Tracking document usage
First Claim
1. A processor-readable medium comprising processor-executable instructions configured for:
- accessing an electronic document;
in response to the accessing, executing tracking code located within the electronic document; and
recording document history information into the electronic document pursuant to instructions in the tracking code.
2 Assignments
0 Petitions
Accused Products
Abstract
A system and methods enable the gathering and transferring of usage information for an electronic document so that the document'"'"'s usage history can be tracked. A document history is recorded into an electronic document through the execution of a tracking module located within the electronic document. When the electronic document is accessed, the tracking module executes to record document history information into the electronic document. The disclosed system and methods provide a convenient way to track secured documents, maintain document databases, and offer feedback to authors on how documents are used so that document contents can be tailored to better suit the needs of an audience.
129 Citations
35 Claims
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1. A processor-readable medium comprising processor-executable instructions configured for:
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accessing an electronic document;
in response to the accessing, executing tracking code located within the electronic document; and
recording document history information into the electronic document pursuant to instructions in the tracking code. - View Dependent Claims (2, 3, 4, 5, 6, 7)
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8. A processor-readable medium comprising processor-executable instructions configured for:
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receiving document history information; and
compiling the document history information to create a record of usage for an electronic document. - View Dependent Claims (9, 10, 11)
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12. A processor-readable medium comprising processor-executable instructions configured for:
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receiving usage information regarding an electronic document;
compiling the usage information into a usage tree that illustrates a usage history of the electronic document. - View Dependent Claims (13)
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14. A processor-readable medium comprising processor-executable instructions configured for:
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generating an electronic document; and
inserting tracking code within the electronic document, the tracking code configured to record document history information into the electronic document. - View Dependent Claims (15, 16)
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17. A processor-readable medium comprising processor-executable instructions configured for:
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accessing an electronic document; and
recording into the electronic document, history information regarding the accessing. - View Dependent Claims (18, 19, 20)
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21. A method of tracking the usage of an electronic document comprising:
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accessing an electronic document;
executing tracking code located within the electronic document;
pursuant to instructions in the tracking code, recording document history information into the electronic document; and
pursuant to further instructions in the tracking code, transmitting the document history information to a location determined by an address stored in the tracking code.
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22. A method of tracking the usage of an electronic document comprising:
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receiving document history information; and
creating a document usage tree based on the document history information. - View Dependent Claims (23)
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24. A method of tracking the usage of an electronic document comprising:
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generating an electronic document;
inserting tracking code within the electronic document, the tracking code configured to record document history information into the electronic document; and
entering a user-designated return address into the tracking code, the tracking code further configured to transfer the document history information to the return address.
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25. A method of tracking the usage of an electronic document comprising:
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accessing an electronic document;
recording history information into the electronic document regarding the accessing; and
transmitting the history information to a computer at a location determined by an address stored in the electronic document.
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26. A computer comprising:
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an electronic document; and
tracking code configured within the electronic document to execute upon an accessing of the electronic document and to record document history information into the electronic document. - View Dependent Claims (27, 28, 29, 30)
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31. A computer comprising:
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usage information regarding an electronic document; and
a history compilation application configured to compile the usage information into a document usage tree. - View Dependent Claims (32)
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33. A system comprising:
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a computer configured to generate an electronic document having tracking code executable to record document history information into the electronic document; and
a history compilation application executable to compile the usage information. - View Dependent Claims (34, 35)
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Specification