GB2471117A

GB2471117A - A digital television system and method for loading a service request application

Info

Publication number: GB2471117A
Application number: GB0910462A
Authority: GB
Inventors: Andrew Sheppard
Original assignee: Samsung Electronics Co Ltd
Current assignee: Samsung Electronics Co Ltd
Priority date: 2009-06-17
Filing date: 2009-06-17
Publication date: 2010-12-22
Anticipated expiration: 2029-06-17
Also published as: GB0910462D0; GB2471117B

Abstract

A digital television system is disclosed, which is tunable to different channels. Each channel having a respective application (for example an MHEG application) associated with it for example an electronic program guide (EPG). The system is adapted to load, and run the application associated with the channel to which the system is tuned such that a user can interact with the application. The system further comprises: input means to select a channel S1 and to make a service request S4. A memory stores status date S7 indicative of whether each application is responsive S10 or non-responsive to the service request. The system is further adapted to respond to a channel selection by tuning to the selected channel and beginning a process of loading and then running the associated application S6, S9. The system is further adapted to respond to a service request made after the channel selection but before the associated application is fully loaded and/or running by determining whether the memory means contains status data S7 for the associated application; and If the memory means contains status data indicative that the associated application is not responsive to the service request, beginning a process of loading and then running a different application S11, the different application being responsive to the service request.

Description

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DIGITAL TELEVISION SYSTEM

Field of the Invention

The present invention relates to the field of digital television systems tunable at least to a plurality of different channels, each channel having a respective application associated with it, and the systems being adapted to load and run respective applications associated with channels to which the systems are tuned such that a user can interact with the respective applications.

Background to the Invention

Digital television systems of the type described above are well known. In such systems, when a user selects a channel (by operation of input means such as a remote control device, or buttons on a digital television receiver or a television itself) the system tunes to the selected channel and, if the selected channel is one which has an application associated with it, begins a process of loading and then running the associated application. While the application is loading, and ** before the application is running, it is possible for the user to make a service request (i.e. a : request for a service associated with the digital television system to be provided) by further * S..

.eo operation of the input means. A problem therefore arises, namely how the system should * *. respond to this service request while the application associated with the currently selected channel is being loaded. In the past, one way of handling such a service request has been to ignore it until the associated application is fully loaded and running. Clearly, this results in the : ** user experiencing a delay. Furthermore, it may be the case that the application, when running, is unable to respond to the service request. Again, this is undesirable from the user's perspective.

Certain embodiments of the invention address these problems.

Certain embodiments are concerned with particular problems associated with how to respond to a user making a service request for an electronic program guide (EPG), for example by pressing an EPG key on a remote control device, while an application is being loaded and before that application is running. Thus, particular embodiments are concerned with EPG key handling in environments with mixed EPG and non-EPG MHEG-5 applications, and before the MHEG-5 application is running. It will be appreciated that MHEG applications are applications relating to the presentation of multimedia information, standardised by the multimedia and hypermedia experts group (MHEG). For example MHEG-5 is an MHEG standard commonly

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used as language to describe interactive television services. MHEG-5 is an object-based declarative programming language which can be used to describe presentation of text, images and video. An MHEG-5 application consists of a number of scenes which the user of the application can move between. Each scene lists the items of text and graphics to be presented and can contain blocks of procedural code which are executed in response to one of a predefined set of events, such as keys being pressed. MHEG-5 is defined in iso13522-5. For brevity, in the rest of this specification, including the claims, the term MHEG is used to refer to MHEG-5.

In general, certain MHEG applications are responsive to the EPG key and provide an EPG as an MHEG application. Alternative MHEG applications (which we shall refer to as non-EPG applications) are not adapted to provide an EPG in response to an EPG key being pressed, and provision of an EPG to the user must instead be provided by an alternative application, such as a native, Eli based guide (where Eli represents event information table or electronic information technology).

Thus, to reiterate, certain embodiments of the invention apply to MHEG environments that use the EPG key with the intention of providing an EPG as an MHEG application rather than using .. : the native, EIT based guide. * *** S *

: There are two particular problems associated with such environments. *S.*

Firstly, until an MHEG application (associated with the channel to which the system is currently : *. tuned) starts running, the MHEG system is, in the prior art, expected to ignore key presses. In many systems there are tests to ensure that this happens for most keys. This means that for * environments where the EPG is an MHEG application, there is a window of time between changing channel and the MHEG application starting running, in which the EPG key either does not work (i.e. there appears to be no action following its pressing by a user) or the pressing of the EPG key results in a native guide starting (as is the case in prior art systems in which the EPG key press while the MHEG application is not ignored). Clearly, the delay is undesirable from a user's perspective. Also, the starting of the native guide in response to the EPG key press while the application is loading may be undesirable if the application is one which would eventually support the EPG key press (in other words, when the application is finally loaded and running it may be one which is able to accommodate the request for an EPG by the user, without having to resort to running the alternative, native guide.

A second problem is concerned with environments in which some services have an MHEG EPG and other services use the native EPG. In such environments, it has been known essentially to ignore an EPG key press while the MHEG application is loading, and wait for the MHEG application to load and run before deciding how the EPG request should be handled. Clearly, in some instances this has resulted in a user having to wait for an MHEG application to load, only for the system then to find out that the MHEG application is not able to respond to the EPG request, and deciding that the alternative, native guide should be used instead.

