(19)

(11)

EP 1 000 401 A2

(12)

(88) Date of publication A3: 12.08.1999 (43) Date of publication: 17.05.2000 Bulletin 2000/20 (21) Application number: 98938767.5 (22) Date of filing: 07.08.1998

(51) International Patent Classification (IPC)7: G06F 17/00 (86) International application number: PCT/GB9802/389 (87) International publication number: WO 9908/202 (18.02.1999 Gazette 1999/07)

(84) Designated Contracting States: BE DE ES FR GB IT (30) Priority: 08.08.1997 GB 9716887 (71) Applicant: BRITISH TELECOMMUNICATIONS public limited company London EC1A 7AJ (GB)	(72) Inventor: APPLEBY, Stephen, Clifford Martlesham HeathIpswich IP5 7RE (GB) (74) Representative: Semos, Robert Ernest Vickers  BT Group Legal Services,Intellectual Property Department,8th Floor, Holborn Centre120 Holborn London EC1N 2TE London EC1N 2TE (GB)