(19)

(11)

EP 1 012 746 A1

(12)

(43) Date of publication: 28.06.2000 Bulletin 2000/26 (21) Application number: 97909457.0 (22) Date of filing: 20.10.1997

(51) International Patent Classification (IPC)7: G06F 17/30 (86) International application number: PCT/GB9702/887 (87) International publication number: WO 9818/087 (30.04.1998 Gazette 1998/17)

(84) Designated Contracting States: DE FR GB (30) Priority: 18.10.1996 GB 9621763 (71) Applicant: BRITISH TELECOMMUNICATIONS public limited company London EC1A 7AJ (GB)	(72) Inventor: BENYON, Paul, Robert Suffolk IP12 4TA (GB) (74) Representative: Dutton, Erica L. G. et al BT Group Legal Services,Intellectual Property Department,8th Floor, Holborn Centre120 Holborn London EC1N 2TE London EC1N 2TE (GB)