Importance

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Abstract

Apparatus and a method for formatting executable codes and data, defining interactive applications, with video and audio program material, for reliable and convenient access includes compressing (18, 21) audio and video programs according to a protocol such as MPEG. The compressed audio and video (A/V) programs are segmented (19, 22) into transport packets, with audio transport packets identified by a first service identifier SCID.sub.Ai, and video transport packets identified by a second service identifier, SCID.sub.Vi. Interactive application programs associated with A/V programs are compiled (10) into functional modules and condensed. A module may be executable software or data. A module includes code/data and a header. The code/data portion of each module undergoes cyclic redundancy coding (CRC) over the entire module and CRC check bits are concatenated or appended to the module. Respective modules are segmented (14) into transport packets. The code/data transport packets are identified by a third service identifier SCID.sub.Di. The transport packets are formed into transmission units comprising an integer number of code/data transport packets and a header transport packet. A special directory module is generated (10) which interrelates the modules incorporated in an application program. Video packets, audio packets and module packets are subsequently time division multiplexed (16) for transmission.

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