(19)

(11)

EP 1 142 325 A1

(12)

(43) Date of publication: 10.10.2001 Bulletin 2001/41 (21) Application number: 99954607.0 (22) Date of filing: 14.09.1999

(51) International Patent Classification (IPC)7: H04N 7/00 (86) International application number: PCT/US9921/056 (87) International publication number: WO 0016/552 (23.03.2000 Gazette 2000/12)

(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: 15.09.1998 US 153125 (71) Applicant: Millennium Networks, Inc. Columbia,Maryland 21046 (US)	(72) Inventors: QAYYUM, Hamid, M. Baltimore, MD 21244 (US) LEHNER, Stephen, W. Baltimore, MD 21230 (US) (74) Representative: Maury, Richard Philip et al Sommerville & Rushton,45 Grosvenor Road St. Albans, Herts AL1 3AW St. Albans, Herts AL1 3AW (GB)