Consolidated Statements of Stockholders' Equity - USD ($) $ in Thousands	Total	Common Stock [Member]	Preferred Stock [Member]	Additional Paid-in Capital	Accumulated Deficit [Member]	Accumulated Other Comprehensive Loss [Member]	Receivable for Common Stock Issued [Member]	Treasury Stock [Member]
Beginning balance at Sep. 30, 2015	$ 7,803	$ 44	$ 0	$ 195,973	$ (186,897)	$ (1,122)	$ (26)	$ (169)
Increase (Decrease) in Stockholders' Equity [Roll Forward]
Stock compensation	847			847
Issuance of common stock	244			244
Foreign currency translation adjustment	939					939
Net loss	(3,317)				(3,317)
Ending balance at Sep. 30, 2016	6,516	44	0	197,064	(190,214)	(183)	(26)	(169)
Increase (Decrease) in Stockholders' Equity [Roll Forward]
Stock compensation	754			754
Issuance of common stock	49	1		48
Issuance of preferred stock	1,250		1,250
Preferred stock dividends	0		30	30
Foreign currency translation adjustment	(412)					(412)
Net loss	(5,039)				(5,039)
Ending balance at Sep. 30, 2017	$ 3,118	$ 45	$ 1,280	$ 197,836	$ (195,253)	$ (595)	$ (26)	$ (169)