Basis Of Presentation (Policy)	12 Months Ended
Dec. 31, 2012
Basis Of Presentation [Abstract]
Principles Of Consolidation	PRINCIPLES OF CONSOLIDATION The Consolidated Financial Statements include the accounts of Image Sensing Systems, Inc. and its wholly-owned subsidiaries: Flow Traffic Ltd. (Flow Traffic) located in Hong Kong; Image Sensing Systems Holdings Limited (ISS/Holdings) and Image Sensing Systems Europe Ltd. (ISS/Europe), both located in the United Kingdom; Image Sensing Systems Europe Limited SP.Z.O.O. (ISS/Poland), located in Poland; ISS Image Sensing Systems Canada Ltd (ISS/Canada) and ISS Canada Sales Corp. (Canada Sales Corp.), both located in Ontario, Canada; and CitySync Limited (CitySync), located in the United Kingdom. All significant inter-company transactions and balances have been eliminated in consolidation.
Revenue Recognition	REVENUE RECOGNITION We recognize revenue on a sales arrangement when it is realized or realizable and earned, which occurs when all of the following criteria have been met: persuasive evidence of an arrangement exists; delivery and title transfer has occurred or services have been rendered; the sales price is fixed and determinable; collectability is reasonably assured; and all significant obligations to the customer have been fulfilled. Certain sales may contain multiple elements for revenue recognition purposes. We consider each deliverable that provides value to the customer on a standalone basis as a separable element. Separable elements in these arrangements may include the hardware, software, installation services, training and support. We initially allocate consideration to each separable element using the relative selling price method. Selling prices are determined by us based on either vendor-specific objective evidence ("VSOE") (the actual selling prices of similar products and services sold on a standalone basis) or, in the absence of VSOE, our best estimate of the selling price. Factors considered by us in determining estimated selling prices for applicable elements generally include overall economic conditions, customer demand, costs incurred by us to provide the deliverable, as well as our historical pricing practices. Under these arrangements, revenue associated with each delivered element is recognized in an amount equal to the lesser of the consideration initially allocated to the delivered element or the amount for which payment is not deemed contingent upon future delivery of other elements in the arrangement. Under arrangements where special acceptance protocols exist, installation services and training may not be considered separable. Under those circumstances, revenue for the entire arrangement is recognized upon the completion of installation, training and fulfillment of any other significant obligations specific to the terms of the arrangement. Arrangements that do not contain any separable elements are typically recognized when the products are shipped and title has transferred to the customer. Revenue from arrangements for services such as maintenance, repair, consulting and technical support are recognized either as the service is performed or ratably over the defined contractual period for service maintenance contracts. Econolite Control Products, Inc. (Econolite) is our licensee that sells certain of our products in North America, the Caribbean and Latin America. The royalty of approximately 50% of the gross profit on licensed products is recognized when the products are shipped or delivered by Econolite to its customers. We record provisions against sales revenue for estimated returns and allowances in the period when the related revenue is recorded based on historical sales returns and changes in end user demand. Revenue is recorded net of taxes collected from customers that are remitted to governmental authorities, with the collected taxes recorded as current liabilities until remitted to the relevant government authority.
Shipping And Handling	SHIPPING AND HANDLING Freight revenue billed to customers is reported within revenue on the Consolidated Statements of Operations, and expenses incurred for shipping products to customers are reported within cost of revenue on the Consolidated Statements of Operations.
Cash And Cash Equivalents	CASH AND CASH EQUIVALENTS We consider all highly liquid investments with an original maturity of three months or less to be cash equivalents. Cash equivalents, both inside and outside the United States, are invested in money market funds and bank deposits in local currency denominations. Cash located in foreign banks was $2.6 million and $2.4 million at December 31, 2012 and 2011, respectively. We hold our cash and cash equivalents with financial institutions and, at times, the amounts of our balances may be in excess of insurance limits.
Marketable Securities	MARKETABLE SECURITIES We classify marketable debt securities as available-for-sale investments and these securities are stated at their estimated fair value. The value of these securities is subject to market and credit volatility during the period these investments are held.
