Interactive system for remoting creating, editing and administrating an online communcation system for a plurality of online service providers

Claim 3

The method of claim 1, wherein said associating step comprises the step of receiving a subscriber identity code from the subscriber terminal and determining the associated service map responsive to the subscriber identity code.

Claim 4

The method of claim 1, further comprising the step of transmitting a menu for the associated service map from the host computer to the subscriber terminal.

Claim 5

The method of claim 3 wherein said allowing step comprises the step of generating a user interface responsive to said menu to display accessible features on said subscriber terminal responsive to the associated service map.

Claim 6

The method of claim 4 wherein said allowing step further comprises transmitting selection code information from the subscriber terminal to the host computer corresponding to a menu selection made by the subscriber.

Claim 7

The method of claim 5 wherein said step of generating service maps comprises the step of selecting features by a service provider from a list of available features provided by the host computer.

Claim 10

The method of claim 7, further comprising the step of publishing a portion of the data to permit other service providers to access the data.

Claim 11

The method of claim 7, further comprising the step of transmitting a portion of said data from the host computer to the subscriber terminal based upon subscriber selections on the associated service map.

Claim 12

A multi-provider on-line system comprising: a host computer system for providing a plurality of on-line features; a plurality of remote 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; a provider-defined service map that is generated by a service provider remotely from the host computer system, said provider defined service map defining a set of features; an ID look-up table and subscriber control software for associating a subscriber terminal with said provider-defined service map; 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.

Claim 13

A multi-provider on-line system comprising: a host computer system for providing a plurality of on-line features; a plurality of remote 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; a provider-defined service map that is generated by a service provider remotely from the host computer system, said provider defined service map defining a set of features; an ID look-up table and subscriber control software for associating a subscriber terminal with said provider-defined service map; 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.

Claim 14

The on-line service of claim 10 wherein said provider specific menu data stores data associated with the service map, and said processor transfers service menu information from said provider specific menu data to an associated subscriber terminal which generates a user menu interface on said subscriber terminal, such that only the features associated with the service map are accessible.

Claim 15

A multi-provider on-line system comprising: 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 provider-defined service map defining a predetermined set of 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; and system features and menu creation software for allowing providers to define unique service maps.

Claim 16

A multi-provider on-line system comprising: 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 provider-defined service map defining a predetermined set of 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; and system features and menu creation software for allowing providers to define unique service maps.

Claim 17

The on-line service of claim 12 wherein said host computer system includes a list of global features which can be included in the service map of any service provider.

Claim 18

The on-line service of claim 13 wherein said host computer further includes a list of private features owned by a service provider, which may be included only in the service map of the owning provider.

Claim 19

A multi-provider on-line system comprising: a host computer system for providing a plurality of on-line feature, said host computer system including a list of global features which can be included in a service map of any service provider and including a first list of private features owned by a service provider which may be included only in the service map of the owning provider and a second list of private features owned by a service provider which are published by the owning provider, and which are made accessible to other service providers; 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 provider-defined service map defining 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; and system features and menu creation software for allowing providers to define unique service maps.

Claim 20

A multi-provider on-line system comprising: a host computer system for providing a plurality of on-line feature, said host computer system including a list of global features which can be included in a service map of any service provider and including a first list of private features owned by a service provider which may be included only in the service map of the owning provider and a second list of private features owned by a service provider which are published by the owning provider, and which are made accessible to other service providers; 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 provider-defined service map defining 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; and system features and menu creation software for allowing providers to define unique service maps.

Claim 21

A multi-provider on-line system, comprising: 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 provider-defined service map defining 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 said provider specific menu data stores data associated with the service map, and said processor transfers service menu information from said provider specific menu data to an associated subscriber terminal which generates a user menu interface on said subscriber terminal such that only the features associated with the service map are accessible; and billing structure data defined by the service provider for generating bills to associated subscribers.

