Abstract: A method of transmitting real time digital video, audio and composite signals along existing delivery circuit and transmission pathways that takes advantage of unused bandwidth in existing transmission spectrums and circuit pathways. The invention permits the delivery of messages, commands and data files which may be presented later to the consumer at a predefined time and place and in a predefined format allowing the transmission of CD quality digital sound, digital video and bitmap files to a consumer, group of consumers or consumer population. The method and apparatus described transmits information and data to the consumer in a non real-time background mode which may be stored in a local repository for future presentation. Presentation parameters are transmitted either concurrently with or subsequently to information and data. The method may be employed on a wide variety of platforms including television, cable, satellite, telephone networks, private and public data networks and dedicated lines.

Abstract: An enhancement for a data processing system including a relational database provides storage of at least a first command corresponding to each of a plurality of tasks which can be automatically performed. In response to an event or conditions in the data processing system, such as an operation in the relational database, a task is selected and the first command and additional task lines are output. These lines are assembled with arguments derived from conditions or operations in the system such as arguments of the relational database operation. Additional events and system conditions may be imposed for task selection, imposing conditionality and chaining of plural tasks. Immediate execution of a selected task is accomplished by selectively inserting a first command of the task in exit code of another application executable on the data processing system. A parser is provided to select parameters and assemble the parameters with task lines as arguments thereof.