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EP 0 979 477 A1

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(43) Date of publication: 16.02.2000 Bulletin 2000/07 (21) Application number: 98913365.7 (22) Date of filing: 01.04.1998

(51) International Patent Classification (IPC)7: G06F 17/60 (86) International application number: PCT/US9806/448 (87) International publication number: WO 9849/640 (05.11.1998 Gazette 1998/44)

(84) Designated Contracting States: BE CH DE FR GB IE IT LI NL SE (30) Priority: 29.04.1997 US 845920 (71) Applicant: MCI COMMUNICATIONS CORPORATION Washington, DC 20036 (US)

(72) Inventors: WILKINSON, Roger, Dean Colorado Springs, CO 80919 (US) SCOTT, Rob Colorado Springs, CO 80919 (US) LA RUE, Lisa, Goehring Colorado Springs, CO 80919 (US) ZELTNER, Dan Woodland Park, CO 80863 (US) SMYTH, Larry Colorado Springs, CO 80919 (US) (74) Representative: Rupp, Christian, Dipl.Phys. et al Mitscherlich & PartnerPatent- und RechtsanwälteSonnenstrasse 33 80331 München 80331 München (DE)