(19)

(11)

EP 0 950 238 A1

(12)

(43) Date of publication: 20.10.1999 Bulletin 1999/42 (21) Application number: 97930643.0 (22) Date of filing: 07.07.1997

(51) International Patent Classification (IPC):  G10L 11/ 04( . ) G10L 19/ 12( . ) G10L 19/ 10( . ) G10L 11/ 06( . ) G10L 19/ 02( . ) (86) International application number: PCT/GB1997/001831 (87) International publication number: WO 1998/001848 (15.01.1998 Gazette 1998/02)

(84) Designated Contracting States: AT BE CH DE DK ES FI FR GB GR IE IT LI LU MC NL PT SE (30) Priority: 05.07.1996 GB 19960014209 16.07.1996 US 19960021815P (71) Applicant: THE VICTORIA UNIVERSITY OF MANCHESTER Manchester M13 9PL (GB)	(72) Inventor: XYDEAS, Costas Wilmslow, Cheshire SK9 1DF (GB) (74) Representative: Allman, Peter John, et al  MARKS & CLERK, Sussex House, 83-85 Mosley Street Manchester M2 3LG Manchester M2 3LG (GB)