (RSUs) | Minimum
Defined Benefit Plan Disclosure [Line Items]
Restricted stock unit award granted vesting period	1 year	1 year	6 months
Restricted Stock Units (RSUs) | Maximum
Defined Benefit Plan Disclosure [Line Items]
Restricted stock unit award granted vesting period	4 years	4 years	4 years
Stock Option Plan 2010
Defined Benefit Plan Disclosure [Line Items]
Shares subject to future grant	5,234,379
2004 ESPP
Defined Benefit Plan Disclosure [Line Items]
Percentage of price paid for common stock	85.00%
Common stock offering period	6 months
Additional number of shares issuable to employees	400,000
Number of shares issued under employee stock purchase plan	165,572	146,897	101,122
Remaining shares to be issued under employee stock purchase plan	712,886
2004 ESPP | October 2012
Defined Benefit Plan Disclosure [Line Items]
Additional number of shares issuable to employees	800,000
2004 ESPP | Maximum
Defined Benefit Plan Disclosure [Line Items]
Employee contribution of annual compensation for purchase of common stock	15.00%
Annual limit for purchase of common stock	$25,000
Number of share that can be issued to employees under the plan	400,000

Stock_Option_Activity_Detail

Stock Option Activity (Detail) (USD $)	12 Months Ended
	Jul. 31, 2013	Jul. 31, 2012	Jul. 31, 2011
Number of Shares
Options outstanding, beginning of year	1,242,471	1,739,275	2,371,252
Exercised	-2,449	-20,046	-37,985
Forfeited	-289,468	-476,758	-593,992
Options outstanding, end of year	950,554	1,242,471	1,739,275
Options exercisable	950,554	1,242,471	1,701,971
Weighted Average Exercise Price
Options outstanding, beginning of year	$21.87	$25.04	$29.79
Exercised	$5.55	$5.77	$5.62
Forfeited	$18.71	$34.09	$45.31
Options outstanding, end of year	$22.88	$21.87	$25.04
Options exercisable	$22.88	$21.87	$25.45

Outstanding_and_Exercisable_St

Outstanding and Exercisable Stock Options (Detail) (USD $)	12 Months Ended
	Jul. 31, 2013
Share-based Compensation, Shares Authorized under Stock Option Plans, Exercise Price Range [Line Items]
Number Outstanding	950,554
Weighted Average Remaining Contractual Life	1 year 9 months
Weighted Average Exercise Price	$22.88
Number Exercisable	950,554
Weighted Average Exercise Price	$22.88
Option Outstanding Intrinsic Value	$31,641
Option Exercisable Intrinsic Value	$31,641
Range 1
Share-based Compensation, Shares Authorized under Stock Option Plans, Exercise Price Range [Line Items]
Range of Exercise Price, Lower Limit	$0
Range of Exercise Price, Upper Limit	$13.88
Number Outstanding	271,735
Weighted Average Remaining Contractual Life	3 years 9 months
Weighted Average Exercise Price	$8.27
Number Exercisable	271,735
Weighted Average Exercise Price	$8.27
Range 2
Share-based Compensation, Shares Authorized under Stock Option Plans, Exercise Price Range [Line Items]
Range of Exercise Price, Lower Limit	$13.90
Range of Exercise Price, Upper Limit	$26.81
Number Outstanding	394,350
Weighted Average Remaining Contractual Life	1 year 6 months 7 days
Weighted Average Exercise Price	$19.11
Number Exercisable	394,350
Weighted Average Exercise Price	$19.11
Range 3
Share-based Compensation, Shares Authorized under Stock Option Plans, Exercise Price Range [Line Items]
Range of Exercise Price, Lower Limit	$27.82
Range of Exercise Price, Upper Limit	$41.49
Number Outstanding	666
Weighted Average Remaining Contractual Life	7 months 6 days
Weighted Average Exercise Price	$40.92
Number Exercisable	666
Weighted Average Exercise Price	$40.92
Range 4
Share-based Compensation, Shares Authorized under Stock Option Plans, Exercise Price Range [Line Items]
Range of Exercise Price, Lower Limit	$41.50
Range of Exercise Price, Upper Limit	$54.75
Number Outstanding	281,942
Weighted Average Remaining Contractual Life	1 month 24 days
Weighted Average Exercise Price	$41.89
Number Exercisable	281,942
Weighted Average Exercise Price	$41.89
Range 5
Share-based Compensation, Shares Authorized under Stock Option Plans, Exercise Price Range [Line Items]
Range of Exercise Price, Lower Limit	$54.76
Range of Exercise Price, Upper Limit	$68.58
Number Outstanding	1,270
Weighted Average Remaining Contractual Life	7 months 10 days
Weighted Average Exercise Price	$62.54
Number Exercisable	1,270
Weighted Average Exercise Price	$62.54
Range 6
Share-based Compensation, Shares Authorized under Stock Option Plans, Exercise Price Range [Line Items]
Range of Exercise Price, Lower Limit	$68.59
Range of Exercise Price, Upper Limit	$83.22
Number Outstanding	591
Weighted Average Remaining Contractual Life	3 months
Weighted Average Exercise Price	$82.14
Number Exercisable	591
Weighted Average Exercise Price	$82.14

