(19)

(11)

EP 1 172 003 A1

(12)

(43) Date of publication: 16.01.2002 Bulletin 2002/03 (21) Application number: 99917489.9 (22) Date of filing: 14.04.1999

(51) International Patent Classification (IPC)7: H04N 7/173 (86) International application number: PCT/US9908/145 (87) International publication number: WO 0062/546 (19.10.2000 Gazette 2000/42)

(84) Designated Contracting States: AT BE CH CY DE DK ES FI FR GB GR IE IT LI LU MC NL PT SE (71) Applicant: General Instrument Corporation Horsham, Pennsylvania 19044 (US)	(72) Inventors: CHANG, Kevin, T. Neshanic Station, NJ 08853 (US) CHODELKA, David, E. Holland, PA 18966 (US) SCHELL, Charles, E., III Churchville, PA 18966 (US) REICHGOTT, Samuel Coopersburg,PA 18036 (US) (74) Representative: Beck, Jürgen, et al Hoeger, Stellrecht & Partner, Uhlandstrasse 14 70182 Stuttgart 70182 Stuttgart (DE)