To reiterate, prior art systems have relied on a relatively simple processing of the EPG key. If an MHEG application is loading, but has not started, then the MHEG component will ignore the pressing of an EPG key. In the case of New Zealand, the native guide is disabled so this results in a "not available" message being displayed on the television. In Hong Kong, the system is adapted differently, and if the MHEG component has not started, the pressing of an EPG key results in the native guide being launched (regardless of the fact that the MHEG application being loaded would eventually be able to handle the EPG request). Thus, the user in Hong Kong is presented with the native guide, when they would be expecting an MHEG EPG to start.

: It is an object of embodiments of the invention to obviate, mitigate, or overcome at least partly *...

Q. at least one of the problems associated with the prior art. * �S

:.* Summary of the Invention

: * According to a first aspect of the present invention, there is provided a digital television system tunable to a plurality of different channels, each said channel having a respective application * associated with it, the system being adapted to load, from at least one source, and run a respective application associated with a channel to which the system is tuned such that a user can interact with the respective application, the system further comprising: input means operable by a user to select a channel from said plurality and further operable to make a service request; and memory means adapted to store status data indicative of whether each application is responsive or non-responsive to said service request, the system being further adapted to respond to a channel selection by tuning to the selected channel and beginning a process of loading and then running the associated application, the system being further adapted to respond to a service request made after said channel selection but before said associated application is fully loaded and/or running by: determining whether said memory means contains status data for said associated application; and if the memory means contains status data indicative that the associated application is not responsive to the service request, beginning a process of loading and then running a different application, the different application being responsive to said service request.

It will be appreciated that the term "status data" is merely a label for the data indicative of whether each application is responsive or non-responsive to the service request, and this data could equally just simply be labelled "data".

It will also be appreciated that although the system is tunable to a plurality of different channels with respective applications associated with them, the system may be further tunable to other channels which do not have applications associated with them.

The respective applications may be loaded from a single source, or from a plurality of sources.

For example, an application may be loaded at least partly from a remote source, via a satellite S...

.. : receiver and/or may be at least partly loaded from a local source, such as a memory of the *.

*,Q' system itself, such as memory in a digital television receiver of the system. * S*

:.. The system may be further adapted to respond to a channel selection by outputting at least one of audio and video content of the selected channel, but it will be appreciated that at least some * *. of the different channels may not have audio and/or video content associated with them; for 5' example they may be data channels.

An advantage of a system according to this first aspect of the invention is that it can avoid delays associated with prior art systems. If the system embodying the invention determines that the application being loaded will not be able to handle the service request then the different application, which can handle the service request, can begin loading immediately. Thus, delays are reduced and the user experiences a more responsive system. It is no longer necessary for the system to wait until the associated application is fully loaded. Also, problems associated with prior art systems in which a native guide was automatically launched, even if the application being loaded could handle the service request eventually, are avoided, because the different application is launched (i.e. the process of loading and running it is begun) in response to determining from the stored status data that the associated application being loaded is not one that will be responsive to the service request.

In certain embodiments the system is further adapted to respond to said channel selection by making a determination, before running said associated application, whether said associated application is responsive or non-responsive to said service request, and storing status data for said associated application in said memory means.

Thus, the system may be adapted so as to be able to add to and update the status data stored ri the memory means. The system is therefore able to respond to changes in capabilities of various applications, for example an application which was previously non-responsive to an EPG request may have changed so that the version now being loaded is EPG-compatible.

When this assessment is made, the status data is updated, so that the next time the application is loaded the system can respond to the pressing of an EPG in the appropriate manner.

In certain embodiments, the system is adapted to make said determination and store said data before processing any further input made with the input means. The system may be adapted to store said status data after a synchronisation action queue has been initiated and before storing any further inputs made with the input means. In other words, the storing of the status data may be stored before the processing of input has started. The status data may be stored after S...

: the synchronisation action queue has been initiated and before the keys (inputs) are stored. *.

W. The synchronisation action queue in certain embodiments may change an input register that * ** contains the information as to the EPG or non-EPG status of an application, and in certain embodiments the status data reflects changes made in the input register.

: *, As mentioned above, an application in certain embodiments may be loaded from a remote location and/or at least partially stored in a receiver of the system.

In certain embodiments, the signals may or may not have MHEG active, and a recognition of the MHEG may be signalled in the PMT. A program map table (PMT) is an aspect of the broadcast service information (SI). It is defined in ISO/IEC 13818-1. It defines the components of a service, for example which video should be visible, what audio, what subtitles, alternative audio in different languages etc. Each component is described by a descriptor' which is contained within the PMT. The PMT contains a set of descriptors; it is not a defined number but there are some practical limits. Without a PMT there is no service as there is no way of starting audio or video. One of the descriptors is databroadcast_id. This contains the data necessary to load MHEG. If the descriptor is not present, or contains non-MHEG data then MHEG is not available on the service and will not start. Further detail on PMT can be found in lSO/IEC 1381 8-1, lSO/IEC, Third edition 2007-10-15.

