Machine, method and medium for linear programming with interactive conversational interface

A computer-readable memory for use with a computer, for allowing a user to obtain additional or alternate program information corresponding to a scene being viewed by the user, comprising:

• means for receiving, from a content source, program information comprising one or more scenes,
• wherein at least one of said one or more scenes have associated control information;
• signal reception means for receiving, from the user, a signal indicating a request to receive additional or alternate program information corresponding to a current scene viewed by the user when said signal was initiated;
• control means for obtaining, in response to said signal reception means, control information corresponding to said current scene;
• first requesting means for requesting from said content source, based upon said control information, additional program information corresponding to said current scene, when said signal indicates a request to receive said additional program information;
• second requesting means for requesting from said content source, based upon said control information, alternate program information when said signal indicates a request to receive alternate program information corresponding to said current scene;
• and
• means for receiving, from said content source, linear program information where said signal is not received by said signal reception means after a period of time has elapsed.

A machine for allowing a user to obtain additional or alternate program information corresponding to a scene being viewed by the user, comprising:

• a content source for storing program information, wherein said program information comprises one or more scenes;
• a viewing device for displaying selected program information from said content source;
• a user control device for generating a request for additional program information or alternate program information based upon a current scene being viewed by the user,
• wherein said current scene is one of said one or more scenes;
• and
• a transmission system for conveying said program information to said viewing device, and for conveying said request to said content source,
• wherein additional program information corresponding to said current scene is conveyed to said viewing device from said content source when said signal indicates a request to receive said additional program information;
• wherein alternate program information corresponding to said current scene is conveyed to said viewing device from said content source when said signal indicates a request to receive alternate program information, and
• wherein linear program information is conveyed to said viewing device from said content source where no request is made by the user after a period of time has elapsed.

A computer-readable medium for use with a computer, for allowing a user to obtain additional or alternate program information corresponding to a scene being viewed by the user, comprising:

• means for receiving, from a content source, program information comprising one or more scenes,
• wherein at least one of said one or more scenes have associated control information;
• signal reception means for receiving, from the user, a signal indicating a request to receive additional or alternate program information corresponding to a current scene viewed by the user when said signal was initiated;
• control means for obtaining, in response to said signal reception means, control information corresponding to said current scene;
• first requesting means for requesting from said content source, based upon said control information, additional program information corresponding to said current scene, when said signal indicates a request to receive said additional program information;
• second requesting means for requesting from said content source, based upon said control information, alternate program information when said signal indicates a request to receive alternate program information corresponding to said current scene;
• and
• means for receiving, from said content source, linear program information where said signal is not received by said signal reception means after a period of time has elapsed.

A machine for allowing a user to obtain additional or alternate program information corresponding to a scene being viewed by the user, comprising:

• transmission means for conveying, from a content source to the user, program information comprising one or more scenes,
• wherein at least one of said one or more scenes have associated control information;
• signal reception means for receiving, from the user, a signal indicating a request to receive additional or alternate program information corresponding to a current scene viewed by the user when said signal was initiated;
• control means for obtaining, in response to said signal reception means, control information corresponding to said current scene;
• first conveyance means for conveying to the user, based upon said control information, additional program information corresponding to said current scene, when said signal indicates a request to receive said additional program information;
• second conveyance means for conveying to the user, based upon said control information, alternate program information when said signal indicates a request to receive alternate program information corresponding to said current scene;
• and
• third conveyance means for conveying linear program information to the user where no request is made by the user after a period of time has elapsed.