Note 16 - Net Income (Loss) Per Share - Reconciliation of Basic and Diluted Income Per Share (Details) - USD ($) $ / shares in Units, $ in Thousands	12 Months Ended
	Dec. 31, 2016	Dec. 31, 2015
Basic
Net income (loss) attributable to Intelligent Systems Corporation	$ (1,112)	$ 18,020
Weighted average common shares outstanding (in shares)	8,736,299	8,806,875
Net income (loss) per share (in dollars per share)	$ (0.13)	$ 2.05
Diluted
Net income (loss) attributable to Intelligent Systems Corporation	$ (1,112)	$ 18,020
Weighted average common shares outstanding (in shares)	8,736,299	8,806,875
Effect of dilutive potential common shares: stock options (in shares)		105,000
Total (in shares)	8,736,299	8,912,109
Net income (loss) per share (in dollars per share)	$ (0.13)	$ 2.02