(19)

(11)

EP 1 044 529 A1

(12)

(43) Date of publication: 18.10.2000 Bulletin 2000/42 (21) Application number: 98960669.4 (22) Date of filing: 03.12.1998

(51) International Patent Classification (IPC)7: H04J 14/08 (86) International application number: PCT/US9825/622 (87) International publication number: WO 9930/454 (17.06.1999 Gazette 1999/24)

(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: 10.12.1997 US 67177 P (71) Applicant: CORNING INCORPORATED Corning, N.Y. 14831 (US)	(72) Inventors: HANSON, Thomas, A. Corning, NY 14830 (US) SOULLIERE, Mark, J. Corning, NY 14830 (US) (74) Representative: Finnie, Peter John  Elkington and Fife,Prospect House,8 Pembroke Road Sevenoaks, Kent TN13 1XR Sevenoaks, Kent TN13 1XR (GB)