Method and apparatus for secure and auditable metering over a communications network
First Claim
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1. A metering apparatus for metering an elapsed time a client visits a server, comprising:
- means for activating a webmeter in response to a start visit event initiated by the client;
means for deploying a metering program which attaches to information sent from the server to the client;
means for executing said metering program which computes a function F using a unique seed provided by said webmeter for each visit to said information, said metering program producing an auditable result at the end of each said visit;
means for deactivating said metering program in response to an end visit event initiated by the client, and for returning said auditable result to said webmeter; and
means for verifying said auditable result matches said computation.
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Abstract
A compact metering scheme meters visits to a web site. A proxy module intercepts traffic between a client and a server. The proxy module appends a metering module to the body of information sent from the server to the client. The metering module measures the duration of each visit using a timing function F and a unique seed generated for each visit. The metering module returns an auditable result when the client ends the visit. A log keeper module is used to store each result.
121 Citations
21 Claims
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1. A metering apparatus for metering an elapsed time a client visits a server, comprising:
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means for activating a webmeter in response to a start visit event initiated by the client; means for deploying a metering program which attaches to information sent from the server to the client; means for executing said metering program which computes a function F using a unique seed provided by said webmeter for each visit to said information, said metering program producing an auditable result at the end of each said visit; means for deactivating said metering program in response to an end visit event initiated by the client, and for returning said auditable result to said webmeter; and means for verifying said auditable result matches said computation. - View Dependent Claims (2, 3, 4, 5, 6, 7, 8, 9, 10, 11)
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12. A method for metering an elapsed time a client visits a server, comprising:
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activating a webmeter in response to a start visit event initiated by the client; deploying a metering program which attaches to information sent from the server to the client; executing said metering program at the client to compute a timing function using a unique seed provided by said webmeter for each visit, said metering program producing an auditable result at the end of said visit; deactivating said metering program in response to an end visit event initiated by the client, and returning said auditable result from the client to said webmeter; and verifying said auditable result matches said timing function computation. - View Dependent Claims (13, 14, 15, 16, 17, 18, 19, 20, 21)
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Specification