Consolidated Statements of Shareholders' Equity - USD ($) $ in Thousands	Total	Series C Preferred Stock [Member]	Common Stock [Member]	Capital in Excess of Par Value [Member]	Treasury Stock [Member]	Accumulated Deficit [Member]	Accumulated Deficit [Member] Series C Preferred Stock [Member]	Accumulated Other Comprehensive Income [Member]
Beginning balance at Dec. 31, 2014	$ 37,325		$ 122	$ 287,660	$ (8,579)	$ (241,815)		$ (63)
Beginning balance, shares at Dec. 31, 2014			12,186,000		(1,411,000)
Options exercised and restricted shares granted	$ 60			82	$ (22)
Options exercised and restricted shares granted, shares			29,000		(2,000)
Restricted shares granted, shares	13,106
Share based compensation expense	$ 1,750			1,750
Dividends on preferred stock	(28)			(28)
Translation adjustment	(1,099)							(1,099)
Net income (loss)	(1,496)					(1,496)
Ending balance at Dec. 31, 2015	$ 36,512		$ 122	289,464	$ (8,601)	(243,311)		(1,162)
Ending balance, shares at Dec. 31, 2015			12,215,000		(1,413,000)
Restricted shares granted			$ 1	(1)
Restricted shares granted, shares	42,203		42,000
Share based compensation expense	$ 1,201			1,201
Dividends on preferred stock	(28)			(28)
Translation adjustment	(3,866)							(3,866)
Net income (loss)	5,951					5,951
Ending balance at Dec. 31, 2016	$ 39,770		$ 123	290,636	$ (8,601)	(237,360)		(5,028)
Ending balance, shares at Dec. 31, 2016			12,257,000		(1,413,000)
Restricted shares granted, shares	66,234
Share based compensation expense	$ 1,469			1,469
Modification due to Restructuring	17			17
Gain on Conversion of Series C		$ 459					$ 459
Dividends on preferred stock	(14)			(14)
Translation adjustment	1,871							1,871
Net income (loss)	(2,060)					(2,060)
Ending balance at Dec. 31, 2017	$ 41,512		$ 123	$ 292,108	$ (8,601)	$ (238,961)		$ (3,157)
Ending balance, shares at Dec. 31, 2017			12,257,000		(1,413,000)