Method of automatic execution receiving station

#The invention relates to a method of automatic execution of an application on a receiving station, comprising

#receiving a signal comprising a plurality of streams, each stream being associated with a channel on the receiving station and comprising a content portion and zero or more application portions,

#receiving a channel selection from a user,

#These and other aspects of the invention will be apparent from and elucidated with reference to the embodiments shown in the drawing, in which:

#FIG. 1 shows a block diagram of an example broadcast chain comprising a receiving station according to the invention; and

#FIG. 2 shows a block diagram of a receiving station according to the invention.

#Throughout the figures, same reference numerals indicate similar or corresponding features. Some of the features indicated in the drawings are typically implemented in software, and as such represent software entities, such as software modules or objects.

#FIG. 1 shows a block diagram of an example broadcast chain comprising a receiving station according to the invention. There is a central server 100, which has several program sources 101. These sources 101 may include remote broadcast network feeds, videotape recorders, computers, data storage devices and the likes. These sources 101 also provide interactive applications, control information or audio or video information which is to be included in the signal to be transmitted. The information provided by the sources 101 is typically compressed using algorithms such as MPEG. The content from the sources usually comprises television programs, movies, live broadcast feeds, accompanying audio tracks, subtitles or Teletext information. The audio tracks or subtitles could be in multiple languages, to allow viewers to choose the language in which they wish to view the television program. To enhance the user experience, one or more applications can be provided. These can be used to add interactivity to the content, for example by providing a shopping mechanism to order the products advertised in the content, or by providing a Karaoke-like subtitling mechanism.

#The information obtained from the sources is converted and processed to obtain a plurality of streams, each stream comprising a content portion 103, 104, 105 and zero or more application portions 106, 107, 108.