(19)

(11)

EP 0 771 442 A1

(12)

(43) Date of publication: 07.05.1997 Bulletin 1997/19 (21) Application number: 96913319.0 (22) Date of filing: 01.05.1996

(51) International Patent Classification (IPC):  G06F 9/ 38( . ) (86) International application number: PCT/US1996/006146 (87) International publication number: WO 1996/035165 (07.11.1996 Gazette 1996/49)

(84) Designated Contracting States: DE FR GB (30) Priority: 06.05.1995 US 19950445564 (71) Applicant: NATIONAL SEMICONDUCTOR CORPORATION Santa Clara, CA 95051 (US)	(72) Inventors: DIVIVIER, Robert San Jose, CA 95120 (US) NEMIROVSKY, Mario San Jose, CA 95129 (US) (74) Representative: Horton, Andrew Robert Grant, et al  BOWLES HORTON Felden House Dower Mews High Street Berkhamsted Hertfordshire HP4 2BL Berkhamsted Hertfordshire HP4 2BL (GB)