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Document and Entity Information - USD ($)	12 Months Ended
Document and Entity Information - USD ($)	Dec. 31, 2012	Mar. 20, 2013	Jun. 30, 2012
Document and Entity Information [Abstract]
Entity Registrant Name	INTEGRATED SURGICAL SYSTEMS INC
Entity Central Index Key	0000894871
Current Fiscal Year End Date	--12-31
Entity Filer Category	Smaller Reporting Company
Trading Symbol	issm
Entity Common Stock, Shares Outstanding		8,396,199
Document Type	10-K
Amendment Flag	false
Document Period End Date	Dec. 31, 2012
Document Fiscal Period Focus	FY
Document Fiscal Year Focus	2012
Entity Well-Known Seasoned Issuer	No
Entity Current Reporting Status	Yes
Entity Voluntary Filers	No
Entity Public Float			$ 730,730

Balance Sheets - USD ($)	Dec. 31, 2012	Dec. 31, 2011
Assets
Cash and cash equivalents	$ 113,991	$ 422,984
Investments in available-for-sale securities	2,658,190	2,491,773
Other current assets	36,331	21,868
Total current assets	2,808,512	2,936,625
Other assets:
Investment in ClearSign	0	1,000,000
Total Assets	2,808,512	3,936,625
Liabilities and stockholders' equity
Accounts payable	0	5,451
Accrued stock compensation	15,625	15,625
Income taxes payable	682	0
Conversion feature liability	108,839	81,101
Total current liabilities	125,146	102,177
Commitments and contingencies
Redeemable convertible preferred stock, $0.01 par value, 1,000,000 shares authorized; 168 shares issued and outstanding ($168,496 aggregate liquidation value)	168,496	168,496
Stockholders' equity:
Common stock, $0.01 par value, 100,000,000 shares authorized; 8,318,073 and 8,028,778 shares issued and outstanding at December 31, 2012 and 2011, respectively	83,180	80,287
Additional paid-in capital	64,352,158	64,292,551
Accumulated deficit	(61,917,302)	(60,681,860)
Accumulated other comprehensive loss	(3,166)	(25,026)
Total stockholders' equity	2,514,870	3,665,952
Total liabilities and stockholders' equity	$ 2,808,512	$ 3,936,625

Balance Sheets [Parenthetical] - USD ($)	Dec. 31, 2012	Dec. 31, 2011
Common stock, par value (in dollars per share)	$ 0.01	$ 0.01
Common stock, shares authorised	100,000,000	100,000,000
Common stock, shares issued	8,318,073	8,028,778
Common stock, shares outstanding	8,318,073	8,028,778
Redeemable Convertible Preferred Stock [Member]
Temporary equity, par value (in dollars per share)	$ 0.01	$ 0.01
Temporary equity, shares authorized	1,000,000	1,000,000
Temporary equity, shares issued	168	168
Temporary equity, shares outstanding	168	168
Temporary equity, liquidation preference (in dollars)	$ 168,496	$ 168,496

Statements of Operations and Comprehensive Income (Loss) - USD ($)	12 Months Ended
	Dec. 31, 2012	Dec. 31, 2011
Operating Expenses
General and administrative expenses	$ 250,707	$ 249,657
Loss from operations	(250,707)	(249,657)
Other income (expense)
Interest and dividend income, net	66,958	74,726
Change in fair value of conversion feature	(27,738)	(81,101)
Gain on distribution of investment in ClearSign	811,713	0
Realized loss on available-for-sale securities	(30,378)	(5,919)
Total other income (expense)	820,555	(12,294)
Income (loss) before income taxes	569,848	(261,951)
Income taxes	1,482	800
Net income (loss)	568,366	(262,751)
Other comprehensive income (loss)
Unrealized gains (losses) on available-for-sale securities	21,860	(36,491)
Comprehensive income (loss)	$ 590,226	$ (299,242)
Basic net income (loss) per common share	$ 0.07	$ (0.03)
Diluted net income (loss) per common share (in dollars per share)	$ 0.06	$ (0.03)
Weighted average number of shares outstanding
Basic (in shares)	8,189,690	7,939,527
Diluted (in shares)	9,428,631	7,939,527

Statement of Changes in Stockholders' Equity - USD ($)	Common Stock [Member]	Additional Paid-In Capital [Member]	Accumulated Other Comprehensive Income (Loss) [Member]	Retained Earnings [Member]	Comprehensive Income (Loss) [Member]	Total
Balance at Dec. 31, 2010	$ 78,222	$ 64,225,865	$ 11,465	$ (60,419,109)	$ 0	$ 3,896,443
Balance (in shares) at Dec. 31, 2010	7,822,314
Stock-based compensation	$ 2,065	66,686	0	0	0	68,751
Stock-based compensation (in shares)	206,464
Comprehensive gain (loss)
Net income (loss)	$ 0	0	0	(262,751)	(262,751)	(262,751)
Other comprehensive income (loss)
Net unrealized gain (loss) on investments in securities	0	0	(36,491)	0	(36,491)	(36,491)
Comprehensive gain (loss)	0	0	0	0	(299,242)	(299,242)
Balance at Dec. 31, 2011	$ 80,287	64,292,551	(25,026)	(60,681,860)	0	3,665,952
Balance (in shares) at Dec. 31, 2011	8,028,778
Stock-based compensation	$ 2,893	59,607	0	0	0	62,500
Stock-based compensation (in shares)	289,294
Dividends				(1,803,808)		(1,803,808)
Comprehensive gain (loss)
Net income (loss)	$ 0	0	0	568,366	568,366	568,366
Other comprehensive income (loss)
Net unrealized gain (loss) on investments in securities	0	0	21,860	0	21,860	21,860
Comprehensive gain (loss)	0	0	0	0	590,226	590,226
Balance at Dec. 31, 2012	$ 83,180	$ 64,352,158	$ (3,166)	$ (61,917,302)	$ 0	$ 2,514,870
Balance (in shares) at Dec. 31, 2012	8,318,072

