United States Patent and Trademark Office OG Notices: 29 January 2002

                     Announcement of the New "10" Series
                           for Patent Applications


   On December 5, 2001, the United States Patent and Trademark
Office began to accord patent applications an application number with a
"10" series code. Patent applications have a two-digit series code
and a six-digit serial number, which together comprise the application
number. The prior series code, the "09" series, began to be used
about June of 1997. Due to delays that the Office has experienced in
the receipt of Express Mail, some applications filed before December 5,
2001, may be accorded the new "10" series code.

December 31, 2001                                         ESTHER KEPPLINGER
                                                    Deputy Commissioner for
                                                          Patent Operations