Accounts Receivable	ACCOUNTS RECEIVABLE We grant credit to customers in the normal course of business and generally do not require collateral from domestic customers. When deemed appropriate, receivables from customers outside the United States are supported by letters of credit from financial institutions. Management performs on-going credit evaluations of customers. The allowance for doubtful accounts is based on management's assessment of the collectability of specific customer accounts and includes consideration of the credit worthiness and financial condition of those specific customers. We record an allowance to reduce receivables to the amount that is reasonably believed to be collectible and consider factors such as the financial condition of the customer and the aging of the receivables. If there is a deterioration of a customer's financial condition, if we become aware of additional information related to the credit worthiness of a customer, or if future actual default rates on trade receivables in general differ from those currently anticipated, we may have to adjust our allowance for doubtful accounts, which would affect earnings in the period the adjustments were made.
Inventories	INVENTORIES Inventories are primarily electronic components and finished goods and are valued at the lower of cost or market determined under the first-in, first-out accounting method.
Property And Equipment	PROPERTY AND EQUIPMENT Property and equipment is stated at cost. Additions, replacements, and improvements are capitalized at cost, while maintenance and repairs are charged to operations as incurred. Depreciation is recorded using the straight-line method over the estimated useful lives of the assets. Leasehold improvements are depreciated over the shorter of the estimated useful lives of the assets or the contractual term of the lease, with consideration of lease renewal options if renewal appears probable. Depreciation is recorded over a three- to seven-year period for financial reporting purposes and by accelerated methods for income tax purposes.
Income Taxes	INCOME TAXES We record a tax provision for the anticipated tax consequences of the reported results of operations. Deferred tax assets and liabilities are measured using the currently enacted tax rates that apply to taxable income in effect for the years in which those deferred tax assets and liabilities are expected to be realized or settled. We record a valuation allowance to reduce deferred tax assets to the amount that is believed more likely than not to be realized. We believe it is more likely than not that forecasted income, including income that may be generated as a result of certain tax planning strategies, together with the tax effects of the deferred tax liabilities, will be sufficient to fully recover the remaining net realizable value of its deferred tax assets. In the event that all or part of the net deferred tax assets are determined not to be realizable in the future, an adjustment to the valuation allowance would be charged to earnings in the period such determination is made. In addition, the calculation of tax liabilities involves significant judgment in estimating the impact of uncertainties in the application of complex tax laws. Resolution of these uncertainties in a manner inconsistent with management's expectations could have a material impact on our financial condition and operating results. We recognize penalties and interest expense related to unrecognized tax benefits in income tax expense.
Goodwill And Intangible Assets	GOODWILL AND INTANGIBLE ASSETS Goodwill represents the excess of acquisition costs over the fair value of the net assets of businesses acquired. Goodwill is not amortized, but instead tested at least annually for impairment. Goodwill is also tested for impairment as changes in circumstances occur indicating that the carrying value may not be recoverable. Goodwill impairment testing first requires a comparison of the fair value of each reporting unit to the carrying value. If the carrying value of the reporting unit exceeds fair value, goodwill is considered impaired. Impairment testing for indefinite-lived intangible assets requires a comparison between the fair value and the carrying value of the asset. If the carrying value of the asset exceeds its fair value, the asset is reduced to fair value. See Note 5 to the Consolidated Financial Statements for additional information on goodwill. Intangible assets with finite lives are amortized on a straight-line basis over the expected period to be benefited by future cash flows and reviewed for impairment. Fair values of goodwill and intangible assets are primarily determined using discounted cash flow analyses. At both December 31, 2012 and 2011, we determined there was no impairment of intangible assets. At both December 31, 2012 and 2011, there were no indefinite-lived intangible assets.
Impairment Of Long-Lived Assets	IMPAIRMENT OF LONG-LIVED ASSETS We review the carrying value of long-lived assets or asset groups, such as property and equipment and intangibles subject to amortization, when events or changes in circumstances such as asset utilization, physical change, legal factors, or other matters indicate that the carrying value may not be recoverable. When this review indicates the carrying value of an asset or asset group exceeds the sum of the undiscounted cash flows expected to result from the use and eventual disposition of the asset or asset group, we recognize an asset impairment charge against operations. The amount of the impairment loss recorded is the amount by which the carrying value of the impaired asset or asset group exceeds its fair value. No such impairment losses were recorded during the years ended December 31, 2012, 2011 or 2010.
