Consolidated Statements of Cash Flows - USD ($)	12 Months Ended
	Sep. 30, 2017	Sep. 30, 2016	Sep. 30, 2015
Cash flows from operating activities
Net (loss) income	$ (918,000)	$ (1,043,000)	$ 810,000
Adjustments to reconcile net (loss) income to net cash (used in) provided by operating activities
Depreciation and amortization	5,586,000	5,709,000	5,531,000
Gains on sales of marketable securities			(4,000)
Deferred income taxes	(4,574,000)	(1,637,000)	(1,283,000)
Discount earned on bonds	(3,000)	(3,000)	(3,000)
Other-than-temporary impairment losses on investments			376,000
Changes in assets and liabilities
Accounts receivable, net	(651,000)	966,000	2,893,000
Inventories	1,000	7,000	3,000
Prepaid expenses and other assets	2,000	(116,000)	299,000
Income tax receivable	(19,000)	(125,000)	1,286,000
Accounts payable	405,000	(1,568,000)	(132,000)
Accrued liabilities	(143,000)	(209,000)	(836,000)
Income taxes	(2,723,000)	(268,000)	(253,000)
Net cash (used in) provided by operating activities	(2,651,000)	1,224,000	7,755,000
Cash flows from investing activities
Sales of marketable securities			4,044,000
Purchases of marketable securities	(5,013,000)	(3,832,000)	(10,977,000)
Acquisition of a small subscription			(50,000)
Purchases of property, plant and equipment, including the Logan Utah office building in fiscal 2016	(253,000)	(3,779,000)	(565,000)
Net cash used in investing activities	(5,266,000)	(7,611,000)	(7,548,000)
Cash flows from financing activities
Note payable collateralized by real estate		2,260,000
Payment of loan principal	(110,000)	(79,000)
Net cash (used in) provided by financing activities	(110,000)	2,181,000
(Decrease) increase in cash and cash equivalents	(8,027,000)	(4,206,000)	207,000
Beginning of year	11,411,000	15,617,000	15,410,000
End of year	3,384,000	11,411,000	15,617,000
Interest paid during year	516,000	361,000	224,000
Income taxes refunded during year	(3,000)	(13,000)	(959,000)
Subscription Arrangement [Member]
Changes in assets and liabilities
Deferred revenue arrangements	(118,000)	(72,000)	(11,000)
Deferred Installation Contracts [Member]
Changes in assets and liabilities
Deferred revenue arrangements	(2,268,000)	(1,284,000)	(1,076,000)
Deferred Maintenance Agreement [Member]
Changes in assets and liabilities
Deferred revenue arrangements	$ 2,772,000	$ 867,000	$ 155,000