Patent ID: 6993499

Claim:
A method of initializing a subscription television service comprising. (a) receiving, from a user, an initiation of a purchase in a receiver connected to a presentation device; (b) in response to the receiving, activating software, in the receiver, the software causing the receiver to display, on the presentation device, a purchase screen for selecting one of a plurality of services and having at least one field, wherein the receiver is further configured to: (i) receive broadcast signals through an input mechanism; and (ii) enable the presentation device: to display the broadest signals; (c) receiving, from the user, purchase information for a purchase, in the at least one field into the receiver, wherein the purchase information identifies an initial selection of one of the plurality of an initial television subscription service for an initial activation of the receiver and an initial television programming package for the receiver; (d) establishing a secure electronic connection, using a communication mechanism of the receiver that is different from the input mechanism that is used to receive broadcast signals, with a vendor; (e) electronically transmitting the purchase information from the receiver through the electronically secure electronic connection to the vendor, (f) receiving a confirmation number from the vendor into the receiver, wherein the transmitting the purchase information from the receiver through the confirmation number confirms that the purchase has been allowed by the vendor; (g) receiving, in the receiver, authorization for the initial activation of the subscription television service for the initial activation of the receiver and initial television programming package; and (h) using the received authorization, activating and configuring the receiver to allow the display of the initial subscription television services.