Note 8 - Income Taxes - Deferred Tax Assets (Details) - USD ($) $ in Thousands	Jan. 31, 2020	Jan. 31, 2019
U.S. Federal NOL carryforward	$ 7,209	$ 7,480
Deferred compensation	401	382
Research tax credit	2,686	2,703
Foreign NOL carryforward	223	390
Foreign tax credit	2,580	2,305
Stock compensation	429	459
Other accruals not yet deducted	328	349
State NOL carryforward	2,567	2,552
Accrued commissions and incentives	354	643
Inventory valuation allowance	75	112
Other	132	159
Deferred tax assets, gross	16,984	17,534
Valuation allowance	(15,937)	(16,199)
Total deferred tax assets, net of valuation allowances	1,047	1,335
Depreciation	(1,275)	(1,734)
Foreign subsidiaries unremitted earnings	(470)	(498)
Prepaid	(61)	(80)
Total deferred tax liabilities	(1,806)	(2,312)
Deferred tax liability, net	(759)	(977)
Long-term assets	293	458
Long-term liability	$ (1,052)	$ (1,435)