Consolidated Statements of Cash Flows (USD $) In Thousands, unless otherwise specified	12 Months Ended
	Sep. 30, 2013	Sep. 30, 2012	Sep. 30, 2011
Operating Activities:
Net income (loss)	$ 15,167	$ 10,231	$ (18,506)
Adjustments to reconcile net income (loss) to net cash provided by operating activities from continuing operations:
(Income) loss from discontinued operations	(588)	(1,176)	29,431
Loss on sale of discontinued operations		1,074
Depreciation and amortization	2,886	2,929	3,159
Gains on sales of available-for-sale securities, net and strategic investments	(1,430)	(228)	(380)
Impairment losses on strategic investments	158	804
Amortization of premium on held-to-maturity securities		31	93
Stock-based compensation	2,552	2,671	3,650
Deferred taxes	(492)	(728)	(1,283)
Reduction of tax benefit from stock-based compensation plans	477	38	4
(Gain) loss on disposals of property and equipment	(62)	(36)	28
Change in operating assets and liabilities:
Accounts receivable	(263)	(685)	1,873
Inventories	196	(343)	(954)
Prepaids and other	(40)	15	250
Accounts payable and accrued liabilities	238	(2,663)	570
Income taxes	(989)	5,734	5,016
Deferred revenue	(29)	(42)	(51)
Net cash provided by operating activities from continuing operations	17,781	17,626	22,900
Investing Activities:
Purchases of property and equipment	(1,919)	(763)	(1,551)
Cash proceeds from sale of property and equipment	77
Purchases of available-for-sale securities	(45,053)	(43,840)	(50,926)
Sales and maturities of available-for-sale securities	44,853	43,556	50,364
Maturities of held-to-maturity securities		3,000	1,000
Payments related to a prior business acquisition			(5,650)
Cash received from sale of strategic investments	2,236
Cash (transferred to) received from discontinued operations	(116)	27,665	(4,841)
Net cash provided by (used in) investing activities from continuing operations	78	29,618	(11,604)
Financing Activities:
Reduction of tax benefit from stock-based compensation plans	(477)	(38)	(4)
Issuance of common stock	419	344	574
Repurchase of common stock	(17,805)	(54,991)
Purchases of common stock to pay employee taxes	(41)	(236)	(40)
Net cash (used in) provided by financing activities from continuing operations	(17,904)	(54,921)	530
Net cash provided by (used in) continuing operations	(45)	(7,677)	11,826
Discontinued Operations:
Net cash used in operating activities	(116)	(1,514)	(2,945)
Net cash provided by (used in) investing activities		29,817	(1,908)
Net cash provided by (used in) financing activities	116	(28,303)	4,853
Net cash provided by discontinued operations
Net change in cash and cash equivalents	(45)	(7,677)	11,826
Cash and Cash Equivalents:
Beginning of year	15,540	23,217	11,391
End of year	15,495	15,540	23,217
Supplemental Information:
Cash paid (received) for income taxes	7,115	2,060	(398)
Noncash transactions - acquisition of property and equipment on account	26	553	104
Noncash transactions - share repurchase accrual	$ 1,004