(19)

(11)

EP 1 116 256 A1

(12)

(43) Date of publication: 18.07.2001 Bulletin 2001/29 (21) Application number: 00948950.1 (22) Date of filing: 25.07.2000

(51) International Patent Classification (IPC)7: H01J 21/10, H01J 9/02 (86) International application number: PCT/US0020/230 (87) International publication number: WO 0108/193 (01.02.2001 Gazette 2001/05)

(84) Designated Contracting States: AT BE CH CY DE DK ES FI FR GB GR IE IT LI LU MC NL PT SE Designated Extension States: AL LT LV MK RO SI (30) Priority: 26.07.1999 US 145570 P 31.12.1999 US 476984 31.12.1999 US 477788 (71) Applicant: Advanced Vision Technologies, Inc. West Henrietta, NY 14586-9687 (US)	(72) Inventor: POTTER, Michael, D. Churchville, NY 14428 (US) (74) Representative: Patentanwälte Westphal, Mussgnug & Partner  Waldstrasse 33 78048 Villingen-Schwenningen 78048 Villingen-Schwenningen (DE)