Method and apparatus for tracking a user's interaction with a resource supplied by a server computer

• US 6,877,007 B1
• Filed: 10/16/2001
• Issued: 04/05/2005
• Est. Priority Date: 10/16/2001
• Status: Expired due to Fees

• Current Assignee: Anna M. Hentzel, Brian F. Allen, Robert R. Hentzel, Timothy I. Hentzel
• Original Assignee: Anna M. Hentzel, Brian F. Allen, Robert R. Hentzel, Timothy I. Hentzel
• Inventors: Hentzel, Timothy I., Hentzel, Robert R., Allen, Brian F., Hentzel, Anna M.
• Primary Examiner(s): Choules, Jack M
• Application Number:
  US09/978,845
• Time in Patent Office: 1,267 Days
• Field of Search: 707/10, 709/224
• US Class Current: 709/224
• CPC Class Codes: G06Q 30/02 Marketing; Price estimation or determination; Fundraising

Abstract

A method and system is provided for tracking a user'"'"'s interaction with a resource or resources supplied by a server computer. When a user requests a Web page from a server for viewing using a Web browser, the user is redirected to a tracking server. The tracking server sends the requested Web page, with an embedded script to the user'"'"'s computer along with an application program that can record the user'"'"'s interaction with the Web page. As the user interacts with the Web page, input made by the user, such as mouse movements, button clicks, typing, etc. is streamed back to the tracking server by the application program. The recorded session may be later retrieved from the tracking server for playback. Based on the user'"'"'s input, the tracked resource may be modified, such as making it more user friendly or more easily navigable.

Claims

1. A method for replaying a user'"'"'s interactive session with a tracked resource, comprising:

requesting data describing said interactive session;

receiving said data and a copy of said tracked resource;

displaying said tracked resource; and

displaying said data describing said interactive session in a manner so as to recreate exactly said user'"'"'s interactive session.

2. The method of claim 1, further comprising:

receiving a program module for requesting said data representative of said interactive session and said copy of said tracked resource.

3. The method of claim 2, wherein said program displays said tracked resource and said data describing said interactive session.

4. A computer controlled apparatus capable of performing the method of any one of claims 1-3.

5. A computer readable medium comprising computer readable instructions which, when executed by a computer, cause the computer to perform the method of any one of claims 1-3.