Research And Development	RESEARCH AND DEVELOPMENT Research and development costs associated with new products are charged to operations in the period incurred.
Warranties	WARRANTIES We generally provide a standard two-year warranty on product sales. We record estimated warranty costs at the time of sale and accrue for specific items at the time that their existence is known and the amounts are determinable. We estimate warranty costs using standard quantitative measures based on historical warranty claim experience and an evaluation of specific customer warranty issues.
Advertising	ADVERTISING Advertising costs are charged to operations in the period incurred and totaled $124,000, $157,000 and $153,000 for the years ended December 31, 2012, 2011 and 2010, respectively.
Foreign Currency	FOREIGN CURRENCY The financial position and results of operations of our foreign subsidiaries are measured using local currency as the functional currency. Assets and liabilities are translated using fiscal period-end exchange rates, and statements of operations are translated using average exchange rates applicable to each period, with the resulting translation adjustments recorded as a separate component of shareholders' equity under "Accumulated other comprehensive income (loss)". Gains and losses from foreign currency transactions are recognized in the Consolidated Statements of Operations.
Net Income (Loss) Per Share	NET INCOME (LOSS) PER SHARE Basic income (loss) per share excludes dilution and is computed by dividing net income (loss) attributable to common shareholders by the weighted-average number of common shares outstanding during the period. Diluted income (loss) per share includes potentially dilutive common shares consisting of stock options, restricted stock and warrants using the treasury stock method. Under the treasury stock method, shares associated with certain stock options have been excluded from the diluted weighted average shares outstanding calculation because the exercise of those options would lead to a net reduction in common shares outstanding. As a result, stock options to acquire 481,000, 404,000 and 133,000 weighted common shares have been excluded from the diluted weighted shares outstanding calculation for the years ended December 31, 2012, 2011 and 2010, respectively, because the exercise prices were greater than the average market price of the common shares during the period and were excluded from the calculation of diluted net income per share. For the year ended December 31, 2010, 112,000 common share equivalents were included in the computation of diluted net income per share.
Use Of Estimates	USE OF ESTIMATES The preparation of financial statements in accordance with U.S. generally accepted accounting principles requires management to make estimates and assumptions that affect the reported amounts of assets and liabilities, disclosure of contingent assets and liabilities as of the date of the financial statements, and reported amounts of revenue and expense during the reporting period. Predicting future events is inherently an imprecise activity and, as such, requires the use of judgment. Ultimate results could differ from those estimates. Changes in these estimates will be reflected in the financial statements in future periods.
Stock-Based Compensation	STOCK-BASED COMPENSATION We measure the cost of employee services received in exchange for the award of equity instruments based on the fair value of the award at the date of grant and recognize the cost over the period during which an employee is required to provide services in exchange for the award. Stock options are granted at exercise prices equal to the closing market price of our stock on the date of grant. For purposes of determining estimated fair value of stock-based payment awards, we utilize a Black-Scholes option pricing model, which requires the input of certain assumptions requiring management judgment. Because our employee stock option awards have characteristics significantly different from those of traded options, and because changes in the input assumptions can materially affect fair value estimates, existing models may not provide a reliable single measure of the fair value of employee stock options. Management will continue to assess the assumptions and methodologies used to calculate estimated fair value of stock-based compensation. Circumstances may change and additional data may become available over time that could result in changes to these assumptions and methodologies and thereby materially impact the fair value determination of future grants of stock-based payment awards. If factors change and we employ different assumptions in future periods, the compensation expense recorded may differ significantly from the stock-based compensation expense recorded in the current period.

