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EP 1 527 591 A1

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(43) Date of publication: 04.05.2005 Bulletin 2005/18 (21) Application number: 03766723.5 (22) Date of filing: 04.08.2003

(51) International Patent Classification (IPC)7: H04L 29/06 (86) International application number: PCT/JP2003/009870 (87) International publication number: WO 2004/014042 (12.02.2004 Gazette 2004/07)

(84) Designated Contracting States: AT BE BG CH CY CZ DE DK EE ES FI FR GB GR HU IE IT LI LU MC NL PT RO SE SI SK TR Designated Extension States: AL LT LV MK (30) Priority: 05.08.2002 JP 2002228031 (71) Applicant: Canon Kabushiki Kaisha Ohta-kuTokyo 146-8501 (JP)

(72) Inventors: YAMADA, Akitoshic/o CANON KABUSHIKI KAISHA Ohta-ku, Tokyo 146-8501 (JP) HIRABAYASHI, Hiromitsuc/o CANON KABUSHIKI KAISHA Ohta-ku, Tokyo 146-8501 (JP) AICHI, Takaoc/o CANON KABUSHIKI KAISHA Ohta-ku, Tokyo 146-8501 (JP) GOTO, Fumihiroc/o CANON KABUSHIKI KAISHA Ohta-ku, Tokyo 146-8501 (JP) (74) Representative: Beresford, Keith Denis Lewis et al BERESFORD & Co.16 High Holborn London WC1V 6BX London WC1V 6BX (GB)