摘要:
A method and mechanism for enabling the creation and/or control of interactive television content using declarative-like directives such as HTML, scripting languages, or other languages. A a centrally located proxy server is configured to receive, transcode and convey transcoded web based content to client devices. Upon detecting directives which indicate particular resources required for a presentation are prerequisites, the proxy server conveys signals to a client device that these particular resources are prerequisites. In response to receiving the conveyed signals, the client device may take actions to prefetch these resources. The client device is further configured to prohibit initiation of the presentation until the prerequisite resources are acquired.
摘要:
Apparatus and a method for formatting executable codes and data, defining interactive applications, with video and audio program material, for reliable and convenient access includes compressing (18, 21) audio and video programs according to a protocol such as MPEG. The compressed audio and video (A/V) programs are segmented (19, 22) into transport packets, with audio transport packets identified by a first service identifier SCID.sub.Ai, and video transport packets identified by a second service identifier, SCID.sub.Vi. Interactive application programs associated with A/V programs are compiled (10) into functional modules and condensed. A module may be executable software or data. A module includes code/data and a header. The code/data portion of each module undergoes cyclic redundancy coding (CRC) over the entire module and CRC check bits are concatenated or appended to the module. Respective modules are segmented (14) into transport packets. The code/data transport packets are identified by a third service identifier SCID.sub.Di. The transport packets are formed into transmission units comprising an integer number of code/data transport packets and a header transport packet. A special directory module is generated (10) which interrelates the modules incorporated in an application program. Video packets, audio packets and module packets are subsequently time division multiplexed (16) for transmission.
摘要:
A generic data processing engine is operable to receive a format definition and process data formatted according to the definition, without use of formatting information in the data. The format definition includes a description of the syntax of the format, and a description of the semantics of the format. The syntax and semantics may be described in the same language or in different languages, and the engine is configured to produce an internal representation of the syntax and semantics. The engine receives queries and uses them together with the internal representation to set masks for the filters. The filters apply the masks to the data and return filtered data to the engine, which may forward a portion of the filtered data to applications, store a portion of the filtered data, set new masks based on a portion of the filtered data, or modify the existing masks based on a portion of the filtered data. The filters may also be configured to return filtered data directly to applications, bypassing the engine.
摘要:
A system and method implemented in an interactive television system for managing modules of interactive television applications. The system transmits modules from a broadcast station to a plurality of receiving stations through various paths, such as broadcast channels and modem channels. The receiving stations have module managers which store module requests and which monitor the various channels for modules corresponding to the requests. When modules are transmitted on the monitored channels, they are matched with the corresponding stored requests. If a module matches one of the requests, or if is an auto-loading module, it is stored in the receiving station. If a module has not been requested and is not an auto-loading module, it is ignored. The stored modules are added to a list of modules available for execution or for use by an executing application, and the corresponding requests are deleted.
摘要:
Disclosed are methods and systems for controlling the playback and recording of television programming containing interactive applications. In particular, the disclosed methods and systems detail how “trick modes” can be handled when playing applications that are distributed with the television programming.
摘要:
A system and method implemented in an interactive television system for restricting or controlling the access rights of interactive television applications and carousels. The system broadcasts modules from a broadcast station to a plurality of receiving stations, which execute applications containing the modules. In one embodiment, the applications utilize a credential consisting of a producer identification number (ID) and an application ID for each of the grantor and grantee applications, an expiration date, a set of permission data, a producer certificate and a signature. An application requesting access and a carousel granting access may be identified by respective producer and application IDs. The credential utilizes public key encryption to ensure the integrity of the credential. The producer and application IDs may be replaced with wildcards so that rights may be granted to a group of producers or applications.
摘要:
A method for acquiring and storing schedule event information in an interactive television system. The schedule event information includes events and a start time and date for each of the events. The method includes creating a window defined by a start time and date and an end time and date and receiving the schedule event information at a receiving station. The schedule event information is stored for events having a start time and date within the window. The method further includes automatically moving the window forward relative to the start time and date at a specified interval such that the end time and date of the window are always after a current time and date. A system for acquiring and storing schedule event information is also disclosed.
摘要:
According to an embodiment of the present invention, a section map may be used which utilizes a series of section maps, each section map including a predetermined number of bits, such as 32 bits. Each section map may include a single bit which indicates what is stored in the first 15 bits. For example, the last 16 bits of a section map may indicate whether the first 16 sections have been received. Another bit may be used to indicate what is stored in the first 15 bits. For example, the first 15 bits may indicate whether the next 15 sections have been received, or they may indicate an index pointing to the next section map.
摘要:
Apparatus and a method for formatting executable codes and data, defining interactive applications, with video and audio program material, for reliable and convenient access includes compressing (18, 21) audio and video programs according to a protocol such as MPEG. The compressed audio and video (A/V) programs are formed (19, 22) into transport packets. Interactive application programs associated with A/V programs are compiled (10) into functional modules, condensed and formed into transport packets. A module may be executable software or data. Further modules designated "Signal modules", are generated to condition respective receivers to suspend or resume execution of an interactive application. Video packets, audio packets and application packets are time division multiplexed (16) for transmission. Signal modules are multiplexed in the packet stream to appropriately reprogram respective receivers on the occurrence of such changes in received signal components.
摘要:
This invention relates to methods and systems for the broadcast and reception of targeted content. Using the systems and methods, a wide variety of different types of content can be targeted to a single client or a group of clients. The methods and systems utilize application handlers to handle different types of content. Further, the system can distribute packets with different rates depending on their priority.