[go: up one dir, main page]

WO2001052722A1 - Dispositif et methode de balayage d'un objet au moyen d'un faisceau lumineux - Google Patents

Dispositif et methode de balayage d'un objet au moyen d'un faisceau lumineux Download PDF

Info

Publication number
WO2001052722A1
WO2001052722A1 PCT/SE2001/000059 SE0100059W WO0152722A1 WO 2001052722 A1 WO2001052722 A1 WO 2001052722A1 SE 0100059 W SE0100059 W SE 0100059W WO 0152722 A1 WO0152722 A1 WO 0152722A1
Authority
WO
WIPO (PCT)
Prior art keywords
light
disc
eyes
fields
scanning
Prior art date
Legal status (The legal status is an assumption and is not a legal conclusion. Google has not performed a legal analysis and makes no representation as to the accuracy of the status listed.)
Ceased
Application number
PCT/SE2001/000059
Other languages
English (en)
Inventor
Martin Krantz
Current Assignee (The listed assignees may be inaccurate. Google has not performed a legal analysis and makes no representation or warranty as to the accuracy of the list.)
Smart Eye AB
Original Assignee
Smart Eye AB
Priority date (The priority date is an assumption and is not a legal conclusion. Google has not performed a legal analysis and makes no representation as to the accuracy of the date listed.)
Filing date
Publication date
Application filed by Smart Eye AB filed Critical Smart Eye AB
Priority to AU2001228963A priority Critical patent/AU2001228963A1/en
Publication of WO2001052722A1 publication Critical patent/WO2001052722A1/fr
Anticipated expiration legal-status Critical
Ceased legal-status Critical Current

Links

Classifications

    • G—PHYSICS
    • G06—COMPUTING OR CALCULATING; COUNTING
    • G06F—ELECTRIC DIGITAL DATA PROCESSING
    • G06F3/00—Input arrangements for transferring data to be processed into a form capable of being handled by the computer; Output arrangements for transferring data from processing unit to output unit, e.g. interface arrangements
    • G06F3/01—Input arrangements or combined input and output arrangements for interaction between user and computer
    • G06F3/011—Arrangements for interaction with the human body, e.g. for user immersion in virtual reality
    • G06F3/013—Eye tracking input arrangements
    • G—PHYSICS
    • G09—EDUCATION; CRYPTOGRAPHY; DISPLAY; ADVERTISING; SEALS
    • G09B—EDUCATIONAL OR DEMONSTRATION APPLIANCES; APPLIANCES FOR TEACHING, OR COMMUNICATING WITH, THE BLIND, DEAF OR MUTE; MODELS; PLANETARIA; GLOBES; MAPS; DIAGRAMS
    • G09B21/00—Teaching, or communicating with, the blind, deaf or mute