Statements of Cash Flows - USD ($)	12 Months Ended
Statements of Cash Flows - USD ($)	Dec. 31, 2012	Dec. 31, 2011
Cash flows from operating activities:
Net income (loss)	$ 568,366	$ (262,751)
Adjustments to reconcile net income (loss) to net cash used in operating activities:
Change in fair value of conversion feature	27,738	81,101
Stock based compensation	62,500	68,751
Realized losses on available-for-sale securities	30,378	5,919
Gain on distribution of investment in ClearSign	(811,713)	0
Changes in operating assets and liabilities:
Other current assets	(14,461)	25,292
Accounts payable	(5,452)	500
Accrued stock compensation	0	(9,375)
Income taxes payable	682	0
Rent deposit	0	(8,175)
Net cash used in operating activities	(141,962)	(98,738)
Cash flows from investing activities:
Purchases of available for sale securities	(3,467,277)	(1,786,152)
Proceeds received from sales of available-for-sale securities	319,496	492,264
Proceeds received from maturities of available-for-sale securities	2,980,750	2,775,249
Investment in ClearSign	0	(1,000,000)
Net cash provided by (used in) investing activities	(167,031)	481,361
Net increase (decrease) in cash and cash equivalents	(308,993)	382,623
Cash and cash equivalents at beginning of year	422,984	40,361
Cash and cash equivalents at end of year	113,991	422,984
Supplemental cash flow disclosure:
Income taxes paid	800	800
Supplemental non-cash disclosure:
Unrealized gain (loss) on available-for-sale securities	21,860	(36,491)
Dividend of ClearSign common stock	$ 1,803,808	$ 0

Organization and Operations

12 Months Ended

Dec. 31, 2012

Organization, Consolidation and Presentation Of Financial Statements [Abstract]

Nature of Operations [Text Block]

1. Organization and Operations

Integrated Surgical Systems, Inc. (the “Company”) was incorporated in Delaware in 1990 to design, manufacture, sell and service image-directed, computer-controlled robotic software and hardware products for use in orthopedic surgical procedures. On June 28, 2007, the Company completed the sale of substantially all of its operating assets. After completion of the sale, the Company no longer engaged in any business activities related to its former business described above. The Company’s current operations are limited to raising additional funds to be used to maintain the Company’s public company status and to complete a business combination or strategic alliance, if suitable candidates are identified.

Significant Accounting Policies

12 Months Ended

Dec. 31, 2012

Accounting Policies [Abstract]

Basis of Presentation and Significant Accounting Policies [Text Block]

2. Significant Accounting Policies

Basis of Presentation

The accompanying financial statements reflect the operating results and financial position of the Company in accordance with accounting principles generally accepted in the United States of America (“GAAP”).

Use of Estimates

The preparation of financial statements in conformity with accounting principles generally accepted in the United States of America requires management to make estimates and assumptions that affect the reported amounts of assets and liabilities and the disclosure of contingent assets and liabilities at the date of the financial statements and revenues and expenses for the reporting period. Actual results could differ from those estimates.

Cash and cash equivalents

Cash and cash equivalents include checking and money market accounts held in two financial institutions. The Company has a checking account at one institution with a balance of approximately $36,000 at December 31, 2012. The funds in this account are fully guaranteed by the Federal Deposit Insurance Corporation (“FDIC”) up to $250,000. The Company has a money market account in a brokerage account with a second financial institution, with a money market cash balance of approximately $78,000 at December 31, 2012. Assets in this brokerage account are protected by the Securities Investor Protection Corporation (“SIPC”) up to $500,000. The Company had no uninsured cash and cash equivalents at December 31, 2012.

Investment in Available-for-Sale Securities

The Company has a portfolio of investments in available-for-sale debt securities, which consist of fixed income debt securities and equity securities, which are accounted for in accordance with FASB ASC 320, “Investments - Debt and Equity Securities.” Management determines the appropriate classification of the securities at the time they are acquired and evaluates the appropriateness of such classifications at each balance sheet date. Available-for-sale securities are stated at fair value, and unrealized holding gains and losses, net of the related deferred tax effect, if any, are reported as other comprehensive income, a separate component of stockholders’ equity.

Fair Value Measurement

FASB ASC 820 “Fair Value Measurements and Disclosures” clarifies that fair value is an exit price, representing the amount that would be received to sell an asset or paid to transfer a liability in an orderly transaction between market participants. As such, fair value is a market-based measurement that is determined based on assumptions that market participants would use in pricing an asset or a liability. As a basis for considering such assumptions, FASB ASC 820 establishes a three-tier value hierarchy, which prioritizes the inputs used in the valuation methodologies in measuring fair value:

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.

