Consolidated Statements of Operations (Unaudited) (USD $) In Thousands, except Share data	3 Months Ended		9 Months Ended
	Sep. 30, 2011	Sep. 30, 2010	Sep. 30, 2011	Sep. 30, 2010
Consolidated Statements of Operations [Abstract]
Net sales	$ 19,840	$ 19,860	$ 59,231	$ 67,548
Cost of sales	12,743	13,352	39,089	47,946
Gross profit	7,097	6,508	20,142	19,602
Operating expenses
Selling, general and administrative	5,686	5,726	17,545	17,541
Research and development	73	113	284	379
Goodwill impairment			9,911
Total operating expenses	5,759	5,839	27,740	17,920
Operating income (loss)	1,338	669	(7,598)	1,682
Other income (loss)	93	(15)	146	(1)
Foreign currency loss	(151)	(350)	(294)	(206)
Interest expense	(604)	(394)	(1,540)	(1,116)
Total other income and expense	(662)	(759)	(1,688)	(1,323)
Income (loss) before income tax expense	676	(90)	(9,286)	359
Income tax expense	(631)	(100)	(718)	(231)
Net income (loss)	45	(190)	(10,004)	128
Net (income) loss attributable to noncontrolling interest, net of tax	77	(199)	158	(524)
Net income (loss) attributable to DRI Corporation	122	(389)	(9,846)	(396)
Provision for preferred stock dividends	(186)	(156)	(541)	(381)
Net loss applicable to common shareholders of DRI Corporation	$ (64)	$ (545)	$ (10,387)	$ (777)
Net loss per share applicable to common shareholders of DRI Corporation-basic and diluted	$ (0.01)	$ (0.05)	$ (0.87)	$ (0.07)
Weighted average number of common shares outstanding-basic and diluted	11,925,332	11,826,249	11,886,261	11,792,501