Safeguard Scientifics (SFES) 10-K 7 Mar 14 2013 FY Annual report Financial data

Document_and_Entity_Informatio

Document and Entity Information (USD $)	12 Months Ended
	Dec. 31, 2013	Mar. 06, 2014	Jun. 30, 2013
Document Documentand Entity Information [Abstract]	'	'	'
Entity Registrant Name	'SAFEGUARD SCIENTIFICS INC	'	'
Entity Central Index Key	'0000086115	'	'
Current Fiscal Year End Date	'--12-31	'	'
Entity Filer Category	'Accelerated Filer	'	'
Document Type	'10-K	'	'
Document Period End Date	31-Dec-13	'	'
Document Fiscal Year Focus	'2013	'	'
Document Fiscal Period Focus	'FY	'	'
Amendment Flag	'false	'	'
Entity Common Stock, Shares Outstanding	'	21,556,610	'
Trading Symbol	'SFE	'	'
Entity Well-known Seasoned Issuer	'No	'	'
Entity Voluntary Filers	'No	'	'
Entity Current Reporting Status	'Yes	'	'
Entity Public Float	'	'	$334,376,985

CONSOLIDATED_BALANCE_SHEETS

CONSOLIDATED BALANCE SHEETS (USD $)	Dec. 31, 2013	Dec. 31, 2012
In Thousands, unless otherwise specified
Current Assets:	'	'
Cash and cash equivalents	$139,318	$66,029
Cash held in escrow	0	6,434
Marketable securities	38,250	110,957
Restricted marketable securities	5	10
Prepaid expenses and other current assets	1,557	2,408
Total current assets	179,130	185,838
Property and equipment, net	138	193
Ownership interests in and advances to partner companies and funds (of which $20,057 and $20,972 are measured at fair value at December 31, 2013 and 2012, respectively)	148,579	148,639
Loan participations receivable	8,135	7,085
Available-for-sale securities	15	58
Long-term marketable securities	6,088	29,059
Other assets	3,911	3,272
Total Assets	345,996	374,144
Current Liabilities:	'	'
Convertible senior debentures—current	470	0
Accounts payable	245	610
Accrued compensation and benefits	5,028	4,050
Accrued expenses and other current liabilities	2,431	2,601
Total current liabilities	8,174	7,261
Other long-term liabilities	3,683	3,921
Convertible senior debentures—non-current	49,478	48,991
Total Liabilities	61,335	60,173
Commitments and contingencies	'	'
Equity:	'	'
Preferred stock, $0.10 par value; 1,000 shares authorized	0	0
Common stock, $0.10 par value; 83,333 shares authorized; 21,553 and 20,968 shares issued and outstanding at December 31, 2013 and 2012, respectively	2,155	2,097
Additional paid-in capital	822,103	815,946
Accumulated deficit	-539,597	-504,072
Total Equity	284,661	313,971
Total Liabilities and Equity	$345,996	$374,144

CONSOLIDATED_BALANCE_SHEETS_Pa

CONSOLIDATED BALANCE SHEETS (Parenthetical) (USD $)	Dec. 31, 2013	Dec. 31, 2012
In Thousands, except Share data, unless otherwise specified
Statement of Financial Position [Abstract]	'	'
Ownership interests in and advances, to partner companies and funds, fair value	$20,057	$20,972
Preferred stock, par value	$0.10	$0.10
Preferred stock, shares authorized	1,000,000	1,000,000
Common stock, par value	$0.10	$0.10
Common stock, shares authorized	83,333,000	83,333,000
Common stock, shares issued	21,553,000	20,968,000
Common stock, shares outstanding	21,553,000	20,968,000

CONSOLIDATED_STATEMENTS_OF_OPE

CONSOLIDATED STATEMENTS OF OPERATIONS (USD $)	3 Months Ended																12 Months Ended
In Thousands, except Per Share data, unless otherwise specified	Dec. 31, 2013		Sep. 30, 2013		Jun. 30, 2013		Mar. 31, 2013		Dec. 31, 2012		Sep. 30, 2012		Jun. 30, 2012		Mar. 31, 2012		Dec. 31, 2013	Dec. 31, 2012	Dec. 31, 2011
Income Statement [Abstract]	'		'		'		'		'		'		'		'		'	'	'
General and administrative expense	$4,720		$4,835		$6,715		$5,374		$4,792		$4,790		$5,148		$4,743		$21,644	$19,473	$21,168
Operating loss	-4,720		-4,835		-6,715		-5,374		-4,792		-4,790		-5,148		-4,743		-21,644	-19,473	-21,168
Other income (loss), net	6,574		-4,224		-2,724		757		1,344		91		4,819		3,084		383	9,338	-6,145
Interest income	550		572		790		734		736		696		595		899		2,646	2,926	1,424
Interest expense	-1,083		-1,077		-1,074		-1,069		-1,267		-1,461		-1,456		-1,452		-4,303	-5,636	-5,971
Equity income (loss)	22,646		-9,866		-18,400		-6,987		-6,829		-3,293		-8,947		-7,448		-12,607	-26,517	142,457
Net income (loss) before income taxes	23,967		-19,430		-28,123		-11,939		-10,808		-8,757		-10,137		-9,660		-35,525	-39,362	110,597
Income tax benefit (expense)	0		0		0		0		0		0		0		0		0	0	0
Net income (loss)	$23,967		($19,430)		($28,123)		($11,939)		($10,808)		($8,757)		($10,137)		($9,660)		($35,525)	($39,362)	$110,597
Net income (loss) per share:	'		'		'		'		'		'		'		'		'	'	'
Basic (in dollars per share)	$1.10	[1]	($0.90)	[1]	($1.33)	[1]	($0.57)	[1]	($0.51)	[1]	($0.42)	[1]	($0.48)	[1]	($0.46)	[1]	($1.66)	($1.88)	$5.33
Diluted (in dollars per share)	$0.99	[1]	($0.90)	[1]	($1.33)	[1]	($0.57)	[1]	($0.51)	[1]	($0.42)	[1]	($0.48)	[1]	($0.46)	[1]	($1.66)	($1.88)	$4.74
Average shares used in computing net income (loss) per share:	'		'		'		'		'		'		'		'		'	'	'
Basic (in shares)	'		'		'		'		'		'		'		'		21,362	20,974	20,764
Diluted (in shares)	'		'		'		'		'		'		'		'		21,362	20,974	24,522
[1]	Per share amounts for the quarters have each been calculated separately. Accordingly, quarterly amounts may not add to the annual amounts because of differences in the average common shares outstanding during each period. Additionally, in regard to diluted per share amounts only, quarterly amounts may not add to the annual amounts because of the inclusion of the effect of potentially dilutive securities only in the periods in which such effect would have been dilutive, and because of the adjustments to net income (loss) for the dilutive effect of partner company common stock equivalents and convertible securities.

CONSOLIDATED_STATEMENTS_OF_COM

CONSOLIDATED STATEMENTS OF COMPREHENSIVE INCOME (LOSS) (USD $)	12 Months Ended
In Thousands, unless otherwise specified	Dec. 31, 2013	Dec. 31, 2012	Dec. 31, 2011
Statement of Other Comprehensive Income [Abstract]	'	'	'
Net income (loss)	($35,525)	($39,362)	$110,597
Other comprehensive income (loss), before taxes:	'	'	'
Unrealized net gain (loss) on available-for-sale securities	-43	4,388	-20,308
Reclassification adjustment for gain from available-for-sale securities changed to fair value	0	-4,607	0
Reclassification adjustment for other than temporary impairment of available-for-sale securities included in net income (loss)	43	260	7,451
Total comprehensive income (loss)	($35,525)	($39,321)	$97,740

CONSOLIDATED_STATEMENTS_OF_CHA

CONSOLIDATED STATEMENTS OF CHANGES IN EQUITY (USD $)	Total	Accumulated Deficit [Member]	Accumulated Other Comprehensive Income (Loss) [Member]	Common Stock [Member]	Additional Paid-In Capital [Member]	Treasury Stock [Member]
In Thousands
Beginning Balance at Dec. 31, 2010	$246,431	($575,307)	$12,816	$2,063	$806,859	$0
Beginning Balance (in shares) at Dec. 31, 2010	'	'	'	20,630	'	0
Net income (loss)	110,597	110,597	'	'	'	'
Stock options exercised, net	918	'	'	10	908	'
Stock options exercised, net (in shares)	'	'	'	95	'	5
Issuance of restricted stock, net	139	'	'	2	137	'
Issuance of restricted stock, net (in shares)	'	'	'	27	'	5
Stock-based compensation expense	3,052	'	'	'	3,052	'
Other comprehensive income (loss)	-12,857	'	-12,857	'	'	'
Ending Balance at Dec. 31, 2011	348,280	-464,710	-41	2,075	810,956	0
Ending Balance (in shares) at Dec. 31, 2011	'	'	'	20,752	'	0
Net income (loss)	-39,362	-39,362	'	'	'	'
Stock options exercised, net	1,741	'	'	19	1,722	'
Stock options exercised, net (in shares)	'	'	'	181	'	'
Issuance of restricted stock, net	94	'	'	3	91	'
Issuance of restricted stock, net (in shares)	'	'	'	35	'	'
Stock-based compensation expense	2,014	'	'	'	2,014	'
Repurchase of equity component of convertible senior debentures	-5,283	'	'	'	-5,283	'
Equity component of convertible senior debentures issued, net of issuance costs	6,446	'	'	'	6,446	'
Other comprehensive income (loss)	41	'	41	'	'	'
Ending Balance at Dec. 31, 2012	313,971	-504,072	0	2,097	815,946	0
Ending Balance (in shares) at Dec. 31, 2012	'	'	'	20,968	'	0
Net income (loss)	-35,525	-35,525	'	'	'	'
Stock options exercised, net	4,417	'	'	55	4,261	101
Stock options exercised, net (in shares)	'	'	'	559	'	7
Issuance of restricted stock, net	99	'	'	3	75	21
Issuance of restricted stock, net (in shares)	'	'	'	26	'	3
Stock-based compensation expense	1,821	'	'	'	1,821	'
Repurchase of common stock	-122	'	'	'	'	-122
Repurchase of common stock (in shares)	'	'	'	'	'	8
Ending Balance at Dec. 31, 2013	$284,661	($539,597)	$0	$2,155	$822,103	$0
Ending Balance (in shares) at Dec. 31, 2013	'	'	'	21,553	'	4

CONSOLIDATED_STATEMENTS_OF_CAS

CONSOLIDATED STATEMENTS OF CASH FLOWS (USD $)	12 Months Ended
In Thousands, unless otherwise specified	Dec. 31, 2013	Dec. 31, 2012	Dec. 31, 2011
Cash Flows from Operating Activities:	'	'	'
Net income (loss)	($35,525)	($39,362)	$110,597
Adjustments to reconcile to net cash used in operating activities:	'	'	'
Depreciation	92	108	124
Amortization of debt discount	995	726	623
Equity (income) loss	12,607	26,517	-142,457
Other (income) loss, net	-383	-9,338	6,145
Stock-based compensation expense	1,821	2,014	3,052
Changes in assets and liabilities, net of effect of acquisitions and dispositions:	'	'	'
Accounts receivable, net	-1,194	-418	-429
Accounts payable, accrued expenses, and other	366	3,228	4,618
Net cash used in operating activities	-21,221	-16,525	-17,727
Cash Flows from Investing Activities:	'	'	'
Acquisitions of ownership interests in companies and funds	-41,838	-46,100	-85,329
Proceeds from sales of and distributions from companies and funds	38,974	17,596	171,268
Advances and loans to companies	-10,464	-13,665	-12,127
Repayment of advances to companies	1,651	3,214	5,000
Origination fees on mezzanine loans	42	74	537
Increase in marketable securities	-69,883	-242,023	-240,367
Decrease in marketable securities	165,379	276,392	108,393
Release of restricted cash equivalents for interest on convertible senior debentures	0	7,701	0
Capital expenditures	-37	-73	-58
Proceeds from sale of discontinued operations, net	6,434	0	1
Other, net	0	0	107
Net cash provided by (used in) investing activities	90,258	3,116	-52,575
Cash Flows from Financing Activities:	'	'	'
Proceeds from issuance of convertible senior debentures	0	55,000	0
Repurchase of convertible senior debentures	-43	-58,703	-30,848
Costs of issuance of convertible senior debentures	0	-1,790	0
Issuance of Company common stock, net	4,417	1,744	918
Repurchase of Company common stock	-122	0	0
Net cash provided by (used in) financing activities	4,252	-3,749	-29,930
Net Increase (Decrease) in Cash and Cash Equivalents	73,289	-17,158	-100,232
Cash and Cash Equivalents at beginning of period	66,029	83,187	183,419
Cash and Cash Equivalents at end of period	$139,318	$66,029	$83,187

Significant_Accounting_Policie

Significant Accounting Policies	12 Months Ended
	Dec. 31, 2013
Accounting Policies [Abstract]	'
Significant Accounting Policies	'
	Significant Accounting Policies
	Description of the Company
	Safeguard Scientifics, Inc. (“Safeguard” or the “Company”) seeks to build value in growth-stage businesses by providing capital and strategic, operational and management resources. Safeguard participates principally in growth and expansion financings and at times, early-stage financings. The Company’s vision is to be the preferred source of capital for entrepreneurs and management teams in targeted sectors.
	The Company strives to create long-term value for its shareholders by helping its partner companies increase their market penetration, grow revenue and improve cash flow. The Company focuses principally on companies with initial capital requirements of between $5 million and $15 million, and follow-on financing needs of between $5 million and $10 million, with a total anticipated deployment of up to $25 million from Safeguard. The Company principally targets companies that operate in two sectors:
	Healthcare — companies focused on medical technology (“MedTech”), including diagnostics and devices; and healthcare technology (“HealthTech”); and specialty pharmaceuticals. Within these areas, Safeguard targets companies that have lesser regulatory risk and have achieved or are near commercialization.
	Technology — companies focused on digital media; financial technology (“FinTech”) and Enterprise 3.0, which includes mobile technology, cloud, the “Internet of Things” and big data. Within these areas, Safeguard targets companies that have transaction-enabling applications with a recurring revenue stream.
	Principles of Consolidation
	The consolidated financial statements include the accounts of Safeguard and all of its subsidiaries in which a controlling financial interest is maintained. All intercompany accounts and transactions are eliminated in consolidation.
	Principles of Accounting for Ownership Interests in Companies
	The Company’s ownership interests in its partner companies and private equity funds are accounted for using one of the following methods: consolidation, equity, cost, fair value and available-for-sale. The accounting method applied is generally determined by the degree of the Company’s influence over the entity, primarily determined by its voting interest in the entity.
	In addition to holding voting and non-voting equity and debt securities, the Company also periodically makes advances to its partner companies in the form of promissory notes which are included in the Ownership interests in and advances to partner companies and funds line item in the Consolidated Balance Sheets.
	Consolidation Method. The Company generally accounts for partner companies in which it directly or indirectly owns more than 50% of the outstanding voting securities under the consolidation method of accounting. Under this method, the Company includes the partner companies’ financial statements within the Company’s Consolidated Financial Statements, and all significant intercompany accounts and transactions are eliminated. The Company reflects participation of other stockholders in the net assets and in the income or losses of these consolidated partner companies in Equity in the Consolidated Balance Sheets and in Net (income) loss attributable to non-controlling interest in the Statements of Operations. Net (income) loss attributable to non-controlling interest adjusts the Company’s consolidated operating results to reflect only the Company’s share of the earnings or losses of the consolidated partner company. The Company accounts for results of operations and cash flows of a consolidated partner company through the latest date in which it holds a controlling interest. If the Company subsequently relinquishes control but retains an interest in the partner company, the accounting method is adjusted to the equity, cost or fair value method of accounting, as appropriate. As of December 31, 2013 and for each of the three years in the period then ended, the Company did not hold a controlling interest in any of its partner companies.
	Fair Value Method. The Company accounts for its holdings in NuPathe, a publicly traded partner company, under the fair value method of accounting beginning in October 2012. Unrealized gains and losses on the mark-to-market of the Company’s holdings in fair value method companies and realized gains and losses on the sale of any holdings in fair value method companies are recognized in Other income (loss), net in the Consolidated Statements of Operations.
	Equity Method. The Company accounts for partner companies whose results are not consolidated, but over which it exercises significant influence, under the equity method of accounting. Whether or not the Company exercises significant influence with respect to a partner company depends on an evaluation of several factors including, among others, representation of the Company on the partner company’s board of directors and the Company’s ownership level, which is generally a 20% to 50% interest in the voting securities of a partner company, including voting rights associated with the Company’s holdings in common, preferred and other convertible instruments in the company. The Company also accounts for its interests in some private equity funds under the equity method of accounting based on its non-controlling general and limited partner interests in such funds. Under the equity method of accounting, the Company does not reflect a partner company’s financial statements within the Company’s Consolidated Financial Statements; however, the Company’s share of the income or loss of such partner company is reflected in Equity income (loss) in the Consolidated Statements of Operations. The Company includes the carrying value of equity method partner companies in Ownership interests in and advances to partner companies and funds on the Consolidated Balance Sheets. Any excess of the Company’s cost over its underlying interest in the net assets of equity method partner companies allocated to intangible assets is amortized over the estimated useful lives of the related intangible assets. The Company reflects its share of the income or loss of the equity method partner companies on a one quarter lag. This reporting lag could result in a delay in recognition of the impact of changes in the business or operations of these partner companies.
	When the Company’s carrying value in an equity method partner company is reduced to zero, the Company records no further losses in its Consolidated Statements of Operations unless the Company has an outstanding guarantee obligation or has committed additional funding to such equity method partner company. When such equity method partner company subsequently reports income, the Company will not record its share of such income until it exceeds the amount of the Company’s share of losses not previously recognized.
	Cost Method. The Company accounts for partner companies not consolidated or accounted for under the equity method or fair value method under the cost method of accounting. Under the cost method, the Company does not include its share of the income or losses of partner companies in the Company’s Consolidated Statements of Operations. The Company includes the carrying value of cost method partner companies in Ownership interests in and advances to partner companies and funds on the Consolidated Balance Sheets.
	Available-for-Sale Securities. The Company accounts for its ownership interest in former partner company Tengion, Inc. as available-for-sale securities. In addition, for the period from its initial public offering in August 2010 through October 2012, the Company’s ownership interest in NuPathe was accounted for as available-for-sale securities. Available-for-sale securities are carried at fair value, based on quoted market prices, with the unrealized gains and losses, net of tax, reported as a separate component of equity. Unrealized losses are charged against net income (loss) when a decline in the fair value is determined to be other than temporary.
	Accounting Estimates
	The preparation of the Consolidated Financial Statements in accordance with accounting principles generally accepted in the United States of America requires management to make estimates and judgments that affect amounts reported in the financial statements and accompanying notes. Actual results may differ from these estimates. These estimates include the evaluation of the recoverability of the Company’s ownership interests in and advances to partner companies and funds and investments in marketable securities, income taxes, stock-based compensation and commitments and contingencies. Management evaluates its estimates on an ongoing basis using historical experience and other factors, including the current economic environment, which management believes to be reasonable under the circumstances.
	Certain amounts recorded to reflect the Company’s share of income or losses of partner companies accounted for under the equity method are based on unaudited results of operations of those companies and may require adjustments in the future when audits of these entities’ financial statements are completed.
	It is reasonably possible that the Company’s accounting estimates with respect to the ultimate recoverability of the carrying value of the Company’s ownership interests in and advances to partner companies and funds could change in the near term and that the effect of such changes on the financial statements could be material. At December 31, 2013, the Company believes the carrying value of the Company’s ownership interests in and advances to partner companies and funds is not impaired, although there can be no assurance that the Company’s future results will confirm this assessment, that a significant write-down or write-off will not be required in the future, or that a significant loss will not be recorded in the future upon the sale of a company.
	Cash and Cash Equivalents and Marketable Securities
	The Company considers all highly liquid instruments with an original maturity of 90 days or less at the time of purchase to be cash equivalents. Cash and cash equivalents consist of deposits that are readily convertible into cash. The Company determines the appropriate classification of marketable securities at the time of purchase and reevaluates such designation as of each balance sheet date. Held-to-maturity securities are carried at amortized cost, which approximates fair value. Marketable securities consist of held-to-maturity securities, primarily consisting of government agency bonds, commercial paper and certificates of deposits. Marketable securities with a maturity date greater than one year from the balance sheet date are considered long-term. The Company has not experienced any significant losses on cash equivalents and does not believe it is exposed to any significant credit risk on cash and cash equivalents.
	Restricted Marketable Securities
	Restricted marketable securities consist of certificates of deposit with various maturity dates.
	Financial Instruments
	The Company’s financial instruments (principally cash and cash equivalents, marketable securities, restricted cash equivalents, accounts receivable, notes receivable, accounts payable and accrued expenses) are carried at cost, which approximates fair value due to the short-term maturity of these instruments. The Company’s warrant participations are carried at fair value. The Company’s long-term debt is carried at cost. At December 31, 2013, the market value of the Company’s outstanding debentures was approximately $69.9 million based on the midpoint of bid and ask prices as of that date.
	Accounting for Participating Interests in Mezzanine Loans Receivable and Related Equity Interests
	In 2011, the Company acquired a 36% ownership interest in the management company and general partner of Penn Mezzanine L.P. Penn Mezzanine is a mezzanine lender focused on lower middle-market, Mid-Atlantic companies. From such acquisition through December 31, 2013, through its relationship with Penn Mezzanine, the Company acquired participating interests in mezzanine loans and related equity interests of the borrowers. In certain instances, these interests also included warrants to purchase common stock of the borrowers. The Company’s accounting policies for these participating interests are as follows:
	Loan Participations Receivable
	The Company’s participating interests in Penn Mezzanine loans are included in Loan participations receivable on the Consolidated Balance Sheets. On a periodic basis, but no less frequently than at the end of each quarter, the Company evaluates the carrying value of each loan participation receivable for impairment. A loan participation receivable is considered impaired when it is probable that the Company will be unable to collect all amounts (principal and interest) due according to the contractual terms of the participation agreement and related agreements with the borrowers. The Company maintains an allowance to provide for estimated loan losses based on evaluating known and inherent risks in the loans. The allowance is provided based upon management’s analysis of the pertinent factors underlying the quality of the loans. These factors include an analysis of the financial condition of the individual borrowers, delinquency levels, actual loan loss experience, current economic conditions and other relevant factors. The Company’s analysis includes methods to estimate the fair value of loan collateral and the existence of potential alternative sources of repayment. The Company does not accrue interest when a loan is considered impaired. All cash receipts from an impaired loan are applied to reduce the original principal amount of such loan until the principal has been fully recovered and would be recognized as interest income thereafter. The allowance for loan losses at December 31, 2013 and 2012 was $2.3 million and $2.0 million, respectively.
	Penn Mezzanine charges fees to borrowers for originating loans. The Company’s participating interest in these fees, net of any loan origination costs, is deferred and amortized to income using the effective interest method, over the term of the loan. If the loan is repaid prior to maturity, the remaining unamortized deferred loan origination fee is recognized in income at the time of repayment. Unamortized deferred loan origination fees are recorded as a contra asset against Loan participations receivable on the Consolidated Balance Sheets.
	Equity Participations
	The Company’s participation in equity interests acquired by Penn Mezzanine is accounted for under the cost method of accounting. On a periodic basis, but no less frequently than at the end of each quarter, the Company evaluates the carrying value of its participation in these equity interests for possible impairment based on achievement of business plan objectives and milestones, the fair value of the equity interest relative to its carrying value, the financial condition and prospects of the underlying company and other relevant factors. The Company’s participating interests in equity interests acquired by Penn Mezzanine are included in Other assets on the Consolidated Balance Sheets.
	Warrant Participations
	The Company recognizes its participation in warrants acquired by Penn Mezzanine based on the fair value of the warrants at the balance sheet date. The fair values of warrant participations are bifurcated from the related loan participations receivable based on the relative fair value of the respective instruments at the acquisition date. The resulting discount is amortized to interest income over the term of the loan using the effective interest method. Any gain or loss associated with changes in the fair value of the warrants at the balance sheet date is recorded in Other income (loss), net in the Consolidated Statements of Operations. The fair value of the warrants is determined based on Level 3 inputs and is included in Other assets on the Consolidated Balance Sheets.
	Property and Equipment
	Property and equipment are stated at cost. Provision for depreciation and amortization is based on the lesser of the estimated useful lives of the assets or the remaining lease term (buildings and leasehold improvements, 5 to 15 years; office equipment, 3 to 15 years) and is computed using the straight-line method.
	Impairment of Ownership Interests In and Advances to Partner Companies and Funds
	On a periodic basis, but no less frequently than quarterly, the Company evaluates the carrying value of its equity and cost method partner companies and available-for-sale securities for possible impairment based on achievement of business plan objectives and milestones, the fair value of each partner company relative to its carrying value, the financial condition and prospects of the partner company and other relevant factors. The business plan objectives and milestones the Company considers include, among others, those related to financial performance, such as achievement of planned financial results or completion of capital raising activities, and those that are not primarily financial in nature, such as hiring of key employees or the establishment of strategic relationships. Management then determines whether there has been an other than temporary decline in the value of its ownership interest in the company or value of available-for-sale securities. Impairment is measured as the amount by which the carrying value of an asset exceeds its fair value.
	The fair value of privately held companies is generally determined based on the value at which independent third parties have invested or have committed to invest in these companies or based on other valuation methods, including discounted cash flows, valuation of comparable public companies and the valuation of acquisitions of similar companies. The fair value of the Company’s ownership interests in private equity funds generally is determined based on the fair value of its pro rata portion of the funds’ net assets.
	Impairment charges related to equity method partner companies and funds are included in Equity income (loss) in the Consolidated Statements of Operations. Impairment charges related to cost method partner companies and funds and available-for-sale securities are included in Other income (loss), net in the Consolidated Statements of Operations.
	The reduced cost basis of a previously impaired partner company is not written-up if circumstances suggest the value of the company has subsequently recovered.
	Defined Contribution Plans
	Defined contribution plans are contributory and cover eligible employees of the Company. The Company’s defined contribution plan allows eligible employees, as defined in the plan, to contribute to the plan up to 75% of their pre-tax compensation, subject to the maximum contributions allowed by the Internal Revenue Code. The Company makes matching contributions under the plan. Expense relating to defined contribution plans was $0.4 million for the year ended December 31, 2013 and $0.3 million in each of the years ended December 31, 2012 and 2011.
	Income Taxes
	The Company accounts for income taxes under the asset and liability method whereby deferred tax assets and liabilities are recognized for the estimated future tax consequences attributable to differences between the financial statement carrying amounts of existing assets and liabilities and their respective tax bases. The Company measures deferred tax assets and liabilities using enacted tax rates in effect for the year in which the temporary differences are expected to be recovered or settled. The Company recognizes the effect on deferred tax assets and liabilities of a change in tax rates in income in the period of the enactment date. The Company provides valuation allowances against the net deferred tax asset for amounts which are not considered more likely than not to be realized.
	Net Income (Loss) Per Share
	The Company computes net income (loss) per share using the weighted average number of common shares outstanding during each year. The Company includes in diluted net income (loss) per share common stock equivalents (unless anti-dilutive) which would arise from the exercise of stock options and conversion of other convertible securities and adjusted, if applicable, for the effect on net income (loss) of such transactions. Diluted net income (loss) per share calculations adjust net income (loss) for the dilutive effect of common stock equivalents and convertible securities issued by the Company’s consolidated or equity method partner companies.
	Comprehensive Income (Loss)
	Comprehensive income (loss) is the change in equity of a business enterprise during a period from non-owner sources. Excluding net income (loss), the Company’s sources of other comprehensive income (loss) are from net unrealized appreciation (depreciation) on available-for-sale securities. Reclassification adjustments result from the recognition in net income (loss) of unrealized gains or losses that were included in comprehensive income (loss) in prior periods.
	Segment Information
	The Company reports segment data based on the management approach which designates the internal reporting used by management for making operating decisions and assessing performance as the source of the Company’s reportable operating segments.

