Abstract: A resource management system comprises a number of software modules running in a multi-application environment, in which an application with which the user is currently interacting is designated as a focus application. The focus application is favored during resource conflict resolution procedures, so that a resource will pass ownership of itself to a focus application where the current application does not object to it doing so, without involving higher level components. Where the current application does object, the resource involves higher level components to perform conflict resolution.

Abstract: A set top box for a television includes a hard drive, a random access memory, and a non-volatile memory. To maintain functionality of the device after a crash of the hard drive, the non-volatile memory includes an executable program for downloading a secondary operating system from a remote server or other secondary storage during a startup when the primary operating system in the hard drive is not accessible. The secondary operating system is stored in the random access memory and is a functional subset of the primary operating system to allow the use of the primary functionality of the set top box until the hard disk drive is repaired or replaced.

Abstract: A set top box for a television includes a hard drive, a random access memory, and a non-volatile memory. To maintain functionality of the device after a crash of the hard drive, the non-volatile memory includes an executable program for downloading a secondary operating system from a remote server or other secondary storage during a startup when the primary operating system in the hard drive is not accessible. The secondary operating system is stored in the random access memory and is a functional subset of the primary operating system to allow the use of the primary functionality of the set top box until the hard disk drive is repaired or replaced.

Abstract: A method for creating a push mechanism in a digital communication system comprises the following steps: creating a graphical object having associated therewith timing and positioning information, wherein the timing information is provided as a time stamp in an elementary stream of digital information, executing a first software application associated with the graphical object, wherein the first software application working in response to a predetermined event connected to the positioning information associated with the graphical object, and launching a second software application by means of the first software application in response to the predetermined event. With the method, both synchronization and interaction are achieved in a communication system, such as a system complying with the DVB standard.

Abstract: A resource management system comprises a number of software modules running in a multi-application environment, in which an application with which the user is currently interacting is designated as a focus application. The focus application is favored during resource conflict resolution procedures, so that a resource will pass ownership of itself to a focus application where the current application does not object to it doing so, without involving higher level components. Where the current application does object, the resource involves higher level components to perform conflict resolution.

Abstract: A method and a communication network are provided for supplying a receiver, such as a Set Top Box connected to the network, with tuning information for services provided on the network. A database is compiled comprising a plurality of service identifiers identifying the provided services and a plurality of sets of tuning parameters. Each of the sets is associated with a respective one of said plurality of service identifiers. Tuning parameters for a requested service are retrieved by accessing said database through one of said plurality of service identifiers and using said retrieved tuning parameters for tuning said receiver. The method and the network provide a flexible way of supplying information. A subscriber terminal and a computer program product are also provided.