Abstract: This invention relates to methods and systems for the transmission 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 action handlers to handle different types of content. Further, the system can distribute packets with different rates depending on their priority.

Abstract: A media server machine may be configured to provide media content within a datastream. This datastream may be provided to a media device that is configured to present the media content on a display. Also, this datastream may contemporaneously contain an “app-sync indicator” for the media content. The app-sync indicator is a data structure that signals the media device to launch an application on a companion device. By providing the app-sync indicator contemporaneously with the media content in the datastream, the launching of the application on the companion device may be synchronized with the media content. The app-sync indicator may specify the application to be launched. Also, the app-sync indicator may specify supplemental content to be presented by the launched application on the companion device.

Abstract: Methods and systems of associating a user with an interaction via a media gateway are presented. In an example method, a media gateway may identify a user of a user device interacting with the media gateway via a local interface. The media gateway may associate the user with at least one interaction of the user device with the media gateway. The media gateway may also authenticate itself with a server, and provide to the server an indication of the association of the user with the at least one interaction of the user device with the media gateway.

Abstract: This invention relates to methods and systems for the transmission 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 action handlers to handle different types of content. Further, the system can distribute packets with different rates depending on their priority.

Abstract: A media server machine may be configured to provide media content within a datastream. This datastream may be provided to a media device that is configured to present the media content on a display. Also, this datastream may contemporaneously contain an “app-sync indicator” for the media content. The app-sync indicator is a data structure that signals the media device to launch an application on a companion device. By providing the app-sync indicator contemporaneously with the media content in the datastream, the launching of the application on the companion device may be synchronized with the media content. The app-sync indicator may specify the application to be launched. Also, the app-sync indicator may specify supplemental content to be presented by the launched application on the companion device.

Abstract: 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.

Abstract: A media server machine may be configured to provide media content within a datastream. This datastream may be provided to a media device that is configured to present the media content on a display. Also, this datastream may contemporaneously contain an “app-sync indicator” for the media content. The app-sync indicator is a data structure that signals the media device to launch an application on a companion device. By providing the app-sync indicator contemporaneously with the media content in the datastream, the launching of the application on the companion device may be synchronized with the media content. The app-sync indicator may specify the application to be launched. Also, the app-sync indicator may specify supplemental content to be presented by the launched application on the companion device.

Abstract: 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.

Abstract: 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.

Abstract: 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.

Abstract: 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.

Abstract: 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.

Abstract: 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.

Abstract: 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.

Abstract: 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.

Abstract: 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.

Abstract: A method and mechanism for managing resources in a receiving device. A privileged application-level resource advisor may be included in individual receivers which are manufactured by different hardware manufacturers, each possibly having different resources, and each possibly running operating systems and/or middleware written by different vendors. The advisor is configured to communicate with the middleware and/or operating system of a receiving device in order to affect resource usage. Subsequent to detecting a resource contention problem, the resource advisor may determine how to resolve the contention problem. Subsequent to being authenticated by the middleware and/or operating system, the resource advisor may then affect the resolution by itself, or it may affect the resolution by providing input to the operating system, middleware, or other resource managing component of the IRD.

Abstract: 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.

Abstract: 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.

Abstract: 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.