Basis Of Presentation (Policy)

12 Months Ended

Dec. 31, 2012

PRINCIPLES OF CONSOLIDATION

The Consolidated Financial Statements include the accounts of Image Sensing Systems, Inc. and its wholly-owned subsidiaries: Flow Traffic Ltd. (Flow Traffic) located in Hong Kong; Image Sensing Systems Holdings Limited (ISS/Holdings) and Image Sensing Systems Europe Ltd. (ISS/Europe), both located in the United Kingdom; Image Sensing Systems Europe Limited SP.Z.O.O. (ISS/Poland), located in Poland; ISS Image Sensing Systems Canada Ltd (ISS/Canada) and ISS Canada Sales Corp. (Canada Sales Corp.), both located in Ontario, Canada; and CitySync Limited (CitySync), located in the United Kingdom.

All significant inter-company transactions and balances have been eliminated in consolidation.

Revenue Recognition

REVENUE RECOGNITION

We recognize revenue on a sales arrangement when it is realized or realizable and earned, which occurs when all of the following criteria have been met: persuasive evidence of an arrangement exists; delivery and title transfer has occurred or services have been rendered; the sales price is fixed and determinable; collectability is reasonably assured; and all significant obligations to the customer have been fulfilled.

Certain sales may contain multiple elements for revenue recognition purposes. We consider each deliverable that provides value to the customer on a standalone basis as a separable element. Separable elements in these arrangements may include the hardware, software, installation services, training and support. We initially allocate consideration to each separable element using the relative selling price method. Selling prices are determined by us based on either vendor-specific objective evidence ("VSOE") (the actual selling prices of similar products and services sold on a standalone basis) or, in the absence of VSOE, our best estimate of the selling price. Factors considered by us in determining estimated selling prices for applicable elements generally include overall economic conditions, customer demand, costs incurred by us to provide the deliverable, as well as our historical pricing practices. Under these arrangements, revenue associated with each delivered element is recognized in an amount equal to the lesser of the consideration initially allocated to the delivered element or the amount for which payment is not deemed contingent upon future delivery of other elements in the arrangement. Under arrangements where special acceptance protocols exist, installation services and training may not be considered separable. Under those circumstances, revenue for the entire arrangement is recognized upon the completion of installation, training and fulfillment of any other significant obligations specific to the terms of the arrangement. Arrangements that do not contain any separable elements are typically recognized when the products are shipped and title has transferred to the customer.

Revenue from arrangements for services such as maintenance, repair, consulting and technical support are recognized either as the service is performed or ratably over the defined contractual period for service maintenance contracts.

Econolite Control Products, Inc. (Econolite) is our licensee that sells certain of our products in North America, the Caribbean and Latin America. The royalty of approximately 50% of the gross profit on licensed products is recognized when the products are shipped or delivered by Econolite to its customers.

We record provisions against sales revenue for estimated returns and allowances in the period when the related revenue is recorded based on historical sales returns and changes in end user demand.

Revenue is recorded net of taxes collected from customers that are remitted to governmental authorities, with the collected taxes recorded as current liabilities until remitted to the relevant government authority.

Shipping And Handling

SHIPPING AND HANDLING

Freight revenue billed to customers is reported within revenue on the Consolidated Statements of Operations, and expenses incurred for shipping products to customers are reported within cost of revenue on the Consolidated Statements of Operations.

Cash And Cash Equivalents

CASH AND CASH EQUIVALENTS

We consider all highly liquid investments with an original maturity of three months or less to be cash equivalents. Cash equivalents, both inside and outside the United States, are invested in money market funds and bank deposits in local currency denominations. Cash located in foreign banks was $2.6 million and $2.4 million at December 31, 2012 and 2011, respectively. We hold our cash and cash equivalents with financial institutions and, at times, the amounts of our balances may be in excess of insurance limits.

Marketable Securities

MARKETABLE SECURITIES

We classify marketable debt securities as available-for-sale investments and these securities are stated at their estimated fair value. The value of these securities is subject to market and credit volatility during the period these investments are held.