Ownership_Interests_in_and_Adv

Ownership Interests in and Advances to Partner Companies and Funds	12 Months Ended
	Dec. 31, 2013
Ownership Interests in and Advances to Partner Companies and Funds [Abstract]	'
Ownership Interests in and Advances to Partner Companies and Funds	'
	Ownership Interests in and Advances to Partner Companies and Funds
	The following summarizes the carrying value of the Company’s ownership interests in and advances to partner companies and private equity funds.
		31-Dec-13			31-Dec-12
		(In thousands)
	Fair value	$	20,057		$	20,972
	Equity Method:
	Partner companies	108,872			102,931
	Private equity funds	1,766			3,810
		110,638			106,741
	Cost Method:
	Partner companies	13,480			10,000
	Private equity funds	2,418			2,634
		15,898			12,634
	Advances to partner companies	1,986			8,292
		$	148,579		$	148,639
	Loan participations receivable	$	8,135		$	7,085
	Available-for-sale securities	$	15		$	58
	Impairment charges related to equity method partner companies were $11.2 million, $5.0 million and $7.1 million for the years ended December 31, 2013, 2012 and 2011, respectively. The impairment charge in 2013 was related to PixelOptics, Inc. and is reflected in Equity loss in the Consolidated Statements of Operations. The impairment was based on PixelOptics' inability to raise additional capital to continue its operations. The impairment charge in 2012 also related to PixelOptics. The adjusted carrying value of PixelOptics at December 31, 2013 was $0 and the Company believes it will not recover any of its capital. On November 4, 2013, PixelOptics filed a voluntary petition for relief under Chapter 7 of the United States Bankruptcy Code in the United States Bankruptcy Court for the District of Delaware. The impairment charges in 2011 included $5.7 million related to Swap.com and $1.4 million related to SafeCentral, Inc., both former partner companies.
	The Company recognized an impairment charge of $1.8 million for the year ended December 31, 2013 related to its interest in the management company of Penn Mezzanine which is reflected in Equity loss in the Consolidated Statements of Operations. During the quarter ended December 31, 2013, the Company decided that it will not acquire participating interests in any new Penn Mezzanine lending activities.
	The Company recognized impairment charges of $0.3 million and $2.5 million related to its Penn Mezzanine debt and equity participations in the years ended December 31, 2013 and 2012, respectively, which is reflected in Other income (loss), net in the Consolidated Statements of Operations. The charge in 2013 included $0.2 million related to loan participations and $0.1 million representing an adjustment to the fair value of the Company's participation in warrants. The charge in 2012 included $2.0 million related to loan participations, $0.4 million related to equity participations and $0.1 million related to warrant participations.
	The Company recognized impairment charges of $0.3 million and $0.4 million related to its cost method interest in a legacy private equity fund in 2013 and 2012, respectively, which are reflected in Other income (loss), net in the Consolidated Statement of Operations.
	The Company recognized impairment charges of $0.3 million and $7.5 million for the years ended December 31, 2012 and 2011, respectively, related to available-for-sale securities. The impairment charges are reflected in Other income (loss), net, in the Consolidated Statements of Operations and represent the unrealized loss on the mark-to-market of its ownership interests in Tengion and NuPathe which were previously recorded as a separate component of equity. During the years ended December 2012 and 2011, the Company determined that the decline in the value of its public holdings in Tengion and NuPathe were other than temporary.
	On October 23, 2012, the Company purchased preferred stock and warrants from NuPathe for $5.0 million. Each of the 2,500 shares of preferred stock was convertible into 1,000 shares of NuPathe’s common stock at a price of $2.00 per share, subject to antidilution protection. The preferred stock was converted in February 2013. The warrants were exercisable to purchase 2.5 million shares of NuPathe common stock at a price of $2.00 per share. Following the transaction, the Company’s interests in NuPathe’s common stock, preferred stock, warrants and options are accounted for under the fair value option. The Company recognized an unrealized gain of $4.6 million related to the mark-to-market of the Company’s ownership interests in NuPathe’s common stock, previously classified as a separate component of equity. In the period from October 23, 2012 through December 31, 2012, the Company recognized an unrealized gain of $6.4 million on the mark-to-market of its holdings in NuPathe. These gains were included in Other income (loss), net in the Consolidated Statements of Operations. For the year ended December 31, 2013, the Company recognized an unrealized loss of $0.9 million on the mark-to-market of its holdings in NuPathe, which is included in Other income (loss), net in the Consolidated Statements of Operations
	In December 2013, ThingWorx, Inc., formerly an equity method partner company, was acquired by PTC, Inc. The Company received cash proceeds of $36.4 million, excluding $4.1 million which will be held in escrow until December 30, 2015. Depending on the achievement of certain milestones, the Company may receive up to an additional $6.5 million in connection with the transaction. The Company recognized a gain of $32.7 million on the transaction which is recorded in Equity income (loss) in the Consolidated Statement of Operations for the year ended December 31, 2013.
	In July 2011, Portico Systems, Inc. was acquired by McKesson resulting in cash proceeds of approximately $32.8 million in exchange for the Company’s equity interests. In June 2012, the Company received an additional $1.9 million as a result of the achievement of milestones associated with the transaction. In August 2012, the Company received $3.4 million upon the expiration of the escrow period. These amounts were recorded in Equity income (loss) in the Consolidated Statement of Operations.
	The following unaudited summarized balance sheets for PixelOptics at June 30, 2013 and December 31, 2012 and the results of operations for the six months ended June 30, 2013 and 2012, have been compiled from the unaudited financial statements of PixelOptics.  The results of PixelOptics are reported on a one quarter lag.
		As of June 30,			As of December 31,
		2013			2012
		(In thousands)
	Balance Sheets:
	Current assets	$	285		$	323
	Non-current assets	4,588			5,259
	Total assets	$	4,873		$	5,582
	Current liabilities	$	56,721		$	34,184
	Non-current liabilities	1,818			10,228
	Shareholders’ equity	(53,666		)	(38,830		)
	Total liabilities and shareholders’ equity	$	4,873		$	5,582
		Six Months Ended
		30-Jun-13			30-Jun-12
		(In thousands)
	Results of Operations:
	Revenue	$	800		$	569
	Operating loss	$	(12,219	)	$	(16,172	)
	Net loss	$	(14,838	)	$	(16,923	)
	The following unaudited summarized financial information for partner companies and funds accounted for under the equity method at December 31, 2013 and 2012 and for each of the three years ended December 31, 2013, 2012 and 2011 has been compiled from the unaudited financial statements of our respective partner companies and funds and reflects certain historical adjustments. Results of operations of the partner companies and funds are excluded for periods prior to their acquisition and subsequent to their disposition. The unaudited financial information below does not include information pertaining to PixelOptics.
		As of December 31,
		2013			2012
		(In thousands)
	Balance Sheets:
	Current assets	$	221,001		$	168,246
	Non-current assets	90,042			74,555
	Total assets	$	311,043		$	242,801
	Current liabilities	$	153,398		$	125,491
	Non-current liabilities	75,324			37,384
	Shareholders’ equity	82,321			79,926
	Total liabilities and shareholders’ equity	$	311,043		$	242,801
	As of December 31, 2013, the Company’s carrying value in equity method partner companies, in the aggregate, exceeded the Company’s share of the net assets of such companies by approximately $72.2 million. Of this excess, $53.7 million was allocated to goodwill and $18.5 million was allocated to intangible assets.
		Year Ended December 31,
		2013			2012			2011
		(In thousands)
	Results of Operations:
	Revenue	$	273,754		$	191,928		$	117,057
	Gross profit	$	125,766		$	90,876		$	63,160
Net loss	$	(52,489	)	$	(79,662	)	$	(38,468	)

Acquisitions_of_Ownership_Inte

Acquisitions of Ownership Interests in Partner Companies and Funds	12 Months Ended
	Dec. 31, 2013
Equity Method Investments and Joint Ventures [Abstract]	'
Acquisitions of Ownership Interests in Partner Companies and Funds	'
	Acquisitions of Ownership Interests in Partner Companies and Funds
	In November 2013, the Company acquired a 22.0% interest in Apprenda, Inc. for $12.1 million. Apprenda makes mobile phone application development software. The Company accounts for its ownership interest in Apprenda under the equity method. The difference between the Company's cost and its interest in the underlying net assets of Apprenda was preliminarily allocated to intangible assets and goodwill as reflected in the carrying value of Ownership interests in and advances to partner companies and funds on the Consolidated Balance Sheets.
	In November 2013, the Company acquired a 8.0% interest in Dabo Health, Inc. ("Dabo") for $0.8 million. Dabo provides the healthcare community with a healthcare information platform that brings clarity to quality metrics, makes them actionable to hospitals and care providers, and facilitates collaboration for quality improvement. The Company accounts for its ownership interest in Dabo under the cost method.
	In October and May 2013, the Company funded an aggregate of $0.5 million of a convertible bridge loan to Hoopla Software, Inc. (“Hoopla”). The Company had previously acquired an interest in Hoopla in December 2011 for $1.3 million. Hoopla helps organizations create high performance sales cultures through software-as-a-service solutions that integrate with customer relationship management systems. The Company accounts for its interest in Hoopla under the equity method. The difference between the Company's cost and its interest in the underlying net assets of Hoopla was allocated to intangible assets and goodwill and is reflected in the carrying value in Ownership interests in and advances to partner companies and funds on the Consolidated Balance Sheets.
	In September and June 2013, the Company funded an aggregate of $0.6 million of convertible bridge loans to Alverix, Inc. The Company had previously deployed an aggregate of $8.8 million in Alverix. The Company accounts for its ownership interest in Alverix under the equity method. Subsequent to year end, the Company sold its interest in Alverix. For further details, see Note 18 to the Consolidated Financial Statements.
	In August 2013, the Company acquired a 35.1% primary ownership interest in Quantia, Inc. for $7.5 million. Quantia provides a mobile and web-based physician relationship management platform, QuantiaMD, which enables principal participants throughout the healthcare spectrum, including health systems, payers, pharmaceutical companies and medical device companies, to engage and interact with their physicians. The Company accounts for its interest in Quantia under the equity method. The difference between the Company's cost and its interest in the underlying net assets of Quantia was preliminarily allocated to intangible assets and goodwill and is reflected in the carrying value in Ownership interests in and advances to partner companies and funds on the Consolidated Balance Sheets.
	In August 2013, the Company deployed an additional $1.1 million in DriveFactor, Inc. The Company previously deployed an aggregate of $3.5 million in DriveFactor in 2011 and 2012. DriveFactor is a provider of telematics technology and statistical analysis of driving data. The Company accounts for its interest in DriveFactor under the equity method. The difference between the Company’s cost and its interest in the underlying net assets of DriveFactor was allocated to goodwill and is reflected in the carrying value in Ownership interests in and advances to partner companies and funds on the Consolidated Balance Sheets.
	In August 2013, the Company deployed $5.0 million in Clutch Holdings, Inc. (“Clutch”). Clutch is a provider of loyalty and gift card programs to retailers through its proprietary platform, and offers a mobile wallet application to consumers to track and store gift and loyalty cards, coupons and other retail shopping tools. The Company previously had acquired an interest in Clutch in February 2013 for $0.5 million. In conjunction with the most recent funding, the Company’s primary ownership interest in Clutch increased from 6.5% to 24.0%, above the threshold at which the Company believes it exercises significant influence. Accordingly, the Company adopted the equity method of accounting for its holdings in Clutch. The difference between the Company's cost and its interest in the underlying net assets of Clutch was preliminarily allocated to intangible assets and goodwill and is reflected in the carrying value in Ownership interests in and advances to partner companies and funds on the Consolidated Balance Sheets. The change in accounting treatment for the Company’s holdings in Clutch from the cost method to the equity method had no effect on the Consolidated Financial Statements of any prior period.
	In July 2013, the Company funded $1.0 million of a convertible bridge loan to Crescendo Bioscience, Inc. The Company previously had acquired an interest in Crescendo Bioscience in December 2012 for $10.0 million. The Company accounts for its ownership interest in Crescendo Bioscience under the cost method. Subsequent to year end, the Company sold its interest in Crescendo Bioscience. For further details, see Note 18 to the Consolidated Financial Statements.
	During the year ended December 31, 2013, the Company funded $2.3 million for participations in loan and equity interests initiated by Penn Mezzanine. Included in this funding were $2.2 million for participations in loans and $0.1 million for participations in equity of the borrower acquired by Penn Mezzanine. During the year ended December 31, 2012, the Company funded $4.2 million for participations in loan and equity interests initiated by Penn Mezzanine. Included in this funding was $3.8 million for participations in loans, $0.3 million for participations in equity of the borrowers, and $0.1 million for participations in warrants to acquire common stock of the borrowers. During the year ended December 31, 2011, the Company funded an aggregate of $9.7 million for participations in certain loans and equity interests. Included in this funding was $8.1 million for participations in loans, $1.3 million for participations in equity and $0.3 million for participations in warrants to acquire common stock of the borrowers. In August 2011, the Company acquired a 36% ownership interest in the management company and general partner of Penn Mezzanine for $3.9 million. Penn Mezzanine is a mezzanine lender focused on lower middle-market, Mid-Atlantic companies. The Company accounts for its interest in Penn Mezzanine under the equity method of accounting.
	During the year ended December 31, 2013, the Company funded an aggregate of $5.3 million of a convertible bridge loan to PixelOptics. The Company previously deployed an aggregate of $31.6 million in PixelOptics. The adjusted carrying value of PixelOptics at December 31, 2013 was $0. The Company accounted for its interest in PixelOptics under the equity method.
	In June 2013, the Company deployed an additional $5.3 million in Medivo, Inc. The Company had previously acquired an interest in Medivo in November 2011 for $6.3 million. Medivo is a cloud-based health monitoring platform that connects doctors, consumers and clinical labs. The Company accounts for its interest in Medivo under the equity method. The difference between the Company’s cost and its interest in the underlying net assets of Medivo was allocated to intangible assets and goodwill and is reflected in the carrying value in Ownership interests in and advances to partner companies and funds on the Consolidated Balance Sheets.
	In March 2013, the Company deployed an additional $1.7 million in Lumesis, Inc. The Company had previously acquired an interest in Lumesis in February 2012 for $2.2 million. Lumesis is a financial technology company that is dedicated to delivering software solutions and comprehensive, timely data to the municipal bond marketplace. The Company accounts for its interest in Lumesis under the equity method. The difference between the Company’s cost and its interest in the underlying net assets of Lumesis was allocated to intangible assets and goodwill and is reflected in the carrying value in Ownership interests in and advances to partner companies and funds on the Consolidated Balance Sheets.
	In February 2013, the Company acquired a 27.6% primary ownership interest in Pneuron Corporation for $5.0 million. Pneuron helps enterprise companies reduce the time and cost of application development by building solutions across heterogeneous databases and applications. The Company accounts for its ownership interest in Pneuron under the equity method. The difference between the Company’s cost and its interest in the underlying net assets of Pneuron was allocated to intangible assets and goodwill and is reflected in the carrying value in Ownership interests in and advances to partner companies and funds on the Consolidated Balance Sheets.
	In January 2013, the Company acquired a 7.7% primary interest in Sotera Wireless, Inc. The Company deployed $1.3 million into Sotera Wireless and acquired additional shares from a previous investor for $1.2 million. Sotera Wireless is a medical device company that has developed a wireless patient monitoring platform that is designed to keep clinicians connected to their patients. The Company accounts for its interest in Sotera Wireless under the cost method.
	In December 2012, the Company acquired a 35% interest in AppFirst, Inc. for $6.5 million. AppFirst delivers application monitoring systems for development operations professionals and technology executives with visibility into systems, applications and business metrics. The Company accounts for its ownership interest in AppFirst under the equity method. The difference between the Company’s cost and its interest in the underlying net assets of AppFirst was allocated to intangible assets and goodwill and is reflected in the carrying value in Ownership interests in and advances to partner companies and funds on the Consolidated Balance Sheets.
	In October and March 2012, the Company deployed an additional $5.2 million in Good Start Genetics, Inc. (“Good Start”). The Company had previously acquired an interest in Good Start in 2010 for $6.8 million. Good Start performs pre-pregnancy genetic tests, which utilize an advanced DNA sequencing technology to screen for a panel of genetic disorders, including those recommended by the American Congress of Obstetricians and Gynecologists and the American College of Medical Genetics. The Company accounts for its interest in Good Start under the equity method. The difference between the Company’s cost and its ownership interest in the underlying net assets of Good Start was allocated to intangible assets and goodwill and is reflected in the carrying value in Ownership interests in and advances to partner companies and funds on the Consolidated Balance Sheets.
	In October 2012, the Company purchased 2,500 preferred stock units and warrants to purchase 2.5 million shares of common stock from NuPathe for $5.0 million. The preferred stock was converted into 2.5 million shares of common stock of NuPathe in February 2013. The Company previously deployed $18.3 million in NuPathe from August 2006 through August 2010. The Company accounts for its ownership interest in NuPathe under the fair value method. Subsequent to year end, the Company sold its interest in NuPathe. For further details, see Note 18 to the Consolidated Financial Statements.
	In September 2012, the Company deployed an additional $5.0 million in ThingWorx. The Company previously deployed $5.0 million in ThingWorx in February 2011. In December 2013, ThingWorx was acquired by PTC Inc. resulting in net sale proceeds to the Company of $36.4 million, excluding cash held in escrow of $4.1 million. Depending on the achievement of certain milestones, the Company may receive up to an additional $6.5 million in connection with the transaction. The Company accounted for its interest in ThingWorx under the equity method.
	In August 2012, the Company funded a $1.7 million convertible debt facility to MediaMath, Inc. The Company previously deployed an aggregate of $16.9 million in MediaMath. MediaMath is an online media trading company that enables advertising agencies and their advertisers to optimize their ad spending across various exchanges through its proprietary algorithmic bidding platform and data integration technology. The Company accounts for its interest in MediaMath under the equity method. The difference between the Company's cost and its interest in the underlying net assets of MediaMath was allocated to intangible assets and goodwill and is reflected in the carrying value in Ownership interests in and advances to partner companies and funds on the Consolidated Balance Sheets.
	In August 2012, the Company funded $0.4 million into New York Digital Health Accelerator in exchange for a 9.4% limited partnership interest in the fund which is run by the New York eHealth Collaborative and the New York City Investment Fund for early- and growth-stage digital health companies that are developing technology products in care coordination, patient engagement, analytics and message alerts for healthcare providers. The Company accounts for its interest in New York Digital Health Accelerator under the equity method.
	In February 2012, the Company acquired a 23.1% ownership interest in Spongecell, Inc. for $10.0 million. Spongecell is a digital advertising technology company that enhances standard banner ads with rich interactive features. The Company accounts for its ownership interest in Spongecell under the equity method. The difference between the Company’s cost and its interest in the underlying net assets of Spongecell was allocated to intangible assets and goodwill and is reflected in the carrying value in Ownership interests in and advances to partner companies and funds on the Consolidated Balance Sheets.
	In September 2011, the Company acquired a 30.1% ownership interest in Putney, Inc. for $10.0 million. Putney is a specialty pharmaceutical company focused on providing generic medicines for pets. The Company accounts for its interest in Putney under the equity method. The difference between the Company’s cost and its interest in the underlying net assets of Putney was allocated to intangible assets and goodwill and is reflected in the carrying value in Ownership interests in and advances to partner companies and funds on the Consolidated Balance Sheets.
	In August 2011, the Company funded $2.4 million of a convertible bridge loan to Swap.com. The Company had previously deployed an aggregate of $8.1 million in Swap.com. The Company impaired all of the carrying value of Swap.com in 2011 and no longer holds an active interest in the company. The Company accounted for its interest in Swap.com under the equity method.
	In June 2011, the Company acquired a 31.7% ownership interest in NovaSom, Inc. for $20.0 million. NovaSom provides diagnostic devices and services for home testing and evaluation of sleep-disordered breathing, including obstructive sleep apnea. The Company accounts for its interest in NovaSom under the equity method. The difference between the Company’s cost and its interest in the underlying net assets of NovaSom was allocated to intangible assets and goodwill and is reflected in the carrying value in Ownership interests in and advances to partner companies and funds on the Consolidated Balance Sheets.

