(19)

(11)

EP 0 861 563 A1

(12)

(43) Date of publication: 02.09.1998 Bulletin 1998/36 (21) Application number: 96939715.0 (22) Date of filing: 13.11.1996

(51) International Patent Classification (IPC):  H04Q 3/ 00( . ) H04L 12/ 44( . ) H04Q 11/ 04( . ) H04J 3/ 16( . ) H04L 12/ 56( . ) (86) International application number: PCT/US1996/018337 (87) International publication number: WO 1997/019567 (29.05.1997 Gazette 1997/23)

(84) Designated Contracting States: DE DK ES FI FR GB IE IT SE (30) Priority: 17.11.1995 US 19950006953P (71) Applicant: Next Level Communications Rohnert Park, CA 94928 (US)	(72) Inventors: BUCKLAND, Kenneth, M. Rohnert Park, CA 94928 (US) EAMES, Thomas, R. Santa Rosa, CA 95404 (US) TRINH, Lac, X. Rohnert Park, CA 94928 (US) WARWICK, Steven, D. Santa Rosa, CA 95404 (US) (74) Representative: Woodward, John Calvin, et al  Venner Shipley & Co. 20 Little Britain London EC1A 7DH London EC1A 7DH (GB)