Network and method for facilitating on-line privacy

• US 20020055912A1
• Filed: 10/19/2001
• Published: 05/09/2002
• Est. Priority Date: 10/20/2000
• Status: Abandoned Application

• Current Assignee: Byron Buck
• Original Assignee: Byron Buck
• Inventors: Buck, Byron
• Application Number:
  US09/982,019
• Publication Number:
  US 20020055912A1
• Time in Patent Office: Days
• US Class Current: 705/76
• CPC Class Codes: G06Q 20/3821 Electronic credentials
• CPC Class Codes: G06Q 30/02 Marketing; Price estimation or determination; Fundraising

Abstract

A network consisting of member users and member vendors and a method of insuring the privacy of those members. The network, known as the e-Privacy Network, allows user members to browse the Web with the security of having a consent/permission relationship, known as an e-Privacy contract, when browsing the sites of member vendors. Users are protected by cookie-removal protection when browsing a non-member site. Because user members are protected by the e-privacy contract, they are confident in allowing their personally identifiable information, known as an e-profile, to be submitted to member vendors. The e-cookie software permits Web sites to collect non-identifiable information about the member users that may result in better targeted advertisements, offers, deals, etc. for user, as well as incentives for the submission of e-profile information. A method and means for monitoring or auditing internet usage is also disclosed.

Claims

1. A method of allowing a user to browse the Web without reducing access and without privacy concerns, comprising:

enabling the user to create a personal profile;

accepting a cookie from Web sites that send cookies;

determining if a site has executed a contract regarding privacy;

making available an electronically-created file to the site, the file containing or enabling the site to access profile information about the user if the site has executed the contract;

removing or hiding the cookie if the site has not executed the contract; and

forwarding an electronically-created file to the site offering the site an opportunity to affirm the contract if the site has not executed the contract.

2. The method of claim 1 wherein said enabling the user to create a profile includes providing Web-based forms or providing software that queries the user.

3. The method of claim 1 wherein said making available is accomplished by forwarding the electronically-created file to the site.

4. The method of claim 1 wherein said making available is accomplished by placing the electronically-created file on a hard drive of the user.

5. The method of claim 1 further comprising:

creating pseudo-cookies for sites that do not send cookies;

keeping track of the cookies and the pseudo-cookies; and

causing a list of the cookies and the pseudo-cookies to be displayed at the request of a user.

6. A method of acting as an intermediary between a user and a Web site, comprising:

providing a contract addressing the privacy of the user to the Web site;

causing the contract to be executed by the Web site.

7. The method of claim 6 further comprising:

providing data entry means to the user so that the user can provide a personal profile; and

providing the personal profile to the Web site if it has executed the contract.

8. The method of claim 7 wherein said providing the personal profile includes providing an electronically-created file to the Web site.

9. The method of claim 8 wherein said providing an electronically-created file includes providing a unique user identifier code to the Web site, which the Web site can use to obtain the personal profile.

10. The method of claim 7 wherein said providing the personal profile to a Web site includes:

receiving a request from the Web site for personal profile data meeting certain requirements; and

providing information to the Web site based on a conglomeration of data from multiple profiles responsive to the request.

11. The method of claim 7 wherein said providing the personal profile to a Web site includes providing a limited amount of data based on user-defined criteria.

12. The method of claim 6 wherein said causing the contract to be executed includes sending a message to the Web site if it has not previously executed the contract.

13. The method of claim 6 wherein said causing the contract to be executed includes:

removing or hiding a cookie sent by the Web site if it has not previously executed the contract; and

sending a message to the Web site informing it that the cookie will not be available until it executes the contract.

14. The method of claim 6 wherein said causing the contract to be executed includes negotiating with the Web site at the outset of the application of the method.

16. The method of claim 15 wherein said receiving personal information includes:

sending a cookie to the user; and

receiving the personal information or a code to obtain the personal information.

17. The method of claim 15 wherein said receiving personal information includes:

sending a cookie to the user; and

retrieving the personal information or a code to obtain the personal information from a hard drive of the user.

18. The method of claim 15 wherein said receiving personal information includes:

requesting information based on certain demographic and other criteria of users; and

receiving data about the users.

20. The system of claim 19 wherein said means to make available is means to forward the electronically-created file to the site.

21. The system of claim 19 wherein said means to make available is means to place the electronically-created file on a hard drive of the user.

22. The system of claim 19 further comprising:

means for creating a pseudo-cookie if a site does not send a cookie;

means for keeping track of the cookies and the pseudo-cookies; and

means for causing a list of the cookies and the pseudo-cookies to be displayed at the request of a user.

24. The product of claim 23 further including means for allowing a user to input personal data.

25. The product of claim 24 further including means for a vendor to make queries as to user input.

26. The product of claim 24 wherein said means for allowing a user to input is located on one of a personal computer of the user and a centralized site.

27. The product of claim 23 wherein said means to accept a cookie is located on one of a personal computer of the user and a centralized site.

28. The product of claim 23 further including means for allowing a vendor to input information about the vendor or its products.

29. The product of claim 28 further including means for a user to make queries as to vendor input.

30. The product of claim 28 wherein said means for allowing a vendor to input is located on one of the site of the vendor and a centralized site.

31. The product of claim 23 wherein said means to make available is means to forward the electronically-created file to the site.

32. The product of claim 23 wherein said means to make available is means to place the electronically-created file on a hard drive of the user.

33. The product of claim 23 further comprising:

means for creating a pseudo-cookie if a site does not send a cookie;

means for keeping track of the cookies and the pseudo-cookies; and

means for causing a list of the cookies and the pseudo-cookies to be displayed at the request of a user.

15. A computerized method of insuring the privacy of a user and obtaining personal information about the user, comprising:

executing a contract addressing the privacy of the user;

receiving personal information about the user in exchange for executing the contract.

19. A system for protecting the privacy of a user, comprising:

software including;

means to accept a cookie if a site sends a cookie;

means to determine if a site has executed a contract regarding privacy;

means to make available an electronically-created file to sites having executed the contract which contains or enables the site to access profile information about the user;

means to remove or hide the cookie if the site has not executed the contract; and

means to forward an electronically-created file to the site if the site has not executed the contract which contains a message informing the site of the disposition of its cookie and offers the site a chance to execute the contract;

data-entry means which allows the user to enter personal data; and

a user profile database for storing the data.

23. A computer software product having a computer-executable set of instructions for protecting the privacy of a user, comprising:

means to accept a cookie if a site sends a cookie;

means to determine if a site has executed a contract regarding privacy;

means to make available an electronically-created file to sites having executed the contract which contains or enables the site to access profile information about the user;

means to remove or hide the cookie if the site has not executed the contract; and

means to forward an electronically-created file to the site if the site has not executed the contract which contains a message informing the site of the disposition of its cookie, offers the site a chance to execute the contract.