Method and system for controlling recording and playback of interactive applications

Abstract

Disclosed are methods and systems for controlling the playback and recording of television programming containing interactive applications. In particular, the disclosed methods and systems detail how “trick modes” can be handled when playing applications that are distributed with the television programming.

1 . A method for controlling playback of recorded programming and an application comprising: 
 playing a recorded program comprising an application;    playing the application;    receiving a viewer command indicating that a viewer desires to use a trick mode,    determining whether the trick mode is compatible with the application; and    playing the application in the desired trick mode if the trick mode is compatible with the application.    
     
     
         2 . The method of  claim 1 , wherein the trick mode is selected from the group consisting of fast-forward, slow motion, rewind, jump, seek and pause.  
     
     
         3 . The method of  claim 1 , wherein the recorded program is stored on a Personal Video Recorder (PVR) or network PVR.  
     
     
         4 . The method of  claim 1 , wherein the application is an interactive application.  
     
     
         5 . The method of  claim 1 , wherein the application comprises an indicator that indicates whether the application can be recorded.  
     
     
         6 . The method of  claim 1 , wherein the application registers which trick modes are compatible with the application.  
     
     
         7 . The method of  claim 6 , wherein the application changes the trick modes that are compatible as the application is played.  
     
     
         8 . The method of  claim 1 , wherein if the trick mode is not compatible an action selected from the group consisting of stopping the application, initiating the trick mode, ignoring the viewer command.  
     
     
         9 . A method for controlling playback of recorded programming and an application comprising: 
 playing a recorded program comprising an application;    registering the capabilities of the application, wherein the capabilities comprise which trick modes can be used with the application; and    playing the application.    
     
     
         10 . The method of  claim 9 , wherein the application changes the trick modes that are compatible as the application is played.  
     
     
         11 . The method of  claim 9 , wherein the trick mode is selected from the group consisting of fast-forward, slow motion, rewind, jump, seek and pause.  
     
     
         12 . The method of  claim 9 , wherein the recorded program is stored on a Personal Video Recorder (PVR) or network PVR.  
     
     
         13 . The method of  claim 9 , wherein the application is an interactive application.  
     
     
         14 . The method of  claim 9 , wherein the application comprises an indicator that indicates whether the application can be recorded.  
     
     
         15 . A system for playing recorded programming and an application comprising: 
 a playback driver layer capable of playing programming comprising an application;    a registry layer that indicates which trick modes should be available for an application; and    an administrative component layer that determines what action to take when a trick mode that is registered as not being available is requested.    
     
     
         16 . The system of  claim 15 , wherein the trick mode is selected from the group consisting of fast-forward, slow motion, rewind, jump, seek and pause.  
     
     
         17 . The system of  claim 15  further comprising a recording device.  
     
     
         18 . The system of  claim 15 , wherein the recording device is a Personal Video Recorder (PVR) or network PVR.  
     
     
         19 . The system of  claim 15 , wherein the application is an interactive application.  
     
     
         20 . The system of  claim 15 , wherein the administrative component layer determines an action selected from the group consisting of stopping the application, initiating the trick mode, ignoring the request.  
     
     
         21 . A method for controlling playback of recorded programming and an application comprising: 
 playing a recorded program comprising an application;    registering the rights of the application, wherein the rights comprise which trick modes the application is allowed to perform; and    playing the application.    
     
     
         21 . A method for recording programming and an application comprising: 
 recording a program comprising an application;    determining whether the application can be recorded; and    recording the program and application if the application can be recorded.    
     
     
         22 . The method of  claim 21 , wherein the application indicates whether it can be recorded.  
     
     
         23 . The method of  claim 22 , further comprising determining what action to take if the application indicates that it can not be recorded.