(19)

(11)

EP 0 845 123 A1

(12)

(43) Date of publication: 03.06.1998 Bulletin 1998/23 (21) Application number: 95928840.0 (22) Date of filing: 15.08.1995

(51) International Patent Classification (IPC):  G06Q 40/ 00( . ) (86) International application number: PCT/US1995/010363 (87) International publication number: WO 1997/007475 (27.02.1997 Gazette 1997/10)

(84) Designated Contracting States: AT BE CH DE DK ES FR GB GR IE IT LI LU MC NL PT SE (71) Applicant: THE TRUSTEES OF COLUMBIA UNIVERSITY IN NEW YORK New York, NY 10027-6699 (US)	(72) Inventors: TRAUB, Joseph, F. New York, NY 10027-6699 (US) PASKOV, Spassimir New York, NY 10027-6699 (US) (74) Representative: Lawrence, John  Barker, Brettell & Duncan 138 Hagley Road Edgbaston Birmingham B16 9PW Birmingham B16 9PW (GB)