Methods and devices for recording changes in visual stimuli observed through browser-based interfaces

• US 20010029439A1
• Filed: 03/19/2001
• Published: 10/11/2001
• Est. Priority Date: 03/17/2000
• Status: Active Grant

• Current Assignee: Slingshot Technologies LLC
• Original Assignee: Schlucktronix LLC (Intellectual Ventures LLC)
• Inventors: Vanover, William K., Crain, Kenneth H.
• Granted Patent: US 7,774,716 B2
• Time in Patent Office: Days
• US Class Current: 702/187
• CPC Class Codes: G06F 16/9535 Search customisation based on user profiles and personalisation
• CPC Class Codes: G06F 3/0481 based on specific properties of the displayed interaction object or a metaphor-based environment, e.g. interaction with desktop elements like windows or icons, or assisted by a cursor's changing behaviour or appearance
• CPC Class Codes: G06F 3/0484 for the control of specific functions or operations, e.g. selecting or manipulating an object, an image or a displayed text element, setting a parameter value or selecting a range
• CPC Class Codes: G06Q 10/109 Time management, e.g. calendars, reminders, meetings or time accounting
• CPC Class Codes: G06Q 30/02 Marketing; Price estimation or determination; Fundraising

Abstract

The invention provides methods and devices that address problems encountered when attempting to accurately reconstruct visual stimuli being displayed to a user as they interact with online-content, typically through a browser interface. In one embodiment, the invention provides for the browser to maintain a record of selected technical parameters and relevant data that may impact the manner in which online-content is being displayed to the user, taking into consideration the current context in which the browser is being operated. In another embodiment, the invention is a device for recording events as reported from a browser interface. The events are recorded in a selected format and syntax to form a primary index of events and related outcomes which comprise the user'"'"'s interface experience. In operation, the devices detects events as detected at the browser interface. Next, the devices identifies, categorizes, and filters detected events as to their relevance to the visual stimuli being presented to the user. The devices then assigns a unique identifier, preferably in the form of an alphanumeric string, to each relevant event. Furthermore, the devices records selected events into a log (along with their categorization), a unique identifier, and the time in which the event occurred. Yet another embodiment is a devices that records changes in parameters that may impact the visual stimuli.

Claims

1. A system that enables the recording of user-viewable visual stimuli comprising:

a processing platform for executing code capable of recording a user-viewable stimuli; and

a storage platform for storing at least one user-viewed stimuli, the storage platform coupled to the processing platform.

2. The system of

claim 1

further comprising a user interaction device coupled to the processing platform.

3. The system of

claim 1

wherein the processing platform executes code capable of recording a user-viewable stimuli, by:

detecting a visual event;

verifying that the visual event involves a parameter that changes a viewable stimuli; and

recording at least one parameter.

4. The system of

claim 1

further comprising a browser coupled to the processing platform.

5. The system of

claim 1

further comprising a browser interface coupled to the server.

6. The system of

claim 1

further comprising a network coupled to the processing platform.

7. The system of

claim 1

wherein the storage platform comprises cashed memory.

8. The system of

claim 1

wherein the system is maintained in a Person Digital Assistant (PDA).

9. The system of

claim 6

wherein the network is the internet.

10. The system of

claim 6

further comprising a host computer coupled to the network, the host computer for communicating with the processing platform.

11. The system of

claim 1

further comprising an eye-tracking device coupled to the processing platform.

12. The system of

claim 11

wherein the eye-tracking device is enabled to monitor pupil dilation.

13. A data signal comprising a data structure capable of recording a user-viewable stimuli, by:

detecting a visual event;

verifying that the visual event involves a parameter that changes a viewable stimuli; and

recording at least one parameter.

14. The data signal of

claim 13

further comprising a code segment capable of the parameter is a network address of all online content immediately displayed within a browser window.

15. The data signal of

claim 13

further comprising a code segment capable of the parameter is a two-dimensional offset of the online content as it is displayed within a browser window.

16. A system that records browser-viewable visual stimuli comprising:

a control application;

a browser object in communication with the control application;

an application that receives messages coupled to the browser object and the control application; and

a web page coupled to the browser object.

17. The system of

claim 16

further comprising a computer network for delivering online content to the web page, the network in communication with the web page.