Outstanding_RSUs_Detail

Outstanding RSUs (Detail) (Restricted Stock Units (RSUs), USD $)	12 Months Ended
	Jul. 31, 2013	Jul. 31, 2012	Jul. 31, 2011
Restricted Stock Units (RSUs)
Number of Shares
RSUs outstanding, beginning of year	1,848,598	1,678,108	1,490,232
Granted	895,900	939,600	784,450
Vested	-754,556	-702,277	-585,492
Forfeited	-21,252	-66,833	-11,082
RSUs outstanding, end of year	1,968,690	1,848,598	1,678,108
Weighted Average Exercise Price
RSUs outstanding, beginning of year	$5.81	$5.64	$5.24
Granted	$5.82	$6.04	$6.80
Vested	$5.39	$5.74	$6.24
Forfeited	$5.54	$5.45	$3.36
RSUs outstanding, end of year	$5.98	$5.81	$5.64

Recovered_Sheet1

Industry and Geographic and Significant Customer Segment Information - Additional Information (Detail)	12 Months Ended
	Jul. 31, 2013
	Segment
Revenue, Major Customer [Line Items]
Number of Operating Segments	1

Net_Sales_by_Geographic_Area_a

Net Sales by Geographic Area along with Long-Lived Assets by Location (Detail) (USD $)	3 Months Ended												12 Months Ended
	Jul. 31, 2013	Apr. 30, 2013	Jan. 31, 2013	Oct. 31, 2012	Jul. 31, 2012	Apr. 30, 2012	Jan. 31, 2012	Oct. 31, 2011	Jul. 31, 2011	Apr. 30, 2011	Jan. 31, 2011	Oct. 31, 2010	Jul. 31, 2013	Jul. 31, 2012	Jul. 31, 2011
Segment Reporting Information [Line Items]
Sales to unaffiliated customers	$37,521,000	$36,257,000	$35,016,000	$43,188,000	$43,463,000	$30,837,000	$24,082,000	$33,752,000	$62,669,000	$58,665,000	$52,549,000	$75,647,000	$151,982,000	$132,134,000	$249,530,000
Long-lived assets	16,647,000				18,229,000								16,647,000	18,229,000
Top Ten Customers
Segment Reporting Information [Line Items]
Accounts receivable from top ten customers (in millions)	21,200,000				22,800,000				35,300,000				21,200,000	22,800,000	35,300,000
Spirox
Segment Reporting Information [Line Items]
Revenue													27.00%	22.00%	14.00%
Texas Instruments
Segment Reporting Information [Line Items]
Revenue													12.00%	21.00%	23.00%
Atmel
Segment Reporting Information [Line Items]
Revenue															13.00%
United States
Segment Reporting Information [Line Items]
Sales to unaffiliated customers													25,999,000	30,486,000	37,160,000
Long-lived assets	14,844,000				16,386,000								14,844,000	16,386,000
Taiwan
Segment Reporting Information [Line Items]
Sales to unaffiliated customers													39,913,000	26,308,000	50,914,000
Singapore
Segment Reporting Information [Line Items]
Sales to unaffiliated customers													9,221,000	5,302,000	32,416,000
Long-lived assets	311,000				312,000								311,000	312,000
Philippines
Segment Reporting Information [Line Items]
Sales to unaffiliated customers													23,106,000	25,117,000	62,218,000
Long-lived assets	517,000				166,000								517,000	166,000
All Other Countries
Segment Reporting Information [Line Items]
Sales to unaffiliated customers													37,808,000	33,962,000	50,679,000
Long-lived assets	664,000				801,000								664,000	801,000
Japan
Segment Reporting Information [Line Items]
Long-lived assets	311,000				564,000								311,000	564,000
Malaysia
Segment Reporting Information [Line Items]
Sales to unaffiliated customers													$15,935,000	$10,959,000	$16,143,000
Sales | Top Ten Customers
Segment Reporting Information [Line Items]
Revenue													70.00%	68.00%	80.00%

