(19)

(11)

EP 1 015 973 A1

(12)

(43) Date of publication: 05.07.2000 Bulletin 2000/27 (21) Application number: 97946642.2 (22) Date of filing: 11.11.1997

(51) International Patent Classification (IPC)7: G06F 11/00, G06F 12/00 (86) International application number: PCT/US9720/561 (87) International publication number: WO 9821/654 (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 30905 P (71) Applicant: Mitsubishi Electric Information Technology Center America, Inc. Cambridge, MA 02139 (US)	(72) Inventors: WONG, David, W., H. Boxborough, MA 01719 (US) SCHWENKE, Derek, L. Marlboro, MA 01752 (US) (74) Representative: Pfenning, Meinig & Partner  Mozartstrasse 17 80336 München 80336 München (DE)