Definitions

  • the present invention relates to a device for scanning a beam of light over particularly an eye, said device comprising a source of light arranged to generate a beam of light in the direction of at least one of the user's eye.
  • the invention likewise concerns a method of scanning a beam of light over particularly an eye, and a system of controlling for instance a computer by means of eye movements .
  • One category of prior-art solutions comprises a source of light, which illuminates the eye, and a camera based on the CCD or the
  • a beam of light is scanned over the eye and is then detected by a detector.
  • a detector In accordance with another type of solution, a beam of light is scanned over the eye and is then detected by a detector.
  • a divergent laser beam is scanned by means of an SLM (Spatial Light Modulator) over the eye, and is reflected and detected by a PSD (Positive Sensor Detector) .
  • SLM Surface Light Modulator
  • PSD Personal Sensor Detector
  • the first object of the present invention thus is to provide a device of the kind outlined in the introduction, which in a satisfactory manner combines high-level performance with a low price.
  • Another object of the invention is to provide a device utilising active registration of the eye.
  • a third object of the invention is to provide a device capable of scanning a beam of light over an eye with a high degree of accuracy, without necessitating too narrow tolerances with regard to manufacture and installation.
  • a fourth object of the invention is to provide a device that lends itself more readily to mass-production.
  • a device of the kind defined in the preamble which device is characterised by the provision of at least one diffractive element in the form of a disc arranged to rotate in a plane extending transversely to the beam of light, said disc being divided into several fields, each one of which is arranged to deflect the beam in at least one predetermined direction, whereby upon rotation of the disc the fields pass one by one past the beam of light, thus deflecting the beam in different directions in order to produce scanning of the object or of the eye.
  • Scanning thus is achieved by refracting the beam of light in the disc, which is allowed one degree of freedom only, viz. rotational movement about an axis.
  • DOE diffractive optical elements
  • the device may be configured as a comparatively compact and simple unit.
  • diffractive optical elements (DOE) in the form of discs are very inexpensive to manufacture. The result is that the price of the device may be kept low without lowering the requirements on performance.
  • calibration of the device becomes easier owing to the single degree of freedom of the diffractive element .
  • the precise point of impact of the beam of light on the individual field is a critical aspect, since the entire field deflects the light in the same direction. Comparatively large tolerances therefore are allowable as regards the alignment of each disc, since only one condition need be met, viz. that the beam of light passes through each field.
  • the beam is generated towards both eyes of the user, which normally is an advantage for determining the direction of gaze.
  • Each field may be arranged to split the beam of light and to deflect it in several directions. In this manner, a larger amount of data is gathered (more reflections in the eye) upon passage of each field through the beam of light. Fewer fields thus are required for each scan of the eye.
  • the source of light preferably is arranged to generate pulsed light. The disc or the discs then rotate at such a speed that each pulse passes through one field on each disc. Pulsed light eliminates the troublesome refraction phenomena otherwise occurring upon transitions from one field to the next.
  • the device comprises one first and one second disc each arranged in its respective one of planes that extend normal to the beam of light, the first disc being arranged to deflect the beam of light in a first plane and the second disc arranged to deflect the beam of light in a second plane, which is orientated transversely relative to the first plane.
  • the light is deflected first in an X- axis direction and thereafter in an Y-axis direction.
  • only one disc is used, which in this case must be configured with fields refracting the light in several planes so as to produce satisfactory scanning.
  • a disc may comprise several annular areas, each being divided into several fields .
  • the scanning characteristics may be altered by moving the beam of light laterally and allowing the beam of light to pass through different areas.
  • Several beams of light may also be used, which beams in this case pass through different areas of a common disc in order to produce two simultaneous scans having different characteristics.
  • Another aspect of the invention concerns a method of utilising a device in accordance with the invention to scan a beam of light over an object.
  • a third aspect of the invention concerns a system of enabling a user to give instructions by means of his eyes to for example a computer, comprising means for registering the position of the eye and for generating an electric signal containing data on that position, and means for data processing said signal, to convert the signal into instructions to the computer.
  • the registering means consists of a device in accordance with the invention, with all the advantages presented above .
  • Fig 1 is a schematic view of a device in accordance with a first embodiment of the invention.
  • Fig 2 shows a disc of the device of Fig 1.
  • Fig 3 shows a device in accordance with a second embodiment of the invention.
  • Figs 4a and 4b show discs of the device of Fig 3.
  • Figs 5a and 5b show alternative embodiments of a diffractive disc.
  • Fig 6 shows a system for control of a computer system by means of the eye, in accordance with one embodiment of the invention.
  • a source of light preferably a pulsed IR laser or a
  • LED is arranged to emit a beam of light 3 directed towards the face of the user, more precisely towards his/her eyes 5.
  • a system of lenses in accordance with the shown example consisting of two lenses 7a, 7b, is arranged to focus the beam on the user's face, or more precisely on the plane comprising the user's eyes 5. Having been reflected from the eyes 5, the beam of light 3 is detected by a detector 8, such as a photodiode, for example a PIN diode.
  • One 7a of the lenses is displaceable towards and away from the eyes in order to focus the beam of light 3 on the plane of the eyes.
  • a power means 9 is arranged to move the lens 7a in response to a control signal received from an auto-focusing unit 11 serving to adjust the position of the lens 7a in accordance with the strength of the reflected light received by the photodiode 8. Focusing of this kind is known per se and will not be described in closer detail herein.
  • Diffractive optical elements also known as kinoforms, in the form of preferably essentially circular discs 10a, 10b are located between the lenses.
  • Diffractive discs of this kind may be made for example from a polymer of a suitable kind, which is given the desired shape in a pressing operation, the surface structure being determined by a mathematical description of the desired refraction.
  • the discs 10a, 10b are located in planes extending transversely to the beam of light 3, i.e. planes orientated crosswise to the beam of light, and the discs are arranged to allow passage-through of the beam of light.
  • the discs are located in accordance with the shown embodiment in a plane that is normal to the beam of light, although this is not necessary.
  • Each disc shown most clearly in Fig 2 and identified in that figure by reference number 10, is divided into a plurality of fields 12, each one of which is designed to refract light passing through the disc, thus deflecting it in a predetermined direction.
