Automatic interactive television terminal configuration

In a two-way interactive cable television entertainment terminal comprising a data processor, a memory associated with the data processor, a keypad for inputting data to the data processor, and a character generator, responsive to the data processor, for generating characters for display on a display screen, a method of enabling an automatic installation of the terminal for entry into an entertainment system comprising the steps of:

• applying power to the terminal,
• initializing operation of terminal components responsive to the application of power to the terminal,
• actuating a display of at least one screen of characters, the display screen requiring keypad response,
• recognizing an appropriate keypad response to the display screen, and
• configuring the terminal according to the response prior to entry of the terminal into the entertainment system.

A two-way interactive entertainment terminal for communicating with a system manager of an entertainment system, the terminal comprising:

• a transmission link for communicating via a media with the system manager,
• a processor for processing data,
• memory associated with the processor,
• a character generator, responsive to the processor, for generating characters for display on a display screen,
• a keypad for inputting information to the terminal, the input information for processing by the processor,
• a power input,
• a switched power output,
• the terminal, responsive to the application of power at the power input, entering an initialization mode,
• the processor, during the initialization mode, verifying proper operation of terminal components and software,
• the terminal, during the initialization mode, entering an automatic installation mode,
• the character generator, responsive to the processor, for generating at least one display screen of characters requiring keyboard response, the required response being related to terminal installation,
• the terminal, recognizing an appropriate response, configuring itself according to the response prior to entry of the terminal into the entertainment system,
• the at least one display screen of characters generated by the character generator further includes a screen of characters for requesting input as to the provision of power to an associated device.

A two-way interactive cable television entertainment terminal for communicating with a system manager of an entertainment system, the terminal comprising:

• an analog transmission link for communicating via a radio frequency transmission media with the system manager,
• a processor for processing data,
• memory associated with the processor,
• a character generator, responsive to the processor, for generating characters for display on a display screen,
• a keypad for inputting information to the terminal, the input information for processing by the processor,
• a power input,
• the terminal, responsive to the application of power at the power input, entering an initialization made,
• the processor, during the initialization mode, verifying proper operation of terminal components and software,
• the terminal, during initialization, entering an automatic installation mode,
• the character generator, responsive to the processor, for generating at least one display screen of characters requiring keyboard response, the required response being related to terminal installation,
• the terminal, recognizing an appropriate response, configuring itself according to the response prior to entry of the terminal into the entertainment system,
• the at least one display screen of characters comprising a first screen generated by the character generator for requesting terminal location information input or terminal identification information input,
• the at least one display screen of characters comprising a second screen for indicating acknowledgement of terminal entry into the system by the system manager after input of terminal identification or location information.

A two-way interactive entertainment terminal for communicating with a system manager of an entertainment system, the terminal comprising:

• a transmission link for communicating via a media with the system manager,
• a processor for processing data,
• memory associated with the processor,
• a character generator, responsive to the processor, for generating characters for display on a display screen,
• a keypad for inputting information to the terminal, the input information for processing by the processor,
• a power input,
• a remote control command receiver,
• a predetermined control code,
• the terminal, responsive to the application of power at the power input, entering an initialization mode,
• the processor, during the initialization mode, verifying proper operation of terminal components and software,
• the terminal, during the initialization mode, entering an automatic installation mode,
• the character generator, responsive to the processor, for generating at least one display screen of characters requiring keyboard response, the required response being related to terminal installation,
• the terminal, recognizing an appropriate response, configuring itself according to the response prior to entry of the terminal into the entertainment system,
• the at least one display screen of characters generated by the character generator being related to terminal testing during manufacture,
• the keyboard being either for remote control of the terminal or directly coupled to the terminal,
• the processor recognizing the actuation of at least one predetermined key,
• said one predetermined key being one not normally provided on either the remote control keypad or the directly coupled keypad for transmitting a predetermined control code to the remote control command receiver of the terminal,
• the predetermined control code being related to terminal testing during manufacture.