Fair_Value_Measurements

Fair Value Measurements	12 Months Ended
	Dec. 31, 2013
Fair Value Disclosures [Abstract]	'
Fair Value Measurements	'
	Fair Value Measurements
	The Company categorizes its financial instruments into a three-level fair value hierarchy that prioritizes the inputs to valuation techniques used to measure fair value. The fair value hierarchy gives the highest priority to quoted prices in active markets for identical assets or liabilities (Level 1) and the lowest priority to unobservable inputs (Level 3). If the inputs used to measure fair value fall within different levels of the hierarchy, the category level is based on the lowest priority level input that is significant to the fair value measurement of the instrument. Financial assets recorded at fair value on the Company’s Consolidated Balance Sheets are categorized as follows:
	Level 1—Observable inputs that reflect quoted prices (unadjusted) for identical assets or liabilities in active markets.
	Level 2—Include other inputs that are directly or indirectly observable in the marketplace.
	Level 3—Unobservable inputs which are supported by little or no market activity.
	The fair value hierarchy also requires an entity to maximize the use of observable inputs and minimize the use of unobservable inputs when measuring fair value.
	The following table provides the carrying value and fair value of certain financial assets and liabilities of the Company measured at fair value on a recurring basis as of December 31, 2013 and 2012:
		Carrying		Fair Value Measurement at December 31, 2013
		Value		Level 1		Level 2		Level 3
		(in thousands)
	Cash and cash equivalents	$	139,318	$	139,318	$	—	$	—
	Restricted marketable securities	5		5		—		—
	Ownership interest in common stock of NuPathe	16,874		16,874		—		—
	Ownership interest in warrants and options of NuPathe	3,183		—		—		3,183
	Available-for-sale securities	15		15		—		—
	Warrant participations	1,563		—		—		1,563
	Marketable securities—held-to-maturity:
	Commercial paper	$	13,599	$	13,599	$	—	$	—
	U.S. Treasury Bills	8,014		8,014		—		—
	Government agency bonds	9,945		9,945		—		—
	Certificates of deposit	12,780		12,780		—		—
	Total marketable securities	$	44,338	$	44,338	$	—	$	—
		Carrying		Fair Value Measurement at December 31, 2012
		Value		Level 1		Level 2		Level 3
		(In thousands)
	Cash and cash equivalents	$	66,029	$	66,029	$	—	$	—
	Cash held in escrow	6,434		6,434		—		—
	Restricted marketable securities	10		10		—		—
	Ownership interest in common stock of NuPathe	8,897		8,897		—		—
	Ownership interest in preferred stock, warrants and options of NuPathe	12,075		—		—		12,075
	Available-for-sale securities	58		58		—		—
	Warrant participations	423		—		—		423
	Marketable securities—held-to-maturity:
	Commercial paper	$	50,932	$	50,932	$	—	$	—
	U.S. Treasury Bills	21,352		21,352		—		—
	Government agency bonds	45,909		45,909		—		—
	Certificates of deposit	21,823		21,823		—		—
	Total marketable securities	$	140,016	$	140,016	$	—	$	—
	As of December 31, 2013, $38.3 million of marketable securities had contractual maturities which were less than one year and $6.1 million of marketable securities had contractual maturities greater than one year. Held-to-maturity securities are carried at amortized cost, which, due to the short-term maturity of these instruments, approximates fair value using quoted prices in active markets for identical assets or liabilities defined as Level 1 inputs under the fair value hierarchy.
	The Company recognized impairment charges of $11.2 million and $5.0 million related to PixelOptics for the years ended December 31, 2013 and 2012, respectively. The fair market value of the Company’s equity ownership in PixelOptics was determined to be $0 at December 31, 2013 based on Level 3 inputs as defined above.  The inputs and valuation techniques used were primarily an evaluation of discounted cash flows for PixelOptics.
	The Company’s Penn Mezzanine warrant participations are carried at fair value. The value of the Company’s holdings in warrant participations is measured by reference to Level 3 inputs. The inputs and valuation techniques used include discounted cash flows and valuation of comparable public companies. The Company recognized gains of $1.1 million and $0.2 million associated with mark-to-market adjustments related to its warrant participations with Penn Mezzanine in the years ended December 31, 2013 and 2012, respectively, which are reflected in Other income (loss), net in the Consolidated Statements of Operations.
	The Company recognized an impairment charge of $1.8 million related to its ownership interest in the management company of Penn Mezzanine for the year ended December 31, 2013. The fair market value of the Company’s ownership interest in Penn Mezzanine was determined to be $1.3 million based on Level 3 inputs as described above. The inputs and valuation techniques used were primarily an evaluation of the future cash flows associated with the Company's interest in the management company of Penn Mezzanine.
	The Company recognized impairment charges of $0.3 million and $2.5 million related to its Penn Mezzanine debt and equity participations in the years ended December 31, 2013 and 2012, respectively, measured as the amount by which the carrying value of the Company’s participation in the debt and equity interests acquired by Penn Mezzanine exceeded their estimated fair values. The fair market values of the Company's participating interests in debt and equity acquired by Penn Mezzanine were determined based on Level 3 inputs as defined above. The inputs and valuation techniques used included discounted cash flows and valuations of comparable public companies.
	The Company’s ownership interests in NuPathe are accounted for at fair value. In February 2013, the Company converted its 2,500 shares of preferred stock units, acquired in October 2012, into 2.5 million shares of common stock in NuPathe. The preferred stock units had been valued using Level 3 inputs. The fair value of the Company’s ownership interest in NuPathe’s common stock was measured using quoted market prices for NuPathe’s common stock as traded on the NASDAQ Capital Market, which is considered a Level 1 input under the valuation hierarchy. The fair value of the Company’s ownership interest in NuPathe’s warrants and options was measured using a Black-Scholes option pricing model, which is based on Level 3 inputs as defined above.
	The Company recognized impairment charges of $0.3 million and $0.4 million related to a legacy private equity fund for the years ended December 31, 2013 and 2012, respectively, measured as the amount by which the carrying value of the Company’s interest in the fund exceeded its estimated fair value. The fair market value of the Company’s interest in the fund was determined to be $1.7 million at December 31, 2013 based on the fair value of the Company’s pro rata portion of the fund’s net assets, which is a Level 3 input under the fair value hierarchy.

Property_and_Equipment

Property and Equipment	12 Months Ended
	Dec. 31, 2013
Property, Plant and Equipment [Abstract]	'
Property and Equipment	'
	Property and Equipment
	Property and equipment consisted of the following:
		As of December 31,
		2013			2012
		(In thousands)
	Building and improvements	$	607		$	607
	Office equipment	1,039			1,002
		1,646			1,609
	Accumulated depreciation	(1,508		)	(1,416		)
		$	138		$	193

Convertible_Debentures_and_Cre

Convertible Debentures and Credit Arrangements	12 Months Ended
	Dec. 31, 2013
Debt Disclosure [Abstract]	'
Convertible Debentures and Credit Arrangements	'
	Convertible Debentures and Credit Arrangements
	The carrying values of the Company’s convertible senior debentures were as follows:
		As of December 31,
		2013			2012
		(In thousands)
	Convertible senior debentures due 2018	$	49,478		$	48,483
	Convertible senior debentures due 2024	441			441
	Convertible senior debentures due 2014	29			67
		49,948			48,991
	Less: current portion	(470		)	—
	Convertible senior debentures — non-current	$	49,478		$	48,991
	Convertible Senior Debentures due 2018
	In November 2012, Safeguard issued $55.0 million principal amount of its 5.25% convertible senior debentures due 2018 (the “2018 Debentures”). Proceeds from the offering were used to repurchase substantially all of the Company's then outstanding 10.125% convertible senior debentures due 2014 (the “2014 Debentures”). The repurchase of the 2014 Debentures resulted in a loss on repurchase of $7.9 million which is reflected in Other income (loss), net in the Consolidated Statement of Operations for the year ended December 31, 2012. Interest on the 2018 Debentures is payable semi-annually on May 15 and November 15.
	Holders of the 2018 Debentures may convert their notes prior to November 15, 2017 at their option only under the following circumstances:
	•	during any calendar quarter commencing after the calendar quarter ending on December 31, 2012, if the last reported sale price of the common stock for at least 20 trading days during the period of 30 consecutive trading days ending on the last trading day of the immediately preceding calendar quarter is greater than or equal to 130% of the conversion price on each applicable trading day;
	•	during the five business day period after any five consecutive trading day period in which the trading price per $1,000 principal amount of notes for each trading day of the measurement period was less than 98% of the product of the last reported sale price of our common stock and the conversion rate on such trading day;
	•	if the notes have been called for redemption; or
	•	upon the occurrence of specified corporate events.
	On or after November 15, 2017 until the close of business on the second business day immediately preceding the maturity date, holders may convert their notes at any time, regardless of whether any of the foregoing conditions have been met. Upon conversion, the Company will satisfy its conversion obligation by paying or delivering, as the case may be, cash, shares of our common stock or a combination of cash and shares of our common stock, at the Company’s election.
	The conversion rate of the 2018 Debentures is 55.17 shares of common stock per $1,000 principal amount of debentures, equivalent to a conversion price of approximately $18.13 per share of common stock. The closing price of the Company’s common stock at December 31, 2013 was $20.09.
	On or after November 15, 2016, the Company may redeem for cash any of the 2018 Debentures if the last reported sale price of the Company’s common stock exceeds 140% of the conversion price for at least 20 trading days during the period of 30 consecutive trading days ending on the trading day before the date that notice of redemption is given, including the last trading day of such period. Upon any redemption of the 2018 Debentures, the Company will pay a redemption price of 100% of their principal amount, plus accrued and unpaid interest to, but excluding, the date of redemption, and additional interest, if any.
	The 2018 Debentures holders have the right to require the Company to repurchase the 2018 Debentures if the Company undergoes a fundamental change, which includes the sale of all or substantially all of the Company’s common stock or assets; liquidation; dissolution; a greater than 50% change in control; the delisting of the Company’s common stock from the New York Stock Exchange or the NASDAQ Global Market (or any of their respective successors); or a substantial change in the composition of the Company’s board of directors as defined in the governing agreement. Holders may require that the Company repurchase for cash all or part of their debentures at a fundamental change repurchase price equal to 100% of the principal amount of the debentures to be repurchased, plus accrued and unpaid interest to, but excluding, the fundamental change repurchase date.
	Because the 2018 Debentures may be settled in cash or partially in cash upon conversion, the Company separately accounts for the liability and equity components of the 2018 Debentures. The carrying amount of the liability component was determined at the transaction date by measuring the fair value of a similar liability that does not have an associated equity component. The carrying amount of the equity component represented by the embedded conversion option was determined by deducting the fair value of the liability component from the initial proceeds of the 2018 Debentures as a whole. At December 31, 2013, the fair value of the $55.0 million outstanding 2018 Debentures was approximately $69.9 million, based on the midpoint of the bid and ask prices as of such date. At December 31, 2013, the carrying amount of the equity component was $6.4 million, the principal amount of the liability component was $55.0 million, the unamortized discount was $5.5 million and the net carrying value of the liability component was $49.5 million. The Company is amortizing the excess of the face value of the 2018 Debentures over their carrying value over their term as additional interest expense using the effective interest method and recorded $1.0 million and $0.1 million of such expense for the years ended December 31, 2013 and 2012, respectively. The effective interest rate on the 2018 Debentures is 8.7%.
	Convertible Senior Debentures due 2024
	In 2004, the Company issued an aggregate of $150.0 million in face value of convertible senior debentures with a stated maturity date of March 15, 2024 (the “2024 Debentures”). At December 31, 2013, the fair value of the $0.4 million outstanding 2024 Debentures approximated their carrying value, based on the midpoint of bid and ask prices as of such date. Interest on the 2024 Debentures is payable semi-annually. At the debentures holders’ option, the 2024 Debentures are convertible into the Company’s common stock through March 14, 2024, subject to certain conditions. The adjusted conversion rate of the 2024 Debentures is $43.3044 of principal amount per share. The remaining 2024 Debentures holders have the right to require the Company to repurchase the 2024 Debentures on March 20, 2014 or March 20, 2019 at a repurchase price equal to 100% of their face amount, plus accrued and unpaid interest. In limited circumstances, the Company has the right to redeem all or some of the 2024 Debentures.
	Convertible Senior Debentures due 2014
	In March 2010, the Company issued an aggregate of $46.9 million of the 2014 Debentures. As noted above, in November 2012, the Company repurchased substantially all of the 2014 Debentures for $58.7 million plus accrued interest. The remaining $29 thousand outstanding principal amount of the 2014 Debentures is due and payable on March 15, 2014.
	Credit Arrangements
	The Company is party to a loan agreement with a commercial bank which provides it with a revolving credit facility in the maximum aggregate amount of $50 million in the form of borrowings, guarantees and issuances of letters of credit (subject to a $20 million sublimit). Actual availability under the credit facility is based on the amount of cash maintained at the bank as well as the value of the Company’s public and private partner company interests. This credit facility bears interest at the prime rate for outstanding borrowings, subject to an increase in certain circumstances. Other than for limited exceptions, the Company is required to maintain all of its depository and operating accounts and the lesser of $80 million or 75% of its investment and securities accounts at the bank. The credit facility, as amended, matures on December 31, 2014. Under the credit facility, the Company provided a $6.3 million letter of credit expiring on March 19, 2019 to the landlord of CompuCom Systems, Inc.’s Dallas headquarters which has been required in connection with the sale of CompuCom Systems in 2004. Availability under the Company’s revolving credit facility at December 31, 2013 was $43.7 million.

Accrued_Expenses_and_Other_Cur

Accrued Expenses and Other Current Liabilities	12 Months Ended
	Dec. 31, 2013
Payables and Accruals [Abstract]	'
Accrued Expenses and Other Current Liabilities	'
	Accrued Expenses and Other Current Liabilities
	Accrued expenses and other current liabilities consisted of the following:
		As of December 31,
		2013		2012
		(In thousands)
	Accrued interest	$	366	$	335
	Other	2,065		2,266
		$	2,431	$	2,601

Equity

Equity	12 Months Ended
	Dec. 31, 2013
Equity [Abstract]	'
Equity	'
	Equity
	Preferred Stock
	Shares of preferred stock, par value $0.10 per share, are voting and are issuable in one or more series with rights and preferences as to dividends, redemption, liquidation, sinking funds and conversion determined by the Board of Directors. At December 31, 2013 and 2012, there were one million shares authorized and none outstanding.

StockBased_Compensation

Stock-Based Compensation	12 Months Ended
	Dec. 31, 2013
Disclosure of Compensation Related Costs, Share-based Payments [Abstract]	'
Stock-Based Compensation	'
	Stock-Based Compensation
	Equity Compensation Plans
	Under the amended and restated 2004 Equity Compensation Plan, employees, executive officers, directors and consultants are eligible for grants of stock options, restricted stock awards, stock appreciation rights, stock units, performance units and other stock-based awards. The 2004 Equity Compensation Plan has 2.2 million shares authorized for issuance. The 2001 Associates Equity Compensation Plan, with 0.9 million shares authorized for issuance, and the 1999 Equity Compensation Plan, with 1.5 million shares authorized for issuance, expired by their terms and no further grants may be made under those plans. During 2013 and 2011, the Company issued 70 thousand and 85 thousand options, respectively, outside of existing plans as inducement awards in accordance with New York Stock Exchange rules.
	To the extent allowable, service-based options are incentive stock options. Options granted under the plans are at prices equal to or greater than the fair market value at the date of grant. Upon exercise of stock options, the Company issues shares first from treasury stock, if available, then from authorized but unissued shares. At December 31, 2013, the Company had reserved 2.9 million shares of common stock for possible future issuance under its equity compensation plans.
	Classification of Stock-Based Compensation Expense
	Stock-based compensation expense was recognized in the Consolidated Statements of Operations as follows:
		Year Ended December 31,
		2013			2012				2011
		(In thousands)
	General and administrative expense	$	1,821		$	2,014			$	3,052
		$	1,821		$	2,014			$	3,052
	At December 31, 2013, the Company had outstanding options that vest based on three different types of vesting schedules:
	1) market-based;
	2) performance-based; and
	3) service-based.
	Market-based awards entitle participants to vest in a number of options determined by achievement by the Company of certain target market capitalization increases (measured by reference to stock price increases on a specified number of outstanding shares) over an eight-year period. The requisite service periods for the market-based awards are based on the Company’s estimate of the dates on which the market conditions will be met as determined using a Monte Carlo simulation model. Compensation expense is recognized over the requisite service periods using the straight-line method but is accelerated if market capitalization targets are achieved earlier than estimated. During the years ended December 31, 2013, 2012 and 2011, the Company did not issue any market-based option awards to employees. During the year ended December 31, 2011, 110 thousand market-based options vested based on achievement of market capitalization targets. No market-based options vested during 2013 or 2012. During the years ended December 31, 2013, 2012 and 2011, respectively, 554 thousand, 6 thousand and 125 thousand market-based options were canceled or forfeited. The Company recorded compensation expense related to these option awards of $0.2 million, $0.4 million and $1.2 million during the years ended December 31, 2013, 2012 and 2011, respectively. Depending on the Company’s stock performance, the maximum number of unvested shares at December 31, 2013 attainable under these grants was 402 thousand shares.
	Performance-based awards entitle participants to vest in a number of awards determined by achievement by the Company of target capital returns based on net cash proceeds received by the Company upon the sale, merger or other exit transaction of certain identified partner companies. Vesting may occur, if at all, once per year. The requisite service periods for the performance-based awards are based on the Company’s estimate of when the performance conditions will be met. Compensation expense is recognized for performance-based awards for which the performance condition is considered probable of achievement. Compensation expense is recognized over the requisite service periods using the straight-line method but is accelerated if capital return targets are achieved earlier than estimated. During the years ended December 31, 2013, 2012 and 2011, respectively, the Company issued 41 thousand, 180 thousand and 193 thousand performance-based options to employees. During the years ended December 31, 2012 and 2011, 14 thousand and 56 thousand options vested based on the achievement of capital return targets. During the year ended December 31, 2013, no options vested based on the achievement of capital return targets. During the years ended December 31, 2013, 2012 and 2011, respectively, 398 thousand, 6 thousand and 108 thousand performance-based option awards were canceled or forfeited. The Company recorded compensation expense related to these option awards of $0.0 million, $0.2 million and $0.3 million for the years ended December 31, 2013, 2012 and 2011, respectively. The maximum number of unvested shares at December 31, 2013 attainable under these grants was 452 thousand shares.
	All other outstanding options are service-based awards that generally vest over four years after the date of grant and expire eight years after the date of grant. Compensation expense is recognized over the requisite service period using the straight-line method. The requisite service period for service-based awards is the period over which the award vests. During the years ended December 31, 2013, 2012 and 2011, respectively, the Company issued 43 thousand, 113 thousand and 121 thousand service-based option awards to employees. During the years ended December 31, 2013, 2012 and 2011, respectively, 14 thousand, one thousand and 60 thousand service-based options were canceled or forfeited. The Company recorded compensation expense related to these awards of $0.5 million, $0.7 million and $0.8 million during the years ended December 31, 2013, 2012 and 2011, respectively.
	The fair value of the Company’s stock-based awards to employees was estimated at the date of grant using the Black-Scholes option-pricing model. The risk-free rate is based on the U.S. Treasury yield curve in effect at the end of the quarter in which the grant occurred. The expected term of stock options granted was estimated using the historical exercise behavior of employees. Expected volatility was based on historical volatility measured using weekly price observations of the Company’s common stock for a period equal to the stock option’s expected term. Assumptions used in the valuation of options granted in each period were as follows:
		Year Ended December 31,
		2013		2012			2011
	Service-Based Awards
	Dividend yield	0	%	0	%		0	%
	Expected volatility	52	%	56	%		57	%
	Average expected option life	5 years		5 years			5 years
	Risk-free interest rate	1.3	%	0.8	%		1.4	%
		Year Ended December 31,
		2013		2012			2011
	Performance-Based Awards
	Dividend yield	0	%	0	%		0	%
	Expected volatility	46	%	55	%		57	%
	Average expected option life	4.7 years		5.5 years			5.8 years
	Risk-free interest rate	1.8	%	0.8	%		0.9	%
	The weighted-average grant date fair value of options issued by the Company during the years ended December 31, 2013, 2012 and 2011 was $6.83, $7.45 and $8.28 per share, respectively.
	Option activity of the Company is summarized below:
		Shares		Weighted				Weighted Average		Aggregate
				Average				Remaining		Intrinsic
				Exercise Price				Contractual Life		Value
		(In thousands)						(In years)		(In thousands)
	Outstanding at December 31, 2010	3,321		$	9.83
	Options granted	314		16.55
	Options exercised	(124	)	11.32
	Options canceled/forfeited	(293	)	11.03
	Outstanding at December 31, 2011	3,218		10.32
	Options granted	293		14.91
	Options exercised	(211	)	10.22
	Options canceled/forfeited	(13	)	13.48
	Outstanding at December 31, 2012	3,287		10.72
	Options granted	120		15.61
	Options exercised	(612	)	8.44
	Options canceled/forfeited	(967	)	9.38
	Outstanding at December 31, 2013	1,828		12.51				3.91		$	12,586
	Options exercisable at December 31, 2013	822		11.67				2.52		6,334
	Options vested and expected to vest at December 31, 2013	1,566		12.23				3.37		11,192
	Shares available for future grant	598
	The total intrinsic value of options exercised for the years ended December 31, 2013, 2012 and 2011 was $3.9 million, $1.2 million and $0.9 million, respectively.
	At December 31, 2013, total unrecognized compensation cost related to non-vested stock options granted under the plans for service-based awards was $0.7 million. That cost is expected to be recognized over a weighted-average period of 2.7 years.
	At December 31, 2013, the Company had recognized substantially all compensation cost related to stock options granted under the plans for market-based awards.
	At December 31, 2013, total unrecognized compensation cost related to non-vested stock options granted under the plans for performance-based awards was $2.3 million. That cost is expected to be recognized over a weighted-average period of 1.9 years but would be accelerated if stock price targets are achieved earlier than estimated.
	During the years ended December 31, 2013, 2012 and 2011, respectively, the Company issued 83 thousand, 90 thousand and 61 thousand performance-based stock units to employees which vest based on achievement by the Company of target capital returns based on net cash proceeds received by the Company on the sale, merger or other exit transaction of certain identified partner companies, as described above related to performance-based option awards. Performance-based stock units represent the right to receive shares of the Company’s common stock, on a one-for-one basis. During the years ended December 31, 2013, 2012 and 2011, respectively, the Company issued 28 thousand, 30 thousand and 20 thousand restricted shares to employees. The restricted shares issued vest 25% on the first anniversary of grant and the remaining 75% thereafter in equal monthly installments over the next three years.
	During the years ended December 31, 2013, 2012, and 2011, respectively, the Company issued 48 thousand, 25 thousand and 28 thousand deferred stock units to non-employee directors for annual service grants or fees earned during the preceding quarter. Deferred stock units issued to directors in lieu of directors fees are 100% vested at the grant date; matching deferred stock units equal to 25% of directors’ fees deferred vest one year following the grant date or, if earlier, upon reaching age 65. Deferred stock units are payable in stock on a one-for-one basis. Payments related to the deferred stock units are generally distributable following termination of employment or service, death or permanent disability.
	During the years ended December 31, 2013 and 2012, the Company granted eight thousand and five thousand shares, respectively, to members of its advisory boards, and recorded compensation expense of $0.1 million in each year related to these awards. No such awards were granted in 2011.
	Total compensation expense for deferred stock units, performance-based stock units and restricted stock was approximately $1.1 million, $0.7 million and $0.7 million for the years ended December 31, 2013, 2012 and 2011, respectively. Unrecognized compensation expense related to deferred stock units, performance stock units and restricted stock at December 31, 2013 was $3.3 million. The total fair value of deferred stock units, performance stock units and restricted stock vested during the years ended December 31, 2013, 2012 and 2011 was $1.1 million, $0.9 million and $2.0 million, respectively.
Deferred stock unit, performance-based stock unit and restricted stock activity are summarized below:
	Shares		Weighted Average
			Grant Date Fair
			Value
	(In thousands)
Unvested at December 31, 2011	253		$	13.1
Granted	151		15
Vested	(53	)	13.58
Forfeited	(4	)	13.67
Unvested at December 31, 2012	347		13.85
Granted	167		17.45
Vested	(67	)	16.73
Forfeited	(130	)	13.35
Unvested at December 31, 2013	317		15.34

Other_Income_Loss_Net

Other Income (Loss), Net	12 Months Ended
	Dec. 31, 2013
Other Income and Expenses [Abstract]	'
Other Income (Loss), Net	'
	Other Income (Loss), Net
		Year Ended December 31,
		2013			2012			2011
		(In thousands)
	Loss on repurchase of convertible debentures	$	—		$	(7,895	)	$	—
	Gain on sale of companies and funds, net	—			9,004			—
	Gain (loss) on mark-to-market of holdings in fair value method partner companies	(915		)	11,035			—
	Impairment charges on cost method partner companies and private equity funds	(250		)	(350		)	—
	Gain on mark-to-market of Penn Mezzanine warrants	1,146			264			—
	Impairment charges on Penn Mezzanine loan and equity participations	(295		)	(2,489		)	—
	Other than temporary impairment on available-for-sale securities	(43		)	(260		)	(7,451		)
	Other	740			29			1,306
		$	383		$	9,338		$	(6,145	)

Income_Taxes

Income Taxes	12 Months Ended
	Dec. 31, 2013
Income Tax Disclosure [Abstract]	'
Income Taxes	'
	Income Taxes
	The federal and state provision (benefit) for income taxes was $0.0 million for the years ended December 31, 2013, 2012 and 2011.
	The total income tax provision (benefit) differed from the amounts computed by applying the U.S. federal income tax rate of 35% to net income (loss) before income taxes as a result of the following:
		Year Ended December 31,
		2013			2012			2011
	Statutory tax (benefit) expense	(35.0	)%		(35.0	)%		35	%
	Increase (decrease) in taxes resulting from:
	Valuation allowance	34.7			34.7			(35.3	)
	Other adjustments	0.3			0.3			0.3
		0	%		0	%		0	%
	The tax effects of temporary differences that gave rise to significant portions of the deferred tax assets were as follows:
		As of December 31,
		2013				2012
		(In thousands)
	Deferred tax asset:
	Carrying values of partner companies and other holdings	$	59,045			$	52,602
	Tax loss and credit carryforwards	82,403				75,369
	Accrued expenses	2,043				1,860
	Stock-based compensation	5,005				7,942
	Other	1,560				1,557
		150,056				139,330
	Valuation allowance	(150,056		)		(139,330		)
	Net deferred tax liability	$	—			$	—
	As of December 31, 2013, the Company and its subsidiaries consolidated for tax purposes had federal net operating loss carryforwards of approximately $224.3 million. These carryforwards expire as follows:
		Total
		(In thousands)
	2014	$	—
	2015	—
	2016	—
	2017	—
	2018 and thereafter	224,307
		$	224,307
	In assessing the recoverability of deferred tax assets, the Company considers whether it is more likely than not that some portion or all of the deferred tax assets will not be realized. The Company has determined that it is more likely than not that certain future tax benefits may not be realized as a result of current and future income. Accordingly, a valuation allowance has been recorded against substantially all of the Company’s deferred tax assets.
	The Company recognizes in its Consolidated Financial Statements the impact of a tax position if that position is more likely than not to be sustained upon examination, based on the technical merits of the position. All uncertain tax positions relate to unrecognized tax benefits that would impact the effective tax rate when recognized.
	The Company does not expect any material increase or decrease in its income tax expense, in the next twelve months, related to examinations or changes in uncertain tax positions.
	There were no changes in the Company’s uncertain tax positions for the years ended December 31, 2013, 2012 and 2011.
	The Company files income tax returns in the U.S. federal jurisdiction, and various state jurisdictions. Tax years 2010 and forward remain open for examination for federal tax purposes and tax years 2008 and forward remain open for examination for the Company’s more significant state tax jurisdictions. To the extent utilized in future years’ tax returns, net operating loss carryforwards at December 31, 2013 will remain subject to examination until the respective tax year is closed. The Company recognizes penalties and interest accrued related to income tax liabilities in income tax benefit (expense) in the Consolidated Statements of Operations.

