(19)

(11)

EP 1 212 698 A2

(12)

(88) Date of publication A3: 05.04.2002 (43) Date of publication: 12.06.2002 Bulletin 2002/24 (21) Application number: 00928239.3 (22) Date of filing: 21.04.2000

(51) International Patent Classification (IPC)7: G06F 17/30 (86) International application number: PCT/US0010/654 (87) International publication number: WO 0065/480 (02.11.2000 Gazette 2000/44)

(84) Designated Contracting States: AT BE CH CY DE DK ES FI FR GB GR IE IT LI LU MC NL PT SE Designated Extension States: AL LT LV MK RO SI (30) Priority: 23.04.1999 US 130636 P (71) Applicant: ORACLE CORPORATION Redwood City, CA 94065 (US)	(72) Inventors: RUNKLER, Thomas A.,Siemens AG 81730 Munich (DE) ROYCHOWDHURY, ShounakOracle Corporation Redwood Shores, CA 94065 (US) (74) Representative: Rupp, Christian, Dipl.-Phys.  Mitscherlich & Partner,Patent- und Rechtsanwälte,Postfach 33 06 09 80066 München 80066 München (DE)