(19)

(11)

EP 1 159 716 A2

(12)

(88) Date of publication A3: 31.08.2000 (43) Date of publication: 05.12.2001 Bulletin 2001/49 (21) Application number: 99957477.5 (22) Date of filing: 23.10.1999

(51) International Patent Classification (IPC)7: G08B 1/00 (86) International application number: PCT/US9924/968 (87) International publication number: WO 0025/284 (04.05.2000 Gazette 2000/18)

(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: 23.10.1998 US 105493 P 25.05.1999 US 135862 P 11.08.1999 US 372249 27.08.1999 US 384165 (71) Applicant: Royal Thoughts L.L.C. Bloomington, MN 55425 (US)	(72) Inventors: MENARD, Raymond, J. Hastings, MN 55033 (US) QUADY, Curtis, E. Burnsville, MN 55306-5250 (US) (74) Representative: Beresford, Keith Denis Lewis et al BERESFORD & Co.High Holborn2-5 Warwick Court London WC1R 5DJ London WC1R 5DJ (GB)