In accordance with FASB ASC 820, the Company measures its cash equivalents, investments in available-for-sale securities, derivative liability and investment in ClearSign at fair value. The Company’s cash equivalents and investments in available-for-sale securities are classified within Level 1 by using quoted market prices. The Company’s derivative liability is classified within Level 3.

The carrying value of other current assets and liabilities are considered to be representative of their respective fair values because of the short-term nature of those instruments.

Income Taxes

Deferred income taxes have been provided for temporary differences between financial statement and income tax reporting under the liability method, using expected tax rates and laws that are expected to be in effect when the differences are expected to reverse. A valuation allowance is provided when realization is not considered more likely than not.

The Company applies the provisions of FASB ASC 740, “Income Taxes.” ASC 740 clarifies the accounting for uncertainty in income taxes recognized in the Company’s financial statements in accordance with ASC 740, “Income Taxes,” and prescribes a recognition threshold and measurement process for financial statement recognition and measurement of a tax position taken or expected to be taken in a tax return. ASC 740 also provides guidance on de-recognition, classification, interest and penalties, accounting in interim periods, disclosure and transition.

The Company’s policy is to classify expenses as a result of income tax assessments as interest expense for interest charges and as penalties in general and administrative expenses for penalty assessments.

Cost-Basis Method Valuation

The Company’s non-marketable equity investment was previously recorded using the cost-basis method of accounting, and was classified as a long-term asset on the accompanying balance sheet as permitted by FASB ASC 325, “Cost Method Investments”, as the Company owned less than 20% of the voting securities and did not have the ability to exercise significant influence over operating and financial policies of the entity. During the twelve months ended December 31, 2012, the Company distributed a majority of this investment to its stockholders and reclassified the remaining shares as available-for-sale securities. During the same period, the investee’s stock became publicly traded and its fair value became readily available. Therefore, as of December 31, 2012, the shares held by the Company have been accounted for in accordance with FASB ASC 320, “Investment – Debt and Equity Securities”. See Note 5, “Investment in ClearSign” for more information.

Recently Adopted Accounting Pronouncements

In May 2011, the Financial Accounting Standards Board ("FASB") issued Accounting Standards Update 2011-04, “Fair Value Measurement” (Topic 820): Amendments to Achieve Common Fair Value Measurement and Disclosure Requirements in U.S. GAAP and IFRSs. This guidance amends the disclosure requirements related to recurring and nonrecurring fair value measurements and includes the following provisions: application of the concepts of highest and best use and valuation premise, introduction of an option to measure groups of offsetting assets and liabilities on a net basis, incorporation of certain premiums and discounts in fair value measurements, and the measurement of fair value of certain instruments classified in shareholders’ equity. In addition, the amended guidance includes several new fair value disclosure requirements, including, among other things, information about valuation techniques and unobservable inputs used in Level 3 fair value measurements and a narrative description of Level 3 measurements’ sensitivity to changes in unobservable inputs. The guidance became effective for the reporting period beginning January 1, 2012. The adoption of this guidance did not have a material impact on the Company’s financial statements.

In June 2011, the FASB issued Accounting Standards Update 2011-05, “Comprehensive Income” (Topic 220): Presentation of Comprehensive Income. This amended guidance now requires reporting entities to present all non-owner changes in stockholders’ equity either as a single continuous statement of comprehensive income or as two separate but consecutive statements. The guidance became effective for the reporting period beginning December 15, 2011. Early adoption is permitted. The Company adopted this accounting standard for the reporting period ending December 31, 2011 and it did not have a material impact on the Company’s financial statements. Subsequently in December 2011, the FASB issued Accounting Standards Update No. 2011-12, “Deferral of the Effective Date for Amendments to the Presentation of Reclassifications of Items Out of Accumulated Other Comprehensive Income” (“ASU No. 2011-12”), which indefinitely defers the requirement in ASU No. 2011-05 to present on the face of the financial statements reclassification adjustments for items that are reclassified from other comprehensive income to net income in the statement(s) where the components of net income and the components of other comprehensive income are presented. The amendments in these standards do not change the items that must be reported in other comprehensive income, when an item of other comprehensive income must be reclassified to net income, or change the option for an entity to present components of other comprehensive income gross or net of the effect of income taxes. The amendments in ASU No. 2011-12 are effective for interim and annual periods beginning after December 15, 2011 and are to be applied retrospectively. The adoption of the provisions of ASU No. 2011-12 did not have a material impact on the Company’s financial position or results of operations.

Management does not believe that any other recently issued, but not yet effective accounting pronouncements, if adopted, would have a material effect on the accompanying financial statements.

Income (Loss) Per Share

12 Months Ended

Dec. 31, 2012

Earnings Per Share [Abstract]

Earnings Per Share [Text Block]

3. Income (Loss) Per Share

Basic earnings (loss) per share is computed by dividing net income (loss) by the weighted average number of shares of common stock outstanding during the period. Diluted net income (loss) per share is computed by dividing net income (loss) by the weighted average number of shares of common stock outstanding during the period plus dilutive common stock equivalents, using the treasury stock method.

