Capturing and presenting site visitation path data

• US 20060149728A1
• Filed: 03/02/2006
• Published: 07/06/2006
• Est. Priority Date: 06/28/2002
• Status: Active Grant

• Current Assignee: Adobe Inc.
• Original Assignee: Adobe Systems Incorporated (Adobe Inc.)
• Inventors: Pestana, John, Error, Brett
• Granted Patent: US 8,738,609 B2
• Time in Patent Office: Days
• US Class Current: 1/1
• CPC Class Codes: G06F 11/323 Visualisation of programs or trace data
• CPC Class Codes: G06F 16/24578 using ranking
• CPC Class Codes: G06F 16/248 Presentation of query results
• CPC Class Codes: G06Q 30/02 Marketing; Price estimation or determination; Fundraising

Abstract

Node sequence data, such as website visitation records, are filtered, analyzed, and summarized in reports. An administrator can designate particular target paths of interest in terms of a checkpoint node sequence. Node sequences are filtered based on the checkpoint node sequence, without regard to any additional or tangential nodes appearing in the sequences. In addition, node sequences can be specified in terms of specific nodes of interest along with wild cards. Reports depict the relative frequency of occurrence of node sequences using visual indicators such as line thickness and/or color.

Claims

1. A computer-implemented method for capturing and presenting node sequence data, wherein a plurality of nodes are designated as checkpoints and a plurality of nodes are not designated as checkpoints, the method comprising:

receiving input designating a target path comprising a sequence of checkpoint nodes;

retrieving, from a stored log, a plurality of records comprising node sequence data;

filtering the retrieved records to identify records corresponding to node sequences that include the checkpoint nodes of the target path, at least one of the identified records further including at least one node not designated as a checkpoint; and

outputting a report based on the identified records.

2. The method of claim 1, wherein the node sequence data comprises website visitation path data, and wherein each node corresponds to at least one web page.

3. The method of claim 2, further comprising, prior to retrieving the plurality of records:

monitoring web page visits; and

storing, in the log, records representing the monitored web page visits.

4. The method of claim 1, wherein filtering the retrieved records comprises:

extracting, from each retrieved record, a checkpoint node sequence including checkpoint nodes and excluding nodes not designated as checkpoints; and

identifying records having checkpoint node sequences matching the checkpoint node sequence of the target path.

5. The method of claim 1, wherein the target path comprises a checkpoint node corresponding to an entry point.

6. The method of claim 1, wherein the target path comprises a checkpoint node corresponding to an exit point.

7. The method of claim 1, wherein outputting the report comprises outputting a report indicating relative frequencies of occurrence of node sequences.

8. The method of claim 1, wherein outputting the report comprises outputting a report indicating relative frequencies of occurrence of node sequences that include the checkpoint nodes of the target path.

9. The method of claim 1, wherein outputting the report comprises outputting a graph including lines depicting node sequences, wherein a visual characteristic of the lines indicates relative frequency of occurrence of node sequences.

10. The method of claim 9, wherein the visual characteristic is thickness.

11. The method of claim 9, wherein the visual characteristic is color.

12. A system for capturing and presenting node sequence data, wherein a plurality of nodes are designated as checkpoints and a plurality of nodes are not designated as checkpoints, the system comprising:

a log, for storing a plurality of records comprising node sequence data;

an input device, for receiving input designating a target path comprising a sequence of checkpoint nodes;

a path analysis module, coupled to the log and to the input device, for retrieving records from the log and for filtering the retrieved records to identify records corresponding to node sequences that include the checkpoint nodes of the target path, at least one of the identified records further including at least one node not designated as a checkpoint; and

an output device, coupled to the path analysis module, for outputting a report based on the identified records.

13. The system of claim 12, wherein the node sequence data comprises website visitation path data, and wherein each node corresponds to at least one web page.

14. The system of claim 13, further comprising:

a tracking server, coupled to the log, for monitoring web page visits and for transmitting a signal to the log to store records representing the monitored web page visits.

15. The system of claim 12, wherein the path analysis module:

extracts, from each retrieved record, a checkpoint node sequence including checkpoint nodes and excluding nodes not designated as checkpoints; and

identifies records having checkpoint node sequences matching the checkpoint node sequence of the target path.

16. The system of claim 12, wherein the target path comprises a checkpoint node corresponding to an entry point.

17. The system of claim 12, wherein the target path comprises a checkpoint node corresponding to an exit point.

18. The system of claim 12, wherein the output device outputs a report indicating relative frequencies of occurrence of node sequences.

19. The system of claim 12, wherein the output device outputs a report indicating relative frequencies of occurrence of node sequences that include the checkpoint nodes of the target path.

20. The system of claim 12, wherein the report comprises a graph including lines depicting node sequences, wherein a visual characteristic of the lines indicates relative frequency of occurrence of node sequences.

21. The system of claim 20, wherein the visual characteristic is thickness.

22. The system of claim 20, wherein the visual characteristic is color.

23. A computer program product for capturing and presenting node sequence data, wherein a plurality of nodes are designated as checkpoints and a plurality of nodes are not designated as checkpoints, the computer program product comprising:

a computer-readable medium; and

computer program code, encoded on the medium, for;

receiving input designating a target path comprising a sequence of checkpoint nodes;

retrieving, from a stored log, a plurality of records comprising node sequence data;

filtering the retrieved records to identify records corresponding to node sequences that include the checkpoint nodes of the target path, at least one of the identified records further including at least one node not designated as a checkpoint; and

outputting a report based on the identified records.

24. The computer program product of claim 23, wherein the node sequence data comprises website visitation path data, and wherein each node corresponds to at least one web page.

25. The computer program product of claim 24, further comprising, computer program code, encoded on the medium, for, prior to retrieving the plurality of records:

monitoring web page visits; and

storing, in the log, records representing the monitored web page visits.

26. The computer program product of claim 23, wherein the computer program code for filtering the retrieved records comprises computer program code for:

extracting, from each retrieved record, a checkpoint node sequence including checkpoint nodes and excluding nodes not designated as checkpoints; and

identifying records having checkpoint node sequences matching the checkpoint node sequence of the target path.

27. The computer program product of claim 23, wherein the target path comprises a checkpoint node corresponding to an entry point.

28. The computer program product of claim 23, wherein the target path comprises a checkpoint node corresponding to an exit point.

29. The computer program product of claim 23, wherein the computer program code for outputting the report comprises computer program code for outputting a report indicating relative frequencies of occurrence of node sequences.

30. The computer program product of claim 23, wherein the computer program code for outputting the report comprises computer program code for outputting a report indicating relative frequencies of occurrence of node sequences that include the checkpoint nodes of the target path.

31. The computer program product of claim 23, wherein the computer program code for outputting the report comprises computer program code for outputting a graph including lines depicting node sequences, wherein a visual characteristic of the lines indicates relative frequency of occurrence of node sequences.

32. The computer program product of claim 31, wherein the visual characteristic is thickness.

33. The computer program product of claim 31, wherein the visual characteristic is color.