  • the various fields are designed to deflect the light to various degrees, and possibly in different directions, in consequence of which the beam of light will scan over the eyes upon rotation of the disc. This process will be described in more detail in the following.
  • each disc 10a, 10b is mounted on a shaft 13a, 13b, and a drive unit 15, such as a step motor, is connected to one of the shafts and arranged to cause the discs to rotate.
  • a control unit 17, for instance an intermediate gear-transmission unit, is arranged to ensure a correct gear ratio between the rotational speeds of the discs.
  • a gear- transmission unit it may of course be quite possible to use a step motor to rotate the discs, and if the discs are to rotate at the same rotational speed, there is no need for a gear-transmission unit. In the boundary layers between the various fields, a minor part of the light may pass through a disc without being deflected.
  • two discs thus are located between the source of light and the eye, the first disc being adapted for refraction of the beam of light in a first direction (for example an X-axis direction) and the second disc being adapted for refraction of the beam of light in a second direction (for example a Y-axis direction) .
  • the discs 10a, 10b could comprise an annular area, which is divided into eight circular sectors 12. All sectors 12 refract light in the same plane but at different refraction angles. For example, one of the discs refracts light radially relative to the disc whereas the second disc refracts light tangentially relative to the disc. These directions are constant in each fixed point in space, when the disc is rotating.
  • each sector 12a is designed to refract light to a higher degree than the preceding, neighbouring sector 12b, whereby the entire scanning interval, i.e. the angular interval to be scanned by the beam of light in one direction may be scanned by rotation of disc 10a,
  • Various ratios may exist between the number of fields per scanning interval and the total number of fields. In some applications, a ratio of one may be suitable, i.e. all fields refract light in one direction each, and the disc must be rotated over a full turn in order for a complete scan of the direction in question to be effected. In case of limitations of the rotational speed of the discs, the ratio could be a higher integer.
  • a typical scanning resolution i.e. the number of points that the beam of light is made to hit as a consequence of its refraction, is 320 by 320. Each scanning interval (in the X- and Y-axes directions) therefore requires 320 sector fields. In the simplest fashion, this is achieved by dividing each discs 10a, 10b into 320 fields, but in order to reduce the required rotational speed it could likewise be achieved by using a multiple of 320 fields per disc, such as 640 or 960.
  • FIG. 3 Another embodiment of the invention is shown in Fig 3, in which components that essentially are identical with those in Fig 1 have received the same reference numbers.
  • only one diffractive element 20 is provided between the source of light and the eye.
  • the disc is designed with one field for each intended direction of deflection, such that upon disc rotation the light is refracted in one direction at a time to scan the eye.
  • Fig 4a shows one example of a disc 20, which is designed for use together with the device of Fig 3.
  • disc 10a Although in principle, this disc is similar to disc 10a,
  • the disc 20 must in this case be formed with one field 22 for each refraction angle, which in the present example means 64 fields 22 (see Fig 4) instead of two discs, each having eight fields (see Fig 2) .
  • Each one of the 64 fields produces refraction corresponding to the refraction that the two discs 10a, 10b of Fig 1 produce in combination in a particular position.
  • this would means a disc having 320x320 102400 fields.
  • the manufacture of this type of disc therefore may be complex.
  • FIG. 4b Another embodiment of the disc 20 in the device of Fig 3 is shown in Fig 4b, and it is designated by reference 20'.
  • This disc has only 16 fields 22' but on the other hand, each field is arranged to split the beam of light into several, for instance eight, beams, which are refracted in different directions in such a manner that a bundle of light comprising eight beams hits the eyes and is reflected.
  • the first eight fields may be arranged to scan this bundle of beams in one direction whereas the following eight fields scan a differently orientated bundle of beams in another direction.
  • the disc In the case of a 320x320 point resolution, the disc would need 640 fields.
  • the configuration of the discs in conformity with a mathematically calculated structure means that there are no difficulties involved in arranging for each field to split the beam of light into several beams .
  • one or several of the discs 10a, 10b, 20. 20' may be divided into several annular parts, each one of which is divided into sectors. Each sector-divided annulus may be configured to refract the light at different angles in order in this manner to obtain different scanning angle intervals in conjunction with unchanged resolution, i.e. to "spread" or "compress" the scanning sequence.
  • Fig 5a shows a disc 30 having two annular portions 32a, 32b, divided into fields 34a, 34b, presenting mutually varying deflection angles.
  • the discrete refraction characteristics are indicated in Fig 5a by means of different hatching patterns.
  • each sector-divided annulus may be designed with a smaller or larger number of fields in order to produce different degrees of resolution, possibly in combination with a change of rotational speed and/or pulse rate.
  • Fig 5b shows a disc 40 having two annular portions 42a, 42b, the inner portion 42a having eight fields 44a whereas the outer portion 42b has 16 fields 44b.
  • the system 50 comprises a machine or equipment 52 to be controlled by a user. If it is a computer, the function of the system is identical to that of a conventional mouse. In this case, eye movements thus replace hand movements .
  • the eye movements are registered with the aid of a device 54 in accordance with the invention, for example of the kind described above.
  • An analogue output signal 56 emitted by the detector 8 is digitalised in an AD converter 62, and the digital signal 64 is then processed in a microprocessor 66 , for example in accordance with a suitable filtering algorithm.
  • This algorithm primarily depends on the type of control that the system is designed to perform, and it may be designed in any suitable manner by an expert in the field. If the control replaces a conventional computer mouse, a calculation is made to determine which cursor-position on the screen corresponds to the position of the eye.
  • the calculated signal 68 is supplied to the machine 52, which utilises the signal to control a process, a program or the like.
  • wide-angle scanning may be used to determine roughly the position in space of the user's head, whereafter narrower scanning may be utilised during the control operation proper. If the user moves his head, this may mean that the eyes will leave the scanned area, whereby the wide- angle scanning mode can again be activated.
  • the changes- over from one scanned area to the next can be effected by using a disc comprising several annular portions as described above.
  • the beam of light may then be deflected by means of a lens towards one of the annular portions or else the disc comprising the annular portions may be arranged to be moved laterally.
  • the division of the discs into fields may be varied with respect to the shape of the fields and their number.
  • the dimensions of the discs as also the relative dimensions of the fields in relation to the discs are best determined by the expert in each individual case.
  • the shown discs are to be regarded as examples only and are intended to illustrate a principle, and therefore no precise measurements are given.
  • other drive means may be utilised in order to control the discs, as also other combinations of lenses and other optical elements may be suitable, depending on the intended application.