Common stock equivalents for convertible preferred stock of 825,961 shares were excluded from the calculation of loss per share for the year ended December 31, 2011 because they were not dilutive; these shares would have been dilutive if the Company had not had a net loss for the those periods.

A warrant for 30,000 shares, and stock options of 100,000 were excluded from the calculation of income per share for 2012, and a warrant for 30,000 shares, and stock options of 150,000 were excluded from the calculation of loss per share for 2011, respectively, because their effect was anti-dilutive.

Investment in Available-for-Sale Securities

12 Months Ended

Dec. 31, 2012

Available-For-Sale Securities [Abstract]

Available For Sale Securities Disclosure [Text Block]

4. Investment in Available-for-Sale Securities

The following is a summary of the Company’s investment in available-for-sale securities as of December 31, 2012:

	Cost		Unrealized Gains		Unrealized Losses			Fair Value
U.S. federal agency securities	$	19,592	$	196	$	-		$	19,788
Municipal securities		1,154,888		2,882		(2,137	)		1,155,633
Certificates of deposit		1,193,494		8,734		(16,904	)		1,185,324
Corporate debt securities		285,524		4,164		(9,633	)		280,055
Equity securities – ClearSign common stock		7,905		9,485		-			17,390
	$	2,661,403	$	25,461	$	(28,674	)	$	2,658,190

The following is a summary of the Company’s investment in available-for-sale securities as of December 31, 2011:

	Cost		Unrealized Gains		Unrealized Losses			Fair Value
U.S. federal agency securities	$	15,153	$	411	$	-		$	15,564
Corporate debt securities		1,725,402		11,154		(13,970	)		1,722,586
Certificates of deposit		776,244		1,222		(23,843	)		753,623
	$	2,516,799	$	12,787	$	(37,813	)	$	2,491,773

The Company’s investment portfolio had a net realized loss of $30,440and $5,919 for the years ended December 31, 2012 and 2011, respectively. The Company’s investment portfolio has thirty-two positions with an unrealized loss as of December 31, 2012.

The cost and fair value of investment in fixed income available-for-sale debt securities, by contractual maturity, as of December 31, 2012, are as follows:

	Cost		Fair Value
Due within one year	$	684,032	$	661,329
Due after one year through three years		731,410		733,771
Due after three years		1,238,056		1,245,700
	$	2,653,498	$	2,640,800

Expected maturities will differ from contractual maturities because the issuers of certain debt securities have the right to call or prepay their obligations without any penalties. The Company has classified the entire fair value of its investment in available-for-sale debt securities as current assets in the accompanying balance sheets.

Cost-Basis Investment

12 Months Ended

Dec. 31, 2012

Investments, All Other Investments [Abstract]

Cost-method Investments, Description [Text Block]

5. Cost-Basis Investment

On April 20, 2011, the Company purchased 363,636 shares of common stock of ClearSign Combustion Corporation, a privately-held Washington corporation (“ClearSign”), for an aggregate purchase price of $1,000,000, or $2.75 per share, in connection with ClearSign’s private offering of up to $3,000,000 of its common stock (the “ClearSign Offering”). Due to a 1.25-for-one stock split, which occurred subsequent to this purchase, the Company held 454,545 shares of common stock of ClearSign. ClearSign is an early-stage clean energy company focused on developing technology to increase energy efficiency in most types of industrial combustion systems. Prior to September 30, 2012, this investment had been accounted for using the cost method, as the Company owned less than 20% of the voting securities and did not have the ability to exercise significant influence over operating and financial policies of the entity.

ClearSign filed a registration statement on Form S-1 (as amended) for the initial public offering of its common stock that was declared effective April 24, 2012. On April 25, 2012, ClearSign Combustion Corporation (“ClearSign”) completed an initial public offering selling 3,000,000 shares of its common stock at $4.00 per share, and trading under the symbol CLIR on NASDAQ. The shares of common stock of ClearSign previously acquired in a private placement by the Company were registered for resale or distribution as part of the offering

On April 24, 2012, the Company’s board of directors declared a dividend to the shareholders of the Company, of an aggregate of 450,000 shares of common stock of ClearSign. The dividend was at the rate of 0.05513475 shares of ClearSign for each share of common stock of the Company, which equates to one share of common stock of ClearSign for approximately 18.137 shares of the Company’s common stock. The record date of the dividend was May 9, 2012, and the payment date of the dividend was May 23, 2012. A total of 450,952 shares of ClearSign were distributed, including 952 rounding shares. During the nine months ended September 30, 2012, the Company recorded a gain of $811,713 equal to the increase in the fair value of the ClearSign investment which had been distributed, or $1,803,808, as measured on April 25, 2012 less the cost basis of the investment.

The Company retained 3,593 shares of ClearSign common stock, having a fair value of $17,390. An unrealized gain of $9,485 was recorded during 2012. This investment is included in investments in available-for-sale securities.