In certain embodiments, if it is determined that the application being loaded is an MHEG application that does not handle an EPG request, a native application is launched. We can think of two classes of application in this content. A native application can be regarded as an application built into the receiver. Thus, when one presses the tv guide' button on a Sky (RTM) remote one is running a native application. A native applicative is therefore like an installed application on a PC. The second class of application is a broadcast application. This type of application is not built into the receiver, and is downloaded from an external source and executed. An example of a broadcast application may be obtained on the Sky (RTM) system by pressing the red button while on channel BBC 1, and checking the weather or the football results.

In certain embodiments, if the memory means contains status data indicative of the associated application is not responsive to the service request, the process of loading and then running the associated application is not terminated, but the service request is passed to another component or handler.

In certain embodiments, said different application is not one of said applications associated with the respective channel. * * . ** * ***S

21. In certain embodiments, said different application is a native application. * S.

In certain embodiments, said service request is a request for an EPG. In such embodiments, said different application may be an EPG application. * *.

:5. In certain embodiments, the input means comprises an EPG key, and the input means is * operable to make said service request by operating said EPG key.

In certain embodiments, the method is further adapted to continue with said process of loading and running the associated application in parallel with said process of loading and running said different application.

In certain embodiments, the system is further adapted after determining whether said memory means contains status data for said associated application, to continue said process of loading and then running the associated application and not begin said process of loading and then running said different application, if the memory means either contains no status data for the associated application or contains status data indicative that the associated application is responsive to the service request.

In certain embodiments, the system comprises a digital television receiver, the digital television receiver comprising the memory means.

In certain embodiments, the applications associated with respective channels are MHEG applications.

According to a second aspect of the invention there is provided a digital television system tunable to a plurality of different channels, each said channel having a respective application associated with it, the system being adapted to load, from at least one source, and run a respective application associated with a channel to which the system is tuned such that a user can interact with the respective application, the system further comprising: input means operable by a user to select a channel from said plurality and further operable to make a service request; and memory means adapted to store status data indicative of whether each application is responsive or non-responsive to said service request, the system being further adapted to respond to a channel selection by tuning to the * ..* selected channel, beginning a process of loading and then running the associated application, * *** *0,* making a determination, before running said associated application, whether said associated * application is responsive or non-responsive to said service request, and storing status data for :.. said associated application in said memory means.

* ** It will be appreciated that this system in accordance with a second aspect may further comprise :. any one feature or any combination of features of the above-mentioned systems embodying the * first aspect of the invention.

According to another aspect of the invention, there is provided a digital television receiver tunable to a plurality of different channels, each said channel having a respective application associated with it, the receiver being adapted to load, from at least one source, and run a respective application associated with a channel to which the receiver is tuned such that a user can interact with the respective application, the receiver being adapted to receive a channel selection command to select a channel from said plurality and to receive a service request, the receiver comprising memory means adapted to store status data indicative of whether each application is responsive or non-responsive to said service request, the receiver being further adapted to respond to a channel selection command by tuning to the selected channel and beginning a process of loading and then running the associated application, the receiver being further adapted to respond to a service request made after said channel selection command but before said associated application is fully loaded and/or running by: determining whether said memory means contains status data for said associated application; and if the memory means contains status data indicative that the associated application is not responsive to the service request, beginning a process of loading and then running a different application, the different application being responsive to said service request.

According to another aspect of the invention, there is provided a digital television receiver tunable to a plurality of different channels, each said channel having a respective application associated with it, the receiver being adapted to load, from at least one source, and run a respective application associated with a channel to which the receiver is tuned such that a user can interact with the respective application, the receiver being adapted to receive a channel selection command to select a channel * ..* : from said plurality and to receive a service request, * *** the receiver comprising memory means adapted to store status data indicative of * whether each application is responsive or non-responsive to said service request, the receiver being further adapted to respond to a channel selection command by tuning to the selected channel, beginning a process of loading and then running the associated * ** application, making a determination, before running said associated application, whether said ::2. associated application is responsive or non-responsive to said service request, and storing * status data for said associated application in said memory means.

It will be appreciated that these digital television receivers embodying the invention may be further adapted to include any one or any combination of features corresponding to those described above with regard to other aspects and embodiments of the invention.

According to another aspect of the invention there is provided a method of operating a digital television system tunable to a plurality of different channels, each said channel having a respective application associated with it, the system being adapted to load, from at least one source, and run a respective application associated with a channel to which the system is tuned such that a user can interact with the respective application, and comprising memory means, the method comprising: responding to a channel selection by tuning to the selected channel and beginning a process of loading and then running the associated application; and responding to a service request made after said channel selection but before said associated application is fully loaded and/or running by: determining whether said memory means contains status data indicative of whether said associated application is responsive or non-responsive to said service request; and if the memory means contains status data indicative that the associated application is not responsive to the service request, beginning a process of loading and then running a different application, the different application being responsive to said service request.

According to another aspect of the invention there is provided a method of operating a digital television system tunable to a plurality of different channels, each said channel having a respective app'ication associated with it, the system being adapted to load, from at least one source, and run a respective application associated with a channel to which the system is tuned 1 5 such that a user can interact with the respective application, and comprising memory means, the method comprising: responding to a channel selection command by tuning to the selected channel, beginning a process of loading and then running the associated application, making a .. : determination, before running said associated application, whether said associated application * S..

