TV-Centric Actions in Triggered Declarative Objects

Abstract

A method according to certain implementations involves receiving by pre-delivery a triggered declarative object (TDO) at a digital television receiver device that carries out a programmed routine when user activated; the TDO including a scripted control object that when activated by the viewer implements a television-centric action; receiving a signal as a result of view activation of the scripted control object; and executing the scripted control object upon receipt of the signal. This abstract is not to be considered limiting, since other embodiments may deviate from the features described in this abstract.

Description

CROSS REFERENCE TO RELATED DOCUMENTS

This application claims priority benefit of U.S. Provisional Patent Application No. 61/375,415 filed Aug. 20, 2010 entitled “Scripted Access to Hidden Multimedia Assets” to Mark Eyer, and also claims priority benefit of U.S. Provisional Patent Application No. 61/354,515 filed Jun. 14, 2010 entitled “Hyperlinks in Synchronized Widgets” to Mark Eyer, and claims priority benefit of U.S. Provisional Patent Application No. 61/352,275 filed Jun. 7, 2010 entitled “Widgets for Non-Real-Time Services” to Mark Eyer, each of which is hereby incorporated herein by reference. This application is also related to U.S. patent application Ser. No. ______ entitled “Scripted Access to Hidden Multimedia Content” to Mark Eyer and to U.S. patent application Ser. No. ______ entitled “Scripted Interactivity For Non-Real-Time Services” and to U.S. patent application Ser. No. ______ entitled “PVR Hyperlinks Functionality in Triggered Declarative Objects for PVR Functions” to Mark Eyer, each of which are filed of even date herewith and are hereby incorporated by reference.

COPYRIGHT NOTICE

A portion of the disclosure of this patent document contains material which is subject to copyright protection. The copyright owner has no objection to the facsimile reproduction of the patent document or the patent disclosure, as it appears in the Patent and Trademark Office patent file or records, but otherwise reserves all copyright rights whatsoever.

BACKGROUND

A triggerable declarative object (TDO) is a downloadable object created by a content creator or service provider, which includes declarative content (text, graphics, descriptive markup, scripts, and audio) whose function and behavior is tied in some way to digital television programming that it accompanies. Standards defining TDOs specify associated available behaviors, appearance, trigger actions, and transport methods for content and metadata.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

Certain illustrative embodiments illustrating organization and method of operation, together with objects and advantages may be best understood by reference to the detailed description that follows taken in conjunction with the accompanying drawings in which:

FIG. 1 is a flow chart of an example process executed at a digital television receiver device in a manner consistent with certain embodiments of the present invention.

FIG. 2 is a block diagram of an example transmission side system that assembles digital television content in a manner consistent with certain embodiments of the present invention.

FIG. 3 is a block diagram of an example digital television receiver device consistent with certain embodiments of the present invention.

FIG. 4 is a processor-centric block diagram of an example digital television receiver device consistent with certain embodiments of the present invention.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION

While this invention is susceptible of embodiment in many different forms, there is shown in the drawings and will herein be described in detail specific embodiments, with the understanding that the present disclosure of such embodiments is to be considered as an example of the principles and not intended to limit the invention to the specific embodiments shown and described. In the description below, like reference numerals are used to describe the same, similar or corresponding parts in the several views of the drawings.

The terms “a” or “an”, as used herein, are defined as one or more than one. The term “plurality”, as used herein, is defined as two or more than two. The term “another”, as used herein, is defined as at least a second or more. The terms “including” and/or “having”, as used herein, are defined as comprising (i.e., open language). The term “coupled”, as used herein, is defined as connected, although not necessarily directly, and not necessarily mechanically. The term “program” or “computer program” or similar terms, as used herein, is defined as a sequence of instructions designed for execution on a computer system. A “program”, or “computer program”, may include a subroutine, a function, a procedure, an object, an object method, an object implementation, in an executable application, an applet, a servlet, a source code, an object code, a shared library/dynamic load library and/or other sequence of instructions designed for execution on a computer system.