Redeemable Convertible Preferred Stock

12 Months Ended

Dec. 31, 2012

Temporary Equity Disclosure [Abstract]

Temporary Equity Disclosure [Text Block]

6. Redeemable Convertible Preferred Stock

The Company’s Certificate of Incorporation authorized 1,000,000 shares of undesignated, serial preferred stock. Preferred stock may be issued from time to time in one or more series. The Board of Directors is authorized to determine the rights, preferences, privileges, and restrictions granted to and imposed upon any wholly unissued series of preferred stock and designation of any such series without any further vote or action by the Company’s stockholders.

As of December 31, 2012 and 2011, the Company’s only outstanding series of convertible preferred stock is the Series G Convertible Preferred Stock (“Series G”).

The Series G stock has a stated value of $1,000 per share, and is convertible into common stock at a conversion price equal to 85% of the lowest sale price of the common stock on its listed market over the five trading days preceding the date of conversion ("Beneficial Conversion Feature"), subject to a maximum conversion price. The number of shares of common stock that may be converted is determined by dividing the stated value of the number of shares of Series G to be converted by the conversion price. The Company may elect to pay the Series G holder in cash at the current market price multiplied by the number of shares of common stock issuable upon conversion.

For the years ended December 31, 2012 and 2011, no shares of Series G were converted into shares of common stock. At December 31, 2012 and 2011, the outstanding Series G shares were convertible into a minimum of 991,153 and 825,961 shares of common stock, respectively.

Upon a change in control, sale of or similar transaction, as defined in the Certificate of Designation for the Series G, each holder of the Series G has the option to deem such transaction as a liquidation and may redeem his or her shares at the liquidation value of $1,000, per share, for an aggregate amount of $168,496. The sale of all the assets on June 28, 2007 triggered the preferred stockholders’ redemption option. As such redemption is not in the control of the Company, the Series G stock has been accounted for as if it was redeemable preferred stock and is classified on the balance sheet between liabilities and stockholders’ equity.

The conversion feature of the preferred stock is considered a derivative according to ASC 815 “Derivatives and Hedging”, therefore, the fair value of the derivative is reflected in the financial statements as a liability, which was determined to be $108,839 as of December 31, 2012, and has been included as “conversion feature liability” on the accompanying balance sheets. As of December 31, 2011, the fair value of the derivative was determined to be $81,101.

Stock-based compensation

12 Months Ended

Dec. 31, 2012

Disclosure Of Compensation Related Costs, Share-Based Payments [Abstract]

Disclosure of Compensation Related Costs, Share-based Payments [Text Block]

7. Stock-based compensation

On August 15, 2008, the Company granted 25,000 non-qualified stock options to each of its four directors. These options had a vesting period of one year from the date of grant, and they became fully vested and exercisable on August 15, 2009. These options expire on August 15, 2013 and have an exercise price of $0.38 per share. As of December 31, 2012 and December 31, 2011, 100,000 options remain outstanding under this grant.

The Company currently has no stock option plans with outstanding options issued to its officers, employees, directors and consultants. The 1998 Stock Option Plan (“1998 Plan”) was established to grant up to 85,000 non-qualified options through May 12, 2008 to employees and other individuals providing services to the Company. Options under the 1998 Plan vested from one year to four years from the date of grant, and vested options must be exercised within 30 days of an employee’s termination. As of December 31, 2012, zero options remained outstanding and vested under the 1998 Plan and as of December 31, 2011, 50,000 options remain outstanding and vested under the 1998 Plan.

FASB ASC 718 “Compensation-Stock Compensation” requires entities to estimate the number of forfeitures expected to occur and record expense based upon the number of awards expected to vest. The outstanding stock options under the 1998 Plan have been fully vested and related expenses were fully amortized for the year ended December 31, 2012.

For the year ended December 31, 2012, option activity was as follows:

	Shares			Weighted-Average Exercise Price		Remaining Contractual Term		Aggregate Fair Value
Outstanding at beginning of year		150,000		$	0.36
Granted		-		$	-
Expired and forfeited		(50,000	)	$	0.3275
Exercised		-		$	-
Outstanding at end of year		100,000		$	0.38		0.62	$	30,120

Exercisable at December 31, 2012		100,000		$	0.38		0.62	$	30,120

As of December 31, 2012, a summary of options outstanding under the Company’s 1998 Plan was as follows:

Exercise Price		Weighted-Average Remaining Contractual Life (Years)		Number Outstanding at 12/31/12		Weighted-Average Exercise Price		Number Exercisable at 12/31/12		Weighted-Average Exercise Price
	0.38		0.62		100,000	$	0.38		100,000	$	0.38

In addition, the Company has previously issued 30,000 warrants in lieu of consulting fees, which expire in July 2014 and have an exercise price of $0.63 per share.

The Company agreed to compensate two of its directors by issuing common stock for services rendered in 2012 and 2011. Both directors are affiliated with the advisory services firm that is currently providing investment banking services to the Company. Beginning in the second quarter of 2011 and continuing through 2012, the Company agreed to provide one-half of the compensation of a third director in common stock. The number of shares issued to each director was determined based upon the equivalent cash compensation accrued divided by the closing price of the Company’s common stock on the date that the compensation is fully earned each quarter, which is the last day of such quarter. The Company recorded accrued stock-based compensation of $15,625 as of December 31, 2011 for three directors.

