System and method for tracking URL usage

• US 20060095558A1
• Filed: 09/24/2004
• Published: 05/04/2006
• Est. Priority Date: 09/24/2004
• Status: Active Grant

• Current Assignee: Microsoft Technology Licensing LLC (Microsoft Corporation)
• Original Assignee: Microsoft Corporation
• Inventors: Christian, Brian S.
• Granted Patent: US 7,367,508 B2
• Time in Patent Office: Days
• US Class Current: 709/224
• CPC Class Codes: H04L 61/00 Network arrangements, protocols or services for addressing or naming
• CPC Class Codes: H04L 61/30 Managing network names, e.g. use of aliases or nicknames name-to-address mapping H04L61/45
• CPC Class Codes: H04L 67/02 based on web technology, e.g. hypertext transfer protocol [HTTP]
• CPC Class Codes: H04L 67/535 Tracking the activity of the user network monitoring arrangements H04L43/00; recording of computer activity G06F11/34

Abstract

A system and method are provided for incorporating a client-side tracking system in conjunction with a tracking server to track URL usage. The method includes implementing the client-side tracking system for preserving a target URL upon tracking. The method additionally includes providing a failsafe mechanism for directing a client to the target URL from the client-side tracking system upon detection of tracking server failure by the client-side tracking system. The client-side tracking system includes an event detection mechanism for detecting occurrence of one of a tracking server URL logging event and a tracking server timeout event. The client-side tracking system additionally incorporates tracking information including a stored target hyperlink reference accessible to the client-side tracking system for directing the client to the selected URL upon detection of an event by the event detection mechanism.

Claims

1. A method for incorporating a client-side tracking system in conjunction with a tracking server to track URL usage, the method comprising:

implementing the client-side tracking system for preserving a target URL upon tracking; and

providing a failsafe mechanism for directing a client to the target URL from the client-side tracking system upon detection of tracking server failure by the client-side tracking system.

2. The method of claim 1, further comprising embedding an executable component and an element in a server web page.

3. The method of claim 2, wherein providing a failsafe mechanism comprises providing a configurable timer for allowing the tracking server to time out.

4. The method of claim 3, further comprising composing a URL pointing to the tracking server using the client-side tracking system.

5. The method of claim 4, further comprising setting an src attribute of the element equal to the composed URL.

6. The method of claim 5, further comprising attaching events including a timeout event and an element load event to the client-side tracking mechanism and monitoring for event occurrence.

7. The method of claim 6, further comprising determining successful tracking server logging upon detection of the element load event.

8. The method of claim 6, further comprising detecting a tracking server failure upon detection of the timeout event.

9. The method of claim 6, further comprising using stored tracking information on the client-side for directing the user to the selected URL upon occurrence of either event.

10. The method of claim 1, wherein preserving a target URL comprises storing a hyperlink reference as tracking information for future use.

11. A computer readable medium storing computer executable instructions for performing the method of claim 1.

12. A client-side tracking system for use in conjunction with a tracking server for tracking use of a selected URL, the client-side tracking system comprising:

an event detection mechanism for detecting occurrence of one of a successful tracking server URL logging event and a tracking server timeout event; and

access to tracking information including a stored target hyperlink reference in the client-side tracking system for directing a client to the selected URL upon detection of an event by the event detection mechanism.

13. The system of claim 12, wherein the client-side tracking system comprises an embedded executable and an element in a server web page.

14. The system of claim 13, further comprising a configurable timer set at a threshold level for allowing the tracking server to time out.

15. The system of claim 14, further comprising a tracking interface for composing a URL pointing to the tracking server and setting an src attribute of the element equal to the composed URL.

16. The system of claim 15, wherein the event detection mechanism detects a successful tracking server URL logging event upon occurrence of an element load event.

17. The system of claim 16, wherein the event detection mechanism detects a tracking server failure upon occurrence of a timeout event.

18. A method for incorporating a client-side tracking system to monitor tracking server processing in order to ensure user access to a selected URL, the method comprising:

monitoring occurrence of a tracking server timeout in accordance with a selected threshold;

upon occurrence of a tracking server timeout, directing a user to the selected URL using the client-side tracking mechanism.

19. The method of claim 18, further comprising embedding an executable and an element in a server web page.

20. The method of claim 18, further comprising providing a configurable timer for allowing the tracking server to time out.

21. The method of claim 18, further comprising composing a URL pointing to the tracking server using the client-side tracking system.

22. The method of claim 19, further comprising setting an src attribute of the element equal to the composed URL.

23. The method of claim 22, further comprising attaching events including a timeout event and element load event to the client-side tracking mechanism and monitoring for the occurrence of one of the events.

24. The method of claim 23, further comprising determining successful logging upon detection of the element load event.

25. The method of claim 23, further comprising detecting a tracking server failure upon detection of the timeout event.

26. The method of claim 23, further comprising using stored tracking information on the client for directing the user to the selected URL upon occurrence of either event.

27. The method of claim 18, further comprising preserving a target URL by storing a hyperlink reference as tracking information for future use.

28. A computer readable medium storing computer executable instructions for performing the method of claim 18.

29. A client-side tracking system for use in conjunction with a tracking server for tracking use of a selected URL, the client-side tracking system comprising:

a configurable timer for setting a threshold that determines a tracking server timeout on the client-side; and

a timeout event handler for recording the timeout and ensuring direction of a user to the selected URL.

30. The system of claim 29, further comprising access to tracking information including a stored target hyperlink reference in the client-side tracking system for directing the user to the selected URL.

31. The system of claim 29, wherein the client-side tracking system comprises an embedded file and an invisible element in a server web page.

32. The system of claim 31, further comprising a tracking interface for composing a URL pointing to the tracking server and setting an src attribute of the invisible element equal to the composed URL.

33. The system of claim 32, further comprising an event detection mechanism that detects a successful tracking server URL logging event upon occurrence of an invisible element load event.

34. The system of claim 33, wherein the event detection mechanism detects a tracking server failure upon occurrence of a timeout event.