The term “program”, as used herein, may also be used in a second context (the above definition being for the first context). In the second context, the term is used in the sense of a “television program”. In this context, the term is used to mean any coherent sequence of audio video content such as those which would be interpreted as and reported in an electronic program guide (EPG) as a single television program, without regard for whether the content is a movie, sporting event, segment of a multi-part series, news broadcast, etc. The term may also be interpreted to encompass commercial spots and other program-like content which may not be reported as a program in an electronic program guide. In this discussion, the use of the term “Program” is also generally consistent with that of the MPEG-2 Systems standard (ISO/IEC 13818-1). An MPEG-2 Program has the associated Elementary Stream components, such as for example one video Elementary Stream and one or more audio Elementary Streams.

Reference throughout this document to “one embodiment”, “certain embodiments”, “an embodiment” or similar terms means that a particular feature, structure, or characteristic described in connection with the embodiment is included in at least one embodiment of the present invention. Thus, the appearances of such phrases or in various places throughout this specification are not necessarily all referring to the same embodiment. Furthermore, the particular features, structures, or characteristics may be combined in any suitable manner in one or more embodiments without limitation.

The term “or” as used herein is to be interpreted as an inclusive or meaning any one or any combination. Therefore, “A, B or C” means “any of the following: A; B; C; A and B; A and C; B and C; A, B and C”. An exception to this definition will occur only when a combination of elements, functions, steps or acts are in some way inherently mutually exclusive.

As used herein, the term “television-centric” or “TV-centric” behavior is defined to mean a TV function that can normally result from a television executing a command issued by a viewer such as changing channels, changing a video angle, selecting an alternate audio track, retrieving a Graphical User Interface (GUI) or menu system, retrieving an electronic program guide (EPG), muting audio, etc. Other types of “TV-centric” actions involve activities related to, for example, a user's selection of regular audio or audio designed for the hearing or visually impaired.

For purposes of this document, the terms “Synchronized Widget”, “Triggered Declarative Object”, “Triggerable Declarative Object” and “Triggered Downloadable Object” and similar terms are used synonymously and interchangeably and referred to as a “TDO”. Use of this term and related terms are generally as defined and explained in detail in U.S. patent application Ser. No. 12/959,529 filed Dec. 3, 2010 entitled “Announcement of Triggered Declarative Objects” to Blanchard et al. which is hereby incorporated by reference. However, the Blanchard application defines the content of the TDO and trigger somewhat more rigorously than is required in the general cases since many attributes defined therein as being a part of a TDO could be situated in the trigger or vice versa or not present at all depending upon the function and triggering of a particular TDO. As used herein, the term Triggered Declarative Object or Triggerable Declarative Object (TDO) is a downloadable software object created by a content creator or service provider. Generally, such objects have declarative content (text, graphics, descriptive markup, scripts, and audio) whose function and behavior is tied in some way to the television programming that it accompanies. Note that a TDO is generally considered as “declarative” content to distinguish it from “executable” content such as a Java applet or an application that runs on an operating system platform. While considered declarative, a TDO player supports a scripting language that is an object-oriented programming language. The TDO, in examples shown herein, are received from a service provider in advance of a time defined by a trigger object (as explained below) so that the TDO is available when the trigger arrives. Moreover, an explicit trigger signal may not be necessary and a TDO may be self-triggering or triggered by some action other than receipt of a trigger signal. Various standards bodies may define associated available behaviors, appearance, trigger actions, and transport methods for content and metadata for a TDO. Additionally, requirements regarding timing accuracy of TDO behaviors relative to audio/video may be defined by standards bodies.

As used herein a “trigger” or “announcement trigger” is a data object, bound to a particular item of programming content that references a specific TDO instance, by the use of a file name or identifier for an object that has already been downloaded. Certain TDOs will only make sense in conjunction with a certain program. An example is a TDO that collects viewer response data, such as voting on a game show or contest.

With regard to the exact nature of TDOs and triggers, certain information can be provided in either the TDO or the trigger without limitation. However, the two objects operate in cooperation to produce a desired function when the TDO is executed in a digital television receiver device's internal processor.

The present subject matter involves a user interaction with a TDO which causes TV-centric behaviors such as channel-change, change in video angle, selection of alternate audio tracks, swapping picture in picture images, or channel change (by way of example and not limitation). Interaction with the TDO could also result in the delivery or playback of content delivered in the ATSC Non-Real-Time delivery system (via files in a FLUTE transport for example as disclosed in U.S. patent application Ser. No. 12/584,171 filed Sep. 1, 2009 entitled “Non-Real Time Services” to Eyer, which is hereby incorporated by reference), or making a selection that results in the receiver scheduling the download of a specific item of NRT content. Some NRT content is low-latency; selection of that type of content could result in playback as soon as it was retrieved.

