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Generated by PDFKit.NET Evaluation
`
`(12)UK Patent Application (19)GB (11)2 369 201 (13)A
`
`(43) Date of A Publication 22.05.2002
`
`(21) Application No 0014363.6
`
`(22) Date of Filing 14.06.2000
`
`(71) Applicant{s)
`Abacus Epos Limited
`(Incorporated in the United Kingdom)
`7 Heritage Court, Lower Bridge Street, CHESTER,
`CH11RD, United Kingdom
`
`(72)
`
`lnventor(s)
`Ian Tomlinson
`
`(74) Agent and/or Address for Service
`Appleyard Lees
`15 Clare Road, HALIFAX, West Yorkshire, HX1 2HV,
`United Kingdom
`
`(51)
`
`INT CL7
`G06F 17/60
`
`(52) UK CL (Edition T)
`G4AAUXF
`
`(56) Documents Cited
`GB2362009A
`
`(58) Field of Search
`UK CL (Edition Tl G4A AUXF
`INT CL7 G06F 17/60
`
`(54) Abstract litle
`Retail transaction processing method and apparatus
`
`(57) A retail, financial transaction method and apparatus which aid integration of customer-based internet
`transaction systems and EPOS transaction systems. An EPOS till(s) (21, 22) and an online customer(s) (12) are
`both coupled to the same transaction sever (10), over internet links (11). The transaction server has a
`transaction processing unit and a transaction database common to both EPOS transactions and online
`customer transactions. A second database may be available via a second server for interrogation. Also a till
`unit and/or an internet processing unit may be provided on the server.
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`The claims were filed later than the filing date but within the period prescribed by Rule 25(1) of the Patents Rules 1995.
`
`CLOVER NETWORK 1010
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`Generated by PDFKit.NET Evaluation
`
`2369201
`
`1
`
`Transaction Processing Method and Apparatus
`
`5
`
`10
`
`15
`
`The present invention relates in general to a method
`and apparatus for processing commercial transactions and
`in particular, but not exclusively,
`to a method and
`apparatus
`for processing
`retail
`transactions
`by
`
`a
`
`retailer.
`
`It is known to provide simple transaction processing
`capabilities over a global computer network such as the
`internet, where the user may browse a catalogue of goods
`and place an order. More advanced systems provide payment
`facilities
`such
`as credit card authorisation.
`The
`customer order is transmitted to a despatch centre such as
`a retail store or a warehouse and the goods are despatched
`to
`the customer.
`More advanced systems
`then provide
`feedback to the user confirming that the goods have been
`despatched.
`
`20
`
`25
`
`It also known to process transactions occurring at a
`retail store (or similar) using an electronic point of
`sale (EPOS)
`transaction system including one or more till
`apparatus. However, a problem arises in that the internet
`transaction .system and the EPOS
`transaction system are
`inherently incompatible and it has proved very difficult
`to effectively integrate the two systems. Some degree of
`synchronisation is known, with the internet
`transaction
`system typically holding a subset of the stock and price
`data available in the EPOS transaction system and updated
`30 at regular intervals such as every twenty four hours.
`However, data clashes frequently occur, for example with
`the last item of stock being sold both on the internet
`
`

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`Generated by PDFKit.NET Evaluation
`
`2
`
`transaction system and in-store over the EPOS transaction
`
`system - resulting in at least one disappointed customer.
`
`An aim of
`
`the present
`
`invention
`
`is
`
`to provide
`
`a
`
`s
`
`transaction processing method and apparatus addressing the
`
`problems of the prior art described above or otherwise.
`
`A preferred aim of the present invention is to provide a
`
`transaction
`
`processing method
`
`and
`
`apparatus
`
`for
`
`simultaneously providing both internet
`
`transactions and
`
`10
`
`EPOS transactions. Other features and advantages of the
`
`invention .will be apparent
`
`from
`
`the description which
`
`follows.
`
`According to a first aspect of the present invention
`
`15
`
`there
`
`is provided
`
`a
`
`transaction processing method,
`
`comprising the steps of: providing a
`
`transaction server
`
`including a transaction processing unit and a transaction
`
`database; coupling at least one EPOS till to the server
`
`and performing an EPOS transaction by entering data at the
`
`20
`
`till, transmitting the data to the server, processing the
`
`data at the server and returning a result to the till; and
`
`coupling an online customer apparatus to the server and
`
`performing an internet transaction by entering data at the
`
`customer. apparatus, transmitting the data to the server,
`
`25
`
`processing the data at the server, and returning a result
`
`to the customer apparatus.
`
`Preferably,
`
`the till and the customer apparatus are
`
`both coupled to the server by the internet. Preferably, a
`
`30 plurality of tills are coupled
`
`to
`
`the server, and
`
`a
`
`plurality of customer apparatus are coupled to the server.
`
`Preferably, data received from a till, and data received
`
`from
`
`a customer apparatus are both processed by
`
`the
`
`

