The patent badge is an abbreviated version of the USPTO patent document. The patent badge does contain a link to the full patent document.
The patent badge is an abbreviated version of the USPTO patent document. The patent badge covers the following: Patent number, Date patent was issued, Date patent was filed, Title of the patent, Applicant, Inventor, Assignee, Attorney firm, Primary examiner, Assistant examiner, CPCs, and Abstract. The patent badge does contain a link to the full patent document (in Adobe Acrobat format, aka pdf). To download or print any patent click here.
Patent No.:
Date of Patent:
Jun. 27, 2006
Filed:
Jun. 15, 1999
Eric E. Del Sesto, Alameda, CA (US);
James R. Collette, Alameda, CA (US);
Jeffrey W. Yu, Alameda, CA (US);
Charlie Mccullough, Saratoga, CA (US);
Pat Ransil, Alameda, CA (US);
Bryce S. Catlin, Alameda, CA (US);
Houman Azarm, Alameda, CA (US);
Eric E. Del Sesto, Alameda, CA (US);
James R. Collette, Alameda, CA (US);
Jeffrey W. Yu, Alameda, CA (US);
Charlie McCullough, Saratoga, CA (US);
Pat Ransil, Alameda, CA (US);
Bryce S. Catlin, Alameda, CA (US);
Houman Azarm, Alameda, CA (US);
Wink Communications, Inc., Alameda, CA (US);
Abstract
A method and apparatus facilitate the retirement of interactive applications in a manner associated with an external event and a program state of the interactive application. A broadcaster transmits an interactive application that includes a plurality of retirement instructions associated with external events and internal program states of the interactive application. A broadcast receiver receives an interactive application, stores the included retirement instructions, and executes the interactive application concurrently with the display of an associated television program. The broadcast receiver monitors the broadcast signal for events indicating that the executing interactive application is no longer appropriate for the current television program. Upon detection of such an event, the broadcast receiver retrieves the stored instructions, and retires the interactive application in a manner appropriate for both the detected external event and the internal program state of the interactive application, according to the stored instructions.