Cable television transaction terminal

A method for use in a cable television transaction terminal comprising a keyboard, a teletext screen generator, a read/write memory and a control unit, the method for accomplishing a payment transaction comprising the steps of

• actuating display of a first teletext screen, the first teletext screen comprising selection items and completion fields,
• temporarily storing entered first selection and field completion data in the read/write memory,
• associating entry of the first selection and field completion data with a first predetermined expected response, the first predetermined expected response related to the first teletext screen and stored in the read/write memory,
• transmitting the first entered selection and field completion data to a system manager in response to data association,
• entering a first mode of terminal operation for reviewing transactions, and
• actuating display of a second teletext screen, the second teletext screen comprising selection items and completion fields,
• temporarily storing entered second selection and field completion data in the read/write memory,
• associating entry of the second selection and field completion data with a second predetermined expected response, the second predetermined expected response related to the second teletext screen and stored in the read/write memory,
• transmitting the entered second selection and field completion data to a system manager in response to data association, and
• entering a second mode of terminal operation for accomplishing payment for transactions.

A cable television transaction terminal comprising:

• a keyboard for entry of selection and field completion data;
• a teletext screen generator for actuating a visual display of teletext screens comprising selection items or completion fields, each screen formed from teletext screen data comprising a unique screen identification and an associated key template for defining selection and field completion data;
• a read/write memory for temporary storage of teletext screen data, and
• a control unit, responsive to the first teletext screen and entry of first predetermined data, for entering a first mode of terminal operation for reviewing transactions, responsive to a second teletext screen and entry of second predetermined data, for entering a second mode of terminal operation for accomplishing payment for transactions, responsive to a third teletext screen and entry of third predetermined data, for entering a third mode of terminal operation for selection of items and, responsive to a fourth teletext screen and entry of fourth predetermined data, for entering a fourth mode of terminal operation for establishing a time of delivery for items selected during the third mode of terminal operation.

A method for use in a cable television transaction terminal comprising a keyboard, a teletext screen generator, a read/write memory and a control unit, the method for accomplishing a payment transaction comprising the steps of

• actuating display of a first teletext screen, the first teletext screen comprising selection items and completion fields,
• temporarily storing entered first selection and field completion data in the read/write memory,
• associating entry of the first selection and field completion data with a first predetermined expected response, the first predetermined expected response related to the first teletext screen and stored in the read/write memory,
• transmitting the entered selection and field completion data to a system manager in response to data association,
• entering a first mode of terminal operation for reviewing transactions, and
• actuating display of a second teletext screen, the second teletext screen comprising selection items and completion fields,
• temporarily storing entered second selection and field completion data in the read/write memory,
• associating entry of the second selection and field completion data with a second predetermined expected response, the second predetermined expected response related to the second teletext screen and stored in the read/write memory,
• transmitting the entered second selection and field completion data to the system manager in response to data association,
• entering a second mode of terminal operation for accomplishing payment for transactions,
• actuating display of a third teletext screen, the third teletext screen comprising selection items and completion fields,
• temporarily storing entered third selection and field completion data in the read/write memory,
• associating entry of the third selection and field completion data with a third predetermined expected response, the third predetermined expected response related to the third teletext screen and stored in the read/write memory,
• transmitting the entered third selection and field completion data the system manager in response to data association,
• entering a third mode of terminal operation for selection items,
• actuating display of a fourth teletext screen, the fourth teletext screen comprising selection items and completion fields,
• temporarily storing entered fourth selection and field completion data in the read/write memory,
• associating entry of the fourth selection and field completion data with a fourth predetermined expected response the fourth predetermined expected response related to the fourth teletext screen and stored in the read/write memory,
• transmitting the entered fourth selection and field completion data to the system manager in response to data association, and
• entering a fourth mode of terminal operation for scheduling delivery of items selected in the third mode of terminal operation.