(19)

(11)

EP 1 247 227 A1

(12)

(43) Date of publication: 09.10.2002 Bulletin 2002/41 (21) Application number: 00988222.6 (22) Date of filing: 20.12.2000

(51) International Patent Classification (IPC)7: G06F 17/60 (86) International application number: PCT/US0034/704 (87) International publication number: WO 0104/8658 (05.07.2001 Gazette 2001/27)

(84) Designated Contracting States: AT BE CH CY DE DK ES FI FR GB GR IE IT LI LU MC NL PT SE TR Designated Extension States: AL LT LV MK RO SI (30) Priority: 29.12.1999 US 474327 (71) Applicant: PITNEY BOWES INC. Stamford,CT 06926 (US)	(72) Inventors: ROMANSKY, Brian, M. Monroe, CT 06468 (US) FOTH, Thomas, J. Trumbull, CT 06611 (US) (74) Representative: HOFFMANN - EITLE  Patent- und RechtsanwälteArabellastrasse 4 81925 München 81925 München (DE)