Note 2 - Summary of Significant Accounting Policies (Detail) (USD $)	12 Months Ended
	Dec. 31, 2012	Dec. 31, 2011	Dec. 31, 2010
Net Income (Loss) Attributable to Parent (in Dollars)	$ (5,709,000)	$ (6,055,000)	$ (8,517,000)
Retained Earnings (Accumulated Deficit) (in Dollars)	(80,624,000)	(74,915,000)
Cash Equivalents, at Carrying Value (in Dollars)	1,100,000
Restricted Cash and Cash Equivalents (in Dollars)	252,000	19,000	128,000
Inventory Adjustments (in Dollars)	217,000	236,000	295,000
Contract Receivable Retainage (in Dollars)	634,000	474,000
Operating Loss Carryforwards (in Dollars)	70,700,000
Cash Collateral for Borrowed Securities (in Dollars)	1,000,000	1,000,000
Goodwill, Impairment Loss (in Dollars)	672,000
Advertising Expense (in Dollars)	289,000	273,000	206,000
Percentage [Member]
Contract Receivable Retainage, Description	10%
Solutions Segment [Member] | Minimum [Member]
Sales Contract Term	3 months
Solutions Segment [Member] | Maximum [Member]
Sales Contract Term	18 months
Percentage [Member]
Contract Receivable Retainage, Description	5%
Months [Member]
Contract Receivable Retainage, Description	three
Months [Member]
Contract Receivable Retainage, Description	eighteen
US Navy Supply Contract [Member]
Revenues (in Dollars)	23,100,000
Minimum [Member]
Property, Plant and Equipment, Useful Life	2 years
Finite-Lived Intangible Asset, Useful Life	5 years
Standard Product Warranty Description	one
Maximum [Member]
Property, Plant and Equipment, Useful Life	15 years
Finite-Lived Intangible Asset, Useful Life	10 years
Standard Product Warranty Description	five
Accounts Receivable [Member]
Concentration Risk, Customer	four	four
Concentration Risk, Percentage	75.00%	44.00%
Sales Revenue, Services, Net [Member]
Concentration Risk, Customer	four	four	two
Concentration Risk, Percentage	42.00%	36.00%	36.00%
Specific Materials Requirement [Member]
Concentration Risk, Percentage	100.00%
Concentration Risk, Supplier	single
Deposit with a European Bank [Member]
Cash Equivalents, at Carrying Value (in Dollars)	$ 97,000