(19)

(11)

EP 1 273 176 A2

(12)

(88) Date of publication A3: 28.03.2002 (43) Date of publication: 08.01.2003 Bulletin 2003/02 (21) Application number: 01915494.7 (22) Date of filing: 26.03.2001

(51) International Patent Classification (IPC)7: H04N 7/26 (86) International application number: PCT/GB0101/328 (87) International publication number: WO 0107/8403 (18.10.2001 Gazette 2001/42)

(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: 07.04.2000 GB 0008653 07.04.2000 GB 0008654 (71) Applicant: SNELL & WILCOX LIMITED Twickenham, Middlesex TW1 1RQ (GB)	(72) Inventors: THOMSON, Roderick, Mackenzie Sumner,Christchurch (NZ) BANKS, David, Melvyn Liss,Hampshire GU33 7AU (GB) (74) Representative: Garratt, Peter Douglas et al Mathys & Squire100 Grays Inn Road London WC1X 8AL London WC1X 8AL (GB)