Delivery of apps in a media stream
Embedding a reduced-content application bundle (a “reduced app bundle”) such as a video overlay reduced app bundle into a media stream, and launching that reduced app bundle over a network connection without first performing a substantial downloading and installation of the software on the device is disclosed.
1. A method for launching a second application in conjunction with a playback of a media stream by a first application, the method comprising, at the first application:
receiving the media stream, wherein the media stream includes metadata that defines:
a first trigger at which time the second application is to be launched relative to the playback of the media stream, and
a second trigger at which time the second application is to be displayed relative to the playback of the media stream, wherein the first trigger occurs prior to the second trigger;
playing the media stream in response to receiving the media stream;
in response to determining that the first trigger is satisfied:
causing the second application to launch in a background state; and
in response to determining that the second trigger is satisfied:
causing the second application to be displayed in a foreground state, wherein the second application is displayed as an overlay relative to the media stream.
2. The method of claim 1 , wherein launching the second application comprises:
downloading program logic for the second application via a URL associated with the second application.
3. The method of claim 2 , wherein launching the second application via the URL further comprises:
creating a context, in which to run the second application, with the URL; and
downloading, using the context, a script program for running the second application.
4. The method of claim 2 , wherein launching the second application via the URL further comprises:
identifying a server based on the URL; and
downloading the program logic for the second application from the server.
5. The method of claim 4 , wherein launching the second application via the URL further comprises:
downloading display-related information from the server.
6. The method of claim 4 , wherein launching the second application via the URL further comprises:
executing run-time code to download information from the server.
7. The method of claim 1 , wherein the second application is launched as a separate and distinct process relative to the first application.
8. The method of claim 1 , wherein the metadata further defines:
a third trigger at which a third application is to be launched and displayed, wherein the third application is separate and distinct relative to the second application.
9. The method of claim 1 , wherein the second application is associated with a launch criterion that defines at least one aspect by which the second application is to be launched, and launching the second application comprises:
launching the second application in accordance with the launch criterion.
10. The method of claim 1 , wherein the metadata is included in a playlist that defines a sequence by which the media stream is to be played.
11. At least one non-transitory computer readable storage medium configured to store instructions that, when executed by at least one processor included in a computing device, cause the computing device to launch a second application in conjunction with a playback of a media stream by a first application, by carrying out steps that include:
receiving the media stream, wherein the media stream includes metadata that defines:
a first trigger at which time the second application is to be launched relative to the playback of the media stream, and
a second trigger at which time the second application is to be displayed relative to the playback of the media stream, wherein the first trigger occurs prior to the second trigger;
playing the media stream in response to receiving the media stream;
in response to determining that the first trigger is satisfied:
causing the second application to launch in a background state; and
in response to determining that the second trigger is satisfied:
causing the second application to be displayed in a foreground state, wherein the second application is displayed as an overlay relative to the media stream.
12. The at least one non-transitory computer readable storage medium of claim 11 , wherein launching the second application comprises:
downloading program logic for the second application via a URL associated with the second application.
13. The at least one non-transitory computer readable storage medium of claim 11 , wherein the second application is launched as a separate and distinct process relative to the first application.
14. The at least one non-transitory computer readable storage medium of claim 11 , wherein the metadata further defines:
a third trigger at which a third application is to be launched and displayed, wherein the third application is separate and distinct relative to the second application.
15. The at least one non-transitory computer readable storage medium of claim 11 , wherein the second application is associated with a launch criterion that defines at least one aspect by which the second application is to be launched, and launching the second application comprises:
launching the second application in accordance with the launch criterion.
16. The at least one non-transitory computer readable storage medium of claim 11 , wherein the metadata is included in a playlist that defines a sequence by which the media stream is to be played.
17. A computing device configured to launch a second application in conjunction with a playback of a media stream by a first application, the computing device comprising:
at least one processor; and
at least one memory storing instructions that, when executed by the at least one processor, cause the computing device to perform steps that include:
receiving the media stream, wherein the media stream includes metadata that defines:
a first trigger at which time the second application is to be launched relative to the playback of the media stream, and
a second trigger at which time the second application is to be displayed relative to the playback of the media stream, wherein the first trigger occurs prior to the second trigger;
playing the media stream in response to receiving the media stream;
in response to determining that the first trigger is satisfied:
causing the second application to launch in a background state; and
in response to determining that the second trigger is satisfied:
causing the second application to be displayed in a foreground state, wherein the second application is displayed as an overlay relative to the media stream.
18. The computing device of claim 17 , wherein launching the second application comprises:
downloading program logic for the second application via a URL associated with the second application.
19. The computing device of claim 17 , wherein the second application is launched as a separate and distinct process relative to the first application.
20. The computing device of claim 17 , wherein the metadata further defines:
a third trigger at which a third application is to be launched and displayed, wherein the third application is separate and distinct relative to the second application.
21. The computing device of claim 17 , wherein the second application is associated with a launch criterion that defines at least one aspect by which the second application is to be launched, and launching the second application comprises:
launching the second application in accordance with the launch criterion.
22. The computing device of claim 17 , wherein the metadata is included in a playlist that defines a sequence by which the media stream is to be played.