Landscapes

  • Engineering & Computer Science (AREA)
  • Theoretical Computer Science (AREA)
  • General Engineering & Computer Science (AREA)
  • Physics & Mathematics (AREA)
  • General Physics & Mathematics (AREA)
  • General Health & Medical Sciences (AREA)
  • Health & Medical Sciences (AREA)
  • Audiology, Speech & Language Pathology (AREA)
  • Human Computer Interaction (AREA)
  • Business, Economics & Management (AREA)
  • Educational Administration (AREA)
  • Educational Technology (AREA)
  • Eye Examination Apparatus (AREA)
  • Diffracting Gratings Or Hologram Optical Elements (AREA)
  • Length Measuring Devices By Optical Means (AREA)
  • Motorcycle And Bicycle Frame (AREA)

Abstract

Cette invention concerne un dispositif permettant de détecter la direction d'un regard, qui comprend : une source lumineuse disposée de manière à produire un faisceau de lumière (3) orienté vers l'oeil (5) de l'utilisateur ; et un détecteur (8) destiné à détecter ledit faisceau après réflexion vers l'oeil (5). Le dispositif comprend également un disque de diffraction (20) conçu pour tourner dans un plan transversal par rapport au faisceau lumineux. Ce disque (20) est subdivisé en plusieurs secteurs agencé chacun pour faire dévier le faisceau dans au moins une direction déterminée. Ainsi, lorsque l'on fait tourner le disque (20), les secteurs passent les uns après les autres dans le faisceau lumineux, lequel est dévié dans différentes directions et balaye l'oeil (5). L'invention concerne également une méthode qui fait appel au dispositif susmentionné ainsi qu'un système de commande de machine telle qu'un ordinateur par détection de la direction du regard.
PCT/SE2001/000059 2000-01-20 2001-01-15 Dispositif et methode de balayage d'un objet au moyen d'un faisceau lumineux Ceased WO2001052722A1 (fr)

Priority Applications (1)

Application Number Priority Date Filing Date Title
AU2001228963A AU2001228963A1 (en) 2000-01-20 2001-01-15 Device and method for scanning a beam of light over an object

Applications Claiming Priority (2)

