(19)

(11)

EP 1 040 441 A2

(12)

(88) Date of publication A3: 20.07.2000 (43) Date of publication: 04.10.2000 Bulletin 2000/40 (21) Application number: 99955050.2 (22) Date of filing: 19.10.1999

(51) International Patent Classification (IPC)7: G06F 17/60 (86) International application number: PCT/US9924/452 (87) International publication number: WO 0023/928 (27.04.2000 Gazette 2000/17)

(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: 19.10.1998 US 104830 P 30.06.1999 US 345383 (71) Applicant: Hardwarestreet. Com. Inc. Reno, NV 89509 (US)	(72) Inventor: ALVIN, Robert, S. Boulder Creek, CA 95006 (US) (74) Representative: Viering, Jentschura & Partner  Postfach 22 14 43 80504 München 80504 München (DE)