Consolidated Statements of Operations (Unaudited) (USD $) In Thousands, except Share data	3 Months Ended		6 Months Ended
	Jun. 30, 2011	Jun. 30, 2010	Jun. 30, 2011	Jun. 30, 2010
Consolidated Statements of Operations [Abstract]
Net sales	$ 20,302	$ 25,559	$ 39,391	$ 47,688
Cost of sales	13,389	17,789	26,346	34,594
Gross profit	6,913	7,770	13,045	13,094
Operating expenses
Selling, general and administrative	5,832	5,834	11,859	11,815
Research and development	55	158	211	266
Goodwill impairment	9,911		9,911
Total operating expenses	15,798	5,992	21,981	12,081
Operating income (loss)	(8,885)	1,778	(8,936)	1,013
Other income	51	15	53	14
Foreign currency gain (loss)	146	55	(143)	144
Interest expense	(555)	(362)	(936)	(722)
Total other income and expense	(358)	(292)	(1,026)	(564)
Income (loss) before income tax expense	(9,243)	1,486	(9,962)	449
Income tax expense	(234)	(383)	(87)	(131)
Net income (loss)	(9,477)	1,103	(10,049)	318
Less: Net (income) loss attributable to noncontrolling interest, net of tax	15	(223)	81	(325)
Net income (loss) attributable to DRI Corporation	(9,462)	880	(9,968)	(7)
Provision for preferred stock dividends	(181)	(117)	(355)	(225)
Net income (loss) applicable to common shareholders of DRI Corporation	$ (9,643)	$ 763	$ (10,323)	$ (232)
Net income (loss) per share applicable to common shareholders of DRI Corporation
Basic	$ (0.81)	$ 0.06	$ (0.87)	$ (0.02)
Diluted	$ (0.81)	$ 0.06	$ (0.87)	$ (0.02)
Weighted average number of common shares outstanding
Basic	11,880,838	11,797,095	11,866,401	11,775,348
Diluted	11,880,838	14,322,759	11,866,401	11,775,348