SEGMENT REPORTING Reconciliation of Segment Income (Loss) to Consolidated Net Income (Loss) (Details) (USD $) In Thousands, unless otherwise specified	3 Months Ended
	Mar. 31, 2013		Mar. 31, 2012
Segment Reporting [Abstract]
Share based compensation in unallocated costs	$ 247		$ 142
Total net loss before income taxes for reportable segments	(3,127)		(2,769)
Other operational segment net income (loss) before income taxes	12		(67)
Total segment net income (loss) before income taxes	(3,115)		(2,836)
Unallocated cost of corporate, DSIT and OmniMetrix headquarters	(1,392)	[1]	(1,460)	[1]
Income Tax Expense (Benefit)	69		75
Net Income (Loss) Attributable to Noncontrolling Interest	212		256
Gain on sale of HangXing	(611)		(74)
Income (Loss) from Continuing Operations before Equity Method Investments, Income Taxes, Extraordinary Items, Noncontrolling Interest	$ (5,118)		$ (4,370)

[1] * Includes stock compensation expense of $142 and $247 for the three month periods ending March 31, 2012 and 2013, respectively.