Abstract: A method of delivering an interactive application to a plurality of target platforms (2). The method comprises providing a set of application components; converting the set of application components into a plurality of streams of broadcast data, each stream of broadcast data conforming with a respective target platform (2); and delivering each stream of broadcast data to its respective target platform (2).

Abstract: A method for providing services to a television system, the method comprising receiving a user message via a telephone line, the message including a translated version of user information (436); using the message received to identify an address for the television system associated with the user and broadcasting a return message for receipt by the television system, the return message including the television system address.

Abstract: An interactive broadcast system comprising a plurality of user interfaces each comprising a local clock signal generator. Each user interface delivers interactive applications to a respective user with reference to its respective local clock signal. A central control system broadcasts data to the user interfaces. The CCS detects adjustment of the local clock signals to identify fraudulent users.

Abstract: A method of sampling, at a central location, data generated from a number of remote data sources. The method comprises: a) causing those data sources with generated data to implement a local response function; b) transmitting information from the central location to the remote data sources relating to the outcome of the local response function; c) causing those data sources with generated data to determine whether the outcome of the local response function satisfies a predetermined relationship with the information transmitted from the central location, and, if it does, to transmit the generated data to the central location.

Abstract: A method of supplying information from a central source (1) to a plurality of remote user interfaces (9) relating to an interactive application. The method comprises: i) transmitting application data associated with the interactive application to the user interfaces (9); and, ii) thereafter, transmitting a real time start signal to the user interfaces (9) to enable the interactive application to begin substantially simultaneously at each user interface.

Abstract: A method of sampling, at a central location, data generated from a number of remote data sources.

Abstract: A method of transmitting data relating to a number of different categories, from a central location (A) to at least one remote receiver (C). The method comprises allocating a priority to the data to be transmitted in accordance with its category, the priorities defining a relationship between the different categories of the data; transmitting the data in a manner determined by the allocated priorities; monitoring the data to be transmitted to determine whether the data will be transmitted in a satisfactory manner; and, if necessary, changing the priority of any data which has not yet been transmitted so that it will be transmitted satisfactorily.

Abstract: A method and apparatus for broadcasting a scheduled interactive application to a plurality of users via respective user interfaces. Initially, setup data is placed on a broadcast carousel prior to a scheduled start time of the interactive application whereby setup data is repeatedly broadcast to the user interfaces. A status flag is broadcast to the user interfaces to indicate that the setup data has been placed on the broadcast carousel. Real time data is broadcast to the user interfaces at the scheduled start time. Electronic programme guide (EPG) data indicating a scheduled start time for the scheduled interactive application is further broadcast to the user interfaces.

Abstract: An interactive, predictive game control system for use in conjunction with a live TV broadcast received by one or more remote players. The system comprises a central controller for generating game playing data for transmission with a TV broadcast to the remote player(s) and for receiving information from the remote player(s). An input device is connected to the central controller. A database is connected to the central controller for storing data relating to the content of the live broadcast and known in advance of the live broadcast. The central controller is responsive to signals from the input device: a) prior to the live broadcast, to select data from the database for transmission to the remote user(s) in advance of and/or during the live broadcast, and b) during or after the live broadcast, to record the time of occurrence of one or more events relating to the live broadcast which are to be predicted by the remote player(s), as indicated by an operator to the central controller via the input device.