Data referencing system
View Patent ↗This application describes a method of referencing content in an application. The method comprises, for a content element, creating a reference to the content element and associating that reference with the content element. This enables the content (for example, text or images) to be dissociated from other features related to content; for example, its presentation on the screen. In this way, control over presentation may be achieved separately from control of the content itself. In an example, a Content Provider 402 provides referenced content to an Operator 404 . A Programme Provider 400 sends referenced scenarios to the Operator 404 . The Operator 404 resolves the reference and sends data for broadcast by the Broadcaster 406.
1. A method of preparing a received content element for presentation, comprising:
receiving data including a content element,
reviewing the received data to identify a reference associated with the content element, and
using the reference to determine the presentation configuration for the content element,
wherein said method further comprises:
associating the content element with a container, wherein associating the content element of a container comprises:
reading a logical reference element of the container,
recovering the content element in the received data corresponding to the logical reference element, and
linking the content element with the container.
2. A method according to claim 1 , comprising:
using the reference to determine the location of the content element in the received data.
3. A method according to claim 1 , further including the step of using the reference to identify a container for the content element.
4. A method according to claim 3 , wherein the container contains the presentation configuration criteria for the content element.
5. A method according to claim 3 , further comprising determining the number of containers required for presenting the content element.
6. A method according to claim 1 , further comprising converting the content element in the container into a broadcastable form.
7. A method according to claim 1 , further comprising reviewing the received data to identify the size of the content element and comparing the content element size with the predetermined maximum size for presentation of the content element.
8. A method according to claim 7 , further comprising:
identifying that the size of the content element is larger than the predetermined maximum size for presentation of the content element;
identifying an excess portion of the content element being in excess of the predetermined maximum size of presentation, and
preparing the excess portion for presentation.
9. A method according to claim 8 , wherein preparing the excess portion for presentation includes linking the excess portion with a further container.
10. A method according to claim 1 , further comprising sending the data for broadcast.
11. Apparatus for preparing a received content element for presentation, comprising:
means for receiving data including a content element, means for reviewing the received data to identify a reference associated with the content element;
means for using the reference to determine the presentation configuration for the content element;
means for associating the content element with a container, wherein said associating means comprises:
means for reading a logical reference element of the container;
means for recovering the content element in the received data corresponding to the logical reference element;
and means for linking the content element with the container.
12. Apparatus according to claim 11 , comprising means for using the reference to determine the location of the content element in the received data.
13. Apparatus according to claim 11 , further including a container for the content element, the container being associated with the reference for the content element.
14. Apparatus according to claim 13 , wherein the container contains the presentation configuration criteria for the content element.
15. Apparatus according to claim 11 , further comprising means for determining the number of containers required for presenting the content element.
16. Apparatus according to claim 11 , further comprising means for converting the content element in the container into a broadcastable form.
17. Apparatus according to claim 11 , further comprising means for reviewing the received data to identify the size of the content element; and
means for preparing the content element size with the predetermined maximum size for presentation of the content element.
18. Apparatus according to claim 17 , further comprising:
means for identifying that the size of the content element is larger than the predetermined maximum size for presentation of the content element;
means for identifying an excess portion of the content element being in excess of the predetermined maximum size of presentation;
and means for preparing the excess portion for presentation.
19. Apparatus according to claim 18 , wherein the means for preparing the excess portion for presentation includes means for linking the excess portion with a further container.
20. Apparatus according to claim 11 , further comprising means for sending the data for broadcast.