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Proc-Type: 2001,MIC-CLEAR
Originator-Name: webmaster@www.sec.gov
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MIC-Info: RSA-MD5,RSA,
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 jIKOMgMn0dcQFrVzQWrBGA==

<SEC-DOCUMENT>0000943034-10-000014.txt : 20100707
<SEC-HEADER>0000943034-10-000014.hdr.sgml : 20100707
<ACCEPTANCE-DATETIME>20100707124351
ACCESSION NUMBER:		0000943034-10-000014
CONFORMED SUBMISSION TYPE:	4
PUBLIC DOCUMENT COUNT:		1
CONFORMED PERIOD OF REPORT:	20100706
FILED AS OF DATE:		20100707
DATE AS OF CHANGE:		20100707

REPORTING-OWNER:	

	OWNER DATA:	
		COMPANY CONFORMED NAME:			Manor Dan
		CENTRAL INDEX KEY:			0001450689

	FILING VALUES:
		FORM TYPE:		4
		SEC ACT:		1934 Act
		SEC FILE NUMBER:	000-26056
		FILM NUMBER:		10941412

	MAIL ADDRESS:	
		STREET 1:		7 RIDGEWOOD RD
		CITY:			TORONTO
		STATE:			A6
		ZIP:			M5P 1T4

ISSUER:		

	COMPANY DATA:	
		COMPANY CONFORMED NAME:			IMAGE SENSING SYSTEMS INC
		CENTRAL INDEX KEY:			0000943034
		STANDARD INDUSTRIAL CLASSIFICATION:	MEASURING & CONTROLLING DEVICES, NEC [3829]
		IRS NUMBER:				411519168
		STATE OF INCORPORATION:			MN
		FISCAL YEAR END:			1231

	BUSINESS ADDRESS:	
		STREET 1:		500 SPRUCE TREE CENTRE
		STREET 2:		1600 UNIVERSITY AVE
		CITY:			ST PAUL
		STATE:			MN
		ZIP:			55104-3825
		BUSINESS PHONE:		6516037700

	MAIL ADDRESS:	
		STREET 1:		500 SPRUCE TREE CENTRE
		STREET 2:		1600 UNIVERSITY AVE W.
		CITY:			ST PAUL
		STATE:			MN
		ZIP:			55104
</SEC-HEADER>
<DOCUMENT>
<TYPE>4
<SEQUENCE>1
<FILENAME>primary_doc.xml
<DESCRIPTION>PRIMARY DOCUMENT
<TEXT>
<XML>
<?xml version="1.0"?>
<ownershipDocument>

    <schemaVersion>X0303</schemaVersion>

    <documentType>4</documentType>

    <periodOfReport>2010-07-06</periodOfReport>

    <notSubjectToSection16>0</notSubjectToSection16>

    <issuer>
        <issuerCik>0000943034</issuerCik>
        <issuerName>IMAGE SENSING SYSTEMS INC</issuerName>
        <issuerTradingSymbol>isns</issuerTradingSymbol>
    </issuer>

    <reportingOwner>
        <reportingOwnerId>
            <rptOwnerCik>0001450689</rptOwnerCik>
            <rptOwnerName>Manor Dan</rptOwnerName>
        </reportingOwnerId>
        <reportingOwnerAddress>
            <rptOwnerStreet1>7 RIDGEWOOD RD</rptOwnerStreet1>
            <rptOwnerStreet2></rptOwnerStreet2>
            <rptOwnerCity>TORONTO</rptOwnerCity>
            <rptOwnerState>A6</rptOwnerState>
            <rptOwnerZipCode>M5P 1T4</rptOwnerZipCode>
            <rptOwnerStateDescription>ONTARIO, CANADA</rptOwnerStateDescription>
        </reportingOwnerAddress>
        <reportingOwnerRelationship>
            <isDirector>0</isDirector>
            <isOfficer>0</isOfficer>
            <isTenPercentOwner>0</isTenPercentOwner>
            <isOther>1</isOther>
            <otherText>Managing Dir of subsidiary</otherText>
        </reportingOwnerRelationship>
    </reportingOwner>

    <nonDerivativeTable>
        <nonDerivativeTransaction>
            <securityTitle>
                <value>Common stock</value>
            </securityTitle>
            <transactionDate>
                <value>2010-07-06</value>
            </transactionDate>
            <transactionCoding>
                <transactionFormType>4</transactionFormType>
                <transactionCode>S</transactionCode>
                <equitySwapInvolved>0</equitySwapInvolved>
            </transactionCoding>
            <transactionTimeliness>
                <value></value>
            </transactionTimeliness>
            <transactionAmounts>
                <transactionShares>
                    <value>100</value>
                </transactionShares>
                <transactionPricePerShare>
                    <value>13.5</value>
                </transactionPricePerShare>
                <transactionAcquiredDisposedCode>
                    <value>D</value>
                </transactionAcquiredDisposedCode>
            </transactionAmounts>
            <postTransactionAmounts>
                <sharesOwnedFollowingTransaction>
                    <value>25028</value>
                </sharesOwnedFollowingTransaction>
            </postTransactionAmounts>
            <ownershipNature>
                <directOrIndirectOwnership>
                    <value>I</value>
                </directOrIndirectOwnership>
                <natureOfOwnership>
                    <value>Mendon Faydan, Inc</value>
                </natureOfOwnership>
            </ownershipNature>
        </nonDerivativeTransaction>
    </nonDerivativeTable>

    <ownerSignature>
        <signatureName>/s/ Joanne Ritter, Attorney in Fact for Dan Manor</signatureName>
        <signatureDate>2010-07-07</signatureDate>
    </ownerSignature>
</ownershipDocument>
</XML>
</TEXT>
</DOCUMENT>
</SEC-DOCUMENT>
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