Note 8 - Stock Compensation Expense (Detail) (USD $)	12 Months Ended
Sep. 30, 2012	Sep. 30, 2011	Sep. 30, 2010
Share-based Compensation	$ 977,000	$ 757,000	$ 2,030,000
Share-based Compensation Arrangements by Share-based Payment Award, Options, Grants in Period, Weighted Average Exercise Price (in Dollars per share)	$ 6.02	$ 11.94
Share-based Compensation Arrangement by Share-based Payment Award, Options, Vested in Period, Fair Value	4,400,000	300,000	200,000
Employee Service Share-based Compensation, Nonvested Awards, Total Compensation Cost Not yet Recognized	100,000
Employee Service Share-based Compensation, Nonvested Awards, Total Compensation Cost Not yet Recognized, Period for Recognition	1 year
Proceeds from Stock Options Exercised	100,000	100,000	0
Share-based Compensation Arrangement by Share-based Payment Award, Equity Instruments Other than Options, Nonvested, Number (in Shares)	15,000
2012 Option Grant [Member]
Share-based Compensation Arrangement by Share-based Payment Award, Options, Vested and Expected to Vest, Outstanding, Number (in Shares)	1,188,750
Share-based Compensation Arrangement by Share-based Payment Award, Options, Grants in Period, Net of Forfeitures (in Shares)	105,000
Directors [Member]
Share-based Compensation Arrangement by Share-based Payment Award, Number of Shares Authorized (in Shares)	7,500
Stock Options [Member]
Employee Service Share-based Compensation, Nonvested Awards, Total Compensation Cost Not yet Recognized	2,700,000
Restricted Stock Units (RSUs) [Member]
Share-based Compensation Arrangement by Share-based Payment Award, Equity Instruments Other than Options, Nonvested, Number (in Shares)		30,000	51,250
Restricted Stock or Unit Expense		100,000
Directors [Member]
Share-based Compensation Arrangement by Share-based Payment Award, Shares Issued in Period (in Shares)		37,500
Share-based Compensation Arrangements by Share-based Payment Award, Options, Grants in Period, Weighted Average Exercise Price (in Dollars per share)		$ 14.58
Selling, General and Administrative Expenses [Member]
Share-based Compensation	$ 1,000,000	$ 800,000	$ 2,000,000

As of the balance sheet date, the aggregate unrecognized cost of equity-based awards made to employees under equity-based compensation awards that have yet to vest.

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Weighted average period over which unrecognized compensation is expected to be recognized for equity-based compensation plans, in 'PnYnMnDTnHnMnS' format, for example, 'P1Y5M13D' represents the reported fact of one year, five months, and thirteen days.

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The cash inflow associated with the amount received from holders exercising their stock options. This item inherently excludes any excess tax benefit, which the entity may have realized and reported separately.

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The noncash expense that represents the cost of restricted stock or unit distributed to employees as compensation.

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The aggregate amount of noncash, equity-based employee remuneration. This may include the value of stock or unit options, amortization of restricted stock or units, and adjustment for officers' compensation. As noncash, this element is an add back when calculating net cash generated by operating activities using the indirect method.

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The number of non-vested equity-based payment instruments, excluding stock (or unit) options, that validly exist and are outstanding as of the balance sheet date.

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The maximum number of shares (or other type of equity) originally approved (usually by shareholders and board of directors), net of any subsequent amendments and adjustments, for awards under the equity-based compensation plan. As stock or unit options and equity instruments other than options are awarded to participants, the shares or units remain authorized and become reserved for issuance under outstanding awards (not necessarily vested).

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Net number of share options (or share units) granted during the period.

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As of the balance sheet date, the number of shares into which fully vested and expected to vest stock options outstanding can be converted under the option plan.

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Fair value of options vested. Excludes equity instruments other than options, for example, but not limited to, share units, stock appreciation rights, restricted stock.

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Number of share instruments newly issued under a share-based compensation plan.

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Weighted average price at which grantees can acquire the shares reserved for issuance on stock options awarded.

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No definition available.

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