Annual report pursuant to Section 13 and 15(d)

Income taxes (Details 2)

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Income taxes (Details 2) (USD $)
 12 Months Ended
Sep. 30, 2013
Sep. 30, 2012
Sep. 30, 2011
Net operating loss carryforwards      
Valuation allowance established against the deferred tax asset $ 968,000 $ 1,313,000  
Unrecognized tax benefits      
Net unrecognized tax benefits 1,000,000 1,100,000 1,200,000
Unrecognized tax benefits that, if recognized, would affect the annual effective income tax rate 1,000,000    
Interest and penalties included in net liability balance 500,000 400,000 300,000
Reconciliation of the beginning and ending amount of gross unrecognized tax benefits      
Balance at beginning of year 1,059,000 1,172,000 1,553,000
Lapse of statute of limitations (230,000) (113,000) (381,000)
Reductions for tax positions of prior years (17,000)    
Balance at end of year 812,000 1,059,000 1,172,000
United States
      
Net operating loss carryforwards      
Net operating loss carryforwards 6,900,000    
Deferred tax asset, foreign 3,100,000    
Valuation allowance established against the deferred tax asset 0    
Canada
      
Net operating loss carryforwards      
Net operating loss carryforwards 3,900,000 5,000,000  
Deferred tax asset, foreign 1,000,000 1,200,000  
Valuation allowance established against the deferred tax asset 1,000,000 1,100,000  
Maximum
      
Unrecognized tax benefits      
Interest expense recognized related to unrecognized tax benefits 100,000 100,000 100,000
United Kingdom subsidiary
      
Net operating loss carryforwards      
Net operating loss carryforwards   3,400,000  
Deferred tax asset, foreign   800,000  
Valuation allowance established against the deferred tax asset   0  
Saudi Arabian subsidiary
      
Net operating loss carryforwards      
Net operating loss carryforwards   1,200,000  
Deferred tax asset, foreign   $ 200,000