(19)

(11)

EP 1 032 934 A2

(12)

(88) Date of publication A3: 15.04.1999 (43) Date of publication: 06.09.2000 Bulletin 2000/36 (21) Application number: 98923457.0 (22) Date of filing: 15.05.1998

(51) International Patent Classification (IPC)7: G11B 3/00 (86) International application number: PCT/US9810/035 (87) International publication number: WO 9852/189 (19.11.1998 Gazette 1998/46)

(84) Designated Contracting States: AT BE CH CY DE DK ES FI FR GB GR IE IT LI LU MC NL PT SE (30) Priority: 15.05.1997 US 46511 P 07.07.1997 US 51805 P 06.12.1997 US 69318 P (71) Applicant: Palantir Software, Inc. Frederick, MD 21704 (US)	(72) Inventors: SNYDER, J., Gary Frederick, MD 21702 (US) BLISS, Steven Frederick, MD 21702 (US) STEELE, David, W. Fairfax, VA 22012 (US) (74) Representative: Butcher, Ian James et al A.A. Thornton & Co.235 High Holborn London WC1V 7LE London WC1V 7LE (GB)