A method and apparatus for embedding of bytecode data in a transport stream
is described. Embodiments of the invention serve to make Java.TM. bytecode
(in a class file) concurrently available to a user that is receiving media
information through a transport stream. To ensure the concurrent delivery
of bytecode, the information is embedded within spaces allocated in the
transport stream, or in packets that carry the media data. In one
embodiment of the invention, media data is grouped in structured packets
referred to as Packetized Elementary Stream (PES) packets. Predefined
spaces are available in each PES packet where bytecode data is embedded.
In one embodiment of the invention the pre-defined space is allocated
within the header segment of a PES packet. In another embodiment bytecode
instruction are embedded within a private stream segment of a PES packet.
One transport stream used with the invention is an MPEG-2 transport stream
that includes structured packets that transport the PES packets. These
transport stream packets, in turn, have within them pre-defined spaces.
Bytecode data can also be embedded within spaces available in the
transport stream. In an embodiment of this invention bytecode can be
embedded in a transport stream header or a transport stream payload
segment. In other embodiments, bytecode data is transmitted in the private
stream segment and retransmission of bytecode data is accomplished in
other regions of the PES packet. In another embodiment, bytecode data is
transmitted in an adaptation field and retransmitted data is sent as PES
header private data.