(19)

(11)

EP 1 173 974 A1

(12)

(43) Date of publication: 23.01.2002 Bulletin 2002/04 (21) Application number: 00983325.2 (22) Date of filing: 14.12.2000

(51) International Patent Classification (IPC)7: H04N 5/44 (86) International application number: PCT/EP0012/721 (87) International publication number: WO 0150/738 (12.07.2001 Gazette 2001/28)

(84) Designated Contracting States: AT BE CH CY DE DK ES FI FR GB GR IE IT LI LU MC NL PT SE TR Designated Extension States: AL LT LV MK RO SI (30) Priority: 30.12.1999 US 476734 (71) Applicant: Koninklijke Philips Electronics N.V. 5621 BA Eindhoven (NL)	(72) Inventor: JOHNSON, Jeffrey, L. NL-5656 AA Eindhoven (NL) (74) Representative: Raap, Adriaan Yde  INTERNATIONAAL OCTROOIBUREAU B.V., Prof. Holstlaan 6 5656 AA Eindhoven 5656 AA Eindhoven (NL)