Application Number Priority Date Filing Date Title
SE0000172-7 2000-01-20
SE0000172A SE515639C2 (sv) 2000-01-20 2000-01-20 Anordning och förfarande för att svepa en ljusstråle över ett objekt och system för att låta en användare med ögats hjälp styra en maskin

Publications (1)

Publication Number Publication Date
WO2001052722A1 true WO2001052722A1 (fr) 2001-07-26

Family

ID=20278165

Family Applications (1)

Application Number Title Priority Date Filing Date
PCT/SE2001/000059 Ceased WO2001052722A1 (fr) 2000-01-20 2001-01-15 Dispositif et methode de balayage d'un objet au moyen d'un faisceau lumineux

Country Status (3)

Country Link
AU (1) AU2001228963A1 (fr)
SE (1) SE515639C2 (fr)
WO (1) WO2001052722A1 (fr)

Cited By (5)

* Cited by examiner, † Cited by third party
Publication number Priority date Publication date Assignee Title
WO2013009235A1 (fr) * 2011-07-08 2013-01-17 Tobii Technology Ab Éclairage pour suiveur oculaire
DE102014216208A1 (de) 2014-08-14 2016-02-18 Robert Bosch Gmbh Verfahren und eine Vorrichtung zum Bestimmen einer Reaktionszeit eines Fahrzeugführers
DE102015214116A1 (de) 2015-07-27 2017-02-02 Robert Bosch Gmbh Verfahren und Einrichtung zum Schätzen einer Blickrichtung eines Fahrzeuginsassen, Verfahren und Einrichtung zum Bestimmen eines für einen Fahrzeuginsassen spezifischen Kopfbewegungsverstärkungsparameters und Verfahren und Vorrichtung zum Blickrichtungsschätzen eines Fahrzeuginsassen
US9612656B2 (en) 2012-11-27 2017-04-04 Facebook, Inc. Systems and methods of eye tracking control on mobile device
EP3171754A4 (fr) * 2014-07-24 2018-04-25 Rebiscan, Inc. Procédé et appareil de mesure de fixation

Citations (3)

* Cited by examiner, † Cited by third party
Publication number Priority date Publication date Assignee Title
US4973149A (en) * 1987-08-19 1990-11-27 Center For Innovative Technology Eye movement detector
EP0821908A1 (fr) * 1996-08-01 1998-02-04 Sharp Kabushiki Kaisha Système de détection de l'oeil
US5926264A (en) * 1994-10-12 1999-07-20 The Secretary Of State For Defence In Her Britannic Majesty's Government Of The United Kingdom Of Great Britain And Northern Ireland Position sensing of a remote target

Patent Citations (4)

* Cited by examiner, † Cited by third party
Publication number Priority date Publication date Assignee Title
US4973149A (en) * 1987-08-19 1990-11-27 Center For Innovative Technology Eye movement detector
US5926264A (en) * 1994-10-12 1999-07-20 The Secretary Of State For Defence In Her Britannic Majesty's Government Of The United Kingdom Of Great Britain And Northern Ireland Position sensing of a remote target
EP0821908A1 (fr) * 1996-08-01 1998-02-04 Sharp Kabushiki Kaisha Système de détection de l'oeil
US5861940A (en) * 1996-08-01 1999-01-19 Sharp Kabushiki Kaisha Eye detection system for providing eye gaze tracking

Cited By (12)

* Cited by examiner, † Cited by third party
Publication number Priority date Publication date Assignee Title
WO2013009235A1 (fr) * 2011-07-08 2013-01-17 Tobii Technology Ab Éclairage pour suiveur oculaire
CN107577341A (zh) * 2011-07-08 2018-01-12 托比公司 眼睛追踪器照明
US9924864B2 (en) 2011-07-08 2018-03-27 Tobii Ab Eye-tracker illumination
EP2581034A1 (fr) * 2011-10-11 2013-04-17 Tobii Technology AB Éclairage de suivi des yeux
US9612656B2 (en) 2012-11-27 2017-04-04 Facebook, Inc. Systems and methods of eye tracking control on mobile device
US9952666B2 (en) 2012-11-27 2018-04-24 Facebook, Inc. Systems and methods of eye tracking control on mobile device
EP3171754A4 (fr) * 2014-07-24 2018-04-25 Rebiscan, Inc. Procédé et appareil de mesure de fixation
DE102014216208A1 (de) 2014-08-14 2016-02-18 Robert Bosch Gmbh Verfahren und eine Vorrichtung zum Bestimmen einer Reaktionszeit eines Fahrzeugführers
US9956962B2 (en) 2014-08-14 2018-05-01 Robert Bosch Gmbh Method and device for determining a reaction time of a vehicle driver
DE102015214116A1 (de) 2015-07-27 2017-02-02 Robert Bosch Gmbh Verfahren und Einrichtung zum Schätzen einer Blickrichtung eines Fahrzeuginsassen, Verfahren und Einrichtung zum Bestimmen eines für einen Fahrzeuginsassen spezifischen Kopfbewegungsverstärkungsparameters und Verfahren und Vorrichtung zum Blickrichtungsschätzen eines Fahrzeuginsassen
US10380441B2 (en) 2015-07-27 2019-08-13 Robert Bosch Gmbh Method and device for estimating a direction of a view of a vehicle occupant, method and device for determining a head movement gain parameter specific for a vehicle occupant, and method and device for estimating the direction of view of a vehicle occupant
US10509975B2 (en) 2015-07-27 2019-12-17 Robert Bosch Gmbh Method and device for estimating a direction of a view of a vehicle occupant, method and device for determining a head movement gain parameter specific for a vehicle occupant, and method and device for estimating the direction of view of a vehicle occupant

