(19)

(11)

EP 1 222 580 A1

(12)

(43) Date of publication: 17.07.2002 Bulletin 2002/29 (21) Application number: 00914418.9 (22) Date of filing: 05.01.2000

(51) International Patent Classification (IPC)7: G06F 17/50, G06F 13/10, G06F 13/12, G06F 9/455 (86) International application number: PCT/US0000/292 (87) International publication number: WO 0041/101 (13.07.2000 Gazette 2000/28)

(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: 06.01.1999 US 228542 18.06.1999 US 336445 18.06.1999 US 336284 19.11.1999 US 443175 (71) Applicant: Simutech Corporation Portland, OR 97223 (US)	(72) Inventors: EVANS, Edward, N. Long Beach, CA 90815 (US) JURASEK, David Banks, OR 97106 (US) HUGGINS, Jay, V. Portland, OR 97214 (US) (74) Representative: Murnane, Graham John et al Murgitroyd & Company165-169 Scotland Street Glasgow G5 8PL Glasgow G5 8PL (GB)