Abstract: An object-oriented framework is provided for managing the definition of user-defined attributes for workflow entities and storing and retrieving the values of those attributes. A set of APIs are introduced to manage the creation, deletion, and retrieval of user specified attribute definitions. In addition, extension objects are introduced to accommodate the storing and retrieving of values of user-defined attributes. This mechanism for allowing a user to extend the attributes of workflow entities enables customization of a workflow system to particular applications.

Abstract: A system, method and program product uses tags as markers for incorporating local content in a communications stream, e.g., TV broadcast, cable transmission. A transmitter generates a communication stream including program content for transmission to a receiver. The transmitter includes an authoring tool for generating two types of tags for incorporation into the program content. The receiver captures the program content and stores the tags in tables. One type of tag initiates local action in the program content in the communication stream. A second type of tag is capable of modifying the first type of tag in the tables. When the time for a local action according to a first type of tag is detected, the program content is interrupted by splicing or inserting the local content.