On January 25, 2012, the Company issued 26,042 shares of common stock to each of two directors, and 13,022 shares to another director as compensation for the three months ended December 31, 2011. These shares, totaling 65,106, were valued at a per share price of $0.24, or a total value of $15,625.

On April 4, 2012, the Company issued 27,174 shares of common stock to each of two directors, and 13,588 shares of common stock to another director, as compensation for the three months ended March 31, 2012. These shares, totaling 67,936, were valued at a per share price of $0.23, or a total of $15,625.

On July 12, 2012, the Company issued 31,250 shares of common stock to each of two directors, and 15,626 shares of common stock to another director, as compensation for the three months ended June 30, 2012. These shares, totaling 78,126, were valued at a per share price of $0.20, or a total of $15,625.

On October 31, 2012, the Company issued 31,250 shares of common stock to each of two directors, and 15,626 shares of common stock to another director, as compensation for the three months ended September 30, 2012. These shares, totaling 78,126, were valued at a per share price of $0.20, or a total of $15,625.

On January 17, 2013, the Company issued 31,250 shares of common stock to each of two directors, and 15,626 shares of common stock to another director, as compensation for the three months ended December 31, 2012. These shares, totaling 78,126, were valued at a per share price of $0.20, or a total of $15,625.

Significant Accounting Policies (Details Textual)	Dec. 31, 2012 USD ($)
Checking Account	$ 36,000
Money Market Funds, at Carrying Value	78,000
Maximum Amount Of Assets Protected By Securities Investor Protection Corporation In Brokerage Account	500,000
Cash, Uninsured Amount	$ 0
Equity Method Investment, Ownership Percentage	20.00%
Assets Guaranteed By Fdic Maximum	$ 250,000

Income (Loss) Per Share (Details Textual) - shares	12 Months Ended
Income (Loss) Per Share (Details Textual) - shares	Dec. 31, 2012	Dec. 31, 2011
Incremental Common Shares Attributable to Conversion of Preferred Stock		825,961
Warrant [Member]
Antidilutive Securities Excluded from Computation of Earnings Per Share, Amount	30,000	30,000
Stock Option [Member]
Antidilutive Securities Excluded from Computation of Earnings Per Share, Amount	100,000	150,000

Investment in Available-for-Sale Securities (Details) - USD ($)	Dec. 31, 2012	Dec. 31, 2011
Available-for-sale Securities, Cost	$ 2,661,403	$ 2,516,799
Available-for-sale Securities, Unrealized Gains	25,461	12,787
Available-for-sale Securities, Unrealized Losses	(28,674)	(37,813)
Available-for-sale Securities, Fair Value	2,658,190	2,491,773
U.S. federal agency securities [Member]
Available-for-sale Securities, Cost	19,592	15,153
Available-for-sale Securities, Unrealized Gains	196	411
Available-for-sale Securities, Unrealized Losses	0	0
Available-for-sale Securities, Fair Value	19,788	15,564
Municipal securities [Member]
Available-for-sale Securities, Cost	1,154,888
Available-for-sale Securities, Unrealized Gains	2,882
Available-for-sale Securities, Unrealized Losses	(2,137)
Available-for-sale Securities, Fair Value	1,155,633
Certificates Of Deposit [Member]
Available-for-sale Securities, Cost	1,193,494	776,244
Available-for-sale Securities, Unrealized Gains	8,734	1,222
Available-for-sale Securities, Unrealized Losses	(16,904)	(23,843)
Available-for-sale Securities, Fair Value	1,185,324	753,623
Corporate Debt Securities [Member]
Available-for-sale Securities, Cost	285,524	1,725,402
Available-for-sale Securities, Unrealized Gains	4,164	11,154
Available-for-sale Securities, Unrealized Losses	(9,633)	(13,970)
Available-for-sale Securities, Fair Value	280,055	$ 1,722,586
Equity securities - ClearSign common stock [Member]
Available-for-sale Securities, Cost	7,905
Available-for-sale Securities, Unrealized Gains	9,485
Available-for-sale Securities, Unrealized Losses	0
Available-for-sale Securities, Fair Value	$ 17,390

Investment in Available-for-Sale Securities (Details 1) - USD ($)	Dec. 31, 2012	Dec. 31, 2011
Due within one year, Cost	$ 684,032
Due after one year through three years, Cost	731,410
Due after three years, Cost	1,238,056
Available-for-sale Securities, Amortized Cost, Total	2,653,498
Due within one year, Fair Value	661,329
Due after one year through three years, Fair Value	733,771
Due after three years, Fair Value	1,245,700
Available-for-sale Securities, Fair Value, Total	$ 2,658,190	$ 2,491,773

Investments in Available-for-Sale Securities (Details Textual) - USD ($)	12 Months Ended
	Dec. 31, 2012	Dec. 31, 2011
Gain (Loss) on Investments	$ 30,440	$ 5,919