Recovered_Sheet2

Commitments and Contingencies - Additional Information (Detail) (USD $)	1 Months Ended	12 Months Ended
In Millions, except Per Share data, unless otherwise specified	Mar. 25, 2011	Jul. 31, 2013	Jul. 31, 2012	Jul. 31, 2011	Mar. 31, 2011
Purchase Commitment, Excluding Long-term Commitment [Line Items]
Verigy outstanding ordinary shares acquired in cash, per share					$15
Other income on Verigy termination fee	$15
Expenses related to merger agreement				4.9
Third-party claims for damages from company's product
Operating lease expiration year		2021
Number of lease extension options		1
Lease extension period		5 years
Lease termination notice period prior to expiration of original term		425 days
Rent expense		4.1	4.2	4.6
Purchase Commitment
Purchase Commitment, Excluding Long-term Commitment [Line Items]
Non-cancelable inventory commitments		14.8
Non-cancelable inventory commitments as of the date of filing		8.5
Selling, General and Administrative Expenses
Purchase Commitment, Excluding Long-term Commitment [Line Items]
Expenses related to merger agreement				3.6
Other Income (Expense)
Purchase Commitment, Excluding Long-term Commitment [Line Items]
Expenses related to merger agreement				1.3
Employee and Board of Director Member
Purchase Commitment, Excluding Long-term Commitment [Line Items]
Claims for damages in connection with services

Minimum_Lease_Payment_Obligati

Minimum Lease Payment Obligations Under Non-Cancelable Leases (Detail) (USD $)	Jul. 31, 2013
In Thousands, unless otherwise specified
Leases Future Minimum Payments [Line Items]
2014	$5,468
2015	4,713
2016	4,298
2017	2,542
2018	1,038
Thereafter	3,605
Total minimum lease payments	21,664
Facilities
Leases Future Minimum Payments [Line Items]
2014	5,393
2015	4,700
2016	4,296
2017	2,542
2018	1,038
Thereafter	3,605
Total minimum lease payments	21,574
Equipment
Leases Future Minimum Payments [Line Items]
2014	75
2015	13
2016	2
Total minimum lease payments	$90

Restructuring_Accrual_Activity

Restructuring Accrual Activity (Detail) (USD $)	3 Months Ended										12 Months Ended
In Thousands, unless otherwise specified	Jul. 31, 2013	Apr. 30, 2013	Jan. 31, 2013	Oct. 31, 2012	Jul. 31, 2012	Apr. 30, 2012	Jan. 31, 2012	Oct. 31, 2011	Apr. 30, 2011	Oct. 31, 2010	Jul. 31, 2013	Jul. 31, 2012	Jul. 31, 2011
Restructuring Cost and Reserve [Line Items]
Beginning Balance				$4,060				$4,767		$5,894	$4,060	$4,767	$5,894
Restructuring expense	180	-356	-69	-231	-178	-739	-141	-46	-247	-116	476	1,103	363
Accretion											229	182	140
Stock based compensation											-47	-84
Cash paid											-1,944	-1,908	-1,630
Ending Balance	2,774				4,060						2,774	4,060	4,767
Employee Severance
Restructuring Cost and Reserve [Line Items]
Beginning Balance				363				6		84	363	6	84
Restructuring expense											216	812	-24
Stock based compensation											-47	-84
Cash paid											-530	-371	-54
Ending Balance	2				363						2	363	6
Facility Lease
Restructuring Cost and Reserve [Line Items]
Beginning Balance				3,697				4,761		5,810	3,697	4,761	5,810
Restructuring expense											260	291	387
Accretion											229	182	140
Cash paid											-1,414	-1,537	-1,576
Ending Balance	$2,772				$3,697						$2,772	$3,697	$4,761

