Appeal No. 2005-0509 Page 2
Application No. 09/449,237
authorized non-sponsored portal could be an authorized user’s home computer.
In operation, when a user connects to the controller, the controller initiates a
validation sequence. The controller seamlessly accesses a record system or a
database to identify the portal and the user. When the portal and the user are
identified, the controller assigns an access code. Preferably, the access code
defines the user’s access rights that determine the level of services and
discounts offered to the user. While the access code is being assigned, the
controller may transparently access a payment database or a payment controller
that retains records of user accounts receivable. If the user is delinquent, the
controller can prompt the user to tender payment. Payment may then be
tendered, for example, through credit cards, electronic fund transfer, debit cards,
digital cash, vending systems, or other known electronic commerce methods.
Appellant’s specification at page 2, lines 2-18.
Claim 81 is representative of the claimed invention and is reproduced as
follows:
81. A method of providing wellness-related services, including at least one of
wellness, health, or fitness services through a publicly accessible distributed
network to authorized users using authorized portals, comprising:
providing an online site that enables wellness-related databases to be
accessed from at least one of a sponsored and a non-sponsored portal;
placing in communication at least one of a sponsored and non-sponsored
portal to the online site through the publicly accessible distributed network
wherein the publicly accessible distributed network includes the Internet, wherein
the sponsored portal is at least in part sponsored by and located at, a fitness
center, and wherein at least one of the non-sponsored portals accesses the on-
line site through the Internet;
receiving a request at the online site requesting access to the wellness-
related databases;
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