(19)

(11)

EP 0 972 402 A1

(12)

(43) Date of publication: 19.01.2000 Bulletin 2000/03 (21) Application number: 98913962.1 (22) Date of filing: 02.04.1998

(51) International Patent Classification (IPC)7: H04N 1/60, H04N 9/67 (86) International application number: PCT/GB9800/977 (87) International publication number: WO 9844/722 (08.10.1998 Gazette 1998/40)

(84) Designated Contracting States: BE DE FR GB IE IT NL (30) Priority: 02.04.1997 GB 9706640 (71) Applicant: SNELL & WILCOX LIMITED Twickenham, Middlesex TW1 1RQ (GB)	(72) Inventor: STEINBERG, Avigdor Petersfield,Hampshire GU32 3LS (GB) (74) Representative: Garratt, Peter Douglas et al Mathys & Squire100 Grays Inn Road London WC1X 8AL London WC1X 8AL (GB)