`

`Generated by PDFKit.NET Evaluation
`
`3
`
`transaction processing unit with
`transaction database.
`
`reference
`
`to
`
`the
`
`s
`
`Also according
`to
`the present
`invention
`there
`is
`provided a transaction processing apparatus, comprising: a
`transaction server including a transaction processing unit
`and a transaction database, the server being couplable to
`at least one EPOS till for performing an EPOS transaction
`by entering data at the till, transmitting the data to the
`server, processing the data at the server, and returning a
`result to the till, the server also being couplable to an
`online customer apparatus
`for performing an
`internet
`transaction by entering data at the customer apparatus,
`transmitting the data to the server, processing the data
`15 at the server, and returning a result to the customer
`apparatus.
`
`10
`
`Preferably,
`the apparatus comprises a second server
`containing a second database coupled to the server, for
`20 performing
`a database
`interrogation using both
`the
`transaction database and the second database.
`
`25
`
`30
`
`Preferably, the server comprises a till control unit
`for controlling operations of the till during an EPOS
`transaction.
`Also,
`the server comprises an
`internet
`transaction unit
`for controlling operations of
`the
`customer apparatus during processing of
`an
`internet
`transaction.
`
`According to a second aspect of the present invention
`there is provided a transaction processing method for use
`with a transaction server and at least one EPOS till both
`coupled to the internet, the method comprising the steps
`
`

`

`Generated by PDFKit.NET Evaluation
`
`4
`
`of: performing an EPOS transaction by entering data at the
`
`till,
`
`transmitting
`
`the data
`
`to
`
`the server over
`
`the
`
`internet, processing the data at the server, and returning
`
`a result to the till over the internet.
`
`5
`
`This aspect of the invention is particularly suited
`
`for use where
`
`the server is remote from
`
`the till. For
`
`example,
`
`the till is provided in a retail store at a
`
`physical
`
`location
`
`remote
`
`from
`
`the
`
`transaction server
`
`10
`
`located in a data processing centre.
`
`Preferably,
`
`a
`
`plurality of tills, and ideally a
`
`large number of tills,
`
`are each coupled
`
`to
`
`the
`
`transaction server over
`
`the
`
`internet
`
`for
`
`the
`
`processing
`
`of
`
`transactions.
`
`Conveniently, each till only incurs local call costs for
`
`15
`
`connection to the internet as does the transaction server,
`
`substantially reducing the costs of communications.
`
`For a better understanding of the invention, and to
`
`show how embodiments of
`
`the same may be carried into
`
`20
`
`effect, reference will now be made, by way of example, to
`
`the accompanying diagrammatic drawings in which:
`
`Figure 1 is a schematic view of a prior art EPOS and
`
`internet transaction system;
`
`25
`
`Figure
`
`2
`
`is
`
`a
`
`schematic view of
`
`a
`
`transaction
`
`processing
`
`system
`
`according
`
`to
`
`a
`
`first preferred
`
`embodiment of the present invention;
`
`30
`
`Figure 3 is a schematic view of an EPOS till;
`
`Figure 4 is a schematic view of a server;
`
`

