(19)

(11)

EP 1 147 471 A1

(12)

(43) Date of publication: 24.10.2001 Bulletin 2001/43 (21) Application number: 99967186.0 (22) Date of filing: 03.12.1999

(51) International Patent Classification (IPC)7: G06F 15/18, G06T 11/00 (86) International application number: PCT/US9928/676 (87) International publication number: WO 0033/207 (08.06.2000 Gazette 2000/23)

(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: 03.12.1998 US 110840 P 15.12.1998 US 112391 P 05.03.1999 US 123087 P 12.11.1999 US 440317 (71) Applicant: QBEO, Inc. North Bend, WA 98045 (US)	(72) Inventor: FRISCH, Lucien, G. D-50765 Cologne (DE) (74) Representative: Spall, Christopher John  Barker Brettell,138 Hagley Road Edgbaston,Birmingham B16 9PW Edgbaston,Birmingham B16 9PW (GB)