(19)

(11)

EP 0 870 257 A1

(12)

(43) Date of publication: 14.10.1998 Bulletin 1998/42 (21) Application number: 96916495.0 (22) Date of filing: 17.05.1996

(51) International Patent Classification (IPC):  G06Q 20/ 00( . ) H04N 7/ 173( . ) (86) International application number: PCT/US1996/007178 (87) International publication number: WO 1996/036928 (21.11.1996 Gazette 1996/51)

(84) Designated Contracting States: AT BE CH DE DK ES FI FR GB GR IE IT LI LU MC NL PT SE (30) Priority: 18.05.1995 US 19950444202 (71) Applicant: Bush, Thomas A. Stamford, CT 06902-6732 (US)	(72) Inventor: Bush, Thomas A. Stamford, CT 06902-6732 (US) (74) Representative: Laufhütte, Dieter, Dr.-Ing.  Lorenz-Seidler-Gossel Widenmayerstrasse 23 80538 München 80538 München (DE)