(19)

(11)

EP 0 938 798 A1

(12)

(43) Date of publication: 01.09.1999 Bulletin 1999/35 (21) Application number: 97946570.0 (22) Date of filing: 12.11.1997

(51) International Patent Classification (IPC):  G06F 15/ 16( . ) G06F 9/ 46( . ) G06F 13/ 00( . ) H04L 29/ 08( . ) G06F 9/ 44( . ) G06F 9/ 50( . ) G06N 5/ 04( . ) (86) International application number: PCT/US1997/020278 (87) International publication number: WO 1998/021863 (22.05.1998 Gazette 1998/20)

(84) Designated Contracting States: AT BE CH DE DK ES FI FR GB GR IE IT LI LU MC NL PT SE (30) Priority: 14.11.1996 US 19960030906P (71) Applicant: Mitsubishi Electric Information Technology Center America, Inc. Cambridge, MA 02139 (US)	(72) Inventor: PACIOREK, Noemi Sudbury, MA 01776 (US) (74) Representative: Pfenning, Meinig & Partner  Mozartstrasse 17 80336 München 80336 München (DE)