Multi-provider on-line communications system
First Claim
1. A method of remotely providing an on-line service on a host computer between a plurality of service-providers and a plurality of subscribers, comprising the steps of:
- generating service maps for individual service providers, each service map capable of being remotely edited or updated by said individual service-provider, and wherein each of said service maps defines a set of features accessible to an associated subscriber group;
establishing a communications link between a host computer and a subscriber terminal;
associating the subscriber terminal with a service map of a particular service provider; and
allowing the subscriber to access the set of features defined by the service provider in its associated service map.
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0 Petitions
Accused Products
Abstract
An on-line communications service allows a plurality of service providers to provide services to respective groups of subscribers, with the on-line service from each provider being independent of the on-line service from other providers. The subscribers'"'"' access to features is maintained through service maps which are customized by the service provider interactively with the host computer. Upon log-on, the service map is downloaded to a subscriber'"'"'s computer and defines the services which can be accessed, the appearance of the user interface and navigation through the services. Data for each provider'"'"'s service is maintained separately from the data for other providers. Billing can be customized for each provider.
218 Citations
16 Claims
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1. A method of remotely providing an on-line service on a host computer between a plurality of service-providers and a plurality of subscribers, comprising the steps of:
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generating service maps for individual service providers, each service map capable of being remotely edited or updated by said individual service-provider, and wherein each of said service maps defines a set of features accessible to an associated subscriber group; establishing a communications link between a host computer and a subscriber terminal; associating the subscriber terminal with a service map of a particular service provider; and allowing the subscriber to access the set of features defined by the service provider in its associated service map. - View Dependent Claims (2, 3, 4, 5, 6, 7, 8, 9)
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10. A multi-provider on-line system comprising:
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a host computer system for providing a plurality of on-line features; a plurality of subscriber terminals; a communications link between the host computer and said subscriber terminals; a processor in said host system for orchestrating the transfer of data between the host computer system and the subscriber terminals; an ID look-up table and subscriber control software for associating a subscriber terminal with a remotely defined provider service map establishing a predetermined set of said on-line features; provider specific menu data maintained in said host computer system for providing on-line features to the subscriber terminal based upon subscriber selections from the associated service map. - View Dependent Claims (11, 12, 13, 14, 15, 16)
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Specification