(19)

(11)

EP 1 157 551 A1

(12)

(43) Date of publication: 28.11.2001 Bulletin 2001/48 (21) Application number: 00910333.4 (22) Date of filing: 25.02.2000

(51) International Patent Classification (IPC)7: H04N 7/16 (86) International application number: PCT/US0004/753 (87) International publication number: WO 0051/351 (31.08.2000 Gazette 2000/35)

(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: 26.02.1999 US 259896 (71) Applicant: Sony Electronics Inc. Park Ridge,New Jersey 07656 (US)	(72) Inventor: SHINTANI, Peter Rae San Diego, CA 92127 (US) (74) Representative: Pratt, Richard Wilson  D. Young & Co,21 New Fetter Lane London EC4A 1DA London EC4A 1DA (GB)