Net_Income_Loss_Per_Share

Net Income (Loss) Per Share	12 Months Ended
	Dec. 31, 2013
Earnings Per Share [Abstract]	'
Net Income (Loss) Per Share	'
	Net Income (Loss) Per Share
	The calculations of net income (loss) per share were:
		Year Ended December 31,
		2013			2012			2011
		(In thousands except per share data)
	Basic:
	Net income (loss)	$	(35,525	)	$	(39,362	)	$	110,597
	Average common shares outstanding	21,362			20,974			20,764
	Net income (loss) per share	$	(1.66	)	$	(1.88	)	$	5.33
	Diluted:
	Net income (loss)	$	(35,525	)	$	(39,362	)	$	110,597
	Interest on convertible senior debentures	—			—			5,750
	Net income (loss) for diluted per share calculation	$	(35,525	)	$	(39,362	)	$	116,347
	Number of shares used in basic per share computation	21,362			20,974			20,764
	Effect of dilutive securities:
	Convertible senior debentures	—			—			3,009
	Unvested restricted stock and DSUs	—			—			60
	Employee stock options	—			—			689
	Number of shares used in diluted per share computation	21,362			20,974			24,522
	Net income (loss) per share	$	(1.66	)	$	(1.88	)	$	4.74
	Basic and diluted average common shares outstanding for purposes of computing net income (loss) per share includes outstanding common shares and vested deferred stock units (DSUs).
	If a consolidated or equity method partner company has dilutive stock options, unvested restricted stock, DSUs, or warrants, diluted net income (loss) per share is computed by first deducting from net income (loss) the income attributable to the potential exercise of the dilutive securities of the partner company from net loss. Any impact is shown as an adjustment to net income (loss) for purposes of calculating diluted net income (loss) per share.
	The following potential shares of common stock and their effects on income were excluded from the diluted net loss per share calculation because their effect would be anti-dilutive:
	•	At December 31, 2013, 2012 and 2011, options to purchase 1.8 million, 3.3 million and 0.1 million shares of common stock, respectively, at prices ranging from $3.93 to $18.80 per share, $3.93 to $18.80 per share and $18.78 to $21.36 per share were excluded from the calculation.
	•	At December 31, 2013 and 2012, unvested restricted stock units, performance stock units and DSUs convertible into 0.3 million shares of stock were excluded from the calculations.
	•	For the years ended December 31, 2013 and 2012, 3.0 million shares of common stock representing the effect of assumed conversion of the 2018 Debentures were excluded from the calculations.

Related_Party_Transactions

Related Party Transactions	12 Months Ended
	Dec. 31, 2013
Related Party Transactions [Abstract]	'
Related Party Transactions	'
	Related Party Transactions
	In May 2001, the Company entered into a $26.5 million loan agreement with Warren V. Musser, a former Chairman and Chief Executive Officer of the Company. Through December 31, 2013, the Company recognized impairment charges against the loan of $15.7 million. The Company’s efforts to collect Mr. Musser’s outstanding loan obligation have included the sale of existing collateral, obtaining and selling additional collateral, litigation and negotiated resolution. Since 2001 and through December 31, 2013, the Company has received a total of $16.9 million in payments on the loan. In December 2011, the loan documents were amended to take into account accumulated unpaid interest and to make certain other changes related to collateral, maturity dates and other terms.
	The Company received cash from the sale of collateral in 2011 in the amount of $0.1 million and no payments in 2013 or 2012. The carrying value of the loan at December 31, 2013 was zero.
	In the normal course of business, the Company’s directors, officers and employees hold board positions with partner and other companies in which the Company has a direct or indirect ownership interest.

Commitments_and_Contingencies

Commitments and Contingencies	12 Months Ended
	Dec. 31, 2013
Commitments and Contingencies Disclosure [Abstract]	'
Commitments and Contingencies	'
	Commitments and Contingencies
	The Company and its partner companies are involved in various claims and legal actions arising in the ordinary course of business. While in the current opinion of the Company the ultimate disposition of these matters will not have a material adverse effect on the Company’s consolidated financial position or results of operations, no assurance can be given as to the outcome of these actions, and one or more adverse rulings could have a material adverse effect on the Company’s consolidated financial position and results of operations or that of its partner companies. The Company records costs associated with legal fees as such services are rendered.
	The Company leases its corporate headquarters and office equipment under leases expiring at various dates to 2017. Total rental expense under operating leases was $0.6 million, $0.6 million and $0.5 million in 2013, 2012 and 2011, respectively. At December 31, 2013, the Company has future minimum lease payments of $0.5 million for the year ending December 31, 2014 and $0.4 million for the year ending December 31, 2015 under non-cancelable operating leases with initial or remaining terms of one year or more.
	The Company had outstanding guarantees of $3.8 million at December 31, 2013 which related to one of the Company's private equity holdings.
	The Company also has committed capital of approximately $0.1 million to another private equity fund. This commitment is expected to be funded during the next 12 months.
	Under certain circumstances, the Company may be required to return a portion or all the distributions it received as a general partner of a private equity fund (“clawback”). The maximum clawback the Company could be required to return due to our general partner interest is approximately $1.3 million, of which $1.0 million was reflected in Accrued expenses and other current liabilities and $0.3 million was reflected in Other long-term liabilities on the Consolidated Balance Sheets at December 31, 2013. The Company’s ownership in the fund is 19%. The clawback liability is joint and several; therefore the Company may be required to fund the clawback for other general partners should they default. The Company believes its potential liability due to the possibility of default by other general partners is remote.
	In connection with the Company’s May 2008 sale of its equity and debt interests in Acsis, Inc., Alliance Consulting Group Associates, Inc., Laureate Biopharma, Inc., ProModel Corporation and Neuronyx, Inc. (the “Bundle Transaction”), an aggregate of $6.4 million of the gross proceeds of the sale were placed in escrow pending the expiration of a predetermined notification period, subject to possible extension in the event of a claim against the escrowed amounts. On April 25, 2009, the purchaser in the Bundle Transaction notified the Company of claims being asserted against the entire escrowed amounts. In April 2013, the claim was tried on the merits and the verdict in the case denied the purchaser's claims against the escrowed funds. The escrow funds were released to the Company in June 2013.
	In connection with the Bundle Transaction, the Company agreed to continue its guarantee of the Laureate Biopharma, Inc. Princeton, New Jersey facility lease, subject to certain conditions. During the year ended December 31, 2013, the Company obtained the release of its obligation at no expense to the Company.
	In October 2001, the Company entered into an agreement with a former Chairman and Chief Executive Officer of the Company, to provide for annual payments of $0.65 million per year and certain health care and other benefits for life. The related current liability of $0.8 million was included in Accrued expenses and other current liabilities and the long-term portion of $2.6 million was included in Other long-term liabilities on the Consolidated Balance Sheet at December 31, 2013.
	The Company provided a $6.3 million letter of credit expiring on March 19, 2019 to the landlord of CompuCom Systems, Inc.’s Dallas headquarters as required in connection with the sale of CompuCom Systems in 2004.
	The Company has agreements with certain employees that provide for severance payments to the employee in the event the employee is terminated without cause or an employee terminates his employment for “good reason.” The maximum aggregate exposure under the agreements was approximately $2.4 million at December 31, 2013. During the second quarter of 2013, a Company executive terminated his employment for "good reason." As a result of the termination, the Company recognized a severance charge of $0.9 million. During the year ended December 31, 2013, all the payments required to be made by the Company related to the severance charge were paid.

Supplemental_Cash_Flow_Informa

Supplemental Cash Flow Information	12 Months Ended
	Dec. 31, 2013
Supplemental Cash Flow Information [Abstract]	'
Supplemental Cash Flow Information	'
	Supplemental Cash Flow Information
	During the years ended December 31, 2013 and 2012, the Company converted $1.8 million and $0.4 million, respectively, of advances to partner companies into ownership interests in partner companies. Cash payments for interest in the years ended December 31, 2013, 2012 and 2011 were $2.9 million, $0.8 million and $0.4 million, respectively. In addition, during each of the years ended December 31, 2012 and 2011, interest payments of $4.8 million on the 2014 Debentures were made using restricted cash equivalents. Cash paid for taxes in the years ended December 31, 2013, 2012 and 2011 was $0.0 million in each year.

Operating_Segments

Operating Segments	12 Months Ended
	Dec. 31, 2013
Segment Reporting [Abstract]	'
Operating Segments	'
	Operating Segments
	As of December 31, 2013, the Company held interests in 22 non-consolidated partner companies which are included in the Healthcare and Technology segments. Included in the Penn Mezzanine segment are the Company's interests in the Penn Mezzanine management company and the general partner and the Company's participations in mezzanine loans and equity interests initiated by Penn Mezzanine.
	The Company’s active partner companies as of December 31, 2013 by segment were as follows for the years ended December 31, 2013, 2012 and 2011:
	Healthcare
		Safeguard Primary Ownership as of December 31,
	Partner Company	2013		2012	2011		Accounting Method
	AdvantEdge Healthcare Solutions, Inc.	40.10%		40.20%	40.20%		Equity
	Alverix, Inc.	48.50%		49.20%	49.60%		Equity
	Crescendo Bioscience, Inc.	12.60%		12.60%	NA		Cost
	Dabo Health, Inc.	8.00%		NA	NA		Cost
	Good Start Genetics, Inc.	30.00%		30.00%	26.30%		Equity
	Medivo, Inc.	34.50%		30.00%	30.00%		Equity
	NovaSom, Inc.	30.30%		30.30%	30.30%		Equity
	NuPathe Inc.	16.50%		17.80%	17.80%		Fair value (1)
	Putney, Inc.	27.60%		27.60%	27.60%		Equity
	Quantia, Inc.	35.10%		NA	NA		Equity
	Sotera Wireless, Inc.	7.30%		NA	NA		Cost
	-1	The Company’s ownership interest in NuPathe was accounted for as available-for-sale securities following NuPathe’ s completion of an initial public offering in August 2010. In October 2012, the Company participated in a private placement of NuPathe preferred stock units, and in conjunction with this financing the Company placed two persons on NuPathe’s board of directors. As a result, the Company determined that it exercised significant influence over NuPathe which made the equity method of accounting applicable to its ownership interests. Instead, the Company elected the fair value option beginning in October 2012.
	Technology
		Safeguard Primary Ownership as of December 31,
	Partner Company	2013		2012	2011		Accounting Method
	AppFirst, Inc.	34.30%		35.00%	NA		Equity
	Apprenda, Inc.	22.00%		NA	NA		Equity
	Beyond.com, Inc.	38.20%		38.30%	38.30%		Equity
	Bridgevine, Inc.	22.70%		21.70%	22.80%		Equity
	Clutch Holdings, Inc.	24.00%		NA	NA		Equity
	DriveFactor, Inc.	40.60%		35.40%	23.90%		Equity
	Hoopla Software, Inc.	25.30%		25.30%	28.00%		Equity
	Lumesis, Inc.	44.20%		31.60%	NA		Equity
	MediaMath, Inc.	22.50%		22.20%	22.40%		Equity
	Pneuron Corporation	27.60%		NA	NA		Equity
	Spongecell, Inc.	23.00%		23.10%	NA		Equity
	As of December 31, 2013, the Penn Mezzanine segment includes a 36% ownership interest in the management company and general partner of Penn Mezzanine L.P. The Company accounts for its interest under the equity method.
	Results of the Healthcare and Technology segments reflect the equity income (loss) of their respective equity method partner companies, other income (loss) associated with fair value method and cost method partner companies and the gains or losses on the sale of their respective partner companies. Results of the Penn Mezzanine segment includes interest, dividend and participation fees earned on the mezzanine interests in which the Company participates as well as equity income (loss) associated with the Company’s management company and general partner interest in the Penn Mezzanine platform.
	Management evaluates its Healthcare and Technology segments’ performance based on net loss which is based on the number of partner companies accounted for under the equity method, the Company’s voting ownership percentage in these partner companies and the net results of operations of these partner companies and any impairment charges or gain (loss) on the sale of, or mark-to-market, of partner companies.
	Management evaluates the Penn Mezzanine segment performance based on the performance of the mezzanine interests in which the Company participates. This includes an evaluation of the current and future cash flows associated with interest and dividend payments as well as estimated losses based on evaluating known and inherent risks in the investments in which the Company participates.
	Other Items include certain expenses which are not identifiable to the operations of the Company’s operating business segments. Other Items primarily consist of general and administrative expenses related to corporate operations, including employee compensation, insurance and professional fees, including legal and finance, interest income, interest expense, other income (loss) and equity income (loss) related to certain private equity fund ownership interests. Other Items also include income taxes, which are reviewed by management independent of segment results.
	As of December 31, 2013 and 2012, all of the Company’s assets were located in the United States.
	Segment assets in Other Items included primarily cash, cash equivalents, cash held in escrow and marketable securities of $183.7 million and $212.5 million at December 31, 2013 and 2012, respectively.
	The following represents segment data from operations:
								For the Year Ended December 31, 2013
		Healthcare			Technology				Penn			Total			Other			Total
									Mezzanine			Segments			Items
		(In thousands)
	Operating loss	$	—		$	—			$	(15	)	$	(15	)	$	(21,629	)	$	(21,644	)
	Interest income	—			—				1,506			1,506			1,140			2,646
	Equity income (loss)	(31,706		)	20,899				(2,096		)	(12,903		)	296			(12,607		)
	Net income (loss)	(32,563		)	20,899				888			(10,776		)	(24,749		)	(35,525		)
	Segment Assets:
	December 31, 2013	74,939			69,471				12,783			157,193			188,803			345,996
								For the Year Ended December 31, 2012
		Healthcare			Technology				Penn			Total			Other			Total
									Mezzanine			Segments			Items
		(In thousands)
	Operating loss	$	—		$	—			$	(10	)	$	(10	)	$	(19,463	)	$	(19,473	)
	Interest income	—			—				1,505			1,505			1,421			2,926
	Equity income (loss)	(26,544		)	(119		)		(317		)	(26,980		)	463			(26,517		)
	Net loss	(6,660		)	(119		)		(1,136		)	(7,915		)	(31,447		)	(39,362		)
	Segment Assets:
	December 31, 2012	83,500			58,753				12,153			154,406			219,738			374,144
								For the Year Ended December 31, 2011
									Penn			Total			Other
		Healthcare			Technology				Mezzanine			Segments			Items			Total
	(In thousands)
Operating loss	$	—		$	—			$	—		$	—		$	(21,168	)	$	(21,168	)
Interest income	—			—				210			210			1,214			1,424
Equity income (loss)	121,299			21,454				(71		)	142,682			(225		)	142,457
Net income (loss)	114,063			21,478				139			135,680			(25,083		)	110,597
Net loss from Other Items was as follows:
	Year Ended December 31,
	2013			2012				2011
	(In thousands)
Corporate operations	$	(24,749	)	$	(31,447	)		$	(25,083	)
Income tax benefit (expense)	—			—				—
	$	(24,749	)	$	(31,447	)		$	(25,083	)

Selected_Quarterly_Financial_I

Selected Quarterly Financial Information (Unaudited)	12 Months Ended
	Dec. 31, 2013
Quarterly Financial Information Disclosure [Abstract]	'
Selected Quarterly Financial Information (Unaudited)	'
	Selected Quarterly Financial Information (Unaudited)
		Three Months Ended
		March 31			June 30			September 30			December 31
		(In thousands except per share data)
	2013:00:00
	General and administrative expense	$	5,374		$	6,715		$	4,835		$	4,720
	Operating loss	(5,374		)	(6,715		)	(4,835		)	(4,720		)
	Other income (loss), net	757			(2,724		)	(4,224		)	6,574
	Interest income	734			790			572			550
	Interest expense	(1,069		)	(1,074		)	(1,077		)	(1,083		)
	Equity income (loss)	(6,987		)	(18,400		)	(9,866		)	22,646
	Net income (loss) before income taxes	(11,939		)	(28,123		)	(19,430		)	23,967
	Income tax benefit (expense)	—			—			—			—
	Net income (loss)	$	(11,939	)	$	(28,123	)	$	(19,430	)	$	23,967
	Net income (loss) per share (a)
	Basic	$	(0.57	)	$	(1.33	)	$	(0.90	)	$	1.1
	Diluted	$	(0.57	)	$	(1.33	)	$	(0.90	)	$	0.99
	2012:00:00
	General and administrative expense	$	4,743		$	5,148		$	4,790		$	4,792
	Operating loss	(4,743		)	(5,148		)	(4,790		)	(4,792		)
	Other income, net	3,084			4,819			91			1,344
	Interest income	899			595			696			736
	Interest expense	(1,452		)	(1,456		)	(1,461		)	(1,267		)
	Equity loss	(7,448		)	(8,947		)	(3,293		)	(6,829		)
	Net loss before income taxes	(9,660		)	(10,137		)	(8,757		)	(10,808		)
	Income tax benefit (expense)	—			—			—			—
	Net loss	$	(9,660	)	$	(10,137	)	$	(8,757	)	$	(10,808	)
	Net loss per share (a)
	Basic	$	(0.46	)	$	(0.48	)	$	(0.42	)	$	(0.51	)
	Diluted	$	(0.46	)	$	(0.48	)	$	(0.42	)	$	(0.51	)
	(a)	Per share amounts for the quarters have each been calculated separately. Accordingly, quarterly amounts may not add to the annual amounts because of differences in the average common shares outstanding during each period. Additionally, in regard to diluted per share amounts only, quarterly amounts may not add to the annual amounts because of the inclusion of the effect of potentially dilutive securities only in the periods in which such effect would have been dilutive, and because of the adjustments to net income (loss) for the dilutive effect of partner company common stock equivalents and convertible securities.

Subsequent_Events

Subsequent Events	12 Months Ended
	Dec. 31, 2013
Subsequent Events [Abstract]	'
Subsequent Events	'
	Subsequent Events
	In February 2014, Crescendo Bioscience was acquired by Myriad Genetics, Inc. The Company received approximately $38.4 million in cash proceeds in connection with the transaction, excluding $3.2 million which will be held in escrow for 15 months.
	In February 2014, NuPathe was acquired by Teva Pharmaceutical Industries Ltd. for $3.65 per share in cash. In addition to the upfront cash payment, NuPathe shareholders received rights to receive additional cash payments of up to $3.15 per share if specified milestones are achieved over time. The Company received initial net cash proceeds of $23.1 million as a result of the transaction. Depending on the achievement of the milestones, the Company may receive up to an additional $24.2 million.
	In January 2014, Alverix was acquired by Becton, Dickinson and Company. The Company received cash proceeds of $15.7 million, excluding $1.7 million which will be held in escrow for approximately 18 months.