Accounts Receivable

ACCOUNTS RECEIVABLE

We grant credit to customers in the normal course of business and generally do not require collateral from domestic customers. When deemed appropriate, receivables from customers outside the United States are supported by letters of credit from financial institutions. Management performs on-going credit evaluations of customers. The allowance for doubtful accounts is based on management's assessment of the collectability of specific customer accounts and includes consideration of the credit worthiness and financial condition of those specific customers. We record an allowance to reduce receivables to the amount that is reasonably believed to be collectible and consider factors such as the financial condition of the customer and the aging of the receivables. If there is a deterioration of a customer's financial condition, if we become aware of additional information related to the credit worthiness of a customer, or if future actual default rates on trade receivables in general differ from those currently anticipated, we may have to adjust our allowance for doubtful accounts, which would affect earnings in the period the adjustments were made.

Inventories

INVENTORIES

Inventories are primarily electronic components and finished goods and are valued at the lower of cost or market determined under the first-in, first-out accounting method.

Property And Equipment

PROPERTY AND EQUIPMENT

Property and equipment is stated at cost. Additions, replacements, and improvements are capitalized at cost, while maintenance and repairs are charged to operations as incurred. Depreciation is recorded using the straight-line method over the estimated useful lives of the assets. Leasehold improvements are depreciated over the shorter of the estimated useful lives of the assets or the contractual term of the lease, with consideration of lease renewal options if renewal appears probable. Depreciation is recorded over a three- to seven-year period for financial reporting purposes and by accelerated methods for income tax purposes.

Income Taxes

INCOME TAXES

We record a tax provision for the anticipated tax consequences of the reported results of operations. Deferred tax assets and liabilities are measured using the currently enacted tax rates that apply to taxable income in effect for the years in which those deferred tax assets and liabilities are expected to be realized or settled. We record a valuation allowance to reduce deferred tax assets to the amount that is believed more likely than not to be realized. We believe it is more likely than not that forecasted income, including income that may be generated as a result of certain tax planning strategies, together with the tax effects of the deferred tax liabilities, will be sufficient to fully recover the remaining net realizable value of its deferred tax assets. In the event that all or part of the net deferred tax assets are determined not to be realizable in the future, an adjustment to the valuation allowance would be charged to earnings in the period such determination is made. In addition, the calculation of tax liabilities involves significant judgment in estimating the impact of uncertainties in the application of complex tax laws. Resolution of these uncertainties in a manner inconsistent with management's expectations could have a material impact on our financial condition and operating results. We recognize penalties and interest expense related to unrecognized tax benefits in income tax expense.

Goodwill And Intangible Assets

GOODWILL AND INTANGIBLE ASSETS

Goodwill represents the excess of acquisition costs over the fair value of the net assets of businesses acquired. Goodwill is not amortized, but instead tested at least annually for impairment. Goodwill is also tested for impairment as changes in circumstances occur indicating that the carrying value may not be recoverable.

Goodwill impairment testing first requires a comparison of the fair value of each reporting unit to the carrying value. If the carrying value of the reporting unit exceeds fair value, goodwill is considered impaired. Impairment testing for indefinite-lived intangible assets requires a comparison between the fair value and the carrying value of the asset. If the carrying value of the asset exceeds its fair value, the asset is reduced to fair value. See Note 5 to the Consolidated Financial Statements for additional information on goodwill.

Intangible assets with finite lives are amortized on a straight-line basis over the expected period to be benefited by future cash flows and reviewed for impairment. Fair values of goodwill and intangible assets are primarily determined using discounted cash flow analyses. At both December 31, 2012 and 2011, we determined there was no impairment of intangible assets. At both December 31, 2012 and 2011, there were no indefinite-lived intangible assets.

