(19)

(11)

EP 1 072 156 A2

(12)

(88) Date of publication A3: 02.12.1999 (43) Date of publication: 31.01.2001 Bulletin 2001/05 (21) Application number: 99919846.8 (22) Date of filing: 15.04.1999

(51) International Patent Classification (IPC)7: H04N 7/24 (86) International application number: PCT/US9908/256 (87) International publication number: WO 9955/092 (28.10.1999 Gazette 1999/43)

(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: 17.04.1998 US 82146 P (71) Applicant: Tiernan Communications Incorporated San Diego, CA 92111 (US)	(72) Inventor: ACHOUR, Maha San Diego, CA 92130 (US) (74) Representative: Driver, Virginia Rozanne et al Page White & Farrer54 Doughty Street London WC1N 2LS London WC1N 2LS (GB)