(19)

(11)

EP 1 266 342 A1

(12)

(43) Date of publication: 18.12.2002 Bulletin 2002/51 (21) Application number: 01911199.6 (22) Date of filing: 27.02.2001

(51) International Patent Classification (IPC)7: G06K 7/10, G06K 7/14 (86) International application number: PCT/US0106/399 (87) International publication number: WO 0106/5469 (07.09.2001 Gazette 2001/36)

(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: 02.03.2000 US 517240 (71) Applicant: PHYSICAL OPTICS CORPORATION TorranceCalifornia 90501-1821 (US)	(72) Inventors: SAVANT, Gajendra, D. Rancho Palos Verdes, CA 90275 (US) HOSSEINI, Abbas Torrance, CA 90501 (US) SHIE, Rick, L. Westlake Village, CA 91361 (US) WANG, San, Zhuang Torrance, CA 90501 (US) (74) Representative: Jackson, Robert Patrick  Frank B. Dehn & Co.,European Patent Attorneys,179 Queen Victoria Street London EC4V 4EL London EC4V 4EL (GB)