Segment Information Major Customers (Details)	3 Months Ended		9 Months Ended
	Sep. 30, 2011 customers	Sep. 30, 2010 customers	Sep. 30, 2011 contracts customers	Sep. 30, 2010 customers
Revenue, Major Customer [Line Items]
Major Customers Percentage Revenue Threshold	10.00%	10.00%	10.00%	10.00%
Number Of Major Customers	0	1	0	1
Itron North America [Member]
Revenue, Major Customer [Line Items]
Major Customers Percentage Revenue Threshold	10.00%	10.00%	10.00%	10.00%
Number Of Major Customers	3	3	2	3
Itron International [Member]
Revenue, Major Customer [Line Items]
Major Customers Percentage Revenue Threshold	10.00%	10.00%	10.00%	10.00%
Number Of Major Customers	0	0	0	0