Importance

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Abstract

An interactive application on a set top computing is downloaded to the set top computing system from a headend in an interactive television network. The interactive application is automatically executed by the set top computing system currently running a video program for display on a television set connected to the set top. The automatic begins by waiting for an application token embedded in the video program and detecting the application token. In response to the detection of the application token, the video program is terminated and the application downloaded to the set top is captured. The application is then executed in the set top computing system for display on the television set. In addition, a warning token also embedded in the video program is detected. Then in response to detection of the warning token, the downloading of the ITV application to the set top computing system is initiated. The executing step is synchronized with completion of the termination of the running of the video program so that execution of the application begins immediately upon completion of the termination of the video program. The application is executed in the set top computing system, and a current context is stored as an origination reference. When the application is exited, the current context is launched to return the set top operations to the origination reference point from which the application was launched.

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First Claim