(19)

(11)

EP 0 995 174 A1

(12)

(43) Date of publication: 26.04.2000 Bulletin 2000/17 (21) Application number: 98931616.1 (22) Date of filing: 26.06.1998

(51) International Patent Classification (IPC)7: G07F 7/10, G07F 7/00 (86) International application number: PCT/US9813/277 (87) International publication number: WO 9903/075 (21.01.1999 Gazette 1999/03)

(84) Designated Contracting States: AT BE CH CY DE DK ES FI FR GB GR IE IT LI LU MC NL PT SE Designated Extension States: AL LT LV MK RO SI (30) Priority: 09.07.1997 US 890398 23.03.1998 US 46062 (71) Applicant: Countrywide Business Alliance, Inc. Woodstock, GA 30188 (US)	(72) Inventor: JOHNSON, Barbara, S. Southport, CT 06490 (US) (74) Representative: Butler, Michael John et al Frank B. Dehn & Co.,European Patent Attorneys,179 Queen Victoria Street London EC4V 4EL London EC4V 4EL (GB)