*Q* is responsive or non-responsive to said service request, and storing status data indicative of * whether said associated application is responsive or non-responsive to said service request in :. said memory means.

* *. Again, methods embodying the invention may further comprise any feature or combination of features corresponding to features described above in relation to other aspects and * embodiments of the invention.

According to another aspect of the invention there is provided a method of responding to a service request made while a digital television system is loading an application associated with a channel to which the system is tuned, the method comprising: determining whether a memory means contains status data indicative of whether the associated application is responsive or non-responsive to said service request; and if the memory means contains status data indicative that the associated application is not responsive to the service request, beginning a process of loading and then running a different application, the different application being responsive to said service request.

Once again, embodiments of this method may be adapted to include one or more features, or any combination of features, corresponding to those described above in relation to other aspects and embodiments of the invention.

In certain embodiments, the method is a method of responding to an EPG request made while an MHEG application is loading.

Brief Description of the Drawings

Embodiments of the invention will now be described with reference to the accompanying drawings, of which: Fig. 1 is a schematic representation of a digital television system embodying the present invention; Fig. 2 is a flow chart illustrating steps in a method embodying the invention; Fig. 3 is a flow chart illustrating the booting of an application in certain embodiments of the * . . * Inventfon; * .I* * ,r* * *., : * Fig. 4 illustrates a notification state machine in certain embodiments of the invention; *. IS Fig. 5 illustrates an EPG key state machine in certain embodiments of the invention; and * *. * S S

Fig. 6 is a flow chart illustrating part of a method embodying the invention.

Description of Embodiments of the Invention

Referring now to Fig. 1, this is a highly schematic representation of a digital television system embodying the invention. The system comprises a digital television receiver 1 arranged to receive a signal from receiving means 2, which in this example comprises a parabolic reflector 21 and a low noise amplifier (or low noise box) 22, via a connection 102. However, it will be appreciated that in alternative embodiments the receiving means may take an alternative form, e.g. it may be a normal, terrestrial antenna. In other words, certain embodiments may be terrestrial systems, whilst other embodiments may be satellite systems. Furthermore, although Fig. 1 shows delivery via satellite, it will be appreciated that in other embodiments the signal may be received from other sources. Any source delivering a digital TV service may conceivably be used, examples of these including terrestrial aerial, digital cable, a recording on a PVR (Personal Video Recorder) or a conditional access module. Returning to the embodiment in fig. 1, the receiver 1 also supplies power and control signals to the low noise amplifier 22 via connection 102. The signals from the receiving means 2 are directed to signal processing means 11 of the receiver 1, and this signal processing means may also be referred to as a control unit 11 The digital television receiver 1 also comprises a memory 12, local input means 15 comprising a plurality of buttons or keys 151 operable by a user, and a wireless signal receiver 13 arranged to receive wireless command signals 50 from a remote control device 5, again operable by a user. This remote control device also comprises a plurality of keys or buttons 51 which the user can operate to select channels, input service requests, and perform a variety of other functions known in the prior art. The processing means 11 of the receiver 1 is also connected to a telephone line by connection 106 and connector 6 in this example (although in other embodiments a telephone connection may not be required, and indeed may not be present). The receiver is also connected, via connection 104, to a mains power source 4. This mains power source also supplies power to a television 3, which forms part of the system, and is arranged to receive video, audio, and data signals as appropriate via connection 103 from the receiver processing means 11. The system as a whole is tunable to at least a plurality of different channels that each have a respective application associated with *..S : them. A user is able to select a channel by suitable operation of the remote control device 5 or * *1.

local input means 15. When a channel selection is made, the digital receiver 1 is adapted to * respond by tuning to the selected channel (which can also include appropriate control of the receiver means 2), begin outputting audio and/or video, via the television 3, for the channel to which it is tuned, and is also adapted to begin a process of loading and then running an * *. application associated with the selected channel. This loading of the associated application may comprise loading from a remote source via the receiving means 2 and/or loading from the * memory 12. While the application associated with the currently selected channel is being loaded, a user may make a service request using either input means 5, 15, and this service request may, for example, be a request for an EPG. Rather than simply ignoring this request, or immediately processing it with a different application, as in the prior art, the digital television receiver 1 of this embodiment of the invention is adapted to determine whether the memory 12 contains status data for the currently-loading application indicative of whether the application is responsive or non-responsive to the service request. If the receiver or receiving unit 1 determines that the memory 12 contains status data indicative of the currently loading application is not an application responsive to the received service request, then the receiver is arranged to begin a process of loading and then running a different application which is responsive to the service request.

Alternatively, if the digital television receiver I determines that the memory 12 contains no status data for the currently-loading application, or contains status data indicating that the currently-loading application is an application responsive to the received service request, then a different application is not launched; instead, the process of loading the current application is completed, and then that application, when running, handles the received request.