Restructuring_Additional_Infor

Restructuring - Additional Information (Detail) (USD $)	12 Months Ended
	Jul. 31, 2013	Jul. 31, 2012	Jul. 31, 2011	Jul. 31, 2010
Restructuring And Other [Line Items]
Offsetting restructuring liabilities amount	$229,000	$182,000	$140,000
Restructuring reserve	2,774,000	4,060,000	4,767,000	5,894,000
Long-term payments to be made for the remainder of the respective lease terms	2021
Restructuring expense	476,000	1,104,000	363,000
Vacated Facility (Lease Termination)
Restructuring And Other [Line Items]
Restructuring expense	300,000
Offsetting restructuring liabilities amount	200,000
Restructuring reserve	2,800,000	3,700,000
Long-term payments to be made for the remainder of the respective lease terms	2017
Vacated Facility (Lease Termination) | Other long-term liabilities
Restructuring And Other [Line Items]
Restructuring reserve, non-current	1,800,000	2,600,000
Vacated Facility (Lease Termination) | Accrued expenses
Restructuring And Other [Line Items]
Restructuring reserve, current	1,000,000	1,100,000
Printed circuit board repair functions and other roles
Restructuring And Other [Line Items]
Restructuring reserve, current	100,000
Printed circuit board repair functions and other roles | Employee Severance
Restructuring And Other [Line Items]
Restructuring expense	200,000
Printed circuit board repair functions and other roles | Facility Lease
Restructuring And Other [Line Items]
Restructuring expense	$100,000

Financial_Assets_and_Liabiliti

Financial Assets and Liabilities Measured at Fair Value and Related Valuation Inputs (Detail) (USD $)	Jul. 31, 2013		Jul. 31, 2012
In Thousands, unless otherwise specified
Fair Value, Balance Sheet Grouping, Financial Statement Captions [Line Items]
Assets, Fair Value Disclosure	$121,541		$134,378
Cash and Cash Equivalents
Fair Value, Balance Sheet Grouping, Financial Statement Captions [Line Items]
Assets, Fair Value Disclosure	28,235	[1]	29,446	[1]
Marketable securities
Fair Value, Balance Sheet Grouping, Financial Statement Captions [Line Items]
Assets, Fair Value Disclosure	93,306	[2]	104,932	[2]
Fair Value, Inputs, Level 1
Fair Value, Balance Sheet Grouping, Financial Statement Captions [Line Items]
Assets, Fair Value Disclosure	36,788		36,307
Fair Value, Inputs, Level 1 | Cash and Cash Equivalents
Fair Value, Balance Sheet Grouping, Financial Statement Captions [Line Items]
Assets, Fair Value Disclosure	28,235	[1]	29,081	[1]
Fair Value, Inputs, Level 1 | Marketable securities
Fair Value, Balance Sheet Grouping, Financial Statement Captions [Line Items]
Assets, Fair Value Disclosure	8,553	[2]	7,226	[2]
Fair Value, Inputs, Level 2
Fair Value, Balance Sheet Grouping, Financial Statement Captions [Line Items]
Assets, Fair Value Disclosure	84,753		98,071
Fair Value, Inputs, Level 2 | Cash and Cash Equivalents
Fair Value, Balance Sheet Grouping, Financial Statement Captions [Line Items]
Assets, Fair Value Disclosure			365	[1]
Fair Value, Inputs, Level 2 | Marketable securities
Fair Value, Balance Sheet Grouping, Financial Statement Captions [Line Items]
Assets, Fair Value Disclosure	$84,753	[2]	$97,706	[2]
[1]	Cash and cash equivalents as of July 31, 2013 and July 31, 2012 includes cash held in operating accounts of approximately $25.9 million and $28.6 million, respectively, that are not subject to fair value measurements. For purposes of this disclosure they are included as having Level 1 inputs.
[2]	Marketable securities as of July 31, 2013 and July 31, 2012 excluded approximately $2.8 million of commercial paper which is held-to-maturity and not subject to fair value measurements.