Significant_Accounting_Policie1

Significant Accounting Policies (Policies)	12 Months Ended
	Dec. 31, 2013
Accounting Policies [Abstract]	'
Principles of Consolidation	'
	Principles of Consolidation
	The consolidated financial statements include the accounts of Safeguard and all of its subsidiaries in which a controlling financial interest is maintained. All intercompany accounts and transactions are eliminated in consolidation.
Principles of Accounting for Ownership Interests in Companies	'
	Principles of Accounting for Ownership Interests in Companies
	The Company’s ownership interests in its partner companies and private equity funds are accounted for using one of the following methods: consolidation, equity, cost, fair value and available-for-sale. The accounting method applied is generally determined by the degree of the Company’s influence over the entity, primarily determined by its voting interest in the entity.
	In addition to holding voting and non-voting equity and debt securities, the Company also periodically makes advances to its partner companies in the form of promissory notes which are included in the Ownership interests in and advances to partner companies and funds line item in the Consolidated Balance Sheets.
	Consolidation Method. The Company generally accounts for partner companies in which it directly or indirectly owns more than 50% of the outstanding voting securities under the consolidation method of accounting. Under this method, the Company includes the partner companies’ financial statements within the Company’s Consolidated Financial Statements, and all significant intercompany accounts and transactions are eliminated. The Company reflects participation of other stockholders in the net assets and in the income or losses of these consolidated partner companies in Equity in the Consolidated Balance Sheets and in Net (income) loss attributable to non-controlling interest in the Statements of Operations. Net (income) loss attributable to non-controlling interest adjusts the Company’s consolidated operating results to reflect only the Company’s share of the earnings or losses of the consolidated partner company. The Company accounts for results of operations and cash flows of a consolidated partner company through the latest date in which it holds a controlling interest. If the Company subsequently relinquishes control but retains an interest in the partner company, the accounting method is adjusted to the equity, cost or fair value method of accounting, as appropriate. As of December 31, 2013 and for each of the three years in the period then ended, the Company did not hold a controlling interest in any of its partner companies.
	Fair Value Method. The Company accounts for its holdings in NuPathe, a publicly traded partner company, under the fair value method of accounting beginning in October 2012. Unrealized gains and losses on the mark-to-market of the Company’s holdings in fair value method companies and realized gains and losses on the sale of any holdings in fair value method companies are recognized in Other income (loss), net in the Consolidated Statements of Operations.
	Equity Method. The Company accounts for partner companies whose results are not consolidated, but over which it exercises significant influence, under the equity method of accounting. Whether or not the Company exercises significant influence with respect to a partner company depends on an evaluation of several factors including, among others, representation of the Company on the partner company’s board of directors and the Company’s ownership level, which is generally a 20% to 50% interest in the voting securities of a partner company, including voting rights associated with the Company’s holdings in common, preferred and other convertible instruments in the company. The Company also accounts for its interests in some private equity funds under the equity method of accounting based on its non-controlling general and limited partner interests in such funds. Under the equity method of accounting, the Company does not reflect a partner company’s financial statements within the Company’s Consolidated Financial Statements; however, the Company’s share of the income or loss of such partner company is reflected in Equity income (loss) in the Consolidated Statements of Operations. The Company includes the carrying value of equity method partner companies in Ownership interests in and advances to partner companies and funds on the Consolidated Balance Sheets. Any excess of the Company’s cost over its underlying interest in the net assets of equity method partner companies allocated to intangible assets is amortized over the estimated useful lives of the related intangible assets. The Company reflects its share of the income or loss of the equity method partner companies on a one quarter lag. This reporting lag could result in a delay in recognition of the impact of changes in the business or operations of these partner companies.
	When the Company’s carrying value in an equity method partner company is reduced to zero, the Company records no further losses in its Consolidated Statements of Operations unless the Company has an outstanding guarantee obligation or has committed additional funding to such equity method partner company. When such equity method partner company subsequently reports income, the Company will not record its share of such income until it exceeds the amount of the Company’s share of losses not previously recognized.
	Cost Method. The Company accounts for partner companies not consolidated or accounted for under the equity method or fair value method under the cost method of accounting. Under the cost method, the Company does not include its share of the income or losses of partner companies in the Company’s Consolidated Statements of Operations. The Company includes the carrying value of cost method partner companies in Ownership interests in and advances to partner companies and funds on the Consolidated Balance Sheets.
	Available-for-Sale Securities. The Company accounts for its ownership interest in former partner company Tengion, Inc. as available-for-sale securities. In addition, for the period from its initial public offering in August 2010 through October 2012, the Company’s ownership interest in NuPathe was accounted for as available-for-sale securities. Available-for-sale securities are carried at fair value, based on quoted market prices, with the unrealized gains and losses, net of tax, reported as a separate component of equity. Unrealized losses are charged against net income (loss) when a decline in the fair value is determined to be other than temporary.
Accounting Estimates	'
	Accounting Estimates
	The preparation of the Consolidated Financial Statements in accordance with accounting principles generally accepted in the United States of America requires management to make estimates and judgments that affect amounts reported in the financial statements and accompanying notes. Actual results may differ from these estimates. These estimates include the evaluation of the recoverability of the Company’s ownership interests in and advances to partner companies and funds and investments in marketable securities, income taxes, stock-based compensation and commitments and contingencies. Management evaluates its estimates on an ongoing basis using historical experience and other factors, including the current economic environment, which management believes to be reasonable under the circumstances.
	Certain amounts recorded to reflect the Company’s share of income or losses of partner companies accounted for under the equity method are based on unaudited results of operations of those companies and may require adjustments in the future when audits of these entities’ financial statements are completed.
	It is reasonably possible that the Company’s accounting estimates with respect to the ultimate recoverability of the carrying value of the Company’s ownership interests in and advances to partner companies and funds could change in the near term and that the effect of such changes on the financial statements could be material. At December 31, 2013, the Company believes the carrying value of the Company’s ownership interests in and advances to partner companies and funds is not impaired, although there can be no assurance that the Company’s future results will confirm this assessment, that a significant write-down or write-off will not be required in the future, or that a significant loss will not be recorded in the future upon the sale of a company.
Cash and Cash Equivalents and Marketable Securities	'
	Cash and Cash Equivalents and Marketable Securities
	The Company considers all highly liquid instruments with an original maturity of 90 days or less at the time of purchase to be cash equivalents. Cash and cash equivalents consist of deposits that are readily convertible into cash. The Company determines the appropriate classification of marketable securities at the time of purchase and reevaluates such designation as of each balance sheet date. Held-to-maturity securities are carried at amortized cost, which approximates fair value. Marketable securities consist of held-to-maturity securities, primarily consisting of government agency bonds, commercial paper and certificates of deposits. Marketable securities with a maturity date greater than one year from the balance sheet date are considered long-term. The Company has not experienced any significant losses on cash equivalents and does not believe it is exposed to any significant credit risk on cash and cash equivalents.
Restricted Cash Equivalents	'
	Restricted Marketable Securities
	Restricted marketable securities consist of certificates of deposit with various maturity dates.
Financial Instruments	'
	Financial Instruments
	The Company’s financial instruments (principally cash and cash equivalents, marketable securities, restricted cash equivalents, accounts receivable, notes receivable, accounts payable and accrued expenses) are carried at cost, which approximates fair value due to the short-term maturity of these instruments. The Company’s warrant participations are carried at fair value. The Company’s long-term debt is carried at cost. At December 31, 2013, the market value of the Company’s outstanding debentures was approximately $69.9 million based on the midpoint of bid and ask prices as of that date.
Accounting for Participating Interests in Mezzanine Loans Receivable and Related Equity Interests	'
	Accounting for Participating Interests in Mezzanine Loans Receivable and Related Equity Interests
	In 2011, the Company acquired a 36% ownership interest in the management company and general partner of Penn Mezzanine L.P. Penn Mezzanine is a mezzanine lender focused on lower middle-market, Mid-Atlantic companies. From such acquisition through December 31, 2013, through its relationship with Penn Mezzanine, the Company acquired participating interests in mezzanine loans and related equity interests of the borrowers. In certain instances, these interests also included warrants to purchase common stock of the borrowers. The Company’s accounting policies for these participating interests are as follows:
	Loan Participations Receivable
	The Company’s participating interests in Penn Mezzanine loans are included in Loan participations receivable on the Consolidated Balance Sheets. On a periodic basis, but no less frequently than at the end of each quarter, the Company evaluates the carrying value of each loan participation receivable for impairment. A loan participation receivable is considered impaired when it is probable that the Company will be unable to collect all amounts (principal and interest) due according to the contractual terms of the participation agreement and related agreements with the borrowers. The Company maintains an allowance to provide for estimated loan losses based on evaluating known and inherent risks in the loans. The allowance is provided based upon management’s analysis of the pertinent factors underlying the quality of the loans. These factors include an analysis of the financial condition of the individual borrowers, delinquency levels, actual loan loss experience, current economic conditions and other relevant factors. The Company’s analysis includes methods to estimate the fair value of loan collateral and the existence of potential alternative sources of repayment. The Company does not accrue interest when a loan is considered impaired. All cash receipts from an impaired loan are applied to reduce the original principal amount of such loan until the principal has been fully recovered and would be recognized as interest income thereafter. The allowance for loan losses at December 31, 2013 and 2012 was $2.3 million and $2.0 million, respectively.
	Penn Mezzanine charges fees to borrowers for originating loans. The Company’s participating interest in these fees, net of any loan origination costs, is deferred and amortized to income using the effective interest method, over the term of the loan. If the loan is repaid prior to maturity, the remaining unamortized deferred loan origination fee is recognized in income at the time of repayment. Unamortized deferred loan origination fees are recorded as a contra asset against Loan participations receivable on the Consolidated Balance Sheets.
	Equity Participations
	The Company’s participation in equity interests acquired by Penn Mezzanine is accounted for under the cost method of accounting. On a periodic basis, but no less frequently than at the end of each quarter, the Company evaluates the carrying value of its participation in these equity interests for possible impairment based on achievement of business plan objectives and milestones, the fair value of the equity interest relative to its carrying value, the financial condition and prospects of the underlying company and other relevant factors. The Company’s participating interests in equity interests acquired by Penn Mezzanine are included in Other assets on the Consolidated Balance Sheets.
	Warrant Participations
	The Company recognizes its participation in warrants acquired by Penn Mezzanine based on the fair value of the warrants at the balance sheet date. The fair values of warrant participations are bifurcated from the related loan participations receivable based on the relative fair value of the respective instruments at the acquisition date. The resulting discount is amortized to interest income over the term of the loan using the effective interest method. Any gain or loss associated with changes in the fair value of the warrants at the balance sheet date is recorded in Other income (loss), net in the Consolidated Statements of Operations. The fair value of the warrants is determined based on Level 3 inputs and is included in Other assets on the Consolidated Balance Sheets.
Property and Equipment	'
	Property and Equipment
	Property and equipment are stated at cost. Provision for depreciation and amortization is based on the lesser of the estimated useful lives of the assets or the remaining lease term (buildings and leasehold improvements, 5 to 15 years; office equipment, 3 to 15 years) and is computed using the straight-line method.
Impairment of Ownership Interests In and Advances to Partner Companies and Funds	'
	Impairment of Ownership Interests In and Advances to Partner Companies and Funds
	On a periodic basis, but no less frequently than quarterly, the Company evaluates the carrying value of its equity and cost method partner companies and available-for-sale securities for possible impairment based on achievement of business plan objectives and milestones, the fair value of each partner company relative to its carrying value, the financial condition and prospects of the partner company and other relevant factors. The business plan objectives and milestones the Company considers include, among others, those related to financial performance, such as achievement of planned financial results or completion of capital raising activities, and those that are not primarily financial in nature, such as hiring of key employees or the establishment of strategic relationships. Management then determines whether there has been an other than temporary decline in the value of its ownership interest in the company or value of available-for-sale securities. Impairment is measured as the amount by which the carrying value of an asset exceeds its fair value.
	The fair value of privately held companies is generally determined based on the value at which independent third parties have invested or have committed to invest in these companies or based on other valuation methods, including discounted cash flows, valuation of comparable public companies and the valuation of acquisitions of similar companies. The fair value of the Company’s ownership interests in private equity funds generally is determined based on the fair value of its pro rata portion of the funds’ net assets.
	Impairment charges related to equity method partner companies and funds are included in Equity income (loss) in the Consolidated Statements of Operations. Impairment charges related to cost method partner companies and funds and available-for-sale securities are included in Other income (loss), net in the Consolidated Statements of Operations.
	The reduced cost basis of a previously impaired partner company is not written-up if circumstances suggest the value of the company has subsequently recovered.
Defined Contribution Plans	'
	Defined Contribution Plans
	Defined contribution plans are contributory and cover eligible employees of the Company. The Company’s defined contribution plan allows eligible employees, as defined in the plan, to contribute to the plan up to 75% of their pre-tax compensation, subject to the maximum contributions allowed by the Internal Revenue Code. The Company makes matching contributions under the plan.
Income Taxes	'
	Income Taxes
	The Company accounts for income taxes under the asset and liability method whereby deferred tax assets and liabilities are recognized for the estimated future tax consequences attributable to differences between the financial statement carrying amounts of existing assets and liabilities and their respective tax bases. The Company measures deferred tax assets and liabilities using enacted tax rates in effect for the year in which the temporary differences are expected to be recovered or settled. The Company recognizes the effect on deferred tax assets and liabilities of a change in tax rates in income in the period of the enactment date. The Company provides valuation allowances against the net deferred tax asset for amounts which are not considered more likely than not to be realized.
Net Income (Loss) Per Share	'
	Net Income (Loss) Per Share
	The Company computes net income (loss) per share using the weighted average number of common shares outstanding during each year. The Company includes in diluted net income (loss) per share common stock equivalents (unless anti-dilutive) which would arise from the exercise of stock options and conversion of other convertible securities and adjusted, if applicable, for the effect on net income (loss) of such transactions. Diluted net income (loss) per share calculations adjust net income (loss) for the dilutive effect of common stock equivalents and convertible securities issued by the Company’s consolidated or equity method partner companies.
Comprehensive Income (Loss)	'
	Comprehensive Income (Loss)
	Comprehensive income (loss) is the change in equity of a business enterprise during a period from non-owner sources. Excluding net income (loss), the Company’s sources of other comprehensive income (loss) are from net unrealized appreciation (depreciation) on available-for-sale securities. Reclassification adjustments result from the recognition in net income (loss) of unrealized gains or losses that were included in comprehensive income (loss) in prior periods.
Segment Information	'
	Segment Information
	The Company reports segment data based on the management approach which designates the internal reporting used by management for making operating decisions and assessing performance as the source of the Company’s reportable operating segments.

Ownership_Interests_in_and_Adv1

Ownership Interests in and Advances to Partner Companies and Funds (Tables)	12 Months Ended
	Dec. 31, 2013
Ownership Interests in and Advances to Partner Companies and Funds [Abstract]	'
Summary of the carrying value of the Company's ownership interests in and advances to partner companies and private equity funds	'
	The following summarizes the carrying value of the Company’s ownership interests in and advances to partner companies and private equity funds.
		31-Dec-13			31-Dec-12
		(In thousands)
	Fair value	$	20,057		$	20,972
	Equity Method:
	Partner companies	108,872			102,931
	Private equity funds	1,766			3,810
		110,638			106,741
	Cost Method:
	Partner companies	13,480			10,000
	Private equity funds	2,418			2,634
		15,898			12,634
	Advances to partner companies	1,986			8,292
		$	148,579		$	148,639
	Loan participations receivable	$	8,135		$	7,085
	Available-for-sale securities	$	15		$	58
Results of Operation	'
		Year Ended December 31,
		2013			2012			2011
		(In thousands)
	Results of Operations:
	Revenue	$	273,754		$	191,928		$	117,057
	Gross profit	$	125,766		$	90,876		$	63,160
	Net loss	$	(52,489	)	$	(79,662	)	$	(38,468	)
		Six Months Ended
		30-Jun-13			30-Jun-12
		(In thousands)
	Results of Operations:
	Revenue	$	800		$	569
	Operating loss	$	(12,219	)	$	(16,172	)
	Net loss	$	(14,838	)	$	(16,923	)
Unaudited Financial Information	'
		As of December 31,
		2013			2012
		(In thousands)
	Balance Sheets:
	Current assets	$	221,001		$	168,246
	Non-current assets	90,042			74,555
	Total assets	$	311,043		$	242,801
	Current liabilities	$	153,398		$	125,491
	Non-current liabilities	75,324			37,384
	Shareholders’ equity	82,321			79,926
	Total liabilities and shareholders’ equity	$	311,043		$	242,801
	The following unaudited summarized balance sheets for PixelOptics at June 30, 2013 and December 31, 2012 and the results of operations for the six months ended June 30, 2013 and 2012, have been compiled from the unaudited financial statements of PixelOptics.  The results of PixelOptics are reported on a one quarter lag.
		As of June 30,			As of December 31,
		2013			2012
		(In thousands)
	Balance Sheets:
	Current assets	$	285		$	323
	Non-current assets	4,588			5,259
	Total assets	$	4,873		$	5,582
	Current liabilities	$	56,721		$	34,184
	Non-current liabilities	1,818			10,228
	Shareholders’ equity	(53,666		)	(38,830		)
	Total liabilities and shareholders’ equity	$	4,873		$	5,582

Fair_Value_Measurements_Tables

Fair Value Measurements (Tables)	12 Months Ended
	Dec. 31, 2013
Fair Value Disclosures [Abstract]	'
Carrying Value and Fair Value of Certain Financial Assets and Liabilities Measured at Fair Value on Recurring Basis	'
	The following table provides the carrying value and fair value of certain financial assets and liabilities of the Company measured at fair value on a recurring basis as of December 31, 2013 and 2012:
		Carrying		Fair Value Measurement at December 31, 2013
		Value		Level 1		Level 2		Level 3
		(in thousands)
	Cash and cash equivalents	$	139,318	$	139,318	$	—	$	—
	Restricted marketable securities	5		5		—		—
	Ownership interest in common stock of NuPathe	16,874		16,874		—		—
	Ownership interest in warrants and options of NuPathe	3,183		—		—		3,183
	Available-for-sale securities	15		15		—		—
	Warrant participations	1,563		—		—		1,563
	Marketable securities—held-to-maturity:
	Commercial paper	$	13,599	$	13,599	$	—	$	—
	U.S. Treasury Bills	8,014		8,014		—		—
	Government agency bonds	9,945		9,945		—		—
	Certificates of deposit	12,780		12,780		—		—
	Total marketable securities	$	44,338	$	44,338	$	—	$	—
		Carrying		Fair Value Measurement at December 31, 2012
		Value		Level 1		Level 2		Level 3
		(In thousands)
	Cash and cash equivalents	$	66,029	$	66,029	$	—	$	—
	Cash held in escrow	6,434		6,434		—		—
	Restricted marketable securities	10		10		—		—
	Ownership interest in common stock of NuPathe	8,897		8,897		—		—
	Ownership interest in preferred stock, warrants and options of NuPathe	12,075		—		—		12,075
	Available-for-sale securities	58		58		—		—
	Warrant participations	423		—		—		423
	Marketable securities—held-to-maturity:
	Commercial paper	$	50,932	$	50,932	$	—	$	—
	U.S. Treasury Bills	21,352		21,352		—		—
	Government agency bonds	45,909		45,909		—		—
	Certificates of deposit	21,823		21,823		—		—
	Total marketable securities	$	140,016	$	140,016	$	—	$	—

Property_and_Equipment_Tables

Property and Equipment (Tables)	12 Months Ended
	Dec. 31, 2013
Property, Plant and Equipment [Abstract]	'
Property and Equipment	'
	Property and equipment consisted of the following:
		As of December 31,
		2013			2012
		(In thousands)
	Building and improvements	$	607		$	607
	Office equipment	1,039			1,002
		1,646			1,609
	Accumulated depreciation	(1,508		)	(1,416		)
		$	138		$	193

Convertible_Debentures_and_Cre1

Convertible Debentures and Credit Arrangements (Tables)	12 Months Ended
	Dec. 31, 2013
Debt Disclosure [Abstract]	'
Convertible Senior Debentures	'
	The carrying values of the Company’s convertible senior debentures were as follows:
		As of December 31,
		2013			2012
		(In thousands)
	Convertible senior debentures due 2018	$	49,478		$	48,483
	Convertible senior debentures due 2024	441			441
	Convertible senior debentures due 2014	29			67
		49,948			48,991
	Less: current portion	(470		)	—
	Convertible senior debentures — non-current	$	49,478		$	48,991

Accrued_Expenses_and_Other_Cur1

Accrued Expenses and Other Current Liabilities (Tables)	12 Months Ended
	Dec. 31, 2013
Payables and Accruals [Abstract]	'
Accrued Expenses	'
	Accrued expenses and other current liabilities consisted of the following:
		As of December 31,
		2013		2012
		(In thousands)
	Accrued interest	$	366	$	335
	Other	2,065		2,266
		$	2,431	$	2,601

StockBased_Compensation_Tables

Stock-Based Compensation (Tables)	12 Months Ended
	Dec. 31, 2013
Disclosure of Compensation Related Costs, Share-based Payments [Abstract]	'
Stock-Based Compensation Expense	'
	Stock-based compensation expense was recognized in the Consolidated Statements of Operations as follows:
		Year Ended December 31,
		2013			2012				2011
		(In thousands)
	General and administrative expense	$	1,821		$	2,014			$	3,052
		$	1,821		$	2,014			$	3,052
Assumptions Used in Valuation of Option Granted	'
	Assumptions used in the valuation of options granted in each period were as follows:
		Year Ended December 31,
		2013		2012			2011
	Service-Based Awards
	Dividend yield	0	%	0	%		0	%
	Expected volatility	52	%	56	%		57	%
	Average expected option life	5 years		5 years			5 years
	Risk-free interest rate	1.3	%	0.8	%		1.4	%
		Year Ended December 31,
		2013		2012			2011
	Performance-Based Awards
	Dividend yield	0	%	0	%		0	%
	Expected volatility	46	%	55	%		57	%
	Average expected option life	4.7 years		5.5 years			5.8 years
	Risk-free interest rate	1.8	%	0.8	%		0.9	%
Option Activity	'
	Option activity of the Company is summarized below:
		Shares		Weighted				Weighted Average		Aggregate
				Average				Remaining		Intrinsic
				Exercise Price				Contractual Life		Value
		(In thousands)						(In years)		(In thousands)
	Outstanding at December 31, 2010	3,321		$	9.83
	Options granted	314		16.55
	Options exercised	(124	)	11.32
	Options canceled/forfeited	(293	)	11.03
	Outstanding at December 31, 2011	3,218		10.32
	Options granted	293		14.91
	Options exercised	(211	)	10.22
	Options canceled/forfeited	(13	)	13.48
	Outstanding at December 31, 2012	3,287		10.72
	Options granted	120		15.61
	Options exercised	(612	)	8.44
	Options canceled/forfeited	(967	)	9.38
	Outstanding at December 31, 2013	1,828		12.51				3.91		$	12,586
	Options exercisable at December 31, 2013	822		11.67				2.52		6,334
	Options vested and expected to vest at December 31, 2013	1,566		12.23				3.37		11,192
	Shares available for future grant	598
Deferred Stock Unit, Performance-Based Stock Unit and Restricted Stock Activity	'
	Deferred stock unit, performance-based stock unit and restricted stock activity are summarized below:
		Shares		Weighted Average
				Grant Date Fair
				Value
		(In thousands)
	Unvested at December 31, 2011	253		$	13.1
	Granted	151		15
	Vested	(53	)	13.58
	Forfeited	(4	)	13.67
	Unvested at December 31, 2012	347		13.85
	Granted	167		17.45
	Vested	(67	)	16.73
	Forfeited	(130	)	13.35
	Unvested at December 31, 2013	317		15.34

Other_Income_Loss_Net_Tables

Other Income (Loss), Net (Tables)	12 Months Ended
	Dec. 31, 2013
Other Income and Expenses [Abstract]	'
Other Income (Loss), Net	'
		Year Ended December 31,
		2013			2012			2011
		(In thousands)
	Loss on repurchase of convertible debentures	$	—		$	(7,895	)	$	—
	Gain on sale of companies and funds, net	—			9,004			—
	Gain (loss) on mark-to-market of holdings in fair value method partner companies	(915		)	11,035			—
	Impairment charges on cost method partner companies and private equity funds	(250		)	(350		)	—
	Gain on mark-to-market of Penn Mezzanine warrants	1,146			264			—
	Impairment charges on Penn Mezzanine loan and equity participations	(295		)	(2,489		)	—
	Other than temporary impairment on available-for-sale securities	(43		)	(260		)	(7,451		)
	Other	740			29			1,306
		$	383		$	9,338		$	(6,145	)

Income_Taxes_Tables

Income Taxes (Tables)	12 Months Ended
	Dec. 31, 2013
Income Tax Disclosure [Abstract]	'
Differences Between United States Federal Income Tax Rate and Effective Income Tax Rate	'
	The total income tax provision (benefit) differed from the amounts computed by applying the U.S. federal income tax rate of 35% to net income (loss) before income taxes as a result of the following:
		Year Ended December 31,
		2013			2012			2011
	Statutory tax (benefit) expense	(35.0	)%		(35.0	)%		35	%
	Increase (decrease) in taxes resulting from:
	Valuation allowance	34.7			34.7			(35.3	)
	Other adjustments	0.3			0.3			0.3
		0	%		0	%		0	%
Deferred Tax Assets and Deferred Tax Liabilities	'
	The tax effects of temporary differences that gave rise to significant portions of the deferred tax assets were as follows:
		As of December 31,
		2013				2012
		(In thousands)
	Deferred tax asset:
	Carrying values of partner companies and other holdings	$	59,045			$	52,602
	Tax loss and credit carryforwards	82,403				75,369
	Accrued expenses	2,043				1,860
	Stock-based compensation	5,005				7,942
	Other	1,560				1,557
		150,056				139,330
	Valuation allowance	(150,056		)		(139,330		)
	Net deferred tax liability	$	—			$	—
Carryforwards Expiration	'
	As of December 31, 2013, the Company and its subsidiaries consolidated for tax purposes had federal net operating loss carryforwards of approximately $224.3 million. These carryforwards expire as follows:
		Total
		(In thousands)
	2014	$	—
	2015	—
	2016	—
	2017	—
	2018 and thereafter	224,307
		$	224,307

Net_Income_Loss_Per_Share_Tabl

Net Income (Loss) Per Share (Tables)	12 Months Ended
	Dec. 31, 2013
Earnings Per Share [Abstract]	'
Calculations of Net Income (Loss) Per Share	'
	The calculations of net income (loss) per share were:
		Year Ended December 31,
		2013			2012			2011
		(In thousands except per share data)
	Basic:
	Net income (loss)	$	(35,525	)	$	(39,362	)	$	110,597
	Average common shares outstanding	21,362			20,974			20,764
	Net income (loss) per share	$	(1.66	)	$	(1.88	)	$	5.33
	Diluted:
	Net income (loss)	$	(35,525	)	$	(39,362	)	$	110,597
	Interest on convertible senior debentures	—			—			5,750
	Net income (loss) for diluted per share calculation	$	(35,525	)	$	(39,362	)	$	116,347
	Number of shares used in basic per share computation	21,362			20,974			20,764
	Effect of dilutive securities:
	Convertible senior debentures	—			—			3,009
	Unvested restricted stock and DSUs	—			—			60
	Employee stock options	—			—			689
	Number of shares used in diluted per share computation	21,362			20,974			24,522
	Net income (loss) per share	$	(1.66	)	$	(1.88	)	$	4.74

Operating_Segments_Tables

Operating Segments (Tables)	12 Months Ended
	Dec. 31, 2013
Segment Reporting [Abstract]	'
Active Partner Companies by Segment	'
	The Company’s active partner companies as of December 31, 2013 by segment were as follows for the years ended December 31, 2013, 2012 and 2011:
	Healthcare
		Safeguard Primary Ownership as of December 31,
	Partner Company	2013		2012	2011		Accounting Method
	AdvantEdge Healthcare Solutions, Inc.	40.10%		40.20%	40.20%		Equity
	Alverix, Inc.	48.50%		49.20%	49.60%		Equity
	Crescendo Bioscience, Inc.	12.60%		12.60%	NA		Cost
	Dabo Health, Inc.	8.00%		NA	NA		Cost
	Good Start Genetics, Inc.	30.00%		30.00%	26.30%		Equity
	Medivo, Inc.	34.50%		30.00%	30.00%		Equity
	NovaSom, Inc.	30.30%		30.30%	30.30%		Equity
	NuPathe Inc.	16.50%		17.80%	17.80%		Fair value (1)
	Putney, Inc.	27.60%		27.60%	27.60%		Equity
	Quantia, Inc.	35.10%		NA	NA		Equity
	Sotera Wireless, Inc.	7.30%		NA	NA		Cost
	-1	The Company’s ownership interest in NuPathe was accounted for as available-for-sale securities following NuPathe’ s completion of an initial public offering in August 2010. In October 2012, the Company participated in a private placement of NuPathe preferred stock units, and in conjunction with this financing the Company placed two persons on NuPathe’s board of directors. As a result, the Company determined that it exercised significant influence over NuPathe which made the equity method of accounting applicable to its ownership interests. Instead, the Company elected the fair value option beginning in October 2012.
	Technology
		Safeguard Primary Ownership as of December 31,
	Partner Company	2013		2012	2011		Accounting Method
	AppFirst, Inc.	34.30%		35.00%	NA		Equity
	Apprenda, Inc.	22.00%		NA	NA		Equity
	Beyond.com, Inc.	38.20%		38.30%	38.30%		Equity
	Bridgevine, Inc.	22.70%		21.70%	22.80%		Equity
	Clutch Holdings, Inc.	24.00%		NA	NA		Equity
	DriveFactor, Inc.	40.60%		35.40%	23.90%		Equity
	Hoopla Software, Inc.	25.30%		25.30%	28.00%		Equity
	Lumesis, Inc.	44.20%		31.60%	NA		Equity
	MediaMath, Inc.	22.50%		22.20%	22.40%		Equity
	Pneuron Corporation	27.60%		NA	NA		Equity
	Spongecell, Inc.	23.00%		23.10%	NA		Equity
Segment Data from Operations	'
	The following represents segment data from operations:
								For the Year Ended December 31, 2013
		Healthcare			Technology				Penn			Total			Other			Total
									Mezzanine			Segments			Items
		(In thousands)
	Operating loss	$	—		$	—			$	(15	)	$	(15	)	$	(21,629	)	$	(21,644	)
	Interest income	—			—				1,506			1,506			1,140			2,646
	Equity income (loss)	(31,706		)	20,899				(2,096		)	(12,903		)	296			(12,607		)
	Net income (loss)	(32,563		)	20,899				888			(10,776		)	(24,749		)	(35,525		)
	Segment Assets:
	December 31, 2013	74,939			69,471				12,783			157,193			188,803			345,996
								For the Year Ended December 31, 2012
		Healthcare			Technology				Penn			Total			Other			Total
									Mezzanine			Segments			Items
		(In thousands)
	Operating loss	$	—		$	—			$	(10	)	$	(10	)	$	(19,463	)	$	(19,473	)
	Interest income	—			—				1,505			1,505			1,421			2,926
	Equity income (loss)	(26,544		)	(119		)		(317		)	(26,980		)	463			(26,517		)
	Net loss	(6,660		)	(119		)		(1,136		)	(7,915		)	(31,447		)	(39,362		)
	Segment Assets:
	December 31, 2012	83,500			58,753				12,153			154,406			219,738			374,144
								For the Year Ended December 31, 2011
									Penn			Total			Other
		Healthcare			Technology				Mezzanine			Segments			Items			Total
		(In thousands)
	Operating loss	$	—		$	—			$	—		$	—		$	(21,168	)	$	(21,168	)
	Interest income	—			—				210			210			1,214			1,424
	Equity income (loss)	121,299			21,454				(71		)	142,682			(225		)	142,457
	Net income (loss)	114,063			21,478				139			135,680			(25,083		)	110,597
Net Loss from Other Items	'
	Net loss from Other Items was as follows:
		Year Ended December 31,
		2013			2012				2011
		(In thousands)
	Corporate operations	$	(24,749	)	$	(31,447	)		$	(25,083	)
	Income tax benefit (expense)	—			—				—
		$	(24,749	)	$	(31,447	)		$	(25,083	)

