An automated communications system operates to transfer data, metadata and methods from a provider computer to a consumer computer through a communications network. The transferred information controls the communications relationship, including responses by the consumer computer, updating of information, and processes for future communications. Information which changes in the provider computer is automatically updated in the consumer computer through the communications system in order to maintain continuity of the relationship. Transfer of metadata and methods permits intelligent processing of information by the consumer computer and combined control by the provider and consumer of the types and content of information subsequently transferred. Object oriented processing is used for storage and transfer of information. The use of metadata and methods further allows for automating may of the actions underlying the communications, including communication acknowledgements and archiving of information. Service objects and partner servers provide specialized data, metadata, and methods to providers and consumers to automate many common communications services and transactions useful to both providers and consumers. A combination of the provider and consumer programs and databases allows for additional functionality, including coordination of multiple users for a single database.

Computer-based communication system and method using metadata defining a control-structure

A computerized system for forming a network of buyers and vendors for processing requests for quotation for goods and services including storage means containing the identification of network members, means for network buyers to generate a request for quotation for goods and/or services, means for transmitting the request, filter means for selecting appropriate network members to receive the request based on filter conditions defined by the buyer and/or by the vendor and/or by the central processing unit, and means for responding to the generator of the request for quotation with either a response to the request or with a list of selected network members. Filter conditions may define the class of vendors in terms of geographical location, quantity, language, currency, special conditions of sale, and the like.

Computerized quotation system and method

A system and method provides universal access to voice-based documents containing information formatted using MIME and HTML standards using customized extensions for voice information access and navigation. These voice documents are linked using HTML hyper-links that are accessible to subscribers using voice commands, touch-tone inputs and other selection means. These voice documents and components in them are addressable using HTML anchors embedding HTML universal resource locators (URLs) rendering them universally accessible over the Internet. This collection of connected documents forms a voice web. The voice web includes subscriber-specific documents including speech training files for speaker dependent speech recognition, voice print files for authenticating the identity of a user and personal preference and attribute files for customizing other aspects of the system in accordance with a specific subscriber.

System and method for providing and using universally accessible voice and speech data files

An electronic statement presentment (ESP) system (200) replaces the preparations and mailing of paper statements and invoices from a biller (102) with electronic delivery. Electronic statements (224) have the same look as paper statements as well as including video, audio, graphics, and custom enclosures. Statements are segmented into mandatory and optional components to minimize download time. The ESP system (200) operates independently or is an enhancement to any suitable electronic bill payment system. A central switch computer (214) coordinates template storage, validation, routing and message passing between billers (102), workstations and consumer financial institutions (CFIs) (130). A template authoring workstation (TAWS) (210) creates a template (212) of static biller information to serve as a basis for the electronic statement. The template (212) is stored in a template library (216) at the switch (214). Batches of customer statement data (206) are sent from a biller's legacy invoicing system (204) to a statement origination workstation (SORG) (208) along with a template identifier. The batch of customer statement data is sorted by a statement generation workstation (SGEN) identifier associated with each customer record.

Electronic statement presentment system

A system for providing scheduled messages to a remote user in a batch oriented system. In a preferred embodiment of the present invention, a user creates and/or reads electronic mail locally. While the user creates the electronic mail, a message is displayed to the user on a portion of the local monitor, the message preferably changing in accordance with a local display schedule and stored on a local storage device. The message is preferably targeted to the particular user. When the user is ready to transmit the e-mail created and/or receive e-mail addressed to him, the user's local client establishes a connection via a modem with a remote e-mail server system. The remote e-mail server system not only receives the e-mail transmitted by the user and/or transmits e-mail addressed to the user, but also updates the user's local messages in accordance with a distribution schedule. After the e-mail and message updates are transmitted, the user's local client computer is disconnected from the remote e-mail server system.

Electronic mail system for displaying advertisement at local computer received from remote system while the local computer is off-line the remote system

Systems and methods provide communication between a user-friendly terminal (2), such as a 'home terminal' shaped to resemble a conventional telephone (2), and a number of service provider computers such as financial institutions (20a-20d). The system's application software transforms simple user commands into commands understood by the service provider computers (20a-20d). The network host computer (8) supplies messages to the terminal for generating prompts needed to solicit required information from the user, and communicates with the service computers (20a-20d) according to their respective protocols. The invention provides a packet assembler and disassembler (PAD) element within the home terminal itself, allowing fast response time for the customer at the home terminal while retaining the benefits of data error, entry error correction and data transmission error correction.

Naylor William

Papers

Home services delivery system with intelligent terminal emulator