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`5
`
`Figure
`5
`is a
`schematic view of
`a
`transaction
`processing system according to a second embodiment of the
`present invention.
`
`The preferred embodiments of
`the present
`invention
`will
`be
`described with
`reference
`to
`the
`example
`environment of a retail store selling goods both
`to
`customers making transactions in person whilst visiting
`the store, and to customers ordering online over a global
`computer network such as the internet. The teachings of
`the presen.t
`invention are not
`limited solely to this
`environment,
`and are applicable
`to other practical
`embodiments.
`
`Referring to Figure 1, a typical prior art transaction
`system
`is
`shown
`for processing EPOS
`transactions and
`internet transactions.
`An internet transaction system 1
`includes an internet server 10 coupled to the internet 11
`for access by online customers 12 using customer apparatus
`such as a home PC. An EPOS transaction system 2 includes
`an EPOS server .20 typically provided in the headquarters
`of the retailer coupled to one or more EPOS tills 21 in a
`main retail site over a
`local area network 23,
`and
`optionally .coupled .. to remote EPOS tills 22 such as in a
`second retail site controlled by a remote EPOS server 24
`and a separate local area network 25 with a dedicated
`communications link 26 to the main EPOS server 21.
`
`Where it is desired to sell the same goods both from a
`retail site using the EPOS transaction system 2 and over
`the internet using the internet transaction system 1, then
`some form of data synchronisation must take place using a
`link 13 between the EPOS server 20 and the internet server
`
`s
`
`10
`
`15
`
`20
`
`25
`
`30
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`6
`
`10. Typically, the internet server 10 holds a subset of a
`stock database controlled by the EPOS server 20 and is
`periodically updated such as every
`twenty-four hours,
`giving rise to potential data inconsistency. Hence,
`in
`the prior art,
`orders placed using
`the
`internet
`transaction system 1 are subject to confirmation and must
`wait for synchronisation with the EPOS transaction system
`2.
`
`In the prior art EPOS transaction system 2, a problem
`arises in that the communications link 26 between the main
`EPOS server 20 and a remote EPOS server 24 is relatively
`expensive to use and maintain, requiring, for example, a
`leased
`line or call-charged
`ISDN
`line.
`Further,
`communications between the remote tills 22 and the EPOS
`server 20 can suffer unacceptable delay.
`
`Referring
`to Figure 2,
`the
`transaction processing
`system of
`the present invention comprises a server 10
`coupled via the internet 11
`to online customers 12,
`to
`EPOS tills 21 in a main store, and to EPOS tills 22 in a
`remote store.
`As will be explained below,
`the network
`topography of
`the
`transaction
`system of
`the present
`invention has many advantages.
`
`The server 10 holds an integrated transaction database
`suitable for use in both internet transactions and EPOS
`transactions. Further, the server 10 provides application
`software for processing both internet transactions and
`EPOS transactions.
`
`To perform EPOS transactions, the or each till 21, 22
`comprises an
`internet access application suitable for
`
`5
`
`10
`
`15
`
`20
`
`25
`
`30
`
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`7
`
`communication over the internet and displaying web pages
`(for example written in HTML or SHTML) .
`As shown in
`Figure 3, each till 21 is configured appropriate for use
`by a till operator in a retail store and includes, for
`example, a general purpose processing unit 211 coupled to
`a cash drawer 212,
`a bar code reader 213,
`a
`receipt
`printer 214 and a customer display unit 215, together with
`a keyboard 216 and operator display unit 217.
`The
`processing unit 211 is coupled to the server 10 by an
`internet communications link 11. The remote EPOS tills 22
`are configured similar
`to
`the EPOS
`tills 21 with
`suitable
`
`internet
`
`communications
`
`link
`
`11
`
`employed
`
`a
`
`s
`
`10
`
`according
`
`to the location
`communications link 11
`
`thereof.
`
`15
`
`through a
`
`network 25.
`
`Conveniently,
`includes access
`to the internet
`local internet server 30 over a
`
`the
`
`local area
`
`20
`
`25
`
`30
`
`Where the EPOS tills 21 are provided in the vicinity
`of the server 10, such as in the same retail store, then
`the communications
`link 11
`is suitably a
`local area
`network 23 such that the server and the tills 21 form a
`local intranet. However, any suitable communications link
`may be employed, and there is no need for the tills 21 to
`remain in the vicinity of the server 10. In a preferred
`embodiment, the operations of the server 10 are performed,
`for example, at a remote data processing and web hosting
`facility. Advantageously, the server 10 need not be owned
`or managed by the retailer. Further, the server 10 need
`not be dedicated
`to one particular system,
`and many
`transaction processing
`share the same server 10,
`such that several different
`retailers or other commercial entities each employ a third
`
`logically separate
`
`systems may
`
`

