(19)

(11)

EP 1 261 928 A2

(12)

(88) Date of publication A3: 07.02.2002 (43) Date of publication: 04.12.2002 Bulletin 2002/49 (21) Application number: 00982309.7 (22) Date of filing: 30.11.2000

(51) International Patent Classification (IPC)7: G06F 17/60 (86) International application number: PCT/US0032/592 (87) International publication number: WO 0104/1016 (07.06.2001 Gazette 2001/23)

(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: 02.12.1999 US 168499 P 01.05.2000 US 561886 (71) Applicant: GENERAL ELECTRIC COMPANY Schenectady, NY 12345 (US)	(72) Inventors: CHEN, Yu-To Niskayuna, NY 12309 (US) JOHNSON, Christopher, Donald Clifton Park, NY 12065 (US) KEYES, Tim, Kerry West Redding, CT 06896 (US) PISUPATI, Chandrasekhar Niskayuna, NY 12309 (US) STEWARD, William, Cree Norwalk, CT 06855 (US) (74) Representative: Pedder, James Cuthbert  GE London Patent Operation,Essex House,12/13 Essex Street London WC2R 3AA London WC2R 3AA (GB)