Apparatus and method for electronic device for information services

In a data communication system having a host computer and an electronic device wherein said host computer and said electronic device are coupled to a data communications medium, a method for providing interactive access at said electronic device to data stored at a plurality of facilities coupled to the data communications medium, said method comprising the steps of:

• calling said host computer from said electronic device through said data communications medium, to establish a first data communication link between said electronic device and said host computer via said data communications medium;
• transferring configuration data from said host computer to said electronic device via said first data communication link;
• breaking said first data communication link;
• assembling from said configuration data a menu listing a plurality of titles identifying said plurality of facilities;
• thereafter
• displaying said menu on a television coupled to said electronic device;
• thereafter
• accepting, at a remote keypad, a first operator input specifying a first selected one of said plurality of facilities;
• transmitting, from said remote keypad to an IR detector coupled to said electronic device, a first infrared signal responsive to said first operator input;
• detecting said first infrared signal at said IR detector;
• thereafter
• calling said first selected one of said plurality of
• facilities from said electronic device via said data communications medium to establish a second data communication link between said first selected one of said plurality of facilities and said electronic device via said data communications medium;
• thereafter
• accessing said first selected facility from said electronic device via said second data communication link;
• and thereafter
• transferring data associated with said first selected facility from said host computer to said electronic device via said second data communication link.

An electronic device for providing access to a plurality of facilities coupled to a data communications medium, said electronic device comprising:

• means for interfacing to a television;
• a remote keypad for transmitting menu selection signals;
• a data interface coupled to said data communications medium;
• and
• a controller coupled to said television interfacing means and said data interface and in wireless communication with said remote keypad, for:
• initiating a first data call to said host computer through said data communications medium to obtain configuration data from said host computer;
• assembling a menu listing a plurality of titles of said plurality of facilities from said configuration data;
• displaying said menu on said television;
• accepting, via said remote keypad, a user selection of a selected one of said plurality of facilities;
• and
• initiating a second data call to said selected one of said facilities through said data communications medium to establish a connection between said electronic device and said selected facility.