A broadcaster or service provider may have available content that is suited to viewers that prefer content in another language such as Spanish, when it is available, or that is suited to viewers with hearing or vision disabilities. Selection of another language or content suited to viewers with hearing or vision impairments may be considered a TV-centric action in accord with the discussions above.

In the ATSC committee, the general concept of a TDO involves an object having some or all of text, graphics, and scripts (e.g., HTML, XML, EcmaScript etc.) whose functionality is in some way tied to the television programming that the TDO accompanies. The functionality may, for example, exist only for the duration of an advertisement. Or, the functionality may exist and be usable during the program but disappear during the ad segments.

The user can interact with the TDO, for example to configure it to operate in certain ways. A “player monitor” TDO, for example, could allow the user to configure the television to monitor baseball players that are of interest, so the statistics and game performance of those players can be monitored and displayed. A financial portfolio TDO could be configured with the ticker symbols of companies the user is interested in monitoring.

The functionality of TDOs can be extended by standardizing certain additional

XML data structures (element tags and attributes) or scripting language extensions (functions supported by the player) recognized and supported by the TDO rendering engine in the receiver. These data structures (of which a hyperlink is one example) may be referred to as “scripted control objects” or “control objects” for short and include, by way of example:

a. A control object that, if activated, results in a channel change. The metadata in the link defines the target channel.

b. A control object that, if activated, results in selection of an alternate video Elementary Stream (which could, for example, cause a change in viewing angle, or a change to an uncensored or alternate censored version of the content).

c. A control object that, if activated, results in a rendering of a different audio track (alternate language, or a Hearing Impaired or Visually Impaired track).

d. A control object that, if activated, results in scheduling in the receiver to retrieve an indicated item of NRT content (a file that will be made available for download via the NRT system).

e. A control object that, if activated, results in retrieval and immediate rendering of an item of NRT content that is available at low-latency (e.g. with minimal delay to the viewer/user).

f. A control object that determines a parental control setting of a television set and takes an action based upon a content rating of a particular program (e.g., selection of an alternate audio track).

The subject matter described herein is specific to digital television and can apply to terrestrial broadcast, digital cable or satellite, or to IPTV services. In certain preferred implementations, the XML Schema definition used by Intel/Yahoo! widgets can be expanded with new elements and attributes.

Standardization work is underway to specify how TDOs will be defined and transported, and also how the metadata that drives their behavior is defined and transported. In accord with implementations of embodiments consistent with the present invention, user interaction with a TDO involves TV-centric behaviors such as change in video angle, selection of alternate audio tracks, or channel change. Interaction with the TDO could result in the playback of content delivered in the ATSC Non-Real-Time delivery system (via files in a FLUTE transport), or making a selection that results in the receiver scheduling the download of a specific item of NRT content. Some NRT content is low-latency; selection of that type of content would result in playback as soon as it was retrieved.

A TDO that permits a viewer to carry out a TV-centric action may be used for various purposes. In one example, consider that a viewer is viewing terrestrial digital TV channel 11.1. Now, assume that there is a local emergency such as dangerous weather or other matter of urgency that the local broadcaster chooses to cover live and pre-empt network broadcasts. The TDO can be triggered to announce that network programming is being moved to digital television channel 11.2 (presumed to also be under the control of the broadcaster). The user can be given the option to either remain with channel 11.1 to follow the progress of the local emergency or to make a selection that changes channel to channel 11.2 to continue viewing the network programming without interruption. In another scenario, the viewer can be advised that continuous coverage will be provided of the local situation on 11.2 while retaining the network programming on 11.1. The user can then select a scripted control object that changes channels to 11.2 if he or she desires. Many other scenarios are also possible.

In some instances consistent with certain implementations, it may be possible for a viewer to give global authorization for activation of certain types of actions such as activating a particular type of control object. In this example, no occurrence by occurrence activation of a control object may occur, but the control object is nevertheless activated.

