Autonomous browsing agent
First Claim
1. A method for enhancing access to information on a computer network, said computer network carrying and routing data between computers connected thereto, said computers including at least one client computer associated with one or more users, at least one server associated with a provider of goods, services or information, and at least one browsing agent server associated with an autonomous browsing agent, said method comprising the steps of (a) monitoring clickstream data for elements characteristic of data upon which said browsing agent can operate;
- (b) displaying a browsing agent launch window on a display, said browsing agent window allowing said user to launch said browsing agent.
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Accused Products
Abstract
Methods and systems for implementing and supporting an autonomous software agent that assists the user during a web browsing or navigation session on a computer network are disclosed. According to one embodiment, the agent operates in a limited, unobtrusive mode wherein the agent notifies the user that a command option may exist and allows the user the option to launch the full functionality of the browsing agent.
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Citations
38 Claims
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1. A method for enhancing access to information on a computer network, said computer network carrying and routing data between computers connected thereto, said computers including at least one client computer associated with one or more users, at least one server associated with a provider of goods, services or information, and at least one browsing agent server associated with an autonomous browsing agent, said method comprising the steps of
(a) monitoring clickstream data for elements characteristic of data upon which said browsing agent can operate; (b) displaying a browsing agent launch window on a display, said browsing agent window allowing said user to launch said browsing agent. - View Dependent Claims (2, 3, 4, 5, 6, 7, 8, 9, 10, 11, 12, 13, 14, 15)
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16. An apparatus operably connected to a computer network, the computer network carrying and routing data between computers connected thereto, the computers including a browsing agent server configured to facilitate operation of network access devices, comprising
a display device, a network access module, the network access module facilitating access to and display of data transmitted over the computer network; - and
a browsing agent client, the browsing agent client, in a limited mode, monitoring the clickstream associated with the network access module for indications that the browsing agent client may be operable;
wherein the browsing agent client presents a browsing agent launch control on the display device when the browsing agent client may be operable, the browsing agent launch control facilitating launch of additional functionality of the browsing agent client. - View Dependent Claims (17, 18, 19, 20, 21, 22, 23, 24, 25)
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26. A system allowing for enhanced access to information and services over a computer network, the computer network carrying and routing data between computers connected thereto, comprising
at least one network access device operably connected to the computer network; - and
a browsing agent server operably connected to the computer network;
the browsing agent server configured to facilitate operation of network access devices in conjunction with a browsing agent client, the network access device comprising a display device and a network access module, the network access module facilitating access to and display of data transmitted over the computer network; and
, a browsing agent client, the browsing agent client monitoring, in a limited mode, the clickstream associated with the network access module for indications that the browsing agent client may be operable;
wherein the browsing agent client presents a browsing agent launch control on the display device when the browsing agent client may be operable, the browsing agent launch control facilitating launch of additional functionality of the browsing agent client;
the browsing agent client, when launched, transmitting clickstream data to the browsing agent server and receiving control data in return. - View Dependent Claims (27, 28)
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29. A system allowing for enhanced access to information and services over a computer network, the computer network carrying and routing data between computers connected thereto, comprising
at least one network access device operably connected to the computer network; - and
a browsing agent server operably connected to the computer network;
the browsing agent server configured to facilitate operation of network access devices in conjunction with a browsing agent client, the network access device comprising a network access module, the network access module facilitating access to and display of data transmitted over the computer network; and
, a browsing agent client, the browsing agent client monitoring the clickstream associated with the network access module, the browsing agent client further transmitting clickstream data to the browsing agent server and receiving control data in return. - View Dependent Claims (32, 33, 34, 35)
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- 30. The system of 29 wherein the browsing agent client is operable to perform operations associated with the control data.
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36. An apparatus allowing for enhanced access to information and services over a computer network, the computer network carrying and routing data between computers connected thereto, the computers including a browsing agent server, comprising
a network access module facilitating access to and display of data transmitted over the computer network; - and
a browsing agent client, the browsing agent client monitoring the clickstream associated with the network access module, the browsing agent client further transmitting clickstream data to a browsing agent server and receiving control data in return. - View Dependent Claims (37, 38)
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Specification