Claim 22

A multi-provider on-line system, comprising: 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 provider-defined service map defining 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 said provider specific menu data stores data associated with the service map, and said processor transfers service menu information from said provider specific menu data to an associated subscriber terminal which generates a user menu interface on said subscriber terminal such that only the features associated with the service map are accessible; and billing structure data defined by the service provider for generating bills to associated subscribers.

Claim 23

A host system for providing customized on-line services for each of a plurality of service providers and a plurality of subscribers, said system comprising: a host communications interface for establishing communications with said service providers and with said subscribers; a processor coupled to said host communications interface to control the transfer of data between said host system and said service providers, and between said host system and said subscribers; an outline of system available features from which a specific service provider may select features remotely to include in a service provider specific customized on-line service map; and a provider specific menu data base for said specific customized on-line service map, which is remotely accessible by subscribers associated with the specific service provider.

Claim 24

A host system for providing customized on-line services for each of a plurality of service providers and a plurality of subscribers, said system comprising: a host communications interface for establishing communications with said service providers and with said subscribers; a processor coupled to said host communications interface to control the transfer of data between said host system and said service providers, and between said host system and said subscribers; an outline of system available features from which a specific service provider may select features remotely to include in a service provider specific customized on-line service map; and a provider specific menu data base for said specific customized on-line service map, which is remotely accessible by subscribers associated with the specific service provider.

Claim 25

A host system as in claim 17, wherein the system available features include global features available to all service providers.

Claim 26

A host system as in claim 17, further comprising subscriber control software for controlling communications between the host system and said subscribers.

Claim 27

A host system as in claim 19, wherein subscribers are issued identification numbers by service providers, and said host system further comprises an identification look-up table to associate each subscriber with a particular service provider.

Claim 28

A host system as in claim 20, wherein the processor transmits menus to subscribers based upon the identification number of the subscriber.

Claim 29

A host system for providing customized on-line services for each of a plurality of service providers and a plurality of subscribers said system comprising: a host communications interface for establishing communications with said service providers and with said subscribers; a processor coupled to said host communications interface to control the transfer of data between said host system and said service providers, and between said host system and said subscribers; an outline of system available features from which a specific service provider may select features to include in a service provider specific customized on-line service map, wherein said system features include private provider features for customization by service providers; and a provider specific menu data base for said specific customized on-line service map, which is accessible by subscribers associated with the specific service provider.

Claim 30

A host system for providing customized on-line services for each of a plurality of service providers and a plurality of subscribers said system comprising: a host communications interface for establishing communications with said service providers and with said subscribers; a processor coupled to said host communications interface to control the transfer of data between said host system and said service providers, and between said host system and said subscribers; an outline of system available features from which a specific service provider may select features to include in a service provider specific customized on-line service map, wherein said system features include private provider features for customization by service providers; and a provider specific menu data base for said specific customized on-line service map, which is accessible by subscribers associated with the specific service provider.

Claim 31

A host system for providing customized on-line services for each of a plurality of service providers and a plurality of subscribers, said system comprising: a host communications interface for establishing communications with said service providers and with said subscribers, a processor coupled to said host communications interface to control the transfer of data between said host system and said service providers, and between said host system and said subscribers; an outline of system available features including features published by a particular service provider which are available to all service providers from which a specific service provider may select features to include in a service provider specific customized on-line service map; and a provider specific menu data base for said specific customized on-line service map, which is accessible by subscribers associated with the specific service provider.

Claim 32

A host system for providing customized on-line services for each of a plurality of service providers and a plurality of subscribers, said system comprising: a host communications interface for establishing communications with said service providers and with said subscribers, a processor coupled to said host communications interface to control the transfer of data between said host system and said service providers, and between said host system and said subscribers; an outline of system available features including features published by a particular service provider which are available to all service providers from which a specific service provider may select features to include in a service provider specific customized on-line service map; and a provider specific menu data base for said specific customized on-line service map, which is accessible by subscribers associated with the specific service provider.