Also Published As

Publication number Publication date
SE515639C2 (sv) 2001-09-17
SE0000172L (sv) 2001-07-21
SE0000172D0 (sv) 2000-01-20
AU2001228963A1 (en) 2001-07-31

Similar Documents

Publication Publication Date Title
EP3452789B1 (fr) Système de mesure d'angle de rotation optique
US6838650B1 (en) Confocal imaging
JP2962581B2 (ja) 光距離センサ
US7075097B2 (en) Optical path array and angular filter for translation and orientation sensing
JP2862417B2 (ja) 変位測定装置及び方法
US6803560B1 (en) Optical encoder
WO1995035598A1 (fr) Interrupteur optique a effleurement auto-eclairant
EP0702817A1 (fr) Appareil ameliorant la resolution de la lecture des codes a barres
US6654128B2 (en) Displacement information detecting apparatus
JPH02503231A (ja) 光学位置エンコーダ
US6642507B1 (en) Beam rotation angle detecting apparatus, rotation detecting apparatus and beam rotation angle detecting method
EP0583514A1 (fr) Moyens de mise au point pour un lecteur de codes
WO2001052722A1 (fr) Dispositif et methode de balayage d'un objet au moyen d'un faisceau lumineux
EP0096448B1 (fr) Appareil pour déterminer des déplacements angulaires d'un objet
JPWO2019239845A1 (ja) 物体検出装置および光検出器
EP0489399B1 (fr) Détecteur de déplacement
GB2324168A (en) Optical deflector and beam splitter
JPH05256666A (ja) ロータリーエンコーダー
JP3574733B2 (ja) 回転角度検出装置
EP0486050A2 (fr) Méthode et appareil pour mesurer un déplacement
JP2001004411A (ja) 光学式エンコーダ
JP2000352527A (ja) 光学式エンコーダ
CN119492517A (zh) 用于表面测量的传感器装置
CN116795241A (zh) 交互系统及交互方法
JPH10122905A (ja) 光学式エンコーダ

Legal Events

Date Code Title Description
AK Designated states

Kind code of ref document: A1

Designated state(s): AE AG AL AM AT AT AU AZ BA BB BG BR BY BZ CA CH CN CR CU CZ CZ DE DE DK DK DM DZ EE EE ES FI FI GB GD GE GH GM HR HU ID IL IN IS JP KE KG KP KR KZ LC LK LR LS LT LU LV MA MD MG MK MN MW MX MZ NO NZ PL PT RO RU SD SE SG SI SK SK SL TJ TM TR TT TZ UA UG US UZ VN YU ZA ZW

AL Designated countries for regional patents

Kind code of ref document: A1

Designated state(s): GH GM KE LS MW MZ SD SL SZ TZ UG ZW AM AZ BY KG KZ MD RU TJ TM AT BE CH CY DE DK ES FI FR GB GR IE IT LU MC NL PT SE TR BF BJ CF CG CI CM GA GN GW ML MR NE SN TD TG

121 Ep: the epo has been informed by wipo that ep was designated in this application
DFPE Request for preliminary examination filed prior to expiration of 19th month from priority date (pct application filed before 20040101)
REG Reference to national code

Ref country code: DE

Ref legal event code: 8642

122 Ep: pct application non-entry in european phase
NENP Non-entry into the national phase

Ref country code: JP