(19)

(11)

EP 1 127 420 A1

(12)

(43) Date of publication: 29.08.2001 Bulletin 2001/35 (21) Application number: 99950772.6 (22) Date of filing: 22.10.1999

(51) International Patent Classification (IPC)7: H04B 10/17, H04J 14/02, H01S 3/067 (86) International application number: PCT/EP9908/028 (87) International publication number: WO 0027/056 (11.05.2000 Gazette 2000/19)

(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: 02.11.1998 EP 98120830 06.11.1998 US 107389 P (71) Applicant: Optical Technologies U.S.A. Corp. Dover, DE 19901 (US)	(72) Inventor: MELI, Fausto I-29100 Piacenza (IT) (74) Representative: Boon, Graham Anthony  Elkington and Fife,Prospect House,8 Pembroke Road Sevenoaks,Kent TN13 1XR Sevenoaks,Kent TN13 1XR (GB)