Patent ID: 8615163

Claim:
A computing system including a hardware-implemented controller and non-transitory computer-readable storage media, the computing system configured in part as a framework for creating programmed functionalities in interactive media applications or audiovideo content that execute on a virtual machine, the computing system configured to: a. execute computer program instructions stored in the non-transitory computer-readable storage media to provide a framework having a user interface, the framework including a hierarchically-arranged plurality of levels, each level including at least one package defining at least one class which may be employed in the creation of the programmed functionalities, the plurality of levels providing respective varying degrees of abstraction from high-level abstraction to low-level abstraction, a lower level hiding implementation details of a given programmed functionality from a higher level, the degree of abstraction exposed by the framework to a framework user being user-selectable through the user interface, a highest level of abstraction exposing programmable functionality through the user interface according to user-selection, the exposed functionality at the highest level being uniquely associated with a specific interactive media application or audiovideo content, at least one intermediate level of abstraction exposing functionality through the user interface according to user-selection, the exposed functionality at the at least one intermediate level either i) being common to a plurality of related interactive media applications or audiovideo content or ii) providing generic support for unrelated interactive media applications or audiovideo content, and a lowest level of abstraction exposing functionality through the user interface according to user-selection, the exposed functionality at the lowest level enabling direct manipulation of operation of the virtual machine; b. execute computer program instructions stored in the non-transitory computer-readable storage media to receive a user-defined specification, the user-defined specification having defined functionality and corresponding to an interactive media application or audiovideo content or both and the user-defined specification causing the instantiation of at least one object from the defined class when the interactive media application or audiovideo content is run; and c. execute computer program instructions stored in the non-transitory computer-readable storage media to create a computer-readable disc or disc image, the computer-readable disc or disc image including a tangible copy of the interactive media application or audiovideo content, the interactive media application or audiovideo content embodying the functionality called for in the user-defined specification.