(19)

(11)

EP 0 806 008 A1

(12)

(43) Date of publication: 12.11.1997 Bulletin 1997/46 (21) Application number: 96902160.0 (22) Date of filing: 17.01.1996

(51) International Patent Classification (IPC):  G06F 11/ 18( . ) G06F 12/ 00( . ) G06F 11/ 14( . ) G06F 11/ 34( . ) (86) International application number: PCT/US1996/000666 (87) International publication number: WO 1996/023258 (01.08.1996 Gazette 1996/35)

(84) Designated Contracting States: DE FR GB IT SE (30) Priority: 23.01.1995 US 19950376603 (71) Applicant: TANDEM COMPUTERS INCORPORATED Cupertino, California 95014 (US)

(72) Inventors: McCLINE, Matthew, C. Bellevue, WA 98007 (US) SHOROFF, Srikanth Issaquah, WA 98027 (US) LYON, James, M. San Jose, CA 95125 (US) CARLEY, William, J. San Jose, CA 95117 (US) JOHNSON, Charles, S. San Jose, CA 95117 (US) FINKELSTEIN, Sheldon, J. Los Altos Hills, CA 94022 (US) (74) Representative: Ayers, Martyn Lewis Stanley  J.A. KEMP & CO. 14 South Square Gray's Inn London WC1R 5LX London WC1R 5LX (GB)