Abstract: Example embodiments provide a system and method for configuring remote control devices to display application dependent control frames of a remote control user interface. A digital receiver runs a plurality of applications at the receiver device. The digital receiver detects a switch command. The switch command causes a background application to become a primary application, whereby the primary application is the application in focus on a display device. The digital receiver switches the background application into the primary application, the switching causing a previous primary application to become a new background application.

Abstract: Example embodiments provide a system and method for configuring remote control devices to display application dependent control frames of a remote control user interface. A digital receiver runs a plurality of applications at the receiver device. The digital receiver detects a switch command. The switch command causes a background application to become a primary application, whereby the primary application is the application in focus on a display device. The digital receiver switches the background application into the primary application, the switching causing a previous primary application to become a new background application.

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 system and method for providing multiple views recording is provided. In example embodiments, an indication to record serial events including a first event and a second event on a same channel is received. A recording stream is started at a beginning of the first event and ends at an end of the second event. View markings are inserted in the recording stream that differentiate a first view corresponding to the first event from a second view corresponding to the second event. Thus, the recording stream creates a single file that contains multiple views. The single file is stored for later playback.

Abstract: A system and method for providing multiple views recording is provided. In example embodiments, an indication to record serial events including a first event and a second event on a same channel is received. A recording stream is started at a beginning of the first event and ends at an end of the second event. View markings are inserted in the recording stream that differentiate a first view corresponding to the first event from a second view corresponding to the second event. Thus, the recording stream creates a single file that contains multiple views. The single file is stored for later playback.

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: 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 system and method for providing multiple views recording is provided. In example embodiments, an indication to record serial events including a first event and a second event on a same channel is received. A recording stream is started at a beginning of the first event and ends at an end of the second event. View markings are inserted in the recording stream that differentiate a first view corresponding to the first event from a second view corresponding to the second event. Thus, the recording stream creates a single file that contains multiple views. The single file is stored for later playback.

Abstract: A method and mechanism for managing data in a distributed computing system. A television system is configured to convey audio/video/interactive data to receiving devices. Data conveyed to the receiving devices are structured as modules, with a main directory module indicating those modules which make up, or are used by, a particular application. Changes to data being conveyed to receiving devices are initially indicated by conveying delta directory modules to the receiving devices which identify updates to a corresponding main directory module. Changes indicated by a delta directory module are applied to the corresponding main directory module, which in turn may effect changes in the data used by the application. Delta directories may generally only include sufficient information to identify the changes and may be smaller than the corresponding main directory.

Abstract: A method and apparatus for extracting and compiling an interpretative language to implement functions such as those written as a script embedded in a HTML page in an interactive television environment. HTML pages are received from both broadcast and online. The compiler runs on a server. The compiled scripts run faster and require less processing power to execute. The scripts are extracted from HTML representing content stored at the server. The compiled script code is then transmitted from the server to a client device, through broadcast or online, for execution during content display at the client device. The compiled scripts run faster, require less processing power to execute, and run on client devices that do not have the interpreter for that language.

Abstract: A method and mechanism for managing data in a distributed computing system. A television system is configured to convey audio/video/interactive data to receiving devices. Data conveyed to the receiving devices are structured as modules, with a main directory module indicating those modules which make up, or are used by, a particular application. Changes to data being conveyed to receiving devices are initially indicated by conveying delta directory modules to the receiving devices which identify updates to a corresponding main directory module. Changes indicated by a delta directory module are applied to the corresponding main directory module, which in turn may effect changes in the data used by the application. Delta directories may generally only include sufficient information to identify the changes and may be smaller than the corresponding main directory.

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 system and method implemented in an interactive television system for scheduling delivery of modules of interactive television applications from a broadcast station to a receiving station. In one embodiment, a list of modules and corresponding start times, end times and durations is provided. Minimum beginning times and maximum beginning times are determined for each of the modules. The modules in the list are prioritized, first according to minimum beginning times and then according to maximum beginning times. A module having the earliest maximum beginning time is selected from those modules for which the minimum beginning time is equal or prior to a current time. A portion of the selected module is scheduled. After a portion of a module is scheduled, the information in the module list is updated, the modules in the list are re-prioritized, and another module is selected for scheduling. This is repeated until all of the modules have been scheduled.

Abstract: A method for display of near video on demand programs broadcast over a network system to a receiver operable to record at least one channel. The program includes a plurality of segments broadcast over two or more channels during a plurality of time intervals. The method includes displaying a first segment of the program as it is broadcast at a first time interval and recording a second segment of the program at the first time interval if the second segment is not scheduled for broadcast at a second time interval. The second segment is displayed if broadcast at the second time interval or the recorded second segment is played at the second time interval if not broadcast. The steps of recording and displaying are repeated for remaining segments of the program until the last segment of the program is displayed. A method for scheduling broadcast of near video on demand programs and a system for displaying near video on demand programs are also disclosed.

Abstract: A method and apparatus for extracting and compiling an interpretative language to implement functions such as those written as a script embedded in a HTML page in an interactive television environment. HTML pages are are received from both broadcast and online. The compiler runs on a server. The compiled scripts run faster and require less processing power to execute. The compiler runs on a server. The scripts are extracted from HTML representing content stored at the server. The compiled script code is then transmitted from the server to a client device, through broadcast or online, for execution during content display at the client device. The compiled scripts run faster, require less processing power to execute, and run on client devices that do not have the interpreter for that language.

Abstract: A system and method implemented in an interactive television system for scheduling delivery of modules of interactive television applications from a broadcast station to a receiving station. In one embodiment, the system calculates a start time from a predetermined end time and transmission interval for a module. In other embodiments, a transmission interval may be calculated instead of being predetermined, or all of the scheduling information may be explicitly provided to the broadcast station. The module is packetized and transmission of the packets for the module is begun at the corresponding start time. All of the packets except the last packet are transmitted within the transmission interval (i.e., between the start time and the delivery time.) The greater the transmission interval, the greater the flexibility the broadcast station has to schedule delivery of the packets and modules. The last packet is held until the scheduled delivery time and is then transmitted.