Cost-Basis Investment (Details Textual) - USD ($)	1 Months Ended		12 Months Ended
Cost-Basis Investment (Details Textual) - USD ($)	Apr. 25, 2012	Apr. 20, 2011	Dec. 31, 2012	Apr. 24, 2012	Dec. 31, 2011
Equity Method Investments Shares Acquired After Stock Split			454,545
Equity Method Investment, Ownership Percentage			20.00%
Available-for-sale Securities, Gross Unrealized Gains			$ 25,461		$ 12,787
Clearsign Combustion Corporation [Member]
Equity Method Investments Shares Acquired		363,636
Equity Method Investment, Aggregate Cost		$ 1,000,000
Equity Method Investments Per Share Value Of Shares Acquired		$ 2.75
Stock Issued During Period, Value, Private Offering Issues		3,000,000
Sale of Stock, Number of Shares Issued in Transaction	3,000,000
Sale of Stock, Price Per Share	$ 4
Common Stock Dividend Declared				450,000
Common Stock Dividend Rate Percentage				$ 0.05513475
Shares Issuable For One Share Of Equity Method Investee				18,137
Common Stock Dividends, Shares			450,952
Common Stock Dividend Rounding Shares			952
Equity Method Investment, Realized Gain (Loss) on Disposal			$ 811,713
Equity Method Investment Measured Cost Basis			$ 1,803,808
Equity Method Investment Shares Retained After Dividend Distribution			3,539
Equity Method Investment Value Retained After Dividend Distribution			$ 17,390
Available-for-sale Securities, Gross Unrealized Gains			$ 9,485

Stock-based compensation (Details)	12 Months Ended
Stock-based compensation (Details)	Dec. 31, 2012 $ / shares shares
Outstanding at beginning of year, Shares	150,000
Granted, Shares	0
Expired and forfeited, Shares	(50,000)
Exercised, Shares	0
Outstanding at end of year, Shares	100,000
Exercisable, Shares	100,000
Outstanding at beginning of year, Weighted-Average Exercise Price \| $ / shares	$ 0.36
Granted, Weighted-Average Exercise Price \| $ / shares	0
Expired and forfeited, Weighted-Average Exercise Price \| $ / shares	0.3275
Exercised, Weighted-Average Exercise Price \| $ / shares	0
Outstanding at end of year, Weighted-Average Exercise Price \| $ / shares	0.38
Exercisable, Weighted-Average Exercise Price \| $ / shares	$ 0.38
Remaining Contractual Term, Outstanding	7 months 13 days
Exercisable, Remaining Contractual Term	7 months 13 days
Outstanding, Aggregate Fair Value	30,120
Exercisable, Aggregate Fair Value	30,120

Stock-based compensation (Details 1) - $ / shares	12 Months Ended
Stock-based compensation (Details 1) - $ / shares	Dec. 31, 2012	Dec. 31, 2011
Range of Exercise Price	$ 0.38	$ 0.36
Weighted-Average Remaining Contractual Life (Years)	7 months 13 days
Number Outstanding	100,000	150,000
Weighted-Average Exercise Price	$ 0.38
Number Exercisable	100,000

Stock-based compensation (Details Textual)	1 Months Ended						3 Months Ended					12 Months Ended
Stock-based compensation (Details Textual)	Jan. 31, 2013 shares	Oct. 31, 2012 shares	Jul. 31, 2012 shares	Apr. 30, 2012 shares	Jan. 31, 2012 shares	Aug. 31, 2008 $ / shares shares	Dec. 31, 2012 USD ($) $ / shares $ / Warrant shares	Sep. 30, 2012 USD ($) $ / shares shares	Jun. 30, 2012 USD ($) $ / shares shares	Mar. 31, 2012 USD ($) $ / shares shares	Dec. 31, 2011 USD ($) $ / shares shares	Dec. 31, 2012 USD ($) $ / shares $ / Warrant shares
Exercised, Weighted-Average Exercise Price \| $ / shares												$ 0
Share-based Compensation Arrangement by Share-based Payment Award, Options, Outstanding, Number							100,000				150,000	100,000
Accrued stock compensation \| $							$ 15,625				$ 15,625	$ 15,625
Stock Issued During Period, Shares, New Issues							78,126	78,126	78,126	67,936	65,106
Stock Issued During Period Per Share Value Of New Issues \| $ / shares							$ 0.20	$ 0.20	$ 0.20	$ 0.23	$ 0.24
Stock Issued During Period, Value, New Issues \| $							$ 15,625	$ 15,625	$ 15,625	$ 15,625	$ 15,625
1998 Stock Option Plan [Member]
Share-based Compensation Arrangement by Share-based Payment Award, Non-Option Equity Instruments, Granted												85,000
Share Based Compensation Arrangement By Share Based Payment Award Exercisable Date												Jul. 31, 2014
Share-based Compensation Arrangement by Share-based Payment Award, Options, Vested and Expected to Vest, Outstanding, Number											50,000
Class of Warrant or Right, Outstanding							30,000					30,000
Class of Warrant or Right, Exercise Price of Warrants or Rights \| $ / Warrant							0.63					0.63
Director [Member]
Share-based Compensation Arrangement by Share-based Payment Award, Non-Option Equity Instruments, Granted						25,000
ShareBasedCompensationArrangementByShareBasedPaymentAwardAwardVestingPeriod1						1 year
Share Based Compensation Arrangement By Share Based Payment Award Exercisable Date						Aug. 15, 2009
Share-based Compensation Arrangement by Share-based Payment Award, Expiration Date						Aug. 15, 2013
Exercised, Weighted-Average Exercise Price \| $ / shares						$ 0.38
Director One [Member]
Stock Issued During Period, Shares, New Issues	31,250	31,250	31,250	27,174	26,042
Director Two [Member]
Stock Issued During Period, Shares, New Issues							15,626	15,626	15,626	13,588	13,022