Also, as noted above, one scenario contemplated herein is the selection of alternate censorship of either audio Elementary Stream, video Elementary Stream or both. In some cases, the TDO can enable parental control functions to assure that proper parental override is done as needed to unlock an alternate audio or video track (or both). Generally, it is more expensive to send a second video track, so the most likely scenario is for the audio tracks to be a “bleeped version” with an alternate version. In this scenario, the TDO could determine that a selection of a TV-14 rated audio track would be acceptable or not based on a current parental control setting in the TV (for example).

Referring now to FIG. 1, a flow chart 100 depicts an example process carried out in a manner consistent with certain implementations of the present invention starting at 102. At 106 a TDO is received as an object from the service provider or broadcaster. At a later time, the trigger object is received, again as an object from the service provider or broadcaster at 110. At an appropriate time, the TDO is triggered by the trigger object at 114. This action, in this implementation, causes an announcement to be displayed on the television display providing the viewer the opportunity to select a hyperlink or other triggered control object that can cause a TV-centric action to be carried out.

If the viewer selects the triggered control object at 118, the control object is executed and the digital television receiver device executes the control object at 122 causing a TV-centric action defined by the TDO to be carried out at 126. The routine then returns at 130 and the process then proceeds to whatever function is defined by the TDO. If the viewer does not select the control object at 118, the process returns at 130 after a specified delay.

In other implementations, the TDO's TV-centric action may be self-triggering without limitation, as in the case where an action is taken as a result of a parental control setting.

Referring now to FIG. 2, a basic diagram of an example service provider such as a broadcaster is depicted as 200. Generally speaking, a single service provider may provide multiple programs over one or more transport streams. The audio, video, caption data, etc. are provided to an encoder which encodes the data into packets suitable for distribution. The audio and video program material is encoded by audio and video encoders 204 which are then provided to a transport stream multiplexer 408 which then provides an output that can be distributed via a physical channel medium such as cable or satellite broadcast. In this discussion, the use of the term “Program” is generally consistent with that of the MPEG-2 Systems standard (ISO/IEC 13818-1). An MPEG-2 Program includes associated Elementary Stream components, such as for example one video Elementary Stream and one or more audio Elementary Streams. In accord with the implementation described above, the TDO data and its associated trigger data are also provided to the transport stream multiplexer for incorporation into the transport stream using any suitable coding. Multiple such program streams may be provided for and encoded and multiplexed into the transport stream at 208. The service provider may provide the content, TDOs etc. via cable, terrestrial broadcast, satellite or Internet without limitation.

Thus, at a service provider, a data stream may be assembled that includes a stream which pre-delivers a TDO to a digital television receiver device that carries out a programmed routine when the TDO is user activated. The TDO can include a triggered control object that when activated by the viewer implements a television-centric action. The stream can further deliver one or more trigger objects associated with the TDO to the television receiver device, where the trigger object causes execution of the TDO when the user makes an appropriate selection.

A receiver device (e.g., a television set, set-top box, etc.) is depicted as receiver 300 in FIG. 3 wherein content is received via any suitable source such as terrestrial broadcast, cable or satellite at a receiver 300's tuner/demodulator 302. The transport stream including the caption data, TDOs, triggers, etc. from the tuner/demodulator 302 is demultiplexed at demultiplexer 306 into audio and video streams. The audio is decoded at an audio decoder 310 while the video is decoded at a video decoder 314. Uncompressed A/V data may also be received via an uncompressed A/V interface that can be selectively utilized.

A/V content including TDOs, data and triggers may also be received via the Internet 322 via a network interface 326. Additionally, storage 330 can be provided for non-real time (NRT) or Internet-delivered content such as Internet Protocol Television (IPTV). The stored content can be played by demultiplexing at 306 in a manner similar to that of other sources of content. The receiver generally operates under control of a processor such as CPU 338 which is interconnected to working memory 340 and program memory 342 as well as a graphics subsystem 344 via one or more buses such as 350.

The CPU 338 receives closed caption data from the demultiplexer 306 as well as any other information such as TDO announcements and electronic programming guides used for rendering graphic content and passes the information to the graphics subsystem 344 and the images are composited at the compositor and video interface 360 to produce an output suitable for display on a video display.