Claim 33

A host system for providing customized on-line services for each of a plurality of service providers and a plurality of subscribers, said system comprising: a host communications interface for establishing communications with said service providers and with said subscribers: a processor coupled to said host communications interface to control the transfer of data between said host system and said service providers, and between said host system and said subscribers; an outline of system available features including from which a specific service provider may select features to include in a service provider specific customized on-line service map; and a provider specific menu database including billing structure data for said specific customized on-line service map, which is accessible by subscribers associated with the specific service providers.

Claim 34

A host system for providing customized on-line services for each of a plurality of service providers and a plurality of subscribers, said system comprising: a host communications interface for establishing communications with said service providers and with said subscribers: a processor coupled to said host communications interface to control the transfer of data between said host system and said service providers, and between said host system and said subscribers; an outline of system available features including from which a specific service provider may select features to include in a service provider specific customized on-line service map; and a provider specific menu database including billing structure data for said specific customized on-line service map, which is accessible by subscribers associated with the specific service providers.

Claim 35

A host system for providing customized on-line services for each of a plurality of service providers and a plurality of subscribers, said system comprising: a host communications interface for establishing communications with said service providers and with said subscribers; a processor coupled to said host communications interface to control the transfer of data between said host system and said service providers, and between said host system and said subscribers; an outline of system available features from which a specific service provider may select features to include in a service provider specific customized on-line service map; a provider specific menu data base for said specific customized on-line service map which is accessible by subscribers associated with the specific service provider; and menu creation software to enable said service providers to generate, edit and administer a specific customized on-line service.

Claim 36

A host system for providing customized on-line services for each of a plurality of service providers and a plurality of subscribers, said system comprising: a host communications interface for establishing communications with said service providers and with said subscribers; a processor coupled to said host communications interface to control the transfer of data between said host system and said service providers, and between said host system and said subscribers; an outline of system available features from which a specific service provider may select features to include in a service provider specific customized on-line service map; a provider specific menu data base for said specific customized on-line service map which is accessible by subscribers associated with the specific service provider; and menu creation software to enable said service providers to generate, edit and administer a specific customized on-line service.

Claim 37

A host system as in claim 25, wherein said provider specific menu data base is loaded and administered by the specific service provider.

Claim 38

A host system for providing customized on-line services for each of a plurality of service providers and a plurality of subscribers, said system comprising: a host communications interface for establishing communications with said service providers and with said subscribers; a processor coupled to said host communications interface to control the transfer of data between said host system and said service providers, and between said host system and said subscribers; an ID look-up table to associate each subscriber with a particular service provider; subscriber control software to control the data transmitted to said subscriber in response to receipt of an appropriate ID number, and wherein said data is organized through the use of custom menus to guide the subscriber through the list of available features for the associated service provider; an outline of system available features from which an individual service provider selects features to include in the custom menus of that service provider; and a provider specific menu data base for said custom menus, said data base being accessible only by subscribers associated with the specific service provider.

Claim 39

A host system for providing customized on-line services for each of a plurality of service providers and a plurality of subscribers, said system comprising: a host communications interface for establishing communications with said service providers and with said subscribers; a processor coupled to said host communications interface to control the transfer of data between said host system and said service providers, and between said host system and said subscribers; an ID look-up table to associate each subscriber with a particular service provider; subscriber control software to control the data transmitted to said subscriber in response to receipt of an appropriate ID number, and wherein said data is organized through the use of custom menus to guide the subscriber through the list of available features for the associated service provider; an outline of system available features from which an individual service provider selects features to include in the custom menus of that service provider; and a provider specific menu data base for said custom menus, said data base being accessible only by subscribers associated with the specific service provider.

Claim 42

A computer readable storage medium for storing an executable set of software instructions which, when inserted into a host computer system, is capable of controlling the operation of the host computer, said software instructions including: means for establishing a communications link between the host computer and a remote service provider; means for providing the service provider with a list of available system features to include in a customized service map unique to the service provider; means for memorizing the customized service map selected by the service provider; means for receiving provider specific menu data associated with the customized service map created by the service provider; and means for storing said provider specific menu data in memory for downloading to associated subscribers.

