(19)

(11)

EP 1 292 896 A1

(12)

(43) Date of publication: 19.03.2003 Bulletin 2003/12 (21) Application number: 01944645.9 (22) Date of filing: 07.06.2001

(51) International Patent Classification (IPC)7: G06F 15/00 (86) International application number: PCT/US0140/859 (87) International publication number: WO 0109/8914 (27.12.2001 Gazette 2001/52)

(84) Designated Contracting States: AT BE CH CY DE DK ES FI FR GB GR IE IT LI LU MC NL PT SE TR Designated Extension States: AL LT LV MK RO SI (30) Priority: 21.06.2000 US 598693 (71) Applicant: American Management Systems, Incorporated Fairfax, VA 22033 (US)	(72) Inventors: RICHARDSON, Peter Edward Galashiels TD1 3LU (GB) HARVIE, John, Charles Storrington,West Sussex RH20 4PU (GB) (74) Representative: Dendorfer, Claus, Dr.  Wächtershäuser & HartzTal 29 80331 München 80331 München (DE)