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

• US 20010035878A1
• Filed: 03/19/2001
• Published: 11/01/2001
• 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 7,243,310 B2
• Time in Patent Office: Days
• US Class Current: 345/745
• 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 method of recording browser view stimuli, comprising:

detecting a visual event;

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

recording at least one parameter.

3. The method of

claim 1

wherein the parameter is a two-dimensional offset of the online content as it is displayed within a browser window.

4. The method of

claim 1

wherein the parameter is a two-dimensional position of a pointing device.

5. The method of

claim 1

wherein the parameter comprises textual and binary objects systematically displayed within each browser window.

6. The method of

claim 1

wherein the parameter is a graphical image of online content as displayed in a browser window.

7. The method of

claim 1

wherein the parameter is an inventory of objects that comprise online content, and the two-dimensional position of each object in a browser window.

8. The method of

claim 1

wherein the parameter is a user eye position.

9. The method of

claim 1

wherein the parameter is a pupil dilation.

10. The method of

claim 1

wherein the viewable stimuli is a viewable-portion of a browser interface.

11. The method of

claim 1

wherein the method operates in a browser software.

12. The method of

claim 1

wherein recording stores at least one parameter at a data storage device.

13. The method of

claim 1

recording records parameters and data in a database.

14. The method of

claim 1

wherein detecting is triggered by a browser software.

15. The method of

claim 1

wherein detecting is triggered by a monitored event.

2. The method of claim wherein the parameter is a network address of all online content immediately displayed within a browser window.

16. A data storage device that maintains a method of the method comprising:

detecting a visual event;

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

recording at least one parameter.

17. The data storage device of

claim 16

wherein the parameter is a network address of online content immediately displayed within a browser window.

18. The data storage device of

claim 16

wherein the parameter is a two-dimensional offset of the online content as it is displayed within a browser window.

19. The data storage device of

claim 16

wherein the parameter is a user eye position.

20. Memory in a computer system that maintains data capable of transforming a computer system into a visual stimuli recording system;

detecting a visual event;

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

recording at least one parameter.