Income Taxes (Details) - USD ($)	12 Months Ended
Income Taxes (Details) - USD ($)	Dec. 31, 2012	Dec. 31, 2011
Current provision	$ 1,482	$ 800
Deferred provision:
Deferred tax - beg of year	0	0
Deferred tax - end of year	0	0
Change in deferred	0	0
Subtotal	0	0
Total Provision	1,482	800
Federal [Member]
Current provision	0	0
Deferred provision:
Deferred tax - beg of year	0	0
Deferred tax - end of year	0	0
Change in deferred	0	0
Subtotal	0	0
Total Provision	0	0
California [Member]
Current provision	1,482	800
Deferred provision:
Deferred tax - beg of year	0	0
Deferred tax - end of year	0	0
Change in deferred	0	0
Subtotal	0	0
Total Provision	$ 1,482	$ 800

Income Taxes (Details 1) - USD ($)	Dec. 31, 2012	Dec. 31, 2011
Current
Current state taxes	$ 0	$ 0
Accrued and other related costs	50,000	39,000
Total current	50,000	39,000
Non-current
Net operating loss carryforward	13,899,000	14,509,000
Research and development credit	1,821,000	1,820,000
Total non-current	15,720,000	16,329,000
Total deferred tax asset	15,770,000	16,368,000
Less valuation allowance	(15,770,000)	(16,368,000)
Net deferred tax asset	$ 0	$ 0

Income Taxes (Details 2) - USD ($)	12 Months Ended
Income Taxes (Details 2) - USD ($)	Dec. 31, 2012	Dec. 31, 2011
Federal expense expected at statutory rate	$ 193,746	$ (89,063)
State income taxes, net of Federal benefit	33,247	(15,283)
Other	504	528
Change in valuation allowance	(226,017)	104,618
Effective Income Tax	$ 1,482	$ 800

Income Taxes (Details Textual) - USD ($)	12 Months Ended
Income Taxes (Details Textual) - USD ($)	Dec. 31, 2012	Dec. 31, 2011
Income Tax Expense (Benefit)	$ 1,482	$ 800
Research and development credit	1,821,000	1,820,000
Domestic Tax Authority [Member]
Income Tax Expense (Benefit)	0	0
Operating Loss Carryforwards	41,082,000
Research and development credit	854,000
State and Local Jurisdiction [Member]
Income Tax Expense (Benefit)	1,482	$ 800
Operating Loss Carryforwards	4,449,000
Research and development credit	$ 968,000

Related Party Transactions (Details Textual)	1 Months Ended	12 Months Ended
Related Party Transactions (Details Textual)	Dec. 31, 2012 USD ($) $ / Warrant shares	Dec. 31, 2012 USD ($) $ / Warrant shares	Dec. 31, 2011 USD ($)
Available-For-Sale Securities, Current	$ 2,658,190	$ 2,658,190	$ 2,491,773
MDB Capital Group LLC [Member]
Available-For-Sale Securities, Current	2,640,800	2,640,800	2,491,773
Federal Securities Current	19,788	19,788	15,564
Certificates Of Deposit Municipal Securities and Corporate Bonds	2,621,012	2,621,012	2,476,209
Available-for-sale Securities, Equity Securities	17,390	17,390
Reimbursement For Related Party Services	$ 3,000	36,000	$ 36,000
Stock Issued During Period, Value, Issued for Services		$ 109,091
Warrant Issued During Period Value Issued For Services \| shares		109,091
Class of Warrant or Right, Exercise Price of Warrants or Rights \| $ / Warrant	2.75	2.75
MDB Capital Group LLC [Member] \| Other Consulting Services [Member]
Stock Issued During Period, Value, Issued for Services		$ 363,636
MDB Capital Group LLC [Member] \| Underwriting Services [Member]
Payment For Related Party Services	$ 1,207,500	$ 1,207,500
Class of Warrant or Right, Number of Securities Called by Warrants or Rights \| shares	345,000	345,000

Subsequent Event (Details Textual) - USD ($)	1 Months Ended					3 Months Ended
Subsequent Event (Details Textual) - USD ($)	Jan. 31, 2013	Oct. 31, 2012	Jul. 31, 2012	Apr. 30, 2012	Jan. 31, 2012	Dec. 31, 2012	Sep. 30, 2012	Jun. 30, 2012	Mar. 31, 2012	Dec. 31, 2011
Stock Issued During Period, Shares, New Issues						78,126	78,126	78,126	67,936	65,106
Stock Issued During Period Per Share Value Of New Issues						$ 0.20	$ 0.20	$ 0.20	$ 0.23	$ 0.24
Stock Issued During Period, Value, New Issues						$ 15,625	$ 15,625	$ 15,625	$ 15,625	$ 15,625
Director One [Member]
Stock Issued During Period, Shares, New Issues	31,250	31,250	31,250	27,174	26,042
Director Two [Member]
Stock Issued During Period, Shares, New Issues						15,626	15,626	15,626	13,588	13,022