Claim 43

A computer readable storage medium for storing an executable set of software instructions which, when inserted into a host computer system, is capable of controlling the operation of the host computer, said software instructions including: means for establishing a communications link between the host computer and a remote service provider; means for providing the service provider with a list of available system features to include in a customized service map unique to the service provider; means for memorizing the customized service map selected by the service provider; means for receiving provider specific menu data associated with the customized service map created by the service provider; and means for storing said provider specific menu data in memory for downloading to associated subscribers.

Claim 44

A storage medium as in claim 29, wherein said customized service map comprises a customized set of menus, and said provider specific data comprises the database associated with certain menu selections.

Claim 45

A storage medium as in claim 29, further comprising: means for establishing a communication link with a subscriber; means for receiving the subscriber's ID number; means for determining the service provider associated with the ID number; means for downloading to the subscriber the customized service map unique to that associated service provider; means for receiving menu codes for menu selections made by the subscriber; and means for processing the service selected by the subscriber.

Claim 46

A storage medium as in claim 29, further comprising: means for enabling the service provider to edit the customized service map.

Claim 47

A host computer for providing on-line services for a plurality of service providers, with each of the service providers capable of generating customized menus and databases for associated subscribers, said host computer being adapted to execute a machine-readable computer program code, comprising: means for establishing a communications link between the host computer and a remote service provider, and for establishing a communication link between the host computer and a subscriber; means for providing the service provider with a list of available system features to include in a customized service map unique to the service provider; means for memorizing the customized service map selected by the service provider; means for receiving provider specific menu data associated with the customized service map created by the service provider; means for storing said provider specific menu data in memory for downloading to associated subscribers; means for receiving the subscriber's ID number; means for determining the service provider associated with the ID number; means for downloading to the subscriber the customized service map unique to that associated service provider; means for receiving menu codes for menu selections made by the subscriber; and means for processing the service selected by the subscriber.

Claim 48

A host computer for providing on-line services for a plurality of service providers, with each of the service providers capable of generating customized menus and databases for associated subscribers, said host computer being adapted to execute a machine-readable computer program code, comprising: means for establishing a communications link between the host computer and a remote service provider, and for establishing a communication link between the host computer and a subscriber; means for providing the service provider with a list of available system features to include in a customized service map unique to the service provider; means for memorizing the customized service map selected by the service provider; means for receiving provider specific menu data associated with the customized service map created by the service provider; means for storing said provider specific menu data in memory for downloading to associated subscribers; means for receiving the subscriber's ID number; means for determining the service provider associated with the ID number; means for downloading to the subscriber the customized service map unique to that associated service provider; means for receiving menu codes for menu selections made by the subscriber; and means for processing the service selected by the subscriber.

Claim 49

A computer readable storage medium for storing an executable set of software instructions which, when loaded into a service provider computer, is capable of controlling the operation of the service provider computer, said software instructions including: means for establishing a communications link between a host computer system and the service provider computer; means for receiving a list of available system features from the host computer system to include in a customized service map unique to the service provider; means for selecting available system features for inclusion in the customized service map of the service provider; and means for transmitting provider specific menu data associated with the customized service map created by the service provider to provide a customized on-line service maintained in said host computer system.

Claim 50

A computer readable storage medium for storing an executable set of software instructions which, when loaded into a service provider computer, is capable of controlling the operation of the service provider computer, said software instructions including: means for establishing a communications link between a host computer system and the service provider computer; means for receiving a list of available system features from the host computer system to include in a customized service map unique to the service provider; means for selecting available system features for inclusion in the customized service map of the service provider; and means for transmitting provider specific menu data associated with the customized service map created by the service provider to provide a customized on-line service maintained in said host computer system.

Claim 53

A method as in claim 35, further comprising permitting service provides to edit or update their customized service map.

Claim 54

A method as in claim 35, wherein the host system provides global features that are available to all subscribers.