(19)

(11)

EP 1 370 985 A2

(12)

(88) Date of publication A3: 09.10.2003 (43) Date of publication: 17.12.2003 Bulletin 2003/51 (21) Application number: 02707660.3 (22) Date of filing: 31.01.2002

(51) International Patent Classification (IPC)7: G06F 17/30, B01D 67/00, B01D 69/02, B01D 71/78 (86) International application number: PCT/US0202/972 (87) International publication number: WO 0206/0558 (08.08.2002 Gazette 2002/32)

(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: 31.01.2001 US 265224 P 31.01.2001 US 265223 P (71) Applicant: Computer Associates Think, Inc. Islandia, New York 11749 (US)

(72) Inventors: CHEN, Kaihu Lake Grove, NY 11755 (US) HSU, George, Hong, Zhi Levittown, NY 11756 (US) MANDURI, SuyaRao, V. Flushing, NY 11355 (US) THOPCHERNENI, Manoj Rego Park, NY 11374 (US) FAQUIH, Faisal Setauket, NY 11733 (US) DWYER, David Patchogue, NY 11772 (US) LATT, Myo, Min Forest Hills, NY 11375 (US) (74) Representative: Dunlop, Hugh Christopher et al R G C Jenkins &Co.,26 Caxton Street London SW1H 0RJ London SW1H 0RJ (GB)