Configuration of tv services via alternate communication

Abstract

The present invention provides a method and system for accessing services in a television system. In one implementation, a DHCT presents a user a menu containing a plurality of selectable link representations corresponding to separate services or applications offered by the cable television system. The user navigates the menu with a remote device and selects a desired service by choosing the selectable link representation corresponding to the desired service or application. The DHCT receives the user input, translates the selectable link command into an executable call, and activates the service or application corresponding to the selected link representation from the menu chosen by the user.

1 . A method, comprising:
 receiving an authenticated user communication, the communication conveying instructions that enable a service guide menu configuration according to user specifications, the service guide menu comprising selectable hypertext links corresponding to each service among a plurality of services;   configuring the service guide menu according to the communication; and   communicating the configured service guide to client logic for execution and display on a display device.   
     
     
         2 . The method of  claim 1 , wherein receiving comprises receiving over a telephone medium. 
     
     
         3 . The method of  claim 2 , wherein receiving comprises receiving a personal identification number to enable the configuration. 
     
     
         4 . The method of  claim 2 , further comprising enabling user configuration by providing a phone menu system 
     
     
         5 . The method of  claim 1 , wherein receiving comprises receiving over an Internet connection. 
     
     
         6 . The method of  claim 5 , wherein receiving comprises receiving at a consumer electronics device. 
     
     
         7 . The method of  claim 5 , further comprising receiving a user logon to enable user access to a web site. 
     
     
         8 . The method of  claim 7 , wherein the web site comprises an encrypted web site. 
     
     
         9 . The method of  claim 7 , wherein the logon comprises one or more of a password, personal identification number, and account information. 
     
     
         10 . The method of  claim 7 , further comprising providing menus configured to receive user input corresponding to the menu configurations. 
     
     
         11 . The method of  claim 7 , wherein receiving further comprises routing the service guide configuration from the web site to a server. 
     
     
         12 . The method of  claim 1 , wherein receiving comprises receiving at a server communicatively coupled to a client device over a subscriber television network, 
     
     
         13 . The method of  claim 1 , wherein receiving comprises receiving at a client device communicatively coupled to the display device, the display device configured to display one or more menus for the user configuration. 
     
     
         14 . The method of  claim 1 , wherein configuring comprises specifying a location corresponding to a display of a service in the service guide menu. 
     
     
         15 . A method, comprising:
 a digital home communication terminal (DHCT) in a television network providing plural services to a subscriber, wherein the DHCT is coupled to a television services control unit (TSCU) via a first communication medium, said TSCU located remotely from the DHCT;   the subscriber initiating communication with the TSCU via a second communication medium, the second communication medium different than the first communication medium, the subscriber using a second device different than the DHCT to communicate with the TSCU over the second communication medium;   the TSCU authenticating the subscriber over the second communication medium; and   receiving at the TSCU input from the subscriber, the input entered in the second device, the entered input corresponding to configuring at least one of the plural services provided by the DHCT to the subscriber.   
     
     
         16 . The method of  claim 15 , further comprising providing to the subscriber via the DHCT the configured at least one service at a time after the configuring the at least one service. 
     
     
         17 . The method of  claim 15 , wherein the television services control unit resides in a headend.