Selected_Quarterly_Financial_I1

Selected Quarterly Financial Information (Unaudited) (Tables)	12 Months Ended
	Dec. 31, 2013
Quarterly Financial Information Disclosure [Abstract]	'
Selected Quarterly Financial Information	'
		Three Months Ended
		March 31			June 30			September 30			December 31
		(In thousands except per share data)
	2013:00:00
	General and administrative expense	$	5,374		$	6,715		$	4,835		$	4,720
	Operating loss	(5,374		)	(6,715		)	(4,835		)	(4,720		)
	Other income (loss), net	757			(2,724		)	(4,224		)	6,574
	Interest income	734			790			572			550
	Interest expense	(1,069		)	(1,074		)	(1,077		)	(1,083		)
	Equity income (loss)	(6,987		)	(18,400		)	(9,866		)	22,646
	Net income (loss) before income taxes	(11,939		)	(28,123		)	(19,430		)	23,967
	Income tax benefit (expense)	—			—			—			—
	Net income (loss)	$	(11,939	)	$	(28,123	)	$	(19,430	)	$	23,967
	Net income (loss) per share (a)
	Basic	$	(0.57	)	$	(1.33	)	$	(0.90	)	$	1.1
	Diluted	$	(0.57	)	$	(1.33	)	$	(0.90	)	$	0.99
	2012:00:00
	General and administrative expense	$	4,743		$	5,148		$	4,790		$	4,792
	Operating loss	(4,743		)	(5,148		)	(4,790		)	(4,792		)
	Other income, net	3,084			4,819			91			1,344
	Interest income	899			595			696			736
	Interest expense	(1,452		)	(1,456		)	(1,461		)	(1,267		)
	Equity loss	(7,448		)	(8,947		)	(3,293		)	(6,829		)
	Net loss before income taxes	(9,660		)	(10,137		)	(8,757		)	(10,808		)
	Income tax benefit (expense)	—			—			—			—
	Net loss	$	(9,660	)	$	(10,137	)	$	(8,757	)	$	(10,808	)
	Net loss per share (a)
	Basic	$	(0.46	)	$	(0.48	)	$	(0.42	)	$	(0.51	)
	Diluted	$	(0.46	)	$	(0.48	)	$	(0.42	)	$	(0.51	)
	(a)	Per share amounts for the quarters have each been calculated separately. Accordingly, quarterly amounts may not add to the annual amounts because of differences in the average common shares outstanding during each period. Additionally, in regard to diluted per share amounts only, quarterly amounts may not add to the annual amounts because of the inclusion of the effect of potentially dilutive securities only in the periods in which such effect would have been dilutive, and because of the adjustments to net income (loss) for the dilutive effect of partner company common stock equivalents and convertible securities.

Significant_Accounting_Policie2

Significant Accounting Policies Description of the Company Narrative (Details) (USD $)	12 Months Ended
	Dec. 31, 2013
	segment
Description Of Company And Significant Accounting Policies [Line Items]	'
Number of reportable segments	2
Initial And Ongoing Capital Requirement [Member] | Minimum [Member]	'
Description Of Company And Significant Accounting Policies [Line Items]	'
Initial capital contribution	5,000,000
Follow-on financings	5,000,000
Initial And Ongoing Capital Requirement [Member] | Maximum [Member]	'
Description Of Company And Significant Accounting Policies [Line Items]	'
Initial capital contribution	15,000,000
Follow-on financings	10,000,000
Anticipated contribution to partner companies	25,000,000

Significant_Accounting_Policie3

Significant Accounting Policies Financial Instruments (Details) (USD $)	Dec. 31, 2013
In Millions, unless otherwise specified
Accounting Policies [Abstract]	'
Market value of outstanding debentures	$69.90

Significant_Accounting_Policie4

Significant Accounting Policies Accounting for Participating Interests in Mezzanine Loans Receivable and Related Equity Interests (Details) (USD $)	Dec. 31, 2013	Dec. 31, 2012	Dec. 31, 2013	Aug. 31, 2011
In Millions, unless otherwise specified			Penn Mezzanine [Member]	Penn Mezzanine [Member]
Description Of Company And Significant Accounting Policies [Line Items]	'	'	'	'
Percentage of ownership interest acquired	'	'	36.00%	36.00%
Loans and Leases Receivable, Allowance	$2.30	$2	'	'

Significant_Accounting_Policie5

Significant Accounting Policies Property and Equipment (Detail)	12 Months Ended
	Dec. 31, 2013
Building and improvements [Member] | Minimum [Member]	'
Description Of Company And Significant Accounting Policies [Line Items]	'
Property and equipment, useful lives	'5 years
Building and improvements [Member] | Maximum [Member]	'
Description Of Company And Significant Accounting Policies [Line Items]	'
Property and equipment, useful lives	'15 years
Office Equipment [Member] | Minimum [Member]	'
Description Of Company And Significant Accounting Policies [Line Items]	'
Property and equipment, useful lives	'3 years
Office Equipment [Member] | Maximum [Member]	'
Description Of Company And Significant Accounting Policies [Line Items]	'
Property and equipment, useful lives	'15 years

Significant_Accounting_Policie6

Significant Accounting Policies Defined Contribution Plans (Details) (USD $)	12 Months Ended
In Millions, unless otherwise specified	Dec. 31, 2013	Dec. 31, 2012	Dec. 31, 2011
Accounting Policies [Abstract]	'	'	'
Defined contribution plan, maximum annual contribution of employees	75.00%	'	'
Employer contribution amount	$0.40	$0.30	$0.30

Ownership_Interests_in_and_Adv2

Ownership Interests in and Advances to Partner Companies and Funds Summary of the carrying value of the Company's ownership interests in and advances to partner companies and private equity funds (Detail) (USD $)	Dec. 31, 2013	Dec. 31, 2012
In Thousands, unless otherwise specified
Investments in and Advances to Affiliates [Line Items]	'	'
Fair value	$20,057	$20,972
Equity method investments	110,638	106,741
Cost method investments	15,898	12,634
Advances to Affiliate	1,986	8,292
Total	148,579	148,639
Loan participations receivable	8,135	7,085
Available-for-sale securities	15	58
Partner companies [Member]	'	'
Investments in and Advances to Affiliates [Line Items]	'	'
Equity method investments	108,872	102,931
Cost method investments	13,480	10,000
Private equity funds [Member]	'	'
Investments in and Advances to Affiliates [Line Items]	'	'
Equity method investments	1,766	3,810
Cost method investments	$2,418	$2,634

Ownership_Interests_in_and_Adv3

Ownership Interests in and Advances to Partner Companies and Funds Narrative (Detail) (USD $)

1 Months Ended

12 Months Ended

12 Months Ended

0 Months Ended

1 Months Ended

2 Months Ended

12 Months Ended

1 Months Ended

12 Months Ended

31-May-08

Dec. 31, 2013

Dec. 31, 2012

Dec. 31, 2011

Dec. 31, 2013

Dec. 31, 2013

Dec. 31, 2013

Dec. 31, 2012

Dec. 31, 2013

Dec. 31, 2013

Dec. 31, 2012

Dec. 31, 2012

Dec. 31, 2011

Oct. 23, 2012

Oct. 23, 2012

Dec. 31, 2012

Dec. 31, 2013

Dec. 31, 2013

Dec. 31, 2012

Dec. 31, 2013

Aug. 31, 2012

Jun. 30, 2012

Jul. 31, 2011

Dec. 31, 2013

Dec. 31, 2012

Dec. 31, 2011

Dec. 31, 2011

Dec. 31, 2011

Dec. 31, 2013

Dec. 31, 2012

Dec. 31, 2012

Dec. 31, 2013

Dec. 31, 2012

Goodwill [Member]

Intangible Assets [Member]

Penn Mezzanine [Member]

Penn Mezzanine [Member]

Penn Mezzanine [Member]

Private equity funds [Member]

Private equity funds [Member]

Available-for-sale Securities [Member]

Available-for-sale Securities [Member]

Nupathe [Member]

Nupathe [Member]

Nupathe [Member]

Nupathe [Member]

PixelOptics, Inc. [Member]

PixelOptics, Inc. [Member]

ThingWorx, Inc. [Member]

Portico Systems Inc [Member]

Portico Systems Inc [Member]

Portico Systems Inc [Member]

Equity Method Investment [Member]

Equity Method Investment [Member]

Equity Method Investment [Member]

Equity Method Investment [Member]

Equity Method Investment [Member]

Loan Participations and Assignments [Member]

Loan Participations and Assignments [Member]

Equity Participations [Member]

Warrant [Member]

Warrant [Member]

Equity loss [Member]

PixelOptics, Inc. [Member]

PixelOptics, Inc. [Member]

PixelOptics, Inc. [Member]

Swap.com [Member]

Safe Central Inc [Member]

Penn Mezzanine [Member]

Penn Mezzanine [Member]

Penn Mezzanine [Member]

Penn Mezzanine [Member]

Penn Mezzanine [Member]

Investment [Line Items]

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

Impairment charges

'

'

'

'

'

'

$300,000

$2,500,000

$1,800,000

$300,000

$400,000

$300,000

$7,500,000

'

'

'

'

$11,200,000

$5,000,000

'

'

'

'

$11,200,000

$5,000,000

$7,100,000

$5,700,000

$1,400,000

$200,000

$2,000,000

$400,000

$100,000

$100,000

Adjusted carrying value of capital

'

110,638,000

106,741,000

'

'

'

'

'

'

1,766,000

3,810,000

'

'

'

'

'

'

0

'

'

'

'

'

0

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

Purchase price of preferred stock and warrants

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

5,000,000

5,000,000

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

Shares converted

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

2,500

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

Common shares convertible from preferred shares

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

1,000

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

Common stock conversion price per share

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

$2

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

Warrants exercisable for common shares

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

2,500,000

2,500,000

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

Unrealized gain on securities

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

4,600,000

'

6,400,000

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

Unrealized Loss on Securities

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

900,000

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

Proceeds from sale of business

6,400,000

38,974,000

17,596,000

171,268,000

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

36,400,000

'

'

32,800,000

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

Amount held in escrow

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

4,100,000

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

Proceeds from milestone payments

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

6,500,000

3,400,000

1,900,000

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

Gain on sale of business

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

32,700,000

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

Equity method investment assets exceed carrying value of investment

'

72,200,000

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

Equity method investment allocation of excess fair value

'

'

'

'

$53,700,000

$18,500,000

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

Ownership_Interests_in_and_Adv4

Ownership Interests in and Advances to Partner Companies and Funds Results of Operations for PixelOptics (Detail) (USD $)	12 Months Ended			6 Months Ended
In Thousands, unless otherwise specified	Dec. 31, 2013	Dec. 31, 2012	Dec. 31, 2011	Jun. 30, 2013	Jun. 30, 2012
				PixelOptics, Inc. [Member]	PixelOptics, Inc. [Member]
Results of Operations:	'	'	'	'	'
Revenue	$273,754	$191,928	$117,057	$800	$569
Operating loss	'	'	'	-12,219	-16,172
Net loss	($52,489)	($79,662)	($38,468)	($14,838)	($16,923)

Ownership_Interests_in_and_Adv5

Ownership Interests in and Advances to Partner Companies and Funds Unaudited Financial Information for Partner Companies and Funds (Detail) (USD $)	Dec. 31, 2013	Dec. 31, 2012	Jun. 30, 2013	Dec. 31, 2012
In Thousands, unless otherwise specified			PixelOptics, Inc. [Member]	PixelOptics, Inc. [Member]
Summary of Investments, Other than Investments in Related Parties, Reportable Data [Line Items]	'	'	'	'
Current assets	$221,001	$168,246	$285	$323
Non-current assets	90,042	74,555	4,588	5,259
Total assets	311,043	242,801	4,873	5,582
Current liabilities	153,398	125,491	56,721	34,184
Non-current liabilities	75,324	37,384	1,818	10,228
Shareholders’ equity	82,321	79,926	-53,666	-38,830
Total liabilities and shareholders’ equity	$311,043	$242,801	$4,873	$5,582

Ownership_Interests_in_and_Adv6

Ownership Interests in and Advances to Partner Companies and Funds Results of Operations of Partner Companies and Funds (Detail) (USD $)	12 Months Ended
In Thousands, unless otherwise specified	Dec. 31, 2013	Dec. 31, 2012	Dec. 31, 2011
Results of Operations:	'	'	'
Revenue	$273,754	$191,928	$117,057
Gross profit	125,766	90,876	63,160
Net loss	($52,489)	($79,662)	($38,468)

Acquisitions_of_Ownership_Inte1

Acquisitions of Ownership Interests in Partner Companies and Funds Narrative (Detail) (USD $)

1 Months Ended

12 Months Ended

1 Months Ended

24 Months Ended

1 Months Ended

12 Months Ended

1 Months Ended

12 Months Ended

1 Months Ended

6 Months Ended

1 Months Ended

49 Months Ended

31-May-08

Dec. 31, 2013

Dec. 31, 2012

Dec. 31, 2011

Nov. 30, 2013

Oct. 31, 2013

Dec. 31, 2011

Sep. 30, 2013

Aug. 31, 2013

Aug. 31, 2013

Dec. 31, 2012

Aug. 31, 2013

Feb. 28, 2013

Aug. 31, 2011

Dec. 31, 2013

Dec. 31, 2012

Dec. 31, 2011

Dec. 31, 2013

Jun. 30, 2013

Nov. 30, 2011

Mar. 31, 2013

Feb. 29, 2012

Feb. 28, 2013

Jan. 31, 2013

Dec. 31, 2012

Oct. 31, 2012

Dec. 31, 2010

Dec. 31, 2013

Sep. 30, 2012

Feb. 28, 2011

Aug. 31, 2012

Jun. 30, 2012

Aug. 31, 2012

Feb. 29, 2012

Sep. 30, 2011

Aug. 31, 2011

Jun. 30, 2011

Jul. 31, 2013

Dec. 31, 2012

Nov. 30, 2013

Feb. 28, 2013

Oct. 23, 2012

Aug. 31, 2010

Apprenda, Inc. [Member]

Hoopla Software, Inc. [Member]

Hoopla Software, Inc. [Member]

Alverix [Member]

Quantia [Member]

DriveFactor Inc. [Member]

DriveFactor Inc. [Member]

Clutch [Member]

Clutch [Member]

Penn Mezzanine [Member]

Penn Mezzanine [Member]

Penn Mezzanine [Member]

Penn Mezzanine [Member]

PixelOptics, Inc. [Member]

Medivo, Inc. [Member]

Medivo, Inc. [Member]

Lumesis [Member]

Lumesis [Member]

Pneuron [Member]

Sotera [Member]

Appfirst [Member]

Good Start Genetics, Inc. [Member]

Good Start Genetics, Inc. [Member]

ThingWorx, Inc. [Member]

ThingWorx, Inc. [Member]

ThingWorx, Inc. [Member]

MediaMath, Inc. [Member]

MediaMath, Inc. [Member]

New York Digital Health Accelerator [Member]

Spongecell [Member]

Putney, Inc. [Member]

Swap.com [Member]

NovaSom, Inc. [Member]

Crescendo [Member]

Crescendo [Member]

Dabo Health, Inc. [Member]

Nupathe [Member]

Nupathe [Member]

Nupathe [Member]

Schedule of Equity Method Investments [Line Items]

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

Ownership interest under equity method, percentage

'

'

'

'

22.00%

'

'

'

35.10%

'

'

24.00%

'

36.00%

36.00%

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

27.60%

'

35.00%

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

9.40%

23.10%

30.10%

'

31.70%

'

'

'

'

'

'

Acquisitions of ownership interests in companies and funds, net of cash acquired

'

$41,838,000

$46,100,000

$85,329,000

$12,100,000

'

$1,300,000

$8,800,000

$7,500,000

$1,100,000

$3,500,000

$5,000,000

$500,000

$3,900,000

'

'

'

$31,600,000

$5,300,000

$6,300,000

$1,700,000

$2,200,000

$5,000,000

'

$6,500,000

$5,200,000

$6,800,000

'

$5,000,000

$5,000,000

'

$16,900,000

$400,000

$10,000,000

$10,000,000

$8,100,000

$20,000,000

'

'

'

'

'

'

Convertible bridge loan

'

'

'

'

'

500,000

'

600,000

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

5,300,000

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

1,700,000

'

'

'

'

2,400,000

'

1,000,000

'

'

'

'

'

Proceeds from sale of business

6,400,000

38,974,000

17,596,000

171,268,000

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

36,400,000

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

Amount held in escrow

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

4,100,000

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

Additional escrow maximum

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

6,500,000

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

Ownership interest under cost method, percentage

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

6.50%

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

7.70%

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

8.00%

'

'

'

Payments to Acquire Other Investments

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

1,300,000

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

10,000,000

800,000

'

'

'

Fund amount for participations in loan and equity interests

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

2,300,000

4,200,000

9,700,000

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

Fund amount for participations in loan

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

2,200,000

3,800,000

8,100,000

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

Fund amount for participations in equity interests

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

100,000

300,000

1,300,000

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

Equity method investments

'

110,638,000

106,741,000

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

0

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

Acquisitions of ownership interests in companies as available-for-sale securities

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

18,300,000

Number of preferred stock units and warrants purchased

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

2,500

'

Warrants exercisable for common shares

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

2,500,000

'

Cost of shares acquired from previous investor

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

1,200,000

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

Shares of common stock to be purchased with preferred stock units and warrants

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

2,500,000

'

'

Purchase price of preferred stock and warrants

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

5,000,000

'

Fund amount for participations in warrants

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

$100,000

$300,000

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

Fair_Value_Measurements_Carryi

Fair Value Measurements Carrying Value and Fair Value of Certain Financial Assets and Liabilities Measured at Fair Value on Recurring Basis (Detail) (USD $)	Dec. 31, 2013	Dec. 31, 2012
In Thousands, unless otherwise specified
Fair Value, Assets and Liabilities Measured on Recurring and Nonrecurring Basis [Line Items]	'	'
Cash held in escrow	$0	$6,434
Fair Value, Measurements, Recurring [Member] | Carrying Value [Member]	'	'
Fair Value, Assets and Liabilities Measured on Recurring and Nonrecurring Basis [Line Items]	'	'
Cash and cash equivalents	139,318	66,029
Cash held in escrow	'	6,434
Restricted marketable securities	5	10
Available-for-sale securities	15	58
Warrant participations	1,563	423
Marketable securities - held-to-maturity	44,338	140,016
Fair Value, Measurements, Recurring [Member] | Carrying Value [Member] | Nupathe [Member] | Common Stock [Member]	'	'
Fair Value, Assets and Liabilities Measured on Recurring and Nonrecurring Basis [Line Items]	'	'
Ownership interest	16,874	8,897
Fair Value, Measurements, Recurring [Member] | Carrying Value [Member] | Nupathe [Member] | Preferred stock, warrants and options [Member]	'	'
Fair Value, Assets and Liabilities Measured on Recurring and Nonrecurring Basis [Line Items]	'	'
Ownership interest	3,183	12,075
Fair Value, Measurements, Recurring [Member] | Carrying Value [Member] | Commercial Paper [Member]	'	'
Fair Value, Assets and Liabilities Measured on Recurring and Nonrecurring Basis [Line Items]	'	'
Marketable securities - held-to-maturity	13,599	50,932
Fair Value, Measurements, Recurring [Member] | Carrying Value [Member] | U.S. Treasury Bills [Member]	'	'
Fair Value, Assets and Liabilities Measured on Recurring and Nonrecurring Basis [Line Items]	'	'
Marketable securities - held-to-maturity	8,014	21,352
Fair Value, Measurements, Recurring [Member] | Carrying Value [Member] | Government agency bonds [Member]	'	'
Fair Value, Assets and Liabilities Measured on Recurring and Nonrecurring Basis [Line Items]	'	'
Marketable securities - held-to-maturity	9,945	45,909
Fair Value, Measurements, Recurring [Member] | Carrying Value [Member] | Certificates of deposit [Member]	'	'
Fair Value, Assets and Liabilities Measured on Recurring and Nonrecurring Basis [Line Items]	'	'
Marketable securities - held-to-maturity	12,780	21,823
Fair Value, Measurements, Recurring [Member] | Fair Value Measurement [Member] | Level 1 [Member]	'	'
Fair Value, Assets and Liabilities Measured on Recurring and Nonrecurring Basis [Line Items]	'	'
Cash and cash equivalents	139,318	66,029
Cash held in escrow	'	6,434
Restricted marketable securities	5	10
Available-for-sale securities	15	58
Warrant participations	0	0
Marketable securities - held-to-maturity	44,338	140,016
Fair Value, Measurements, Recurring [Member] | Fair Value Measurement [Member] | Level 2 [Member]	'	'
Fair Value, Assets and Liabilities Measured on Recurring and Nonrecurring Basis [Line Items]	'	'
Cash and cash equivalents	0	0
Cash held in escrow	'	0
Restricted marketable securities	0	0
Available-for-sale securities	0	0
Warrant participations	0	0
Marketable securities - held-to-maturity	0	0
Fair Value, Measurements, Recurring [Member] | Fair Value Measurement [Member] | Level 3 [Member]	'	'
Fair Value, Assets and Liabilities Measured on Recurring and Nonrecurring Basis [Line Items]	'	'
Cash and cash equivalents	0	0
Cash held in escrow	'	0
Restricted marketable securities	0	0
Available-for-sale securities	0	0
Warrant participations	1,563	423
Marketable securities - held-to-maturity	0	0
Fair Value, Measurements, Recurring [Member] | Fair Value Measurement [Member] | Nupathe [Member] | Common Stock [Member] | Level 1 [Member]	'	'
Fair Value, Assets and Liabilities Measured on Recurring and Nonrecurring Basis [Line Items]	'	'
Ownership interest	16,874	8,897
Fair Value, Measurements, Recurring [Member] | Fair Value Measurement [Member] | Nupathe [Member] | Common Stock [Member] | Level 2 [Member]	'	'
Fair Value, Assets and Liabilities Measured on Recurring and Nonrecurring Basis [Line Items]	'	'
Ownership interest	0	0
Fair Value, Measurements, Recurring [Member] | Fair Value Measurement [Member] | Nupathe [Member] | Common Stock [Member] | Level 3 [Member]	'	'
Fair Value, Assets and Liabilities Measured on Recurring and Nonrecurring Basis [Line Items]	'	'
Ownership interest	0	0
Fair Value, Measurements, Recurring [Member] | Fair Value Measurement [Member] | Nupathe [Member] | Preferred stock, warrants and options [Member] | Level 1 [Member]	'	'
Fair Value, Assets and Liabilities Measured on Recurring and Nonrecurring Basis [Line Items]	'	'
Ownership interest	0	0
Fair Value, Measurements, Recurring [Member] | Fair Value Measurement [Member] | Nupathe [Member] | Preferred stock, warrants and options [Member] | Level 2 [Member]	'	'
Fair Value, Assets and Liabilities Measured on Recurring and Nonrecurring Basis [Line Items]	'	'
Ownership interest	0	0
Fair Value, Measurements, Recurring [Member] | Fair Value Measurement [Member] | Nupathe [Member] | Preferred stock, warrants and options [Member] | Level 3 [Member]	'	'
Fair Value, Assets and Liabilities Measured on Recurring and Nonrecurring Basis [Line Items]	'	'
Ownership interest	3,183	12,075
Fair Value, Measurements, Recurring [Member] | Fair Value Measurement [Member] | Commercial Paper [Member] | Level 1 [Member]	'	'
Fair Value, Assets and Liabilities Measured on Recurring and Nonrecurring Basis [Line Items]	'	'
Marketable securities - held-to-maturity	13,599	50,932
Fair Value, Measurements, Recurring [Member] | Fair Value Measurement [Member] | Commercial Paper [Member] | Level 2 [Member]	'	'
Fair Value, Assets and Liabilities Measured on Recurring and Nonrecurring Basis [Line Items]	'	'
Marketable securities - held-to-maturity	0	0
Fair Value, Measurements, Recurring [Member] | Fair Value Measurement [Member] | Commercial Paper [Member] | Level 3 [Member]	'	'
Fair Value, Assets and Liabilities Measured on Recurring and Nonrecurring Basis [Line Items]	'	'
Marketable securities - held-to-maturity	0	0
Fair Value, Measurements, Recurring [Member] | Fair Value Measurement [Member] | U.S. Treasury Bills [Member] | Level 1 [Member]	'	'
Fair Value, Assets and Liabilities Measured on Recurring and Nonrecurring Basis [Line Items]	'	'
Marketable securities - held-to-maturity	8,014	21,352
Fair Value, Measurements, Recurring [Member] | Fair Value Measurement [Member] | U.S. Treasury Bills [Member] | Level 2 [Member]	'	'
Fair Value, Assets and Liabilities Measured on Recurring and Nonrecurring Basis [Line Items]	'	'
Marketable securities - held-to-maturity	0	0
Fair Value, Measurements, Recurring [Member] | Fair Value Measurement [Member] | U.S. Treasury Bills [Member] | Level 3 [Member]	'	'
Fair Value, Assets and Liabilities Measured on Recurring and Nonrecurring Basis [Line Items]	'	'
Marketable securities - held-to-maturity	0	0
Fair Value, Measurements, Recurring [Member] | Fair Value Measurement [Member] | Government agency bonds [Member] | Level 1 [Member]	'	'
Fair Value, Assets and Liabilities Measured on Recurring and Nonrecurring Basis [Line Items]	'	'
Marketable securities - held-to-maturity	9,945	45,909
Fair Value, Measurements, Recurring [Member] | Fair Value Measurement [Member] | Government agency bonds [Member] | Level 2 [Member]	'	'
Fair Value, Assets and Liabilities Measured on Recurring and Nonrecurring Basis [Line Items]	'	'
Marketable securities - held-to-maturity	0	0
Fair Value, Measurements, Recurring [Member] | Fair Value Measurement [Member] | Government agency bonds [Member] | Level 3 [Member]	'	'
Fair Value, Assets and Liabilities Measured on Recurring and Nonrecurring Basis [Line Items]	'	'
Marketable securities - held-to-maturity	0	0
Fair Value, Measurements, Recurring [Member] | Fair Value Measurement [Member] | Certificates of deposit [Member] | Level 1 [Member]	'	'
Fair Value, Assets and Liabilities Measured on Recurring and Nonrecurring Basis [Line Items]	'	'
Marketable securities - held-to-maturity	12,780	21,823
Fair Value, Measurements, Recurring [Member] | Fair Value Measurement [Member] | Certificates of deposit [Member] | Level 2 [Member]	'	'
Fair Value, Assets and Liabilities Measured on Recurring and Nonrecurring Basis [Line Items]	'	'
Marketable securities - held-to-maturity	0	0
Fair Value, Measurements, Recurring [Member] | Fair Value Measurement [Member] | Certificates of deposit [Member] | Level 3 [Member]	'	'
Fair Value, Assets and Liabilities Measured on Recurring and Nonrecurring Basis [Line Items]	'	'
Marketable securities - held-to-maturity	$0	$0