Thus, it will be appreciated that the system shown in Fig. 1 is adapted to implement a method embodying the invention, and as illustrated in Fig. 2. Looking at Fig. 2, in a first step Si, a user selects a channel. Then, in step S2 the system tunes to the selected channel, and in step S3 the system begins loading the application associated with the selected channel. In step S4, a determination is made as to whether an EPG key has been pressed. (It will be appreciated that this is merely one example of a service request, and in alternative embodiments, a request for a service other than an EPG may be made). If the result of step S4 is negative, then the method proceeds to step S5 in which a determination is made as to whether the application associated with the currently selected channel is ready to run. If it is not, then the method proceeds to step S6 in which loading of the associated application is continued, and the method then returns to step S4. In step S5, if the application is ready to run, then the method proceeds to step S9 in which the loaded application is run. * * * ** *

O Returning to step S4, if it is determined that the EPG key has been pressed, the method * proceeds to step S7 in which a determination is made as to whether the memory contains any status data for the currently-loading application. If no such data is available, then the method proceeds to step S8 in which loading of the associated application is completed, before * , proceeding to step S9. If status data is available, then the method proceeds from step S7 to step Sb, in which a determination is made as to whether the status data indicates that the currently-loading application is an application that is (will be) responsive to the EPG request (according, of course, to the current state of information contained in the memory). If step SiO determines that the currently-loading application is not an EPG application, then the method proceeds to step Sil in which the system begins a process of loading and then running a different application which is able to handle the EPG request. Alternatively, if step SlO determines that the currently-loading application is an EPG application then the method proceeds to step S8, in which loading of the application is completed, before proceeding to run the application in step S9 here, the running application can then respond to the service request (EPG request), for example by providing the user with an EPG via the running application (e.g. an MHEG application). Step S9 may thus be a termination state in certain embodiments. It will be appreciated that, with regard to step Si 1, the "loading" of the different application may not be required in certain embodiments, as the different application may already be loaded. Thus, in certain embodiments, step Si 1 may just comprise running the different application.

It will be appreciated from the above that certain embodiments of the invention provide the following advantages: they ensure that the EPG key is handled at all times.

they ensure that the user receives the EPG support they are expecting, even if the MHEG application is being loaded has not yet started to run.

For cases where the MHEG application is being loaded does not carry/support an MHEG EPG, one does not have to wait for the MHEG application to load before deciding to use an alternative application, such as native guide, thereby speeding up the loading of the different applications (e.g. native guide) needed to handle the input service request.

In other words, certain embodiments of the invention provide the advantage that, rather than waiting for an MHEG application to fully load and run, if a service request is made during loading and before the application is running one consults the data stored in memory, and if that data indicates that the application being loaded will not support/respond to the service : request even when loading is complete, then straightaway the system can start processing the *:> service request with a different application that does respond to/support the service request.

* The loading of the different application can thus be started promptly, while, in certain embodiments, the process of loading and then running the MHEG application may continue, or alternatively be terminated. * I.

::2 Thus, systems and methods embodying the invention are able, effectively, to remember whether an application previously loaded is an application that supports (responds to) a particular service request, such as an EPG request. This "remembering" takes the form of storing status data in memory. So, the next time the application is loaded, if a particular service request is made before the application is running, the system can consult its memory and save time; if the application is remembered as one that does not support the service request, an alternative, different application can be launched without delay.

To clarify, in certain embodiments, just because an MHEG application that is loading does not handle the EPG key, this does not mean that the MHEG loading process should necessarily or directly be affected. For example, loading of the MHEG application may be allowed to continue, and the MHEG application may be responsive to other service requests. In certain embodiments, however, loading of a native application may terminate the MHEG application.

Referring now to Figs. 3-6, these illustrate methods embodying the invention with particular reference to EPG key handling for Hong Kong digital television systems. However, it will be appreciated that features of these methods may also be applied to other digital television systems and methods embodying the invention.

Before describing Figs. 3-6 in detail, the following background information will be useful. An MHEG application is a collection of scenes owned by an MHEG application object.

An MHEG application object is the initial object in an MHEG application, and defines certain resources and triggers the loading of the first scene. Applications are not visible.

An MHEG scene is comparable to an HTML page. Only one scene can be active at any time, and scenes contain visible components.

Referring now to Figs. 3-6, in Hong Kong, some services will have an MHEG application. Some of these services will have an EPG MHEG application and some will not. A problem addressed by certain embodiments of the invention is what to do when the user presses the EPG key *.S.

: before the MHEG application has loaded. A question addressed by embodiments of the *:2> invention is how do we know when to queue the EPG key in the MHEG engine, and when to * forward it to the native guide. Embodiments of the invention address these problems by tying into the boot process and determining the state as quickly as possible. Once the state of the service has been determined embodiments of the invention are able to remember it for next * ** time, so if the service does not contain an MHEG EPG, an EPG request (via the pressing of an 2 EPG key, for example) is automatically routed to the native guide.

Fig. 3 shows the simplified boot sequence (i.e. the booting of an application in embodiments of the invention). Fig. 3 shows what happens when an application starts. The key mask is only set once the scene has loaded. However, it can also be changed by actions. Actions can be triggered by the boot process, for example in response to querying the parameters of the system. Actions can also be triggered in response to content loading. Looking at Fig. 3 in detail, step S12 is a process PMT" or "Parse PMT" step. This is the act of examining the PMT data to determine if it contains the necessary data to load MHEG.Next in step S13 the MHEG application object is loaded. Then, in step S14 an MHEG scene object is loaded. Once a scene is loaded the input register is set and the set of active keys is known. If either of step S13 or step S14 fails, then the flow chart terminates at step S15 "load failed", and this be due to a file not being signalled in stream or timing out.

