Receiving device, receiving method, transmitting device, and transmitting method

A method of a reception apparatus for controlling operation of an application, the method comprising:

• receiving audio/video content;
• acquiring first control information that identifies application control information to control the operation of the application run in conjunction with the audio/video content;
• acquiring, by circuitry of the reception apparatus, a first element in which the application control information identified by the first control information is stored, the first element including a time associated with a specific segment of the audio/video content;
• acquiring a second element in which application control information identified by second control information is stored, the second element including a newer version of the first element and the time associated with the specific segment of the audio/video content and included in the first element;
• and
• controlling, by the circuitry, the operation of the application in response to the application control information that is identified by the second control information and stored in the second element, wherein
• the second control information includes an identifier of the first element.

A transmission apparatus, comprising:

• a transmitter;
• and
• circuitry configured to
• generate first control information and second control information that identify application control information to control operation of an application run in conjunction with audio/video content;
• and
• transmit the first control information and the second control information together with the audio/video content, wherein
• the first control information causes a reception apparatus that receives the first control information to acquire a first element in which the application control information identified by the first control information is stored, the first element including a time associated with a specific segment of the audio/video content, and
• the second control information causes the reception apparatus to acquire a second element in which application control information identified by the second control information is stored, the second element including a newer version of the first element and the time associated with the specific segment of the audio/video content and included in the first element, wherein
• the second control information includes an identifier of the first element.

A method of a transmission apparatus for transmitting information, the method comprising:

• generating, by processing circuitry of the transmission apparatus, first control information and second control information that identify application control information to control operation of an application run in conjunction with audio/video content;
• and
• transmitting, by a transmitter of the transmission apparatus, the first control information and the second control information together with the audio/video content, wherein
• the first control information causes a reception apparatus that receives the first control information to acquire a first element in which the application control information identified by the first control information is stored, the first element including a time associated with a specific segment of the audio/video content, and
• the second control information causes the reception apparatus to acquire a second element in which application control information identified by the second control information is stored, the second element including a newer version of the first element and the time associated with the specific segment of the audio/video content and included in the first element, wherein
• the second control information includes an identifier of the first element.