Fair_Value_Measurements_Narrat

Fair Value Measurements Narrative (Detail) (USD $)

Dec. 31, 2013

Dec. 31, 2012

Dec. 31, 2013

Dec. 31, 2012

Dec. 31, 2013

Dec. 31, 2012

Dec. 31, 2013

Dec. 31, 2013

Dec. 31, 2013

Dec. 31, 2013

Dec. 31, 2012

Feb. 28, 2013

Private equity funds [Member]

Private equity funds [Member]

Penn Mezzanine [Member]

Penn Mezzanine [Member]

Penn Mezzanine [Member]

Level 3 [Member]

Level 3 [Member]

PixelOptics, Inc. [Member]

PixelOptics, Inc. [Member]

Nupathe [Member]

Equity loss [Member]

Private equity funds [Member]

Penn Mezzanine [Member]

Schedule of Available-for-sale Securities [Line Items]

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

Marketable securities, current

$38,250,000

$110,957,000

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

Marketable securities, non current

6,088,000

29,059,000

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

Impairment charges

'

'

300,000

400,000

300,000

2,500,000

1,800,000

'

'

11,200,000

5,000,000

'

Equity method investments

110,638,000

106,741,000

1,766,000

3,810,000

'

'

'

'

'

0

'

'

Amount of gain associated with mark-to-market adjustments

'

'

'

'

1,100,000

200,000

'

'

'

'

'

'

Shares converted

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

2,500

Shares issued

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

2,500,000

Fair market value of investment

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

$1,700,000

$1,300,000

'

'

'

Property_and_Equipment_Detail

Property and Equipment (Detail) (USD $)	Dec. 31, 2013	Dec. 31, 2012
In Thousands, unless otherwise specified
Property, Plant and Equipment [Line Items]	'	'
Property and equipment, gross	$1,646	$1,609
Accumulated depreciation	-1,508	-1,416
Property and equipment, net	138	193
Building and improvements [Member]	'	'
Property, Plant and Equipment [Line Items]	'	'
Property and equipment, gross	607	607
Office Equipment [Member]	'	'
Property, Plant and Equipment [Line Items]	'	'
Property and equipment, gross	$1,039	$1,002

Convertible_Debentures_and_Cre2

Convertible Debentures and Credit Arrangements Schedule of Convertible Senior Debentures (Detail) (USD $)	Dec. 31, 2013	Dec. 31, 2012
In Thousands, unless otherwise specified
Debt Instrument [Line Items]	'	'
Convertible senior debentures	$49,948	$48,991
Less: current portion	-470	0
Convertible senior debentures—non-current	49,478	48,991
Convertible Senior Debentures due 2018 [Member]	'	'
Debt Instrument [Line Items]	'	'
Convertible senior debentures	49,478	48,483
Convertible Senior Debentures due 2024 [Member]	'	'
Debt Instrument [Line Items]	'	'
Convertible senior debentures	441	441
Convertible Senior Debentures due 2014 [Member]	'	'
Debt Instrument [Line Items]	'	'
Convertible senior debentures	$29	$67

Convertible_Debentures_and_Cre3

Convertible Debentures and Credit Arrangements Convertible Senior Debentures due 2018 Narrative (Detail) (USD $)	12 Months Ended						1 Months Ended		12 Months Ended
	Dec. 31, 2013	Dec. 31, 2012	Dec. 31, 2011	Dec. 31, 2013	Dec. 31, 2012	Nov. 30, 2012	Nov. 30, 2012	Mar. 31, 2010	Dec. 31, 2013
				Convertible Senior Debentures due 2018 [Member]	Convertible Senior Debentures due 2018 [Member]	Convertible Senior Debentures due 2018 [Member]	Convertible Senior Debentures due 2014 [Member]	Convertible Senior Debentures due 2014 [Member]	Minimum [Member]
									Convertible Senior Debentures due 2018 [Member]
Debt Instrument [Line Items]	'	'	'	'	'	'	'	'	'
Aggregate principal amount of convertible senior debentures	'	'	'	'	'	$55,000,000	'	$46,900,000	'
Interest rate on debentures	'	'	'	'	'	5.25%	10.13%	'	'
Loss on retirement of debt	'	'	'	'	'	'	7,900,000	'	'
Number of days within 30 consecutive trading days in which the closing price of the entity's common stock exceeded the conversion price giving the holders of the debentures an option (in days)	'	'	'	'20 days	'	'	'	'	'
Number of consecutive trading days during which the closing price of the entity's common stock exceeded the conversion price for at least 20 days giving the holders of the debentures an option (in days)	'	'	'	'30 days	'	'	'	'	'
Percentage of the closing sales price of the entity's common stock that the conversion price exceeded giving the holders of the debentures an option (as a percent)	'	'	'	'	'	'	'	'	130.00%
Number of days after five consecutive trading days in which the trading price per $1,000 principal amount was less than 98% of the product of the closing sale price per share of Company common stock multiplied by the conversion rate on each such trading day (in days)	'	'	'	'5 days	'	'	'	'	'
Number of consecutive trading days during which the trading price per $1,000 principal amount for at least five days was less than 98% of the product of the closing sale price per share of Company common stock multiplied by the conversion rate on each such trading day (in days)	'	'	'	'5 days	'	'	'	'	'
Principal amount of convertible debentures	'	'	'	1,000	'	'	'	'	'
Closing price is percentage of conversion price	'	'	'	98.00%	'	'	'	'	'
Conversion rate of common stock	'	'	'	55.17	'	'	'	'	'
Conversion price (in dollars per share)	'	'	'	$18.13	'	'	'	'	'
Closing price for common stock	'	'	'	$20.09	'	'	'	'	'
Sales price of common stock to conversion price	'	'	'	140.00%	'	'	'	'	'
Debentures redemption price	'	'	'	100.00%	'	'	'	'	'
Change in control due to debentures redemption	'	'	'	50.00%	'	'	'	'	'
Percentage of principal amount and accrued and unpaid interest for repurchase of debt	'	'	'	100.00%	'	'	'	'	'
Outstanding debentures	'	'	'	55,000,000	'	'	'	'	'
Fair value of Debentures outstanding	69,900,000	'	'	69,900,000	'	'	'	'	'
Gross carrying amount of equity component	'	'	'	6,400,000	'	'	'	'	'
Principal amount of liability component	'	'	'	55,000,000	'	'	'	'	'
Unamortized discount	'	'	'	5,500,000	'	'	'	'	'
Carrying value of liability component	'	'	'	49,500,000	'	'	'	'	'
Amortization of debt discount	$995,000	$726,000	$623,000	$1,000,000	$100,000	'	'	'	'
Debt Instrument, Interest Rate, Effective Percentage	'	'	'	8.70%	'	'	'	'	'

Convertible_Debentures_and_Cre4

Convertible Debentures and Credit Arrangements Convertible Senior Debentures due 2024 Narrative (Details) (USD $)	12 Months Ended
	Dec. 31, 2013	Dec. 31, 2004
Debt Instrument [Line Items]	'	'
Fair value of Debentures outstanding	$69,900,000	'
Convertible Senior Debentures due 2024 [Member]	'	'
Debt Instrument [Line Items]	'	'
Face amount	'	150,000,000
Maturity date	15-Mar-24	'
Fair value of Debentures outstanding	$400,000	'
Frequency of periodic payment	'semi-annually	'
Convertible senior debentures, convertible latest date	14-Mar-24	'
Conversion price (in dollars per share)	$43.30	'
Future redemption price as percentage of original principal in fifth year	100.00%	'
Scenario One [Member] | Convertible Senior Debentures due 2024 [Member]	'	'
Debt Instrument [Line Items]	'	'
Convertible optional repurchase dates	20-Mar-14	'
Scenario Two [Member] | Convertible Senior Debentures due 2024 [Member]	'	'
Debt Instrument [Line Items]	'	'
Convertible optional repurchase dates	20-Mar-19	'

Convertible_Debentures_and_Cre5

Convertible Debentures and Credit Arrangements Convertible Senior Debentures due 2014 Narrative (Details) (USD $)	Dec. 31, 2013	Dec. 31, 2012	Nov. 30, 2012	Mar. 31, 2010
Debt Instrument [Line Items]	'	'	'	'
Convertible debt outstanding	$49,948,000	$48,991,000	'	'
Convertible Senior Debentures due 2014 [Member]	'	'	'	'
Debt Instrument [Line Items]	'	'	'	'
Face amount	'	'	'	46,900,000
Repurchase amount	'	'	58,700,000	'
Convertible debt outstanding	$29,000	$67,000	'	'

Convertible_Debentures_and_Cre6

Convertible Debentures and Credit Arrangements Credit Arrangements Narrative (Details) (Credit Arrangements [Member], USD $)	12 Months Ended
	Dec. 31, 2013
Line of Credit Facility [Line Items]	'
Maximum borrowing capacity	50,000,000
Sublimit facility attached on revolving credit facility	20,000,000
Security deposit	80,000,000
Security deposit percentage of investment	75.00%
Remaining borrowing capacity	43,700,000
After Amendment [Member]	'
Line of Credit Facility [Line Items]	'
Maturity date	31-Dec-14
Landlord Of Compu Com Systems Incs Dallas Headquarters [Member]	'
Line of Credit Facility [Line Items]	'
Letters of credit outstanding	6,300,000
Letter of credit expiration date	19-Mar-19

Accrued_Expenses_Detail

Accrued Expenses (Detail) (USD $)	Dec. 31, 2013	Dec. 31, 2012
In Thousands, unless otherwise specified
Payables and Accruals [Abstract]	'	'
Accrued interest	$366	$335
Other	2,065	2,266
Accrued expenses	$2,431	$2,601

Equity_Narrative_Detail

Equity Narrative (Detail) (USD $)	Dec. 31, 2013	Dec. 31, 2012
Equity [Abstract]	'	'
Preferred stock, par value	$0.10	$0.10
Preferred stock, shares authorized	1,000,000	1,000,000
Preferred stock, shares outstanding	0	0

StockBased_Compensation_Equity

Stock-Based Compensation Equity Compensation Plans Narrative (Details)	12 Months Ended
	Dec. 31, 2013	Dec. 31, 2011
Share-based Compensation Arrangement by Share-based Payment Award [Line Items]	'	'
Reserved shares of common stock for possible future issuance	2,900,000	'
Employee stock options [Member]	'	'
Share-based Compensation Arrangement by Share-based Payment Award [Line Items]	'	'
Options issued	70,000	85,000
2004 Equity Compensation Plan [Member]	'	'
Share-based Compensation Arrangement by Share-based Payment Award [Line Items]	'	'
Number of shares authorized for issuance	2,200,000	'
2001 Associates Equity Compensation Plan [Member]	'	'
Share-based Compensation Arrangement by Share-based Payment Award [Line Items]	'	'
Number of shares authorized for issuance	900,000	'
1999 Equity Compensation Plan [Member]	'	'
Share-based Compensation Arrangement by Share-based Payment Award [Line Items]	'	'
Number of shares authorized for issuance	1,500,000	'

StockBased_Compensation_Classi

Stock-Based Compensation Classification of Stock-Based Compensation Expense Narrative (Detail) (USD $)	12 Months Ended
In Millions, except Share data, unless otherwise specified	Dec. 31, 2013	Dec. 31, 2012	Dec. 31, 2011
	vesting_type
Share-based Compensation Arrangement by Share-based Payment Award [Line Items]	'	'	'
Number of award vesting types	3	'	'
Weighted-average grant date fair value of options issued	$6.83	$7.45	$8.28
Total intrinsic value of options exercised	$3.90	$1.20	$0.90
Market-based awards [Member]	'	'	'
Share-based Compensation Arrangement by Share-based Payment Award [Line Items]	'	'	'
Expiration period	'8 years	'	'
Options vested	0	0	110,000
Share-based Compensation Arrangement by Share-based Payment Award, Non-Option Equity Instruments, Forfeitures and Expirations	554,000	6,000	125,000
Stock-based compensation expense	0.2	0.4	1.2
Stock-based compensation, maximum number of unvested shares	402,000	'	'
Performance-based awards [Member]	'	'	'
Share-based Compensation Arrangement by Share-based Payment Award [Line Items]	'	'	'
Share-based Compensation Arrangement by Share-based Payment Award, Non-Option Equity Instruments, Forfeitures and Expirations	398,000	6,000	108,000
Stock-based compensation expense	0	0.2	0.3
Options issued	41,000	180,000	193,000
Share-based Compensation Arrangement by Share-based Payment Award, Equity Instruments Other than Options, Vested in Period	0	14,000	56,000
Performance based maximum number of unvested shares	452,000	'	'
Total unrecognized compensation cost related to non-vested stock options granted	2.3	'	'
Total unrecognized compensation cost, weighted-average period for recognition	'1 year 10 months 24 days	'	'
Service-based awards [Member]	'	'	'
Share-based Compensation Arrangement by Share-based Payment Award [Line Items]	'	'	'
Options canceled or forfeited	14,000	1,000	60,000
Stock-based compensation expense	0.5	0.7	0.8
Options issued	43,000	113,000	121,000
Vesting period	'4 years	'	'
Expiration term	'8 years	'	'
Service Based Awards [Member]	'	'	'
Share-based Compensation Arrangement by Share-based Payment Award [Line Items]	'	'	'
Total unrecognized compensation cost related to non-vested stock options granted	0.7	'	'
Total unrecognized compensation cost, weighted-average period for recognition	'2 years 8 months 12 days	'	'
Performance-based stock units [Member]	'	'	'
Share-based Compensation Arrangement by Share-based Payment Award [Line Items]	'	'	'
Options issued	83,000	90,000	61,000
Restricted Stock [Member]	'	'	'
Share-based Compensation Arrangement by Share-based Payment Award [Line Items]	'	'	'
Options issued	28,000	30,000	20,000
Vesting period	'3 years	'	'
Percentage of shares vesting on the first anniversary of grant	25.00%	'	'
Percentage of shares vesting after the first anniversary of grant	75.00%	'	'
Restricted Stock [Member] | Non-employees [Member]	'	'	'
Share-based Compensation Arrangement by Share-based Payment Award [Line Items]	'	'	'
Stock-based compensation expense	'	0.1	'
Granted to restricted shares to members of its advisory boards	8,000	5,000	0
Deferred stock units [Member]	'	'	'
Share-based Compensation Arrangement by Share-based Payment Award [Line Items]	'	'	'
Deferred stock units issued to directors	48,000	25,000	28,000
Percentage of shares vested in lieu of directors fees at the grant date	100.00%	'	'
Portion of Director fees matched to deferred stock units	25.00%	'	'
Vesting period of deferred stock	'1 year	'	'
Deferred stock units, performance-based stock units and restricted stock [Member]	'	'	'
Share-based Compensation Arrangement by Share-based Payment Award [Line Items]	'	'	'
Stock-based compensation expense	1.1	0.7	0.7
Share-based Compensation Arrangement by Share-based Payment Award, Equity Instruments Other than Options, Vested in Period	67,000	53,000	'
Granted to restricted shares to members of its advisory boards	167,000	151,000	'
Share based compensation arrangement by share based payment award equity instruments other than options issued in period	3.3	'	'
Total fair value of stock-based compensation vested	$1.10	$0.90	$2

StockBased_Compensation_StockB

Stock-Based Compensation Stock-Based Compensation Expense (Detail) (USD $)	12 Months Ended
In Thousands, unless otherwise specified	Dec. 31, 2013	Dec. 31, 2012	Dec. 31, 2011
Employee Service Share-based Compensation, Allocation of Recognized Period Costs [Line Items]	'	'	'
Stock-based compensation expense	$1,821	$2,014	$3,052
General and Administrative Expense [Member]	'	'	'
Employee Service Share-based Compensation, Allocation of Recognized Period Costs [Line Items]	'	'	'
Stock-based compensation expense	$1,821	$2,014	$3,052

StockBased_Compensation_Assump

Stock-Based Compensation Assumptions used in Valuation of Options Granted (Detail)	12 Months Ended
	Dec. 31, 2013	Dec. 31, 2012	Dec. 31, 2011
Service-based awards [Member]	'	'	'
Share-based Compensation Arrangement by Share-based Payment Award [Line Items]	'	'	'
Dividend yield	0.00%	0.00%	0.00%
Expected volatility	52.00%	56.00%	57.00%
Average expected option life	'5 years	'5 years	'5 years
Risk-free interest rate	1.30%	0.80%	1.40%
Performance-based awards [Member]	'	'	'
Share-based Compensation Arrangement by Share-based Payment Award [Line Items]	'	'	'
Dividend yield	0.00%	0.00%	0.00%
Expected volatility	46.00%	55.00%	57.00%
Average expected option life	'4 years 8 months 12 days	'5 years 6 months	'5 years 9 months 18 days
Risk-free interest rate	1.80%	0.80%	0.90%

StockBased_Compensation_Option

Stock-Based Compensation Option Activity (Detail) (Stock Option [Member], USD $)	12 Months Ended
In Thousands, except Per Share data, unless otherwise specified	Dec. 31, 2013	Dec. 31, 2012	Dec. 31, 2011
Stock Option [Member]	'	'	'
Shares	'	'	'
Outstanding, Beginning Balance	3,287	3,218	3,321
Options granted	120	293	314
Options exercised	-612	-211	-124
Options canceled/forfeited	-967	-13	-293
Outstanding, Ending Balance	1,828	3,287	3,218
Options exercisable	822	'	'
Options vested and expected to vest	1,566	'	'
Shares available for future grant	598	'	'
Weighted Average Exercise Price	'	'	'
Outstanding, Beginning Balance	$10.72	$10.32	$9.83
Options granted	$15.61	$14.91	$16.55
Options exercised	$8.44	$10.22	$11.32
Options canceled/forfeited	$9.38	$13.48	$11.03
Outstanding, Ending Balance	$12.51	$10.72	$10.32
Options exercisable	$11.67	'	'
Options vested and expected to vest	$12.23	'	'
Weighted Average Remaining Contractual Life (In Years)	'	'	'
Outstanding, Contractual life	'3 years 10 months 28 days	'	'
Options exercisable	'2 years 6 months 7 days	'	'
Options vested and expected to vest	'3 years 4 months 13 days	'	'
Aggregate Intrinsic Value	'	'	'
Outstanding intrinsic value	$12,586	'	'
Options exercisable	6,334	'	'
Options vested and expected to vest	$11,192	'	'

StockBased_Compensation_Deferr

Stock-Based Compensation Deferred Stock Unit, Performance-Based Stock Unit and Restricted Stock Activity (Detail) (Deferred stock units, performance-based stock units and restricted stock [Member], USD $)	12 Months Ended
In Thousands, except Per Share data, unless otherwise specified	Dec. 31, 2013	Dec. 31, 2012
Deferred stock units, performance-based stock units and restricted stock [Member]	'	'
Unvested, shares	'	'
Unvested, Beginning Balance	347	253
Granted	167	151
Vested	-67	-53
Forfeited	-130	-4
Unvested, Ending Balance	317	347
Weighted Average Grant Date Fair Value	'	'
Unvested, Beginning Balance	$13.85	$13.10
Granted	$17.45	$15
Vested	$16.73	$13.58
Forfeited	$13.35	$13.67
Unvested ,Ending Balance	$15.34	$13.85

Other_Income_Loss_Net_Detail

Other Income (Loss), Net (Detail) (USD $)	3 Months Ended								12 Months Ended
In Thousands, unless otherwise specified	Dec. 31, 2013	Sep. 30, 2013	Jun. 30, 2013	Mar. 31, 2013	Dec. 31, 2012	Sep. 30, 2012	Jun. 30, 2012	Mar. 31, 2012	Dec. 31, 2013	Dec. 31, 2012	Dec. 31, 2011
Component of Operating Other Cost and Expense [Line Items]	'	'	'	'	'	'	'	'	'	'	'
Gain on sale of companies and funds, net	'	'	'	'	'	'	'	'	$0	$9,004	$0
Other than temporary impairment on available-for-sale securities	-43	'	'	'	-260	'	'	'	-43	-260	-7,451
Other	'	'	'	'	'	'	'	'	740	29	1,306
Other income (loss), net	6,574	-4,224	-2,724	757	1,344	91	4,819	3,084	383	9,338	-6,145
Nupathe [Member]	'	'	'	'	'	'	'	'	'	'	'
Component of Operating Other Cost and Expense [Line Items]	'	'	'	'	'	'	'	'	'	'	'
Gain (loss) on mark-to-market of holdings in fair value method partner companies/Penn Mezzanine warrants	'	'	'	'	'	'	'	'	-915	11,035	0
Cost-method Investments [Member]	'	'	'	'	'	'	'	'	'	'	'
Component of Operating Other Cost and Expense [Line Items]	'	'	'	'	'	'	'	'	'	'	'
Impairment charges	'	'	'	'	'	'	'	'	-250	-350	0
Penn Mezzanine [Member]	'	'	'	'	'	'	'	'	'	'	'
Component of Operating Other Cost and Expense [Line Items]	'	'	'	'	'	'	'	'	'	'	'
Gain (loss) on mark-to-market of holdings in fair value method partner companies/Penn Mezzanine warrants	'	'	'	'	'	'	'	'	1,146	264	0
Impairment charges	'	'	'	'	'	'	'	'	-295	-2,489	0
Debt Repurchase [Member]	'	'	'	'	'	'	'	'	'	'	'
Component of Operating Other Cost and Expense [Line Items]	'	'	'	'	'	'	'	'	'	'	'
Loss on repurchase of convertible debentures	'	'	'	'	'	'	'	'	$0	($7,895)	$0

