(19)

(11)

EP 1 032 918 A1

(12)

(43) Date of publication: 06.09.2000 Bulletin 2000/36 (21) Application number: 99946966.1 (22) Date of filing: 17.09.1999

(51) International Patent Classification (IPC)7: G06K 9/62 (86) International application number: PCT/US9921/363 (87) International publication number: WO 0016/250 (23.03.2000 Gazette 2000/12)

(84) Designated Contracting States: AT BE CH CY DE DK ES FI FR GB GR IE IT LI LU MC NL PT SE (30) Priority: 17.09.1998 US 100622 P 17.09.1999 US 398421 (71) Applicant: THE CATHOLIC UNIVERSITY OF AMERICA Washington, DC 20064 (US)	(72) Inventor: WANG, Joseph, Y. North Potomac, MD 20878 (US) (74) Representative: Klunker . Schmitt-Nilson . Hirsch  Winzererstrasse 106 80797 München 80797 München (DE)