| Note 7 - Industry Segments and Financial Information About Foreign and Domestic Operations (Detail) - Operations by Geographic Area (USD $) In Thousands, unless otherwise specified | 9 Months Ended | |||||||||
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Jun. 30, 2012 | Jun. 30, 2011 | Sep. 30, 2011 | ||||||||
| Net Revenues to External Customers | $ 25,122 | $ 11,456 | ||||||||
| Long-lived Assets | 2,408 | 2,096 | ||||||||
| United States | 2,408 | 2,096 | ||||||||
| Brazil [Member] | ||||||||||
| Net Revenues to External Customers | 6,720 | [1] | 703 | [1] | ||||||
| Long-lived Assets | [1] | [1] | ||||||||
| United States | [1] | [1] | ||||||||
| South Africa [Member] | ||||||||||
| Net Revenues to External Customers | 3,792 | [1] | 1,126 | [1] | ||||||
| Long-lived Assets | [1] | [1] | ||||||||
| United States | [1] | [1] | ||||||||
| United States [Member] | ||||||||||
| Long-lived Assets | 180 | 132 | ||||||||
| United States | 1,792 | 1,631 | ||||||||
| United States | 180 | 132 | ||||||||
| Zimbabwe [Member] | ||||||||||
| Net Revenues to External Customers | [2] | 966 | [1] | |||||||
| Long-lived Assets | [1] | [1] | ||||||||
| United States | [1] | [1] | ||||||||
| Mozambique [Member] | ||||||||||
| Net Revenues to External Customers | [2] | 591 | ||||||||
| France [Member] | ||||||||||
| Net Revenues to External Customers | [2] | 672 | ||||||||
| India [Member] | ||||||||||
| Net Revenues to External Customers | [2] | [2] | ||||||||
| Long-lived Assets | 72 | 88 | ||||||||
| United States | 72 | 88 | ||||||||
| United Kingdom [Member] | ||||||||||
| Net Revenues to External Customers | [2] | [2] | ||||||||
| Long-lived Assets | 173 | 193 | ||||||||
| United States | 173 | 193 | ||||||||
| Malaysia [Member] | ||||||||||
| Net Revenues to External Customers | [2] | [2] | ||||||||
| Long-lived Assets | 1,983 | 1,683 | ||||||||
| United States | 1,983 | 1,683 | ||||||||
| Other Countries [Member] | ||||||||||
| Net Revenues to External Customers | $ 12,818 | $ 5,767 | ||||||||
| 
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