(19)

(11)

EP 1 236 020 A1

(12)

(43) Date of publication: 04.09.2002 Bulletin 2002/36 (21) Application number: 00978560.1 (22) Date of filing: 13.11.2000

(51) International Patent Classification (IPC)7: G01D 4/00, G01F 15/075, G01F 15/06, G01R 22/00 (86) International application number: PCT/US0031/091 (87) International publication number: WO 0103/5058 (17.05.2001 Gazette 2001/20)

(84) Designated Contracting States: AT BE CH CY DE DK ES FI FR GB GR IE IT LI LU MC NL PT SE TR Designated Extension States: AL LT LV MK RO SI (30) Priority: 12.11.1999 US 165131 P (71) Applicant: ITRON, INC. Spokane, Washington 99216-1897 (US)	(72) Inventors: FITZGERALD, Aaron Faribault, MN 55021 (US) LARSON, Gary Waseca, MN 56093 (US) (74) Representative: Hibbert, Juliet Jane Grace et al Kilburn & Strode,20 Red Lion Street London WC1R 4PJ London WC1R 4PJ (GB)