Patent ID: 8646021
Filing Date: 2014-02-04
Classification: H04N

Abstract:
1. A method comprising: retrieving a program map table of a media stream, wherein the program map table includes a plurality of private descriptor fields that permit user specified tag values configuring one of the descriptor fields to have a bit value indicating that the media stream is associated with an interactive application; configuring another one of the descriptor fields to indicate a command for controlling the interactive application; and initiating delivery of the media stream to a set-top box, wherein the interactive application is stored separate from the media stream and is retrieved for execution within the set-top box when launched for execution, wherein the interactive application interrupts playing of the media stream and requires a viewer of the media stream to wait a predetermined time interval before the viewer is provided an option to quit the interactive application and resume the media stream, wherein the media stream includes a Motion Pictures Expert Group (MPEG) transport stream, and the program map table provides mapping between a plurality of program numbers and a plurality of program elements, and wherein the set-top box is configured to instantiate the interactive application and to execute the instantiated interactive application.