The CPU 338 operates to carry out various processes within the context of the subject matter disclosed herein including trigger times and browser operations such as accessing a service specified by a URL given by the TDO or trigger. CPU 338 further operates to execute script objects (control objects) contained in the TDO and/or its trigger(s).

CPU 338 also operates to oversee control of the digital television receiver including the tuner/demodulator 302 and other television resources. Connection to such systems is not shown to avoid cluttering the drawing, but will be understood by those skilled in the art upon consideration of the present teachings. Hence, when the CPU 338 executes a TV-centric command consistent with the teachings herein, the CPU 338 is enabled to change operational parameters of the digital television receiver device, for example to change channels, volume, etc. as dictated by the TDO's TV-centric command.

The operation in processing TDOs is depicted in a more processor-centric view in FIG. 4. Memory and storage 330, 340 and 342 are depicted collectively as 600 in FIG. 4 for convenience. Similarly, the various demodulators, decoders, etc. that initially process digital television signals are collectively depicted as 604. The television receiver device of FIG. 4 is further depicted as having a remote controller 610 which communicates with a remote controller interface 616. Additionally, the display 620 is depicted explicitly for completeness and may represent either an integral display as in a television set or a connected display device as in the case where the receiver device is integrated into a set-top box.

Memory 600 contains various functional program modules and data. When a TDO object is received, the TDO 634 is stored at memory 600 along with a hyperlink or other triggered control object that when activated will cause execution of a TV-centric action when triggered and executed on CPU 338. This TDO storage and execution is carried out at TDO handler 638 which may be integral to a browser 650. The TDO, when executed may present an announcement, generally defined within the TDO, to the viewer which permits the viewer to execute a TV-centric command by selection of the control object (e.g., by use of remote controller 610) as previously described.

Thus, a method consistent with certain implementations involves receiving by pre-delivery a triggered declarative object (TDO) at a digital television receiver device that carries out a programmed routine when viewer or activated; the TDO including a scripted control object that when activated (e.g., by the viewer) implements a television-centric action; receiving a signal (e.g., representing a viewer activation) of the scripted control object; and carrying out the television-centric action upon receipt of the signal, where activation of the scripted control object results in a channel change to a target channel and where the TDO identifies the target channel.

Another method involves receiving by pre-delivery a triggered declarative object (TDO) at a digital television receiver device that carries out a programmed routine, for example when viewer activated or when self-triggered; the TDO including a scripted control object that when activated (e.g., by the viewer) implements a television-centric action; receiving a signal (e.g., as a result of viewer activation or as a result of information being received from a stored television parameter such as a parental control setting) of the scripted control object; and executing the scripted control object upon receipt of the signal.

In certain implementations, the TDO includes data defining an announcement that is made when the TDO is activated by the trigger, where the announcement provides the viewer with information about the television-centric action. In certain implementations, upon receiving the signal (e.g, representing the user activation of the scripted control object), the television-centric action is carried out. In certain implementations, selection of the scripted control object results in a channel change to a target channel. In certain implementations, the TDO identifies the target channel.

In certain implementations, selection of the scripted control object results in selection of an alternate video Elementary Stream. In certain implementations, the alternate video Elementary Stream comprises a video Elementary Stream that carries an alternate viewing angle. In certain implementations, selection of the scripted control object results in a rendering of an alternate audio track.

In certain implementations, selection of the scripted control object results in selection of an alternate video Elementary Stream that carries a version of the content having alternate censorship. In certain implementations, the TDO may be received via a satellite broadcast, a cable television transmission, a terrestrial television broadcast or the Internet. In certain implementations, the TDO is activated by viewer selection of the control object while in other implementations, the TDO may be self-triggered or triggered by some other action or circumstance. In certain implementations, the TDO determines a parental control setting of the television receiver device and takes an action consistent with the parental rating.

A storage device such as a non-transitory computer readable storage medium can store instructions which, when executed on one or more programmed processors, carry out any of the methods described herein.

A device consistent with certain implementations has a digital television receiver device that receives a triggered declarative object (TDO) to a digital television receiver device that carries out a programmed routine (e.g., when viewer activated or self-triggered or self-started). The TDO has a scripted control object that (e.g., when activated by the viewer) implements a television-centric action. A receiver receives a signal (e.g., as a result of view activation of the scripted control object). A processor executes the scripted control object upon receipt of the signal.