If the loading steps are performed successfully, then the method proceeds to step S16 in which actions are processed. Synchronous actions are processed and the input register may change.

In certain embodiments, the method may comprise the completing of a content load, in step S17. It should be appreciated, however, that this may not happen in certain embodiments, as live streams are never completely loaded as such. Finally, this part of the method results in the running of the application in step S18.

It should be noted that the New Zealand initial MHEG scene defines the correct input register, so to meet the known requirements one could parse the first scene as it is loaded before processing it. There is, however, no guarantee that this would work for Hong Kong.

Methods embodying the invention may then proceed to a step which can be regarded generally as catching the EPG status. Given that one wants more information than that contained in the initial scene because of the effects of actions, the next point to check is after the scene has been loaded and the synchronous actions have been processed. At this point, all actions not related to content loading will have been processed. For example, this may include checking : the current service to see if the application has EPG data for it. After this point, events start *...

being processed by the MHEG application so the EPG key would not be processed before this 20,. time anyway. This results in a small state machine, as illustrated by Fig. 4. Fig. 4 illustrates a notification state machine. A key point from Fig. 4 is that the MHEG application is basically fully running before the decision can be made. The decision process can be handled in an MHEG-5 handler component that is responsible for booting MHEG-5 applications and *handling all of the events into the MHEG-5 engine. The state machine can be reset in step 25*: S20.

In step SIG, an application object is loaded. If this loading fails then the method proceeds to step S21, this failure of loading could be due to a missing object or a time out. If the loading is successful then the method proceeds to step S20. This indicates that an initial application is being loaded. It is a signal that we are waiting for a scene. The scene is loaded, and then in step S22 this loaded scene is decoded. It is a signal that the initial scene has been loaded. In step S22 a further flag can be set to show that a scene is being decoded. Step S22 can then make a call indicative that the first scene is loaded and ready, to step S23. Thus, the scene is loaded and an initial link is processed. The state of the flags can be checked. If a new application is loading and a scene has been decoded then the method can then comprise checking to see if we are expecting an EPG application to load, and then the checking of the current input registers.

If an EPG application is expected but the input register does not contain the EPG key then the MHEG application can be determined and the native EPG started.

Regardless of this, the state of the MHEG application can be recorded, so if it is not an EPG MHEG application, then the next time we tune to the channel the EPG key will be redirected to the native guide rather than having to wait for the MHEG application to start.

Fig. 5 illustrates an EPG key state machine in embodiments of the invention. In step S25 it is determined whether the EPG key has been pressed. If the MHEG application is already running, and it is an EPG application, then the method proceeds to step S26 in which the EPG key is used by the running application. Alternatively, if the MHEG application is not running but is present, and has an unknown state (i.e. one does not know whether it will be able to handle the EPG request) then the method proceeds to step S28 in which one waits for the application to start running Then, if the application is an EPG application the method proceeds to step S26. I.S

: Alternatively, if the running application is not an EPG application then the method proceeds to step S27 in which the native guide is launched. There are three other ways in which the : 20. method may reach the step of S27. These are: 1. When it is determined that the MHEG application is not yet running, and there is stored data to the effect that the application has been loaded previously and was not an EPG application. 25.:

2. When it is determined that MHEG is not in PMT.

3. When it is determined that the MHEG application is running, but is not an EPG application.

Referring now to Fig. 6, this is a further illustration of part of a method embodying the invention.

In step S29 an EPG key is pressed. Then, in step S30 a determination is made as to whether MHEG is active. MHEG is active if signalled in the PMT and MHEG is enabled. If MHEG is not active, then the method proceeds to step S34 in which the native guide is launched. If MHEG is active then the method proceeds to step S31 in which a determination is made as to whether the MHEG EPG status is known. The MHEG EPG status is known if a decision point has been reached. If the determination in step S31 is positive, then the method proceeds to step S35 in which a determination is made as to whether the MHEG handles EPG. If it does not, then the method proceeds to step S34, and if the answer is yes, then the method proceeds to step S36 in which the EPG key is passed to MHEG. If the answer to the determination step S31 is no, then the method proceeds to step S32 in which the method consults the database (i.e. memory means) to see if it contains data indicative of the EPG status for the application. If information is contained and is indicative that the EPG state is "native" (in other words, it is indicative that the MHEG application does not handle the EPG key, then the method proceeds to step S34.

Alternatively, if there is no status data in the database then the method proceeds to step S33 which can be described as waiting for the decision point. Here, the EPG key is held onto until the decision point is reached.

It will be appreciated from the above that Figs. 5 and 6 show general decision making processes in embodiments of the invention. Certain embodiments comprise a database of the last actions seen for a particular service (i.e. application associated with a particular channel) plus an action point which is the point at which a scene is running and one can make decisions about its state. Still with reference to Figs. 5 and 6, if a user tunes to a channel with MHEG and then presses the EPG key there remains the question of what to do with the key. In the prior art, if the service had not seen before, then one had to wait until the MHEG application loaded e..

