Consolidated Statements of Cash Flows (USD $) In Thousands, unless otherwise specified	12 Months Ended
	Sep. 30, 2012	Sep. 30, 2011	Sep. 30, 2010
Operating Activities:
Net income (loss)	$ 10,231	$ (18,506)	$ (21,089)
Adjustments to reconcile net income (loss) to net cash provided by operating activities from continuing operations:
(Income) loss from discontinued operations	(1,176)	29,431	21,494
Loss on sale of discontinued operations	1,074
Depreciation and amortization	2,929	3,159	3,620
Asset impairment charges			3,006
Gains on sales of securities, net	(228)	(380)	(299)
Amortization of premium on held-to-maturity securities	31	93	128
Impairment loss on investment	804		7,943
Stock-based compensation	2,671	3,650	4,587
Deferred taxes	(728)	(1,283)	(2,082)
Reduction of tax benefit from stock-based compensation plans	38	4	115
(Gain) loss on disposals of property and equipment	(36)	28	4
Change in operating assets and liabilities:
Accounts receivable	(685)	1,873	2,117
Inventories	(343)	(954)	332
Accounts payable and accrued liabilities	(2,663)	570	134
Income taxes	5,734	5,016	2,959
Deferred revenue	(42)	(51)	(917)
Prepaids and other	15	250	416
Net cash provided by operating activities from continuing operations	17,626	22,900	22,468
Investing Activities:
Purchases of property and equipment	(763)	(1,551)	(2,780)
Purchases of available-for-sale securities	(43,840)	(50,926)	(34,919)
Sales and maturities of available-for-sale securities	43,556	50,364	23,986
Maturities of held-to-maturity securities	3,000	1,000	2,000
Investment in other strategic assets			(500)
Purchase of licenses and patents			(210)
Payments related to a prior business acquisition		(5,650)	(750)
Cash received from (transferred to) discontinued operations	27,665	(4,841)	(7,740)
Net cash provided by (used in) investing activities from continuing operations	29,618	(11,604)	(20,913)
Financing Activities:
Reduction of tax benefit from stock-based compensation plans	(38)	(4)	(115)
Issuance of common stock	344	574	892
Repurchase of common stock	(54,991)		(2,032)
Purchase of common stock to pay employee taxes	(236)	(40)	(545)
Net cash (used in) provided by financing activities from continuing operations	(54,921)	530	(1,800)
Net cash (used in) provided by continuing operations	(7,677)	11,826	(245)
Discontinued Operations:
Net cash used in operating activities	(1,514)	(2,945)	(461)
Net cash provided by (used in) investing activities	29,817	(1,908)	(6,898)
Net cash (used in) provided by financing activities	(28,303)	4,853	7,359
Net cash provided by discontinued operations
Net change in cash and cash equivalents	(7,677)	11,826	(245)
Cash and Cash Equivalents:
Beginning of year	23,217	11,391	11,636
End of year	15,540	23,217	11,391
Supplemental Information:
Cash paid (received) for income taxes	2,060	(398)	4,105
Noncash transaction - acquisition of property and equipment on account	$ 553	$ 104	$ 565