In certain implementations, the TDO includes data defining an announcement that is made with the TDO is activated by the trigger, where the announcement provides the viewer with information about the television-centric action. In certain implementations, selection of the scripted control object results in a channel change to a target channel. In certain implementations, the TDO identifies the target channel. In certain implementations, selection of the scripted control object results in selection of an alternate video Elementary Stream. In certain implementations, the alternate video Elementary Stream carries one of an alternate viewing angle or a version of the content having alternate censorship. In certain implementations, selection of the scripted control object results in a rendering of an alternate audio track. In certain implementations, selection of the scripted control object results in selection of an alternate video Elementary Stream that carries a version of the content having alternate censorship. In certain implementations, the TDOs may be received via a satellite broadcast, a cable television transmission, a terrestrial television broadcast or the Internet.

Another device consistent with certain implementations has a digital television receiver device configured to receive a triggered declarative object (TDO) that carries out a programmed routine when activated. The TDO includes a scripted control object that when activated implements a television-centric action. A receiver is configured to receive a signal that activates the scripted control object. A processor is programmed to execute the scripted control object upon receipt of the signal.

In certain implementations, the TDO includes data defining an announcement that is made with the TDO is activated by the trigger, where the announcement provides the viewer with information about the television-centric action. In certain implementations, selection of the scripted control object results in a channel change to a target channel. In certain implementations, the TDO identifies the target channel. In certain implementations, selection of the scripted control object results in selection of an alternate video Elementary Stream. In certain implementations, the alternate video Elementary Stream carries one of an alternate viewing angle or a version of the content having alternate censorship. In certain implementations, selection of the scripted control object results in a rendering of an alternate audio track. In certain implementations, selection of the scripted control object results in selection of an alternate video Elementary Stream that carries a version of the content having alternate censorship. In certain implementations, the TDOs may be received via a satellite broadcast, a cable television transmission, a terrestrial television broadcast or the Internet.

Those skilled in the art will recognize, upon consideration of the above teachings, that certain of the above exemplary embodiments are based upon use of a programmed processor. However, the invention is not limited to such exemplary embodiments, since other embodiments could be implemented using hardware component equivalents such as special purpose hardware and/or dedicated processors. Similarly, general purpose computers, microprocessor based computers, micro-controllers, optical computers, analog computers, dedicated processors, application specific circuits and/or dedicated hard wired logic may be used to construct alternative equivalent embodiments.

Those skilled in the art will appreciate, upon consideration of the above teachings, that the program operations and processes and associated data used to implement certain of the embodiments described above can be implemented using disc storage as well as other forms of storage such as non-transitory storage devices including as for example Read Only Memory (ROM) devices, Random Access Memory (RAM) devices, network memory devices, optical storage elements, magnetic storage elements, magneto-optical storage elements, flash memory, core memory and/or other equivalent volatile and non-volatile storage technologies without departing from certain embodiments of the present invention. The term non-transitory does not suggest that information cannot be lost by virtue of removal of power or other actions. Such alternative storage devices should be considered equivalents.

Certain embodiments described herein, are or may be implemented using a programmed processor executing programming instructions that are broadly described above in flow chart form that can be stored on any suitable electronic or computer readable storage medium. However, those skilled in the art will appreciate, upon consideration of the present teaching, that the processes described above can be implemented in any number of variations and in many suitable programming languages without departing from embodiments of the present invention. For example, the order of certain operations carried out can often be varied, additional operations can be added or operations can be deleted without departing from certain embodiments of the invention. Error trapping can be added and/or enhanced and variations can be made in operational flow, user interface and information presentation without departing from certain embodiments of the present invention. Such variations are contemplated and considered equivalent.

While certain illustrative embodiments have been described, it is evident that many alternatives, modifications, permutations and variations will become apparent to those skilled in the art in light of the foregoing description.

Claims

1. A method, comprising:

receiving a triggered declarative object (TDO) at a digital television receiver device that carries out a programmed routine when viewer activated;

the TDO including a scripted control object that when activated by the viewer implements a television-centric action;

receiving a signal representing a user activation of the scripted control object; and

carrying out the television-centric action upon receipt of the signal, where activation of the scripted control object results in a channel change to a target channel and where the TDO identifies the target channel.