Financial_Assets_and_Liabiliti1

Financial Assets and Liabilities Measured at Fair Value and Related Valuation Inputs (Parenthetical) (Detail) (USD $)	Jul. 31, 2013		Jul. 31, 2012
In Thousands, unless otherwise specified
Fair Value, Balance Sheet Grouping, Financial Statement Captions [Line Items]
Assets, Fair Value Disclosure	$121,541		$134,378
Cash and Cash Equivalents
Fair Value, Balance Sheet Grouping, Financial Statement Captions [Line Items]
Assets, Fair Value Disclosure	28,235	[1]	29,446	[1]
Cash and Cash Equivalents | Cash held in operating accounts
Fair Value, Balance Sheet Grouping, Financial Statement Captions [Line Items]
Assets, Fair Value Disclosure	25,900		28,600
Marketable securities
Fair Value, Balance Sheet Grouping, Financial Statement Captions [Line Items]
Assets, Fair Value Disclosure	93,306	[2]	104,932	[2]
Marketable securities | Commercial paper which is held to maturity
Fair Value, Balance Sheet Grouping, Financial Statement Captions [Line Items]
Assets, Fair Value Disclosure	$2,800		$2,800
[1]	Cash and cash equivalents as of July 31, 2013 and July 31, 2012 includes cash held in operating accounts of approximately $25.9 million and $28.6 million, respectively, that are not subject to fair value measurements. For purposes of this disclosure they are included as having Level 1 inputs.
[2]	Marketable securities as of July 31, 2013 and July 31, 2012 excluded approximately $2.8 million of commercial paper which is held-to-maturity and not subject to fair value measurements.

Quarterly_Results_of_Operation2

Quarterly Results of Operations (Detail) (USD $)	3 Months Ended												12 Months Ended
In Thousands, except Per Share data, unless otherwise specified	Jul. 31, 2013	Apr. 30, 2013	Jan. 31, 2013	Oct. 31, 2012	Jul. 31, 2012	Apr. 30, 2012	Jan. 31, 2012	Oct. 31, 2011	Jul. 31, 2011	Apr. 30, 2011	Jan. 31, 2011	Oct. 31, 2010	Jul. 31, 2013	Jul. 31, 2012	Jul. 31, 2011
Effect of Fourth Quarter Events [Line Items]
Net sales	$37,521	$36,257	$35,016	$43,188	$43,463	$30,837	$24,082	$33,752	$62,669	$58,665	$52,549	$75,647	$151,982	$132,134	$249,530
Gross profit	19,996	18,699	18,559	23,504	23,767	15,813	10,880	18,037	39,110	36,461	31,423	47,246	80,759	68,497	154,240
Net (loss) income	($4,656)	($4,744)	($3,276)	$549	$1,356	($6,628)	($9,688)	($4,909)	$12,076	$23,622	$4,705	$19,675	($12,127)	($19,869)	$60,078
Net (loss) income per share:
Basic and diluted	($0.10)	($0.10)	($0.07)	$0.01	$0.04	($0.14)	($0.20)	($0.10)
Basic									$0.24	$0.48	$0.10	$0.40	($0.25)	($0.40)	$1.22
Diluted									$0.24	$0.47	$0.09	$0.39	($0.25)	($0.40)	$1.19