Impairment Of Long-Lived Assets

IMPAIRMENT OF LONG-LIVED ASSETS

We review the carrying value of long-lived assets or asset groups, such as property and equipment and intangibles subject to amortization, when events or changes in circumstances such as asset utilization, physical change, legal factors, or other matters indicate that the carrying value may not be recoverable. When this review indicates the carrying value of an asset or asset group exceeds the sum of the undiscounted cash flows expected to result from the use and eventual disposition of the asset or asset group, we recognize an asset impairment charge against operations. The amount of the impairment loss recorded is the amount by which the carrying value of the impaired asset or asset group exceeds its fair value. No such impairment losses were recorded during the years ended December 31, 2012, 2011 or 2010.

Research And Development

RESEARCH AND DEVELOPMENT

Research and development costs associated with new products are charged to operations in the period incurred.

Warranties

WARRANTIES

We generally provide a standard two-year warranty on product sales. We record estimated warranty costs at the time of sale and accrue for specific items at the time that their existence is known and the amounts are determinable. We estimate warranty costs using standard quantitative measures based on historical warranty claim experience and an evaluation of specific customer warranty issues.

Advertising

ADVERTISING

Advertising costs are charged to operations in the period incurred and totaled $124,000, $157,000 and $153,000 for the years ended December 31, 2012, 2011 and 2010, respectively.

Foreign Currency

FOREIGN CURRENCY

The financial position and results of operations of our foreign subsidiaries are measured using local currency as the functional currency. Assets and liabilities are translated using fiscal period-end exchange rates, and statements of operations are translated using average exchange rates applicable to each period, with the resulting translation adjustments recorded as a separate component of shareholders' equity under "Accumulated other comprehensive income (loss)". Gains and losses from foreign currency transactions are recognized in the Consolidated Statements of Operations.

Net Income (Loss) Per Share

NET INCOME (LOSS) PER SHARE

Basic income (loss) per share excludes dilution and is computed by dividing net income (loss) attributable to common shareholders by the weighted-average number of common shares outstanding during the period. Diluted income (loss) per share includes potentially dilutive common shares consisting of stock options, restricted stock and warrants using the treasury stock method. Under the treasury stock method, shares associated with certain stock options have been excluded from the diluted weighted average shares outstanding calculation because the exercise of those options would lead to a net reduction in common shares outstanding. As a result, stock options to acquire 481,000, 404,000 and 133,000 weighted common shares have been excluded from the diluted weighted shares outstanding calculation for the years ended December 31, 2012, 2011 and 2010, respectively, because the exercise prices were greater than the average market price of the common shares during the period and were excluded from the calculation of diluted net income per share.

For the year ended December 31, 2010, 112,000 common share equivalents were included in the computation of diluted net income per share.

Use Of Estimates

USE OF ESTIMATES

The preparation of financial statements in accordance with U.S. generally accepted accounting principles requires management to make estimates and assumptions that affect the reported amounts of assets and liabilities, disclosure of contingent assets and liabilities as of the date of the financial statements, and reported amounts of revenue and expense during the reporting period. Predicting future events is inherently an imprecise activity and, as such, requires the use of judgment. Ultimate results could differ from those estimates. Changes in these estimates will be reflected in the financial statements in future periods.

Stock-Based Compensation

STOCK-BASED COMPENSATION

We measure the cost of employee services received in exchange for the award of equity instruments based on the fair value of the award at the date of grant and recognize the cost over the period during which an employee is required to provide services in exchange for the award. Stock options are granted at exercise prices equal to the closing market price of our stock on the date of grant.

For purposes of determining estimated fair value of stock-based payment awards, we utilize a Black-Scholes option pricing model, which requires the input of certain assumptions requiring management judgment. Because our employee stock option awards have characteristics significantly different from those of traded options, and because changes in the input assumptions can materially affect fair value estimates, existing models may not provide a reliable single measure of the fair value of employee stock options. Management will continue to assess the assumptions and methodologies used to calculate estimated fair value of stock-based compensation. Circumstances may change and additional data may become available over time that could result in changes to these assumptions and methodologies and thereby materially impact the fair value determination of future grants of stock-based payment awards. If factors change and we employ different assumptions in future periods, the compensation expense recorded may differ significantly from the stock-based compensation expense recorded in the current period.