Method and apparatus for monitoring information access

Details Method and apparatus for monitoring information access Method and apparatus for monitoring information access

1998-01-16

2001-07-03

Choules, Jack (Department: 2177)

Data processing: database and file management or data structures

Database design

Data structure types

C707S793000, C707S793000, C345S215000, C345S215000, C709S203000, C709S224000, C709S223000

Reexamination Certificate

active

06256620

ABSTRACT:

FIELD OF THE INVENTION
The present invention relates to data handling systems. More specifically, the invention provides a system that monitors the access of information by an individual or system.
BACKGROUND
Systems are available that allow an individual to search for information and conduct transactions. For example, an individual may use a web browser application to search for information stored on web servers in the form of web pages. Additionally, a web browser application can be used to conduct transactions (such as bank transactions) across the Internet. Various other types of systems and applications may be used to search for information and conduct transactions.
When an individual is searching for specific information or executing a transaction, the web pages or other information sources may not provide the specific information desired by the individual. In this situation, the individual may continue searching other information sources using the same searching system or application. Alternatively, the individual may attempt to search for the desired information using a different searching system or application. For example, if the individual is unable to locate the desired information at a particular web site, the individual may try searching at a different web site or may try searching through product brochures for the desired information.
These existing systems typically provide minimal feedback to the source of the information (e.g., the organization responsible for the web server or web page) regarding the success or failure of the individual's search results. Generally, the individual does not have any options for assistance except by initiating a communication (such as a telephone call) to the organization responsible for the web page or by searching at another information source. If the individual contacts the organization responsible for the web server or web page, the representative of the organization will initially be unfamiliar with the information already obtained by the individual. Additionally, the representative will initially be unfamiliar with the number of web pages viewed and the time spent viewing each web page. Further, the representative that receives the telephone call may not have the required knowledge or expertise to provide the required information to the individual. In this situation, the individual may need to talk to another representative having the appropriate knowledge and expertise. This procedure can be tedious and time-consuming for the individual.
Certain existing systems provide a mechanism that allows a web server or other information source to track the access of information by an individual or system. These systems track information access by executing a procedure or algorithm on the web server or other information source. These systems are unable to track all accesses to information because the procedure only detects information that is retrieved directly from the web server or other information source.
It is therefore desirable to provide a system that fully monitors an individual's access to information contained in a web server or other information storage mechanism. Additionally, it is desirable to provide a system that selectively displays an assistance icon to an individual to assist with their search for information.
SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION
The present invention relates to a system that monitors the access of information by an individual or system. A particular embodiment of the invention provides an access monitoring application to an information accessing system. The access monitoring application monitors information accessed by the information accessing system. Data is received from the information accessing system. The received data identifies the information accessed by the information accessing system.
Other embodiments of the invention use a web browser application to access information stored in web pages.
Another embodiment records the data that identifies the information accessed by the information accessing system.
Particular embodiments of the invention terminate the monitoring of information access if the information accessing system stops accessing information.


REFERENCES:
patent: 4964077 (1990-10-01), Eisen et al.
patent: 5239617 (1993-08-01), Gardner et al.
patent: 5727129 (1998-03-01), Barrett et al.
patent: 5796952 (1998-08-01), Davis et al.
patent: 5799292 (1998-08-01), Hekmatpour
patent: 5870769 (1999-02-01), Freund
patent: 5875296 (1999-02-01), Shei et al.
patent: 5877757 (1999-03-01), Baldwin et al.
patent: 5890164 (1999-03-01), Nielson
patent: 5940614 (1999-08-01), Allen et al.
patent: 5951652 (1999-09-01), Ingrassia, Jr. et al.
patent: 6047261 (2000-04-01), Siefert

Affiliated with

Also associated with

Rating

Method and apparatus for monitoring information access does not yet have a rating. At this time, there are no reviews or comments for this patent.

If you have personal experience with Method and apparatus for monitoring information access, we encourage you to share that experience with our LandOfFree.com community. Your opinion is very important and Method and apparatus for monitoring information access will most certainly appreciate the feedback.

Rate now

Comments { 0 }

Profile ID: LFUS-PAI-O-2480989