(19)

(11)

EP 1 221 101 A2

(12)

(88) Date of publication A3: 07.06.2001 (43) Date of publication: 10.07.2002 Bulletin 2002/28 (21) Application number: 00957463.3 (22) Date of filing: 09.08.2000

(51) International Patent Classification (IPC)7: G06F 15/00, G06F 15/76, G06F 15/80, G06F 17/00, G06F 17/21, G06F 17/24 (86) International application number: PCT/US0022/383 (87) International publication number: WO 0111/445 (15.02.2001 Gazette 2001/07)

(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: 09.08.1999 US 370705 09.08.1999 US 370808 09.08.1999 US 370706 22.10.1999 US 160958 P 07.12.1999 US 169514 P (71) Applicant: COGNEX CORPORATION Natick, MA 01760 (US)	(72) Inventor: MCGARRY, John Portland, OR 97224 (US) (74) Representative: Greenwood, John David et al Graham Watt & Co.St. Botolph's House7-9 St. Botolph's Road SevenoaksKent TN13 3AJ SevenoaksKent TN13 3AJ (GB)