`

`Generated by PDFKit.NET Evaluation
`
`8
`
`party data management and data processing service to host
`their transaction processing server.
`
`10
`
`15
`
`Referring to Figure 4, EPOS transactions are processed
`5 at the server 10 by a transaction processing unit 100 with
`reference to a transaction database 110. The transaction
`processing unit 100 includes a till control unit 101 for
`controlling the or each till 21, 22 during a transaction.
`In use, one of the tills 21 accesses the till control unit
`101 of the server 10 over the communications link 11 with
`data appropriate to a transaction, such as a list of goods
`The till control unit
`scanned by a barcode reader 213.
`transaction
`the
`incoming data
`the
`receives
`101
`transaction with
`the
`100 processes
`processing unit
`returning
`110
`transaction database
`the
`to
`reference
`processed transaction data to the till 21 for display on
`the operator till display unit 217 and/or the user display
`the
`Hence, processing of
`unit 215 as appropriate.
`transaction takes place at the server 10 with relatively
`20 minimal processing taking place at the till 21. The till
`21 acts as a data input and output device to collect data
`for transmission to the server 10, and to display results
`of transaction processing taking place at the server 10.
`
`and
`
`25
`
`30
`
`transactions
`internet
`Ref erring again to Figure 2,
`requested by an online customer 12 are processed by an
`internet processing unit 102 of the transaction processing
`the internet
`unit 100 of the server 10. Conveniently,
`processing unit 102 and the till control unit 101 share
`access to the same transaction database 110. Hence, there
`transactions and
`is no data incon~istency between EPOS
`internet transactions. Advantageously, an online customer
`can receive immediate confirmation that an order will be
`
`

`

`Generated by PDFKit.NET Evaluation
`
`9
`
`fulfilled, since there is no longer any delay waiting for
`database synchronisation. Further, the delay before goods
`are despatch to the customer is substantially reduced.
`
`5
`
`10
`
`15
`
`Access to the transaction database 110 is limited by
`permissions granted to each till 21, 22, and
`to each
`online customer 12. For example, a relatively limited set
`of transaction data from the transaction database 110 is
`available
`to an online customer 12,
`such as only a
`catalogue of goods with
`retail prices plus account
`information appropriate to that customer.
`By contrast,
`greater information is available to each till 21, 22, for
`example allowing interrogation of all or many selected
`customer accounts, together with transaction data, stock
`levels, and more detailed pricing information.
`
`20
`
`25
`
`30
`
`The
`
`The transaction processing unit 100 suitably includes
`a stock control unit for monitoring stock levels in the
`store which can be interrogated on request by any of the
`tills 21, 22 and/or by an online customer 12
`to check
`stock levels at
`this store or any other store.
`transaction
`processing unit
`100
`also
`includes
`an
`accounting unit for receiving and recording transaction
`data and producing accounting reports.
`Conveniently, the
`accounting
`reports
`provide
`powerful
`management
`information,
`including
`customer history
`and contact
`management
`records,
`stock control
`records,
`and sales
`analysis. Further, the accounting unit is coupled to the
`internet 11,
`such
`that
`the accounting
`reports are
`available for access remotely from any suitable internet
`terminal including, for example, a WAP phone. Hence, a
`user with management access to the transaction processing
`system
`can obtain
`information
`from
`the
`transaction
`
`

`

`Generated by PDFKit.NET Evaluation
`
`10
`
`processing unit 100 online over the internet.
`Further,
`such management and accounting reports produced by the
`accounting unit cover both transactions occurring through
`the tills 21,22 and occurring through online customers 12.
`s Previously,
`forming a comprehensive set of accounts has
`required
`a
`large quantity of data
`transfer, often
`performed manually.
`
`the
`preferred
`embodiment ,
`In
`transaction
`the
`10 processing unit 100 includes a credit card authorisation
`unit (not shown) for authorising credit card transactions.
`Advantageously,
`the credit card authorisation unit
`is
`common
`to
`both
`EPOS
`transactions
`and
`internet
`
`transactions.
`
`15
`
`20
`
`25
`
`30
`
`Ref erring
`to Figure
`in
`second preferred
`a
`5,
`embodiment of the present invention the server 10 of the
`transaction processing system 1 is coupled, suitably by an
`internet communications link 11,
`to a second server 40.
`The
`second server 40 provides
`a
`second database 41
`holding, for example, stock data of a wholesaler or of a
`manufacturer of goods sold by the retailer. Hence, stock
`enquiries processed by the transaction processing unit 100
`of the retailer'.s server 10 are optionally linked to the
`second database 41 so that, for example, stock levels
`earlier in the supply chain can be
`interrogated.
`In
`another example, orders placed by an online customer 12 or
`at a till 21, 22 can be fulfilled by reference to the
`second database 41. If desired, goods are despatched from
`the manufacturer or other commercial entity responsible
`for the second server 40, direct to the online customer 12
`or the store appropriate to the till 21, 22 or any other
`suitable
`location,
`and
`optionally
`an
`appropriate
`
`