*.. before one could decide what to do with the EPG key. This could take several seconds, for S...

example 10 seconds or more. Instead, in certain embodiments of the invention, one records 20. the state of the application at the "decision point". The decision point is the first point after the application has loaded in which we know whether or not it registers for the EPG key. This point is, in MHEG terms, after the initial scene has loaded and the synchronous event queue is empty. Every time the decision point is reached the state is stored, so if the state changes (e.g. . : from one loading to the next), the new state is recorded so that the state information or data can be updated. The broadcast applications do not change their EPG state frequently. Mostly, they will go from not-EPG to EPG and stay there. Thus, the next time an embodiment of the invention sees a particular service it can check the status of that service (i.e. application). If the MHEG application did not register for the EPG key last time it was loaded then it is a reasonable assumption that it will not this time. So, if the EPG key is pressed and the service is flagged as "native", i.e. it is a non-EPG application, then the system embodying the invention can immediately launch the native EPG without waiting for MHEG.

If the status of the loading application is not known, or the state is recorded as EPG-MHEG then the system then waits for: 1. The decision point, then the EPG key can be passed to the MHEG application or trigger the native guide.

2. A timeout on loading of the MHEG application, trigger the native guide.

There is a remaining issue with the system. This is the question of what happens if the user tunes to a channel that was previously flagged as native guide, but now carries an MHEG guide. Then the user presses the EPG key before the decision point. In this case, the system will incorrectly launch the native guide. However, this is what the user will be expecting anyway. The system will automatically correct the state the next time that MHEG is launched, and reaches the decision point on the service.

It will be appreciated that embodiments of the present invention can be realized in the form of hardware, software or a combination of hardware and software. Any such software may be stored in the form of volatile or non-volatile storage such as, for example, a storage device like a ROM, whether erasable or rewritable or not, or in the form of memory such as, for example, RAM, memory chips, device or integrated circuits or on an optically or magnetically readable medium such as, for example, a CD, DVD, magnetic disk or magnetic tape or the like. It will be *. appreciated that the storage devices and storage media are embodiments of machine-readable ****e storage that are suitable for storing a program or programs comprising instructions that, when * 2Q. executed, implement embodiments of the present invention. Accordingly, embodiments provide a program comprising code for implementing a system or method as claimed in any one of the claims of this specification and a machine-readable storage storing such a program. Still further, such programs may be conveyed electronically via any medium such as a * communication signal carried over a wired or wireless connection and embodiments suitably encompass the same.

Throughout the description and claims of this specification, the words "comprise" and "contain" and variations of them mean "including but not limited to", and they are not intended to (and do not) exclude other moieties, additives, components, integers or steps. Throughout the description and claims of this specification, the singular encompasses the plural unless the context otherwise requires. In particular, where the indefinite article is used, the specification is to be understood as contemplating plurality as well as singularity, unless the context requires otherwise.

Features, integers, characteristics, compounds, chemical moieties or groups described in conjunction with a particular aspect, embodiment or example of the invention are to be understood to be applicable to any other aspect, embodiment or example described herein unless incompatible therewith. All of the features disclosed in this specification (including any accompanying claims, abstract and drawings), and/or all of the steps of any method or process so disclosed, may be combined in any combination, except combinations where at least some of such features and/or steps are mutually exclusive. The invention is not restricted to the details of any foregoing embodiments. The invention extends to any novel one, or any novel combination, of the features disclosed in this specification (including any accompanying claims, abstract and drawings), or to any novel one, or any novel combination, of the steps of any method or process so disclosed.

It will be also be appreciated that, throughout the description and claims of this specification, language in the general form of "X for Y" (where Y is some action, activity or step and X is some means for carrying out that action, activity or step) encompasses means X adapted or arranged specifically, but not exclusively, to do Y. The reader's attention is directed to all papers and documents which are filed concurrently with *: or previous to this specification in connection with this application and which are open to public *:::: inspection with this specification, and the contents of all such papers and documents are * incorporated herein by reference. * ** * * . *** * 0S * * S S S.

Claims

CLAIMS1. A digital television system tunable to a plurality of different channels, each said channel having a respective application associated with it, the system being adapted to load, from at least one source, and run a respective application associated with a channel to which the system is tuned such that a user can interact with the respective application, the system further comprising: input means operable by a user to select a channel from said plurality and further operable to make a service request; and memory means adapted to store status data indicative of whether each application is responsive or non-responsive to said service request, the system being further adapted to respond to a channel selection by tuning to the selected channel and beginning a process of loading and then running the associated application, the system being further adapted to respond to a service request made after said channel selection but before said associated application is fully loaded and/or running by: determining whether said memory means contains status data for said associated : application; and * *** if the memory means contains status data indicative that the associated application is : 2U. not responsive to the service request, beginning a process of loading and then running a different application, the different application being responsive to said service request.