Income_Taxes_Narrative_Detail

Income Taxes Narrative (Detail) (USD $)	12 Months Ended
	Dec. 31, 2013	Dec. 31, 2012	Dec. 31, 2011
Income Tax Disclosure [Abstract]	'	'	'
Federal income tax expense (benefit)	$0	$0	$0
State income tax expense (benefit)	0	0	0
Net operating loss carryforwards	$224,307,000	'	'

Income_Taxes_Differences_Betwe

Income Taxes Differences Between United States Federal Income Tax Rate and Effective Income Tax Rate (Detail)	12 Months Ended
	Dec. 31, 2013	Dec. 31, 2012	Dec. 31, 2011
Income Tax Disclosure [Abstract]	'	'	'
Statutory tax (benefit) expense	-35.00%	-35.00%	35.00%
Increase (decrease) in taxes resulting from:	'	'	'
Valuation allowance	34.70%	34.70%	-35.30%
Other adjustments	0.30%	0.30%	0.30%
Effective Income Tax Rate, Continuing Operations, Total	0.00%	0.00%	0.00%

Income_Taxes_Deferred_Tax_Asse

Income Taxes Deferred Tax Assets and Deferred Tax Liabilities (Detail) (USD $)	Dec. 31, 2013	Dec. 31, 2012
In Thousands, unless otherwise specified
Deferred tax asset:	'	'
Carrying values of partner companies and other holdings	$59,045	$52,602
Tax loss and credit carryforwards	82,403	75,369
Accrued expenses	2,043	1,860
Stock-based compensation	5,005	7,942
Other	1,560	1,557
Deferred tax assets, gross	150,056	139,330
Valuation allowance	-150,056	-139,330
Net deferred tax liability	$0	$0

Income_Taxes_Carryforwards_Exp

Income Taxes Carryforwards Expiration (Detail) (USD $)	Dec. 31, 2013
In Thousands, unless otherwise specified
Income Tax Disclosure [Abstract]	'
2014	$0
2015	0
2016	0
2017	0
2018 and thereafter	224,307
Total	$224,307

Net_Income_Loss_Per_Share_Calc

Net Income (Loss) Per Share Calculations of Net Income (Loss) Per Share (Detail) (USD $)

3 Months Ended

12 Months Ended

In Thousands, except Per Share data, unless otherwise specified

Dec. 31, 2013

Sep. 30, 2013

Jun. 30, 2013

Mar. 31, 2013

Dec. 31, 2012

Sep. 30, 2012

Jun. 30, 2012

Mar. 31, 2012

Dec. 31, 2013

Dec. 31, 2012

Dec. 31, 2011

Basic:

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

Net income (loss)

$23,967

($19,430)

($28,123)

($11,939)

($10,808)

($8,757)

($10,137)

($9,660)

($35,525)

($39,362)

$110,597

Average common shares outstanding

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

21,362

20,974

20,764

Net income (loss) per share (in dollars per share)

$1.10

[1]

($0.90)

[1]

($1.33)

[1]

($0.57)

[1]

($0.51)

[1]

($0.42)

[1]

($0.48)

[1]

($0.46)

[1]

($1.66)

($1.88)

$5.33

Diluted:

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

Net income (loss)

23,967

-19,430

-28,123

-11,939

-10,808

-8,757

-10,137

-9,660

-35,525

-39,362

110,597

Interest on convertible senior debentures

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

0

0

5,750

Net income (loss) for diluted per share calculation

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

($35,525)

($39,362)

$116,347

Number of shares used in basic per share computation

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

21,362

20,974

20,764

Number of shares used in diluted per share computation

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

21,362

20,974

24,522

Net income (loss) per share (in dollars per share)

$0.99

[1]

($0.90)

[1]

($1.33)

[1]

($0.57)

[1]

($0.51)

[1]

($0.42)

[1]

($0.48)

[1]

($0.46)

[1]

($1.66)

($1.88)

$4.74

Convertible Senior Debentures [Member]

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

Diluted:

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

Convertible senior debentures (in shares)

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

0

0

3,009

Unvested restricted stock and DSUs [Member]

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

Diluted:

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

Stock options (in shares)

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

0

0

60

Employee stock options [Member]

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

Diluted:

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

Stock options (in shares)

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

0

0

689

[1]

Per share amounts for the quarters have each been calculated separately. Accordingly, quarterly amounts may not add to the annual amounts because of differences in the average common shares outstanding during each period. Additionally, in regard to diluted per share amounts only, quarterly amounts may not add to the annual amounts because of the inclusion of the effect of potentially dilutive securities only in the periods in which such effect would have been dilutive, and because of the adjustments to net income (loss) for the dilutive effect of partner company common stock equivalents and convertible securities.

Net_Income_Loss_Per_Share_Narr

Net Income (Loss) Per Share Narrative (Detail) (USD $)	12 Months Ended
In Millions, except Per Share data, unless otherwise specified	Dec. 31, 2013	Dec. 31, 2012	Dec. 31, 2011
Antidilutive Securities Excluded from Computation of Earnings Per Share [Line Items]	'	'	'
Shares of common stock at prices ranging, lower limit	$3.93	$3.93	$18.78
Shares of common stock at prices ranging, upper limit	$18.80	$18.80	$21.36
Stock Options [Member]	'	'	'
Antidilutive Securities Excluded from Computation of Earnings Per Share [Line Items]	'	'	'
Share of common stock excluded from diluted net loss per share calculation	1.8	3.3	0.1
Deferred stock units, performance-based stock units and restricted stock [Member]	'	'	'
Antidilutive Securities Excluded from Computation of Earnings Per Share [Line Items]	'	'	'
Share of common stock excluded from diluted net loss per share calculation	0.3	0.3	'
Convertible Senior Debentures due 2018 [Member]	'	'	'
Antidilutive Securities Excluded from Computation of Earnings Per Share [Line Items]	'	'	'
Share of common stock excluded from diluted net loss per share calculation	3	3	'

Related_Party_Transactions_Nar

Related Party Transactions Narrative (Detail) (USD $)	1 Months Ended	12 Months Ended			156 Months Ended
	31-May-01	Dec. 31, 2013	Dec. 31, 2012	Dec. 31, 2011	Dec. 31, 2013
Related Party Transactions [Abstract]	'	'	'	'	'
Loan agreement	$26,500,000	'	'	'	'
Impairment charges against loan	'	15,700,000	'	'	'
Receipt in payments on loan	'	0	0	100,000	16,900,000
Loan, carrying value	'	$0	'	'	$0

Commitments_and_Contingencies_

Commitments and Contingencies Narrative (Detail) (USD $)

1 Months Ended

12 Months Ended

3 Months Ended

12 Months Ended

12 Months Ended

31-May-08

Oct. 31, 2001

Dec. 31, 2013

Dec. 31, 2012

Dec. 31, 2011

Dec. 31, 2013

Jun. 30, 2013

Dec. 31, 2013

Dec. 31, 2013

Dec. 31, 2013

Dec. 31, 2013

Dec. 31, 2013

Clawback Liability [Member]

Employee Severance [Member]

Employee Severance [Member]

Letter of credit [Member]

Accrued expenses and other current liabilities [Member]

Other long-term liabilities [Member]

Private equity funds [Member]

Commitment Contingencies And Guarantees [Line Items]

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

Lease expiration year

'

'

'2017

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

Total rental expense under operating leases

'

'

$600,000

$600,000

$500,000

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

Future minimum lease payments under non-cancelable operating leases 2014

'

'

500,000

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

Future minimum lease payments under non-cancelable operating leases 2015

'

'

400,000

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

Company outstanding guarantees

'

'

3,800,000

'

'

'

'

2,400,000

'

'

'

'

Committed capital of private equity funds

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

100,000

Funding period

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'12 months

Accrued expenses and other current liabilities

'

'

'

'

'

1,300,000

'

'

'

'

'

'

Accrued expenses

'

'

2,431,000

2,601,000

'

1,000,000

'

'

'

'

'

'

Other long-term liabilities

'

'

3,683,000

3,921,000

'

300,000

'

'

'

'

'

'

Company's ownership in the funds

'

'

'

'

'

19.00%

'

'

'

'

'

'

Proceeds from sale of business

6,400,000

'

38,974,000

17,596,000

171,268,000

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

Annual payments

'

650,000

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

Liability to former chairman and chief executive officer, current

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

800,000

'

'

Liability to former chairman and chief executive officer, non-current

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

2,600,000

'

Letters of credit outstanding

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

6,300,000

'

'

'

Letter of credit expiration date

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

19-Mar-19

'

'

'

Severance charge

'

'

'

'

'

'

$900,000

'

'

'

'

'

Supplemental_Cash_Flow_Informa1

Supplemental Cash Flow Information (Detail) (USD $)	12 Months Ended
In Millions, unless otherwise specified	Dec. 31, 2013	Dec. 31, 2012	Dec. 31, 2011
Cash Flow Supplemental Disclosures [Line Items]	'	'	'
Converted instrument amount	$1.80	$0.40	'
Interest payments	2.9	0.8	0.4
Cash paid for taxes	0	0	0
Convertible Senior Debentures due 2014 [Member]	'	'	'
Cash Flow Supplemental Disclosures [Line Items]	'	'	'
Interest payments	'	$4.80	$4.80

Operating_Segments_Narrative_D

Operating Segments Narrative (Detail) (USD $)	Dec. 31, 2013	Dec. 31, 2013	Dec. 31, 2012	Dec. 31, 2013	Aug. 31, 2011
In Millions, unless otherwise specified	Entity	Other Items	Other Items	Penn Mezzanine [Member]	Penn Mezzanine [Member]
Segment Reporting Information [Line Items]	'	'	'	'	'
Non-consolidated partner companies	22	'	'	'	'
Ownership interest under equity method, percentage	'	'	'	36.00%	36.00%
Total assets included cash, cash equivalents, cash held in escrow and marketable securities	'	$183.70	$212.50	'	'

Operating_Segments_Active_Part

Operating Segments Active Partner Companies by Segment (Detail)	Dec. 31, 2013		Dec. 31, 2012		Dec. 31, 2011
Healthcare [Member] | AdvantEdge Healthcare Solutions, Inc. [Member]	'		'		'
Schedule of Equity Method Investments [Line Items]	'		'		'
Ownership interest under equity method, percentage	40.10%		40.20%		40.20%
Healthcare [Member] | Alverix, Inc. [Member]	'		'		'
Schedule of Equity Method Investments [Line Items]	'		'		'
Ownership interest under equity method, percentage	48.50%		49.20%		49.60%
Healthcare [Member] | Crescendo Bioscience, Inc. [Member]	'		'		'
Schedule of Equity Method Investments [Line Items]	'		'		'
Ownership interest under cost method, percentage	12.60%		12.60%		'
Healthcare [Member] | Dabo Health, Inc. [Member]	'		'		'
Schedule of Equity Method Investments [Line Items]	'		'		'
Ownership interest under cost method, percentage	8.00%		'		'
Healthcare [Member] | Good Start Genetics, Inc. [Member]	'		'		'
Schedule of Equity Method Investments [Line Items]	'		'		'
Ownership interest under equity method, percentage	30.00%		30.00%		26.30%
Healthcare [Member] | Medivo, Inc. [Member]	'		'		'
Schedule of Equity Method Investments [Line Items]	'		'		'
Ownership interest under equity method, percentage	34.50%		30.00%		30.00%
Healthcare [Member] | NovaSom, Inc. [Member]	'		'		'
Schedule of Equity Method Investments [Line Items]	'		'		'
Ownership interest under equity method, percentage	30.30%		30.30%		30.30%
Healthcare [Member] | Nu Pathe Inc [Member]	'		'		'
Schedule of Equity Method Investments [Line Items]	'		'		'
Ownership interest under fair value method, percentage	16.50%	[1]	17.80%	[1]	17.80%	[1]
Healthcare [Member] | Putney, Inc. [Member]	'		'		'
Schedule of Equity Method Investments [Line Items]	'		'		'
Ownership interest under equity method, percentage	27.60%		27.60%		27.60%
Healthcare [Member] | Quantia, Inc. [Member]	'		'		'
Schedule of Equity Method Investments [Line Items]	'		'		'
Ownership interest under equity method, percentage	35.10%		'		'
Healthcare [Member] | Sotera Wireless, Inc. [Member]	'		'		'
Schedule of Equity Method Investments [Line Items]	'		'		'
Ownership interest under cost method, percentage	7.30%		'		'
Technology [Member] | Appfirst [Member]	'		'		'
Schedule of Equity Method Investments [Line Items]	'		'		'
Ownership interest under equity method, percentage	34.30%		35.00%		'
Technology [Member] | Apprenda, Inc. [Member]	'		'		'
Schedule of Equity Method Investments [Line Items]	'		'		'
Ownership interest under equity method, percentage	22.00%		'		'
Technology [Member] | Beyond.com, Inc [Member]	'		'		'
Schedule of Equity Method Investments [Line Items]	'		'		'
Ownership interest under equity method, percentage	38.20%		38.30%		38.30%
Technology [Member] | Bridgevine, Inc. [Member]	'		'		'
Schedule of Equity Method Investments [Line Items]	'		'		'
Ownership interest under equity method, percentage	22.70%		21.70%		22.80%
Technology [Member] | Clutch [Member]	'		'		'
Schedule of Equity Method Investments [Line Items]	'		'		'
Ownership interest under equity method, percentage	24.00%		'		'
Technology [Member] | DriveFactor Inc. [Member]	'		'		'
Schedule of Equity Method Investments [Line Items]	'		'		'
Ownership interest under equity method, percentage	40.60%		35.40%		23.90%
Technology [Member] | Hoopla Software, Inc. [Member]	'		'		'
Schedule of Equity Method Investments [Line Items]	'		'		'
Ownership interest under equity method, percentage	25.30%		25.30%		28.00%
Technology [Member] | Lumesis, Inc. [Member]	'		'		'
Schedule of Equity Method Investments [Line Items]	'		'		'
Ownership interest under equity method, percentage	44.20%		31.60%		'
Technology [Member] | MediaMath, Inc. [Member]	'		'		'
Schedule of Equity Method Investments [Line Items]	'		'		'
Ownership interest under equity method, percentage	22.50%		22.20%		22.40%
Technology [Member] | Pneuron [Member]	'		'		'
Schedule of Equity Method Investments [Line Items]	'		'		'
Ownership interest under equity method, percentage	27.60%		'		'
Technology [Member] | Spongecell, Inc. [Member]	'		'		'
Schedule of Equity Method Investments [Line Items]	'		'		'
Ownership interest under equity method, percentage	23.00%		23.10%		'
[1]	The Company’s ownership interest in NuPathe was accounted for as available-for-sale securities following NuPathe’ s completion of an initial public offering in August 2010. In October 2012, the Company participated in a private placement of NuPathe preferred stock units, and in conjunction with this financing the Company placed two persons on NuPathe’s board of directors. As a result, the Company determined that it exercised significant influence over NuPathe which made the equity method of accounting applicable to its ownership interests. Instead, the Company elected the fair value option beginning in October 2012.

Operating_Segments_Active_Part1

Operating Segments Active Partner Companies by Segment (Parenthetical) (Detail) (Nu Pathe Inc [Member])	Oct. 23, 2012
	Person
Nu Pathe Inc [Member]	'
Schedule of Equity Method Investments [Line Items]	'
Number of Board of directors	2

Operating_Segments_Segment_Dat

Operating Segments Segment Data from Operations (Detail) (USD $)	3 Months Ended								12 Months Ended
In Thousands, unless otherwise specified	Dec. 31, 2013	Sep. 30, 2013	Jun. 30, 2013	Mar. 31, 2013	Dec. 31, 2012	Sep. 30, 2012	Jun. 30, 2012	Mar. 31, 2012	Dec. 31, 2013	Dec. 31, 2012	Dec. 31, 2011
Segment Reporting Information [Line Items]	'	'	'	'	'	'	'	'	'	'	'
Operating loss	($4,720)	($4,835)	($6,715)	($5,374)	($4,792)	($4,790)	($5,148)	($4,743)	($21,644)	($19,473)	($21,168)
Interest income	550	572	790	734	736	696	595	899	2,646	2,926	1,424
Equity income (loss)	22,646	-9,866	-18,400	-6,987	-6,829	-3,293	-8,947	-7,448	-12,607	-26,517	142,457
Net income (loss)	23,967	-19,430	-28,123	-11,939	-10,808	-8,757	-10,137	-9,660	-35,525	-39,362	110,597
Assets	345,996	'	'	'	374,144	'	'	'	345,996	374,144	'
Total Segments	'	'	'	'	'	'	'	'	'	'	'
Segment Reporting Information [Line Items]	'	'	'	'	'	'	'	'	'	'	'
Operating loss	'	'	'	'	'	'	'	'	-15	-10	0
Interest income	'	'	'	'	'	'	'	'	1,506	1,505	210
Equity income (loss)	'	'	'	'	'	'	'	'	-12,903	-26,980	142,682
Net income (loss)	'	'	'	'	'	'	'	'	-10,776	-7,915	135,680
Assets	157,193	'	'	'	154,406	'	'	'	157,193	154,406	'
Healthcare [Member]	'	'	'	'	'	'	'	'	'	'	'
Segment Reporting Information [Line Items]	'	'	'	'	'	'	'	'	'	'	'
Operating loss	'	'	'	'	'	'	'	'	0	0	0
Interest income	'	'	'	'	'	'	'	'	0	0	0
Equity income (loss)	'	'	'	'	'	'	'	'	-31,706	-26,544	121,299
Net income (loss)	'	'	'	'	'	'	'	'	-32,563	-6,660	114,063
Assets	74,939	'	'	'	83,500	'	'	'	74,939	83,500	'
Technology [Member]	'	'	'	'	'	'	'	'	'	'	'
Segment Reporting Information [Line Items]	'	'	'	'	'	'	'	'	'	'	'
Operating loss	'	'	'	'	'	'	'	'	0	0	0
Interest income	'	'	'	'	'	'	'	'	0	0	0
Equity income (loss)	'	'	'	'	'	'	'	'	20,899	-119	21,454
Net income (loss)	'	'	'	'	'	'	'	'	20,899	-119	21,478
Assets	69,471	'	'	'	58,753	'	'	'	69,471	58,753	'
Penn Mezzanine [Member]	'	'	'	'	'	'	'	'	'	'	'
Segment Reporting Information [Line Items]	'	'	'	'	'	'	'	'	'	'	'
Operating loss	'	'	'	'	'	'	'	'	-15	-10	0
Interest income	'	'	'	'	'	'	'	'	1,506	1,505	210
Equity income (loss)	'	'	'	'	'	'	'	'	-2,096	-317	-71
Net income (loss)	'	'	'	'	'	'	'	'	888	-1,136	139
Assets	12,783	'	'	'	12,153	'	'	'	12,783	12,153	'
Other Items	'	'	'	'	'	'	'	'	'	'	'
Segment Reporting Information [Line Items]	'	'	'	'	'	'	'	'	'	'	'
Operating loss	'	'	'	'	'	'	'	'	-21,629	-19,463	-21,168
Interest income	'	'	'	'	'	'	'	'	1,140	1,421	1,214
Equity income (loss)	'	'	'	'	'	'	'	'	296	463	-225
Net income (loss)	'	'	'	'	'	'	'	'	-24,749	-31,447	-25,083
Assets	$188,803	'	'	'	$219,738	'	'	'	$188,803	$219,738	'

Operating_Segments_Net_Loss_fr

Operating Segments Net Loss from Other Items (Detail) (USD $)	3 Months Ended								12 Months Ended
In Thousands, unless otherwise specified	Dec. 31, 2013	Sep. 30, 2013	Jun. 30, 2013	Mar. 31, 2013	Dec. 31, 2012	Sep. 30, 2012	Jun. 30, 2012	Mar. 31, 2012	Dec. 31, 2013	Dec. 31, 2012	Dec. 31, 2011
Segment Reporting, Reconciliation of Net Income (Loss) Segment to Consolidated [Line Items]	'	'	'	'	'	'	'	'	'	'	'
Net income (loss) before income taxes	$23,967	($19,430)	($28,123)	($11,939)	($10,808)	($8,757)	($10,137)	($9,660)	($35,525)	($39,362)	$110,597
Income tax benefit (expense)	0	0	0	0	0	0	0	0	0	0	0
Net income (loss)	23,967	-19,430	-28,123	-11,939	-10,808	-8,757	-10,137	-9,660	-35,525	-39,362	110,597
Corporate Operations [Member]	'	'	'	'	'	'	'	'	'	'	'
Segment Reporting, Reconciliation of Net Income (Loss) Segment to Consolidated [Line Items]	'	'	'	'	'	'	'	'	'	'	'
Net income (loss) before income taxes	'	'	'	'	'	'	'	'	-24,749	-31,447	-25,083
Income tax benefit (expense)	'	'	'	'	'	'	'	'	0	0	0
Net income (loss)	'	'	'	'	'	'	'	'	($24,749)	($31,447)	($25,083)

Selected_Quarterly_Financial_I2

Selected Quarterly Financial Information (Unaudited) (Detail) (USD $)	3 Months Ended																12 Months Ended
In Thousands, except Per Share data, unless otherwise specified	Dec. 31, 2013		Sep. 30, 2013		Jun. 30, 2013		Mar. 31, 2013		Dec. 31, 2012		Sep. 30, 2012		Jun. 30, 2012		Mar. 31, 2012		Dec. 31, 2013	Dec. 31, 2012	Dec. 31, 2011
Quarterly Financial Information Disclosure [Abstract]	'		'		'		'		'		'		'		'		'	'	'
General and administrative expense	$4,720		$4,835		$6,715		$5,374		$4,792		$4,790		$5,148		$4,743		$21,644	$19,473	$21,168
Operating loss	-4,720		-4,835		-6,715		-5,374		-4,792		-4,790		-5,148		-4,743		-21,644	-19,473	-21,168
Other income (loss), net	6,574		-4,224		-2,724		757		1,344		91		4,819		3,084		383	9,338	-6,145
Interest income	550		572		790		734		736		696		595		899		2,646	2,926	1,424
Interest expense	-1,083		-1,077		-1,074		-1,069		-1,267		-1,461		-1,456		-1,452		-4,303	-5,636	-5,971
Equity income (loss)	22,646		-9,866		-18,400		-6,987		-6,829		-3,293		-8,947		-7,448		-12,607	-26,517	142,457
Net income (loss) before income taxes	23,967		-19,430		-28,123		-11,939		-10,808		-8,757		-10,137		-9,660		-35,525	-39,362	110,597
Income tax benefit (expense)	0		0		0		0		0		0		0		0		0	0	0
Net income (loss)	$23,967		($19,430)		($28,123)		($11,939)		($10,808)		($8,757)		($10,137)		($9,660)		($35,525)	($39,362)	$110,597
Net loss per share	'		'		'		'		'		'		'		'		'	'	'
Basic (in dollars per share)	$1.10	[1]	($0.90)	[1]	($1.33)	[1]	($0.57)	[1]	($0.51)	[1]	($0.42)	[1]	($0.48)	[1]	($0.46)	[1]	($1.66)	($1.88)	$5.33
Diluted (in dollars per share)	$0.99	[1]	($0.90)	[1]	($1.33)	[1]	($0.57)	[1]	($0.51)	[1]	($0.42)	[1]	($0.48)	[1]	($0.46)	[1]	($1.66)	($1.88)	$4.74
[1]	Per share amounts for the quarters have each been calculated separately. Accordingly, quarterly amounts may not add to the annual amounts because of differences in the average common shares outstanding during each period. Additionally, in regard to diluted per share amounts only, quarterly amounts may not add to the annual amounts because of the inclusion of the effect of potentially dilutive securities only in the periods in which such effect would have been dilutive, and because of the adjustments to net income (loss) for the dilutive effect of partner company common stock equivalents and convertible securities.

Subsequent_Events_Narrative_De

Subsequent Events Narrative (Details) (USD $)	1 Months Ended	12 Months Ended			1 Months Ended
	31-May-08	Dec. 31, 2013	Dec. 31, 2012	Dec. 31, 2011	Jan. 31, 2014	Feb. 28, 2014	Feb. 28, 2014
					Subsequent Event [Member]	Subsequent Event [Member]	Subsequent Event [Member]
					Alverix, Inc. [Member]	Nupathe [Member]	Crescendo [Member]
Subsequent Event [Line Items]	'	'	'	'	'	'	'
Proceeds from sales of and distributions from companies and funds	$6,400,000	$38,974,000	$17,596,000	$171,268,000	$15,700,000	$23,100,000	$38,400,000
Amount held in escrow	'	'	'	'	1,700,000	'	3,200,000
Held in Escrow Period	'	'	'	'	'18 months	'	'15 months
Sale Price Per Share	'	'	'	'	'	$3.65	'
Per Share Proceeds From Milestone Payments	'	'	'	'	'	$3.15	'
Additional sale proceeds	'	'	'	'	'	$24,200,000	'