(19)

(11)

EP 1 023 621 A1

(12)

(43) Date of publication: 02.08.2000 Bulletin 2000/31 (21) Application number: 98943190.3 (22) Date of filing: 13.08.1998

(51) International Patent Classification (IPC)7: G02B 6/12, G02B 6/26, G02B 6/34, H04J 14/02, H04B 10/12 (86) International application number: PCT/US9816/736 (87) International publication number: WO 9909/440 (25.02.1999 Gazette 1999/08)

(84) Designated Contracting States: DE FR GB IT (30) Priority: 13.08.1997 US 55571 P (71) Applicant: FOSTER-MILLER ASSOCIATES, INC. Waltham, MA 02154 (US)	(72) Inventors: DOMASH, Lawrence, H. Conway, MA 01341 (US) LITTLE, Brent Boston, MA 02115 (US) (74) Representative: Geering, Keith Edwin  REDDIE & GROSE16 Theobalds Road London WC1X 8PL London WC1X 8PL (GB)