:..
2. A system in accordance with claim 1, further adapted to respond to said channel *. : selection by making a determination, before running said associated application, whether said 25' associated application is responsive or non-responsive to said service request, and storing status data for said associated application in said memory means.
3. A system in accordance with claim 2, wherein the system is adapted to make said determination and store said data before processing any further input made with the input means.
4. A system in accordance with claim 3, wherein the system is adapted to store said status data after a synchronization action queue has been initiated and before storing any further inputs made with the input means.
5. A system in accordance with any preceding claim, wherein said different application is not one of said applications associated with a respective channel.
6. A system in accordance with any preceding claim, wherein said different application is a native application.
7. A system in accordance with any preceding claim, wherein said service request is a request for an Electronic Programme Guide (EPG).
8. A system ri accordance with claim 7, wherein said different application is an EPG application.
9. A system in accordance with claim 7 or claim 8, wherein the input means comprises an EPG key, and the input means is operable to make said service request by operating said EPG key.
10. A system in accordance with any preceding claim, further adapted to continue with said process of loading and running the associated application in parallel with said process of *:::: loading and running said different application. S...
11. A system in accordance with any preceding claim, further adapted, after determining * 20. whether said memory means contains status data for said associated application, to continue said process of loading and then running the associated application and not begin said process of loading and then running said different application, if the memory means either contains no status data for the associated application or contains status data indicative that the associated application is responsive to the service request.
12, A system in accordance with any preceding claim, comprising a digital television receiver, the digital television receiver comprising said memory means.
13. A system in accordance with any preceding claim, wherein said applications associated with respective channels are MHEG applications.
14. A digital television system tunable to a plurality of different channels, each said channel having a respective application associated with it, the system being adapted to load, from at least one source, and run a respective application associated with a channel to which the system is tuned such that a user can interact with the respective application, the system further comprising: input means operable by a user to select a channel from said plurality and further operable to make a service request; and memory means adapted to store status data indicative of whether each application is responsive or non-responsive to said service request, the system being further adapted to respond to a channel selection by tuning to the selected channel, beginning a process of loading and then running the associated application, making a determination, before running said associated application, whether said associated application is responsive or non-responsive to said service request, and storing status data for said associated application in said memory means.
15. A digital television receiver tunable to a plurality of different channels, each said channel having a respective application associated with it, the receiver being adapted to load, from at least one source, and run a respective application associated with a channel to which the receiver is tuned such that a user can interact with the respective application, the receiver being adapted to receive a channel selection command to select a channel from said plurality and to receive a service request, the receiver comprising memory means adapted to store status data indicative of whether each application is responsive or non-responsive to said service request, the receiver being further adapted to respond to a channel selection command by tuning : 2Q. to the selected channel and beginning a process of loading and then running the associated * application, the receiver being further adapted to respond to a service request made after said channel selection command but before said associated application is fully loaded and/or : running by: determining whether said memory means contains status data for said associated application; and if the memory means contains status data indicative that the associated application is not responsive to the service request, beginning a process of loading and then running a different application, the different application being responsive to said service request.
16. A digital television receiver tunable to a plurality of different channels, each said channel having a respective application associated with it, the receiver being adapted to load, from at least one source, and run a respective application associated with a channel to which the receiver is tuned such that a user can interact with the respective application, the receiver being adapted to receive a channel selection command to select a channel from said plurality and to receive a service request, the receiver comprising memory means adapted to store status data indicative of whether each application is responsive or non-responsive to said service request, the receiver being further adapted to respond to a channel selection command by tuning to the selected channel, beginning a process of loading and then running the associated application, making a determination, before running said associated application, whether said associated application is responsive or non-responsive to said service request, and storing status data for said associated application in said memory means.
17. A method of operating a digital television system tunable to a plurality of different channels, each said channel having a respective application associated with it, the system being adapted to load, from at least one source, and run a respective application associated with a channel to which the system is tuned such that a user can interact with the respective application, and comprising memory means, the method comprising: responding to a channel selection by tuning to the selected channel and beginning a process of loading and then running the associated application; and responding to a service request made after said channel selection but before said associated application is fully loaded and/or running by: determining whether said memory means contains status data indicative of whether said associated application is responsive or non-responsive to said service request; and : 2Q. if the memory means contains status data indicative that the associated application is S...not responsive to the service request, beginning a process of loading and then running a different application, the different application being responsive to said service request. * SS * . .

*.:
18. A method of operating a digital television system tunable to a plurality of different channels, each said channel having a respective application associated with it, the system being adapted to load, from at least one source, and run a respective application associated with a channel to which the system is tuned such that a user can interact with the respective application, and comprising memory means, the method comprising: responding to a channel selection command by tuning to the selected channel, beginning a process of loading and then running the associated application, making a determination, before running said associated application, whether said associated application is responsive or non-responsive to said service request, and storing status data indicative of whether said associated application is responsive or non-responsive to said service request in said memory means.
19. A method of responding to a service request made while a digital television system is loading an application associated with a channel to which the system is tuned, the method comprising: determining whether a memory means contains status data indicative of whether the associated application is responsive or nonresponsive to said service request; and if the memory means contains status data indicative that the associated application is not responsive to the service request, beginning a process of loading and then running a different application, the different application being responsive to said service request.
20. A digital television system, a digital television receiver, a method of operating a digital television system, or a method of responding to a service request substantially as hereinbefore described with reference to the accompanying drawings. **.* * * * ** S S... * * * S. * S S S. *. * ** * S S *SS SS * S S S *5