Consolidated Balance Sheets (Parenthetical) (USD $) In Thousands, except Share data, unless otherwise specified	Sep. 30, 2011	Sep. 30, 2010
Consolidated Balance Sheets [Abstract]
Trade accounts receivable, allowance	$ 411	$ 334
Current portion of notes receivable, allowance	0	0
Patents, accumulated amortization	5,534	5,295
Non-current notes receivable, allowance	$ 0	$ 0
Preferred stock, shares authorized	1,000,000	1,000,000
Preferred stock, shares issued	0	0
Preferred stock, shares outstanding	0	0
Common stock, par value	$ 0.01	$ 0.01
Common stock, shares authorized	20,000,000	20,000,000
Common stock, shares issued	6,351,258	6,117,358
Common stock, shares outstanding	6,351,258	6,117,358