`

`Generated by PDFKit.NET Evaluation
`
`11
`
`transaction is entered against the transaction database
`110 by
`the
`transaction processing unit 100.
`In one
`example embodiment,
`the customer receives
`their goods
`direct from the manufacturer, whilst payment and invoicing
`is handled through the retailer.
`
`A
`transaction processing method and apparatus have
`been described which enable both EPOS
`transactions and
`internet
`transactions
`to be
`performed quickly
`and
`efficiently without requiring
`any data synchronisation.
`Further,
`.the
`communications
`network
`for
`the
`EPOS
`transactions is simplified and takes advantage of lower
`cost communications routes.
`
`The reader's attention is directed to all papers and
`documents which are filed concurrently with or previous to
`this specification in connection with this application and
`which
`are
`open
`to public
`inspection with
`this
`specification, and the contents of all such papers and
`documents are incorporated herein by reference.
`
`5
`
`10
`
`15
`
`20
`
`All of the features disclosed in this specification
`(including
`any
`accompanying
`claims,
`abstract
`and
`drawings), .and/or
`all of the
`steps of
`any method or
`25 process so disclosed, may be combined in any combination,
`except combinations where at least some of such features
`and/or steps are mutually exclusive.
`
`30
`
`in
`
`Each
`feature
`disclosed
`this
`specification
`(including
`any
`accompanying
`claims,
`abstract
`and
`drawings), may be replaced by alternative features serving
`the same, equivalent or similar purpose, unless expressly
`stated otherwise. Thus, unless expressly stated otherwise,
`
`

`

`Generated by PDFKit.NET Evaluation
`
`12
`
`each feature disclosed is one example only of a generic
`
`series of equivalent or similar features.
`
`The invention is not restricted to the details of the
`
`s
`
`foregoing embodiment(s). The invention extend to any novel
`
`one, or any novel combination, of the features disclosed
`in this specification (including any accompanying claims,
`
`abstract and drawings), or to any novel one, or any novel
`
`combination, of the steps of any method or process so
`
`10 disclosed.
`
`

`

`Generated by PDFKit.NET Evaluation
`
`13
`
`Claims
`
`1.
`
`A transaction processing method, comprising the
`steps of:
`
`s
`
`providing
`a
`transaction
`server
`including
`transaction processing unit and a transaction database;
`
`a
`
`coupling at least one EP0S till to the server and
`10 performing an EPOS
`transaction by entering data at the
`till, transmitting the data to the server, processing the
`data at the server and returning a result to the till; and
`
`15
`
`coupling an online customer apparatus
`to
`the
`server and performing an internet transaction by entering
`data at the customer apparatus, transmitting the data to
`the server, processing
`the data at
`the server,
`and
`returning a result to the customer apparatus.
`
`A method as claimed in claim 1, wherein the till
`20 2.
`and the customer apparatus are both coupled to the server
`by the internet.
`
`3 .
`A method as claimed in claim 1 or 2, wherein a
`25 plurality of tills are coupled
`to the server, and a
`plurality of customer apparatus are coupled to the server.
`
`30
`
`4.
`A method as claimed in any of claims 1
`to 3,
`wherein data received from a till, and data received from
`a customer apparatus are both processed by the transaction
`processing unit with
`reference
`to
`the
`transaction
`database.
`
`

