Scripted interactivity for non-real-time services

Abstract

A method consistent with certain implementations involves receiving a triggered declarative object (TDO) at a digital television receiver device, the TDO including a scripted executable routine; the scripted executable routine having a script that defines a user interface (UI) for manipulation of non-real-time (NRT) content; initiating the operation of the TDO; and the digital television receiver, executing scripted operations to present the user with the user interface. This abstract is not to be considered limiting, since other embodiments may deviate from the features described in this abstract.

What is claimed is: 
     
         1 . A method, comprising:
 receiving a triggered declarative object (TDO) at a digital television receiver device, the TDO including a scripted executable routine;   the scripted executable routine comprising a script that generates a user interface that presents a viewer with options for selection of items of non-real-time (NRT) television service for viewing or downloading;   initiating the execution of the TDO by the digital television receiver device to start the NRT service; and   where the television receiver device processes a plurality of scripted control objects and functions including but not limited to:
 a control object that when selected causes the receiver to schedule a particular NRT download to occur at a future time; 
 a control object that when selected causes playback of an indicated item of NRT content when that content is available in local storage; 
 a function that returns an indication of whether or not a specified item of NRT content is available in local storage; 
 a function that returns an indication of whether or not a specified item of NRT content is already scheduled for download; 
 a function that returns an amount of available local storage; and 
 a function that deletes a specified item of NRT television service from storage.