(19)

(11)

EP 1 230 612 A2

(12)

(88) Date of publication A3: 24.01.2002 (43) Date of publication: 14.08.2002 Bulletin 2002/33 (21) Application number: 00980247.1 (22) Date of filing: 27.10.2000

(51) International Patent Classification (IPC)7: G06F 17/60 (86) International application number: PCT/US0029/800 (87) International publication number: WO 0133/397 (10.05.2001 Gazette 2001/19)

(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: 29.10.1999 US 430119 (71) Applicant: LANDMARK GRAPHICS CORPORATION Houston, TX 77079-4304 (US)	(72) Inventors: MCFARLANE, Mark, A. Houston, TX 77084 (US) DYE, Joel, B. The Woodlands, TX 77381 (US) GARNER, Roland, F. Houston, TX 77079 (US) (74) Representative: Harris, Ian Richard  D. Young & Co.,21 New Fetter Lane London EC4A 1DA London EC4A 1DA (GB)