CONSOLIDATED STATEMENTS OF SHAREHOLDERS' EQUITY (USD $)
In Thousands, except Share data, unless otherwise specified
Total
Total shareholders' equity attributable to Vimicro International Corporation [Member]
Ordinary Shares [Member]
Additional Paid-in Capital [Member]
Treasury Stock [Member]
Accumulated Deficit [Member]
Accumulated Other Comprehensive Income [Member]
Statutory Reserve [Member]
Non-controlling Interests [Member]
Balance at Dec. 31, 2011 $ 108,340 $ 85,406 $ 15 $ 158,879 $ (6,490) $ (82,630) $ 12,850 $ 2,782 $ 22,934
Balance (in shares) at Dec. 31, 2011     139,953,296            
Increase (Decrease) in Stockholders' Equity                  
Net income (loss) (7,256) (619)          (619)       (6,637)
Foreign currency translation adjustment (62)                
Other comprehensive income (1,530) (1,456)             (1,456)    (74)
Exercise of share options/vested restricted shares 64 64    64               
Exercise of share options/vested restricted shares, shares     469,744            
Share repurchase (7,396) (7,396)       (7,396)            
Share repurchase (in shares) (23,823,184)   (23,823,184)            
Share-based compensation expense-employees 2,074 2,074    2,074               
Deferred income received from disposal of a subsidiary                   
Disposal of subsidiary 933                      933
Balance at Dec. 31, 2012 95,229 78,073 15 161,017 (13,886) (83,249) 11,394 2,782 17,156
Balance (in shares) at Dec. 31, 2012     116,599,856            
Increase (Decrease) in Stockholders' Equity                  
Net income (loss) (8,749) (8,418)          (8,418)       (331)
Foreign currency translation adjustment 542                
Other comprehensive income 542 (7)             (7)    549
Exercise of share options/vested restricted shares 122 122 1 121               
Exercise of share options/vested restricted shares, shares     1,567,297            
Share repurchase (6,638) (6,638)       (6,638)            
Share repurchase (in shares) (14,152,399)   (14,152,399)            
Share retirement       (1) (4,562) 4,563            
Share-based compensation expense-non-employees 230 230    230               
Share-based compensation expense-employees 1,578 1,578    1,578               
Deferred income received from disposal of a subsidiary                   
Balance at Dec. 31, 2013 82,314 64,940 15 158,384 (15,961) (91,667) 11,387 2,782 17,374
Balance (in shares) at Dec. 31, 2013     104,014,754            
Increase (Decrease) in Stockholders' Equity                  
Net income (loss) 9,851 4,697          4,697       5,154
Foreign currency translation adjustment 15 69             69    (54)
Other comprehensive income (1,252)                
Exercise of share options/vested restricted shares 113 113    113               
Exercise of share options/vested restricted shares, shares     635,916            
Treasury stock Shares issued to incentive plan 2,869 2,869    (1,223) 4,092            
Treasury stock Shares issued to incentive plan, shares 9,778,103   9,778,103            
Share repurchase (5,550) (5,550)      (5,550)            
Share repurchase (in shares) (11,267,755)   (11,267,755)            
Share retirement       (1) (4,563) 4,564            
Share-based compensation expense-non-employees 93 93    93               
Share-based compensation expense-employees 1,633 1,633    1,633               
Appropriation to statutory reserves                (1,286)    1,286   
Deferred income received from disposal of a subsidiary (1,267) (1,267)             (1,267)      
Balance at Dec. 31, 2014 $ 90,071 $ 67,597 $ 14 $ 154,437 $ (12,855) $ (88,256) $ 10,189 $ 4,068 $ 22,474
Balance (in shares) at Dec. 31, 2014     103,161,018