Consolidated Statements of Cash Flows - USD ($)	12 Months Ended
	Sep. 30, 2018	Sep. 30, 2017	Sep. 30, 2016
Cash flows from operating activities
Net income (loss)	$ 8,201,000	$ (918,000)	$ (1,043,000)
Adjustments to reconcile net (loss) income to net cash (used in) provided by operating activities
Depreciation and amortization	3,678,000	5,586,000	5,709,000
Gains on sales of marketable securities	(3,182,000)
Deferred income taxes	(19,241,000)	(4,574,000)	(1,637,000)
Discount earned on bonds		(3,000)	(3,000)
Other-than-temporary impairment losses on investments	4,560,000
(Increase) decrease in current assets
Accounts receivable, net	555,000	(651,000)	966,000
Inventories	(6,000)	1,000	7,000
Prepaid expenses and other assets	286,000	2,000	(116,000)
Income tax receivable	639,000	(19,000)	(125,000)
Increase (decrease) in liabilities
Accounts payable	(229,000)	405,000	(1,568,000)
Accrued liabilities	1,325,000	(143,000)	(209,000)
Income taxes		(2,723,000)	(268,000)
Net cash (used in) provided by operating activities	(1,881,000)	(2,651,000)	1,224,000
Cash flows from investing activities
Sales of marketable securities	8,125,000
Purchases of marketable securities		(5,013,000)	(3,832,000)
Purchases of property, plant and equipment, including the Logan Utah office building in fiscal 2016	(212,000)	(253,000)	(3,779,000)
Net cash provided by (used in) investing activities	7,913,000	(5,266,000)	(7,611,000)
Cash flows from financing activities
Note payable collateralized by real estate			2,260,000
Payment of loan principal	(115,000)	(110,000)	(79,000)
Net cash (used in) provided by financing activities	(115,000)	(110,000)	2,181,000
Increase (decrease) in cash and cash equivalents	5,917,000	(8,027,000)	(4,206,000)
Cash and cash equivalents
Beginning of year	3,384,000	11,411,000	15,617,000
End of year	9,301,000	3,384,000	11,411,000
Interest paid during year	736,000	516,000	361,000
Income taxes refunded during year	(1,077,000)	(3,000)	(13,000)
Subscription and Circulation [Member]
Increase (decrease) in liabilities
Deferred revenue arrangements	(110,000)	(118,000)	(72,000)
Installation Contracts [Member]
Increase (decrease) in liabilities
Deferred revenue arrangements	(2,518,000)	(2,268,000)	(1,284,000)
License and Maintenance [Member]
Increase (decrease) in liabilities
Deferred revenue arrangements	$ 4,161,000	$ 2,772,000	$ 867,000