(19)

(11)

EP 1 716 483 A2

(12)

(43) Date of publication: 02.11.2006 Bulletin 2006/44 (21) Application number: 05705832.3 (22) Date of filing: 14.01.2005

(51) International Patent Classification (IPC):  G06F 9/44(2006.01) G06Q 10/00(2006.01) (86) International application number: PCT/US2005/001483 (87) International publication number: WO 2005/069902 (04.08.2005 Gazette 2005/31)

(84) Designated Contracting States: AT BE BG CH CY CZ DE DK EE ES FI FR GB GR HU IE IS IT LI LT LU MC NL PL PT RO SE SI SK TR Designated Extension States: AL BA HR LV MK YU (30) Priority: 15.01.2004 US 536760 P (71) Applicant: Topcoder, Inc. Glastonbury, CT 06033 (US)	(72) Inventor: HUGHES, John, M. Hebron, CT 06248 (US) (74) Representative: Hackett, Sean James  Marks & Clerk, Patent Attorneys, Alpha Tower, Suffolk Street Queensway Birmingham B1 1TT Birmingham B1 1TT (GB)