Patent ID: 6530084
Filing Date: 2003-03-04
Classification: H04N

Abstract:
A method in a computer system for controlling execution of interactive applications by a broadcast receiver, the method comprising:tuning, by the broadcast receiver, to a channel on which a broadcast program is being transmitted; receiving by the broadcast receiver an interactive application associated with the broadcast program, a first defined time period, during which an option to execute the application may be offered to a viewer, a second defined time period, during which execution of the application may be started, and a third defined time period, during which the application may be executed, wherein the third defined time period begins and ends during the transmission of the broadcast program, wherein the first defined time period and the second defined time period do not begin prior to the third defined time period, wherein the first defined time period and the second defined time period end prior to the third defined time period, and wherein all three defined time periods are not null; and controlling execution timing of the interactive application by the broadcast receiver according to the defined time periods.