Condensed Consolidated Statements of Cash Flows (USD $) In Thousands, unless otherwise specified	6 Months Ended
	Mar. 31, 2013	Mar. 31, 2012
Operating Activities:
Net income	$ 8,350	$ 4,429
Adjustments to reconcile net income to net cash provided by operating activities from continuing operations:
Income from discontinued operations	(682)	(1,261)
Loss on sale of discontinued operations		933
Depreciation and amortization	1,446	1,480
Stock-based compensation	1,238	1,533
Deferred taxes	172	(294)
Gain on sale of available-for-sale securities and strategic investments	(1,458)	(170)
Amortization of premium on held-to-maturity securities		31
Impairment loss on investments	129	804
Reduction of tax benefit from stock-based compensation plans	191
Other		11
Change in operating assets and liabilities:
Accounts receivable	158	(244)
Inventories	160	(484)
Prepaids and other	(191)	(174)
Accounts payable and accrued liabilities	(1,366)	(3,159)
Income taxes	(1,322)	2,739
Net cash provided by operating activities from continuing operations	6,825	6,174
Investing Activities:
Purchases of property and equipment	(1,239)	(269)
Purchases of available-for-sale securities	(26,091)	(34,728)
Sales and maturities of available-for-sale securities	25,980	34,554
Maturities of held-to-maturity securities		3,000
Cash received from sale of strategic investments	2,286
Cash (transferred to) received from discontinued operations	(86)	28,189
Net cash provided by investing activities from continuing operations	850	30,746
Financing Activities:
Reduction of tax benefit from stock-based compensation plans	(191)
Issuance of common stock	233	217
Repurchase of common stock	(2,681)
Purchase of common stock to pay employee taxes	(39)	(170)
Net cash (used in) provided by financing activities from continuing operations	(2,678)	47
Net cash provided by continuing operations	4,997	36,967
Discontinued Operations:
Net cash used in operating activities	(86)	(1,627)
Net cash provided by investing activities		29,816
Net cash provided by (used in) financing activities	86	(28,189)
Net cash provided by discontinued operations
Net change in cash and cash equivalents	4,997	36,967
Cash and Cash Equivalents:
Beginning of period	15,540	23,217
End of period	20,537	60,184
Supplemental Information:
Cash paid for income taxes	3,945	28
Noncash transactions - acquisition of property and equipment on account	$ 7	$ 102