(19)

(11)

EP 1 145 403 A1

(12)

(43) Date of publication: 17.10.2001 Bulletin 2001/42 (21) Application number: 00900423.5 (22) Date of filing: 18.01.2000

(51) International Patent Classification (IPC)7: H02J 7/00, H01M 2/10 (86) International application number: PCT/JP0000/188 (87) International publication number: WO 0042/692 (20.07.2000 Gazette 2000/29)

(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: 18.01.1999 JP 993699 (71) Applicant: Sony Computer Entertainment Inc. Tokyo 107-0052 (JP)	(72) Inventor: OOTORI, YasuhiroSony Computer Entertainment Inc. Tokyo 107-0052 (JP) (74) Representative: Hedley, Nicholas James Matthew et al Kilburn & Strode20 Red Lion Street London WC1R 4PJ London WC1R 4PJ (GB)