Abstract: A transmission system includes a transmitter (10) and at least one receiver (14) configured to receive signals transmitted therefrom. Carousel-forming data file and directory objects are sent in cycles, with predetermined groups of file and directory objects being formed into respective modules at the transmitter, suitably according to MPEG-2 DSM-CC protocols. Each of the modules is transmitted as a whole, and the receiver is arranged to record received file data and directory objects under a predetermined grouping formulation, at elementary stream or module level.

Abstract: A transmission system in which the transmitter (10) transmits a multiplex signal (12) to the receiver (14). The multiplex signal includes a periodically repeated plurality of modules (42) which each comprise at least one object (32,36,40). The receiver comprises extracting means (16) for extracting objects from the multiplex signal. The extraction is performed based on module related information which is included in the multiplex signal.

Abstract: A data playback apparatus (14) and method for the operation of the same, for the handling of a recorded data stream and associated linear application, are provided. The apparatus includes a data stream playback stage (19) operable to perform linear real-time and non-linear playback of a stored data stream from storage (18). An application processing stage (16) runs a linear application from a given start point on commencement of linear real-time playback of the data stream. To avoid problems where the application is unsuited to the non-linearity, the application processing stage (16) stops running of said application and, on recommencing of linear real-time playback, recommences running of the application from the given start point.

Abstract: A data playback apparatus and method for handling of a recorded data stream and associated linear application include a data stream playback stage operable to perform linear real-time and non-linear playback of a stored data stream from storage. An application processing stage runs a linear application from a given start point on commencement of linear real-time playback of the data stream. To avoid problems where the application is unsuited to the non-linearity, the application processing stage stops running of said application and, on recommencing of linear real-time playback, recommences running of the application from the given start point.

Abstract: The transmission system comprises a transmitter (10) and a receiver (14). The transmitter (10) can transmit a number of multiplex signals (12) to the receiver (14). The receiver (14) comprises storage means (20) for storing data sections included in the multiplex signals (12) in dependence on information present in the multiplex signals (12). The information for the complete set of multiplex signals (12) is contained in a single information section in at least one of the multiplex signals (12).

Abstract: A Java virtual machine 2, comprises an execution engine for executing Java byte code and a memory management system 14. The memory management system 14 performs garbage collection to remove objects that are not reachable from the current state of the Java program. In the prior art memory management system objects representing a class definition are only removed from memory if the classloader object which has loaded the class object is not reachable. According to the present invention the memory management system 14 is arranged for removing classes which do not have any instantiated objects which can be reached in the present state of the program even if the classloader is still reachable. This results in a substantial saving of memory. Preferably the objects representing a class definition have a method which can signal to it that the definition can be deleted from memory if it has no instantiated objects anymore.

Abstract: A transmission system comprises a transmitter (10) and at least one receiver (14) configured to receive signals transmitted therefrom. Carousel-forming data file and directory objects are sent in cycles, with predetermined groups of file and directory objects being formed into respective modules at the transmitter, suitably according to MPEG-2 DSM-CC protocols. Each of the modules is transmitted as a whole, and the receiver is arranged to record received file data and directory objects under a predetermined grouping formulation, at elementary stream or module level.

Abstract: A data playback apparatus (14) and method for the operation of the same, for the handling of a recorded data stream and associated linear application, are provided. The apparatus includes a data stream playback stage (19) operable to perform linear real-time and non-linear playback of a stored data stream from storage (18). An application processing stage (16) runs a linear application from a given start point on commencement of linear real-time playback of the data stream. To avoid problems where the application is unsuited to the non-linearity, the application processing stage (16) stops running of said application and, on recommencing of linear real-time playback, recommences running of the application from the given start point.