(19)

(11)

EP 1 454 287 A2

(12)

(88) Date of publication A3: 01.07.2004 (43) Date of publication: 08.09.2004 Bulletin 2004/37 (21) Application number: 98939144.6 (22) Date of filing: 31.07.1998

(51) International Patent Classification (IPC)7: G06K 9/00 (86) International application number: PCT/US1998/015948 (87) International publication number: WO 1999/006901 (11.02.1999 Gazette 1999/06)

(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: 31.07.1997 US 54339 P (71) Applicant: Spring Technologies Inc. Falls Church, VA 22046 (US)	(72) Inventors: MANN, Stewart, M. Falls Church, VA 22046 (US) MANN, L., Maribel Falls Church, VA 22046 (US) (74) Representative: Mittler, Enrico et al Mittler & C. s.r.l.,Viale Lombardia, 20 20131 Milano 20131 Milano (IT)