`

`Generated by PDFKit.NET Evaluation
`
`14
`
`A method as claimed in any of claims 1
`5.
`server
`second
`a
`to
`server
`the
`coupling
`comprising
`second database, and performing a database
`containing a
`interrogation using both the transaction database and the
`second database.
`
`to 4,
`
`to 5,
`A method as claimed in any of claims 1
`6 .
`comprising providing a till control unit on the server for
`an EPOS
`till during
`the
`controlling operations of
`transaction.
`
`to 6,
`A method as claimed in any of claims 1
`7.
`comprising providing an internet transaction unit on the
`customer
`the
`controlling operations of
`for
`server
`apparatus during processing of an internet transaction.
`
`8.
`
`A transaction processing apparatus, comprising:
`
`a
`
`transaction
`including
`server
`transaction
`a
`the server
`transaction database,
`processing unit and a
`being couplable to at least one EPOS t i l l for performing
`till,
`the
`transaction by entering data at
`an EPOS
`transmitting the data to the server, processing the data
`at the server, and returning a result to the till, the
`customer
`to an online
`server also being couplable
`transaction by
`internet
`an
`for performing
`apparatus
`transmitting the
`entering data at the customer apparatus,
`data to the server, processing the data at the server, and
`returning a result to the customer apparatus.
`
`An apparatus as claimed in claim 8, wherein the
`9.
`till and the customer apparatus are both couplable to the
`server by the internet.
`
`5
`
`10
`
`15
`
`20
`
`25
`
`30
`
`

`

`Generated by PDFKit.NET Evaluation
`
`15
`
`An apparatus as claimed in claim 8 or 9, wherein a
`10.
`plurality of tools are couplable to the server, and a
`the
`to
`plurality of customer apparatus are couplable
`server.
`
`5
`
`An apparatus as claimed in any of claims 8 to 10,
`11.
`to process data received
`wherein the server is arranged
`from a till and data received from a customer apparatus
`10 both by the transaction processing unit with reference to
`the transaction database.
`
`15
`
`An apparatus as claimed in any of claims 8 to 11,
`12.
`comprising a second server containing a second database
`database
`a
`for performing
`server,
`the
`to
`coupled
`interrogation using both the transaction database and the
`second database.
`
`An apparatus as claimed in any of claims 8 to 12,
`13.
`the server comprises a till control unit for
`20 wherein
`an EPOS
`till during
`the
`controlling operations of
`transaction.
`
`An apparatus as claimed in any of claims 8 to 13,
`14.
`25 wherein the server comprises an internet transaction unit
`the customer apparatus
`for controlling operations of
`during processing of an internet transaction.
`
`A transaction processing method substantially as
`15.
`to Figure 2 or
`30 hereinbefore described with reference
`Figure 5 of the accompanying drawings.
`
`

`

`Generated by PDFKit.NET Evaluation
`
`16
`
`A transaction processing apparatus substantially
`16.
`as hereinbefore described with reference to Figures 2, 4
`or 5 of the accompanying drawings.
`
`

`

`Generated by PDFKit.NET Evaluation
`
`Application No:
`Claims searched:
`
`GB 0014363.6
`1 - 16
`
`Examiner:
`Date of search:
`
`David P Maskery
`18 March 2002
`
`INVESTOR IN PEOPLE
`
`Patents Act 1977
`Search Report under Section 17
`
`Databases searched:
`
`UK Patent Office collections, including GB, EP, WO & US patent specifications, in:
`
`UK Cl (Ed.T): G4A (AUXF)
`
`Int Cl (Ed.7): G06F 17/60
`
`Other: Online: EPODOC, JAPIO, WPI.
`
`Documents considered to be relevant:
`
`Category Identity of document and relevant passage
`
`X,E GB2362009 A
`
`(INSITU) See Fig 4, page 5 lines 15 - 18, page 6 line
`12 to page 9 line 14,page 13 lines 6 - 8, and page 14
`line 17 to page 15 line 20.
`
`Relevant
`to claims
`
`1 - 14
`
`X Document indicating lack of novelty or inventive step
`Y Document indicating lack of inventive step if combined
`with one or more other documents of same category.
`
`& Member of the same patent family
`
`A Document indicating technological background and/or state of the art.
`P Document published on or after the declared priority date but before the
`filing date of this invention.
`E Patent document published on OT after, but with priority date earlier
`than, the filing date of this application.
`
`An Executive Agency of the Department of Trade and Industry
`
`

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