Net_Income_Loss_Includes_Activ

Net Income (Loss) Includes Activity Associated with Non-Recurring Transactions (Detail) (USD $)	3 Months Ended												12 Months Ended
In Thousands, unless otherwise specified	Jul. 31, 2013	Apr. 30, 2013	Jan. 31, 2013	Oct. 31, 2012	Jul. 31, 2012	Apr. 30, 2012	Jan. 31, 2012	Oct. 31, 2011	Jul. 31, 2011	Apr. 30, 2011	Jan. 31, 2011	Oct. 31, 2010	Jul. 31, 2013	Jul. 31, 2012	Jul. 31, 2011
Effect of Fourth Quarter Events [Line Items]
Release of income tax liabilities due to lapses in statutes of limitations			($1,058)		$581		$734
Merger breakup fees										15,000
Income tax expense from foreign entity mergers				-167
Restructuring	180	-356	-69	-231	-178	-739	-141	-46		-247		-116	476	1,103	363
Merger-related expense	-1,300						49	-115	-189	-1,856	-2,828
Total non-recurring income (expense)	($1,120)	($356)	($1,127)	($398)	$403	($739)	$642	($161)	($189)	$12,897	($2,828)	($116)

Subsequent_Events_Additional_I

Subsequent Events - Additional Information (Detail) (Purchase Agreement, USD $)	3 Months Ended
In Millions, unless otherwise specified	Jul. 31, 2013
Subsequent Event [Line Items]
Aggregated purchase price	$93.50
Cash payment for the acquisition	73.5
Promissory Notes
Subsequent Event [Line Items]
Original principal amount of debt issued	$20
Debt Instrument interest rate spread on London Interbank Offered rate	10.00%

Valuation_and_Qualifying_Accou

Valuation and Qualifying Accounts (Detail) (USD $)	12 Months Ended
In Thousands, unless otherwise specified	Jul. 31, 2013		Jul. 31, 2012		Jul. 31, 2011
Reserve for doubtful accounts
Valuation and Qualifying Accounts Disclosure [Line Items]
Balance at beginning of period	$39		$40		$108
Charged to expense			2		6
Transfers, Net		[1]		[1]		[1]
Deductions	-39	[2]	-3	[2]	-74	[2]
Balance at end of period			39		40
Reserve for excess and obsolete inventory
Valuation and Qualifying Accounts Disclosure [Line Items]
Balance at beginning of period	42,392	[3]	42,978	[3]	45,600	[3]
Charged to expense	1,822	[3]	2,360	[3]	2,630	[3]
Transfers, Net	359	[1],[3]	304	[1],[3]	-297	[1],[3]
Deductions	-2,756	[2],[3]	-3,250	[2],[3]	-4,955	[2],[3]
Balance at end of period	$41,817	[3]	$42,392	[3]	$42,978	[3]
[1]	Represents transfers from fully reserved vendor liability obligations and internal capital equipment and transfers to fixed assets.
[2]	Represents amounts written off or utilization of reserve or recovery of previously written off amounts.
[3]	Amounts charged to expense and recorded in cost of sales are costs relating to product deemed defective or unusable during the normal manufacturing process which total $1.8 million, $2.4 million and $2.6 million for fiscal years 2013, 2012, and 2011, respectively. Deductions are also recorded to cost of sales and primarily represent release of reserves related to sales of previously reserved inventory, which totaled $2.8 million, $3.3 million and $5.0 million for the fiscal years 2013, 2012 and 2011, respectively.

Valuation_and_Qualifying_Accou1

Valuation and Qualifying Accounts (Parenthetical) (Detail) (USD $)	12 Months Ended
In Thousands, unless otherwise specified	Jul. 31, 2013	Jul. 31, 2012	Jul. 31, 2011
Valuation and Qualifying Accounts Disclosure [Line Items]
Cost of sales	$71,223	$63,637	$95,290
Damages from Product Defects
Valuation and Qualifying Accounts Disclosure [Line Items]
Cost of sales	1,800	2,400	2,600
Reserve for Customer Deductions
Valuation and Qualifying Accounts Disclosure [Line Items]
Cost of sales	$2,800	$3,300	$5,000