US Patent 7340528 Data referencing system

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.