(19)

(11)

EP 1 273 175 A2

(12)

(88) Date of publication A3: 31.10.2002 (43) Date of publication: 08.01.2003 Bulletin 2003/02 (21) Application number: 98963253.4 (22) Date of filing: 16.12.1998

(51) International Patent Classification (IPC)7: H04N 7/24 (86) International application number: PCT/US9826/864 (87) International publication number: WO 0001/6544 (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: 16.09.1998 US 154069 (71) Applicant: ACTV, INC. New York, NY 10020 (US)	(72) Inventors: FREEMAN, Michael, J. Kings Point, NY 11024 (US) HARPER, Gregory, W. New York, NY 10022 (US) DEO, Frank, P. Kendall Park, NJ 08824 (US) (74) Representative: Needle, Jacqueline  W.H. BECK, GREENER & CO7 Stone BuildingsLincoln's Inn London WC2A 3SZ London WC2A 3SZ (GB) (56) References cited: :