초록 ▼

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 informa

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. Method 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.

대표청구항 ▼

[ What is claimed is:] [1.] A computer-based communication system comprising:a provider memory storing information;a consumer memory;association means for creating metadata and storing said metadata at said provider memory, said metadata describing association with at least a portion of said informa

[ What is claimed is:] [1.] A computer-based communication system comprising:a provider memory storing information;a consumer memory;association means for creating metadata and storing said metadata at said provider memory, said metadata describing association with at least a portion of said information and defining a control structure which is processed at least at the consumer memory to define a process for determining an update of an associated portion of said information in the provider memory associated with said control structure and for controlling communication of said associated portion to said consumer memory when said associated portion is updated;transfer means for transferring and storing a copy of said associated portion and said control structure, from said provider memory to said consumer memory;update determining means for processing said information, including said control structure, to determine when said associated portion in said provider memory has been updated;transfer control means for processing said information, including said control structure, to transfer a copy of said associated portion from said provider memory to said consumer memory when said update determining means determines that said associated portion has been updated.