(19)

(11)

EP 1 010 130 A1

(12)

(43) Date of publication: 21.06.2000 Bulletin 2000/25 (21) Application number: 97954298.2 (22) Date of filing: 23.12.1997

(51) International Patent Classification (IPC)7: G06K 9/20, G06K 9/46, G08B 23/00, H04N 7/18 (86) International application number: PCT/US9724/163 (87) International publication number: WO 9828/706 (02.07.1998 Gazette 1998/26)

(84) Designated Contracting States: AT BE CH DE DK ES FI FR GB GR IE IT LI LU MC NL PT SE (30) Priority: 23.12.1996 US 772595 23.12.1996 US 771991 23.12.1996 US 772731 (71) Applicant: Esco Electronics Corporation St. Louis,Missouri 63124 (US)	(72) Inventors: WOOTTON, John, R. St. Louis, MO 63141 (US) WALDMAN, Gary, S. St. Louis, MO 63146 (US) HOBSON, Gregory, L. St. Charles, MO 63304 (US) (74) Representative: Waxweiler, Jean et al Dennemeyer & Associates SàrlP.O. Box 1502 1015 Luxembourg 1015 Luxembourg (LU)