2. A method, comprising:

receiving a triggered declarative object (TDO) at a digital television receiver device that carries out a programmed routine;

the TDO including a scripted control object that when activated implements a television-centric action;

receiving a signal that activates the scripted control object; and

executing the scripted control object upon receipt of the signal.

3. The method according to claim 2, where the TDO includes data defining an announcement that is made when the TDO is activated by the trigger, where the announcement provides a viewer with information about the television-centric action.

4. The method according to claim 2, further comprising upon receiving the signal activating the scripted control object, carrying out the television-centric action.

5. The method according to claim 2, where receiving the signal activates the scripted control object and results in a channel change to a target channel.

6. The method according to claim 5, where the TDO identifies the target channel.

7. The method according to claim 2, where activation of the scripted control object results in selection of an alternate video Elementary Stream.

8. The method according to claim 7, where the alternate video Elementary Stream comprises a video Elementary Stream that carries an alternate viewing angle.

9. The method according to claim 2, where selection of the scripted control object results in a rendering of an alternate audio track.

10. The method according to claim 2, where activation of the scripted control object results in selection of an alternate Elementary Stream that carries a version of the content having alternate censorship.

11. The method according to claim 2, where the TDO is received via at least one of a satellite broadcast, a cable television transmission, a terrestrial television broadcast and the Internet.

12. The method according to claim 2, where the TDO is activated by a viewer selection of the control object.

13. The method according to claim 2, where the TDO determines a parental control setting of the television receiver device and takes an action consistent with the parental rating.

14. A non-transitory computer readable storage medium storing instructions which, when executed on one or more programmed processors, carry out a method according to claim 2.

15. A device, comprising:

a digital television receiver device configured to receive a triggered declarative object (TDO) that carries out a programmed routine when activated;

the TDO including a scripted control object that when activated implements a television-centric action; and

a receiver configured to receive a signal that activates the scripted control object; and

a processor programmed to execute the scripted control object upon receipt of the signal.

16. The device according to claim 15, where the TDO includes data defining an announcement that is made with the TDO is activated by the trigger, where the announcement provides the viewer with information about the television-centric action.

17. The device according to claim 15, where selection of the scripted control object results in a channel change to a target channel.

18. The device according to claim 15, where the TDO identifies the target channel.

19. The device according to claim 15, where activation of the scripted control object results in selection of an alternate video Elementary Stream.

20. The device according to claim 19, where the alternate video Elementary Stream carries an alternate viewing angle.

21. The device according to claim 15, where activation of the scripted control object results in a rendering of an alternate audio track.

22. The device according to claim 15, where activation of the scripted control object results in selection of at least one alternate Elementary Stream that carries a version of the content having alternate censorship.

23. The device according to claim 15, where the TDO is received via at least one of a satellite broadcast, a cable television transmission, a terrestrial television broadcast and the Internet.

24. The device according to claim 15, where the TDO is activated by viewer selection of the control object.

25. The device according to claim 15, where the TDO determines a parental control setting of the television receiver device and takes an action consistent with the parental rating.

26. A device, comprising:

a digital television receiver device that receives a triggered declarative object (TDO) that carries out a programmed routine when activated;

the TDO further including a scripted control object that when activated implements a television-centric action; and

a receiver that receives a signal that activates the scripted control object; and

a processor that executes the scripted control object upon receipt of the signal.

27. The device according to claim 26, where the TDO includes data defining an announcement that is made with the TDO is activated by the trigger, where the announcement provides the viewer with information about the television-centric action.

28. The device according to claim 26, where selection of the scripted control object results in at least one of:

a channel change to a target channel, where the TDO identifies the target channel;

selection of an alternate video Elementary Stream;

rendering of an alternate audio track

selection of at least one alternate Elementary Stream that carries a version of the content having alternate censorship or an alternate viewing angle.

29. The device according to claim 26, where the TDO is received via at least one of a satellite broadcast, a cable television transmission, a terrestrial television broadcast and the Internet.

30. The device according to claim 26, where the TDO is activated by viewer selection of the control object.

31. The device according to claim 26, where the TDO determines a parental control setting of the television receiver device and takes an action consistent with the parental rating.