(19)

(11)

EP 1 452 012 A2

(12)

(88) Date of publication A3: 02.10.2003 (43) Date of publication: 01.09.2004 Bulletin 2004/36 (21) Application number: 02800452.1 (22) Date of filing: 03.10.2002

(51) International Patent Classification (IPC)7: H04N 1/32 (86) International application number: PCT/US2002/031488 (87) International publication number: WO 2003/030541 (10.04.2003 Gazette 2003/15)

(84) Designated Contracting States: AT BE BG CH CY CZ DE DK EE ES FI FR GB GR IE IT LI LU MC NL PT SE SK TR Designated Extension States: AL LT LV MK RO SI (30) Priority: 03.10.2001 US 326709 P (71) Applicant: The Trustees of Columbia University in the City of New York New York, NY 10027 (US)	(72) Inventors: SUN, Qibin Singapore 600052 (SG) CHANG, Shih-Fu New York, NY 10027 (US) MAENO, Kurato Takasaki-shi,Gunma 370-0857 (JP) SUTO, Masayuki Tano-gun,Gunma 370-1301 (JP) (74) Representative: Lawrence, John et al Barker, Brettell138 Hagley RoadEdgbaston Birmingham B16 9PW Birmingham B16 9PW (GB)