(19)

(11)

EP 1 008 027 A1

(12)

(43) Date of publication: 14.06.2000 Bulletin 2000/24 (21) Application number: 97926478.5 (22) Date of filing: 09.05.1997

(51) International Patent Classification (IPC)7: G06F 1/16 (86) International application number: PCT/US9708/077 (87) International publication number: WO 9742/560 (13.11.1997 Gazette 1997/49)

(84) Designated Contracting States: AT BE CH DE DK ES FI FR GB GR IE IT LI LU MC NL PT SE (30) Priority: 09.05.1996 US 17232 P 28.08.1996 US 24851 P (71) Applicant: ViA, Inc. Northfield,Minnesota 55057 (US)	(72) Inventors: CARROLL, David, W. Northfield, MN 55057 (US) SHELFER, Tad, D. Northfield, MN 55057 (US) ANZ-MEADOR, Phillip, D. Northfield, MN 55057 (US) ANZ-MEADOR, T., Diana Northfield, MN 55057 (US) (74) Representative: Roberts, Gwilym Vaughan et al Abel & Imray,Northumberland House,303-306 High Holborn London WC1V 7LH London WC1V 7LH (GB) (56) References cited: :