(19)

(11)

EP 1 008 092 A2

(12)

(88) Date of publication A3: 26.11.1998 (43) Date of publication: 14.06.2000 Bulletin 2000/24 (21) Application number: 97953267.8 (22) Date of filing: 16.12.1997

(51) International Patent Classification (IPC)7: G06K 7/00 (86) International application number: PCT/US9723/268 (87) International publication number: WO 9827/507 (25.06.1998 Gazette 1998/25)

(84) Designated Contracting States: DE FR GB (30) Priority: 17.12.1996 US 336585 20.10.1997 US 954720 (71) Applicant: THE WHITAKER CORPORATION Wilmington, Delaware 19808 (US)	(72) Inventors: BENJAMIN, Karen, E. Harrisburg, PA 17111 (US) CONSOLI, John, J. Harrisburg, PA 17112 (US) (74) Representative: Heinz-Schäfer, Marion  AMP International Enterprises LimitedAMPèrestrasse 3 9323 Steinach (SG) 9323 Steinach (SG) (CH)