Abstract: Apparatus for and method of executing customized interactive computing services in a broadband network environment. A device on the broadband network is capable of retrieving user-defined data over the network and format and display it on an associated display along with data broadcast over the broadband network. The device may be customer premises equipment such as a set-top-box, gaming console, or home gateway connected to the broadband network. In the case of a set-top-box, the broadcast data would be television programming. The device is preferably capable of retrieving data from a source on the internet. Retrieval and formatting are preferably carried out by compact software agents which are sent to the device through the network to be stored in and to execute on the device.

Abstract: A software agent is provided which executes instructions on a local user's computer to retrieve potentially changing information content from remote target sources, including web pages, over a computer network, such as the Internet. Different types of software agents are available to retrieve different types of information content from remote sites. Agent types include a smart agent, a search agent, a custom agent for detailed tasks and an RSS agent for retrieving structured XML format documents from remote Internet sites. Information retrieved by the agents is formatted and stored locally for presentation in a publication on the local computer. Publication templates can display target content retrieved by multiple agents from many different remote target pages.

Abstract: A system for reliably retrieving information which may be in any one of several possible formats and for subsequent display of that information in any one of several possible formats. User-defined agents are used to retrieve target data based on a heuristic algorithm and to store the target data in a canonical form, ready for republication in whatever form best suits a particular application. The system is particularly well suited to obtaining information over the internet for display on a desktop system, but it is also well suited for applications having only limited display or computational capabilities.

Abstract: A system and method for interacting with internet applications by way of a broadband network that includes one, or a combination, of cable television, satellite television, internet protocol television, cellular network, or digital subscriber line network. The system and method allow a user to execute at an end user device, e.g., a television or cellular phone, an interactive application associated with an internet-based service, such as an online auction, online commercial transaction, online gaming, or an information service, e.g., yellow pages on TV, and initiate a user interface by which the user formulates and transmits action requests and receives action replies or unsolicited messages via the broadband network allowing the user to locally interact with one or more of the internet-based services.