(19)

(11)

EP 1 046 287 A1

(12)

(43) Date of publication: 25.10.2000 Bulletin 2000/43 (21) Application number: 99954395.2 (22) Date of filing: 05.11.1999

(51) International Patent Classification (IPC)7: H04N 5/445, A63F 13/12 (86) International application number: PCT/JP9906/163 (87) International publication number: WO 0028/732 (18.05.2000 Gazette 2000/20)

(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: 06.11.1998 JP 31658098 (71) Applicant: Sony Computer Entertainment Inc. Tokyo 107-0052 (JP)

(72) Inventors: KUTARAGI, KenSony Computer Entertainment Inc. Tokyo 107-0052 (JP) GOTO, TeiyuSony Computer Entertainment Inc. Tokyo 107-0052 (JP) HINO, MarikoSony Computer Entertainment Inc. Tokyo 107-0052 (JP) SHIMAKAWA, KeisoSony Computer Entertainment Inc. Tokyo 107-0052 (JP) (74) Representative: Hedley, Nicholas James Matthew  Stephenson HarwoodOne, St. Paul's Churchyard London EC4M 8SH London EC4M 8SH (GB)