Method and system for monitoring e-mail and website behavior of an e-mail recipient
DCFirst Claim
1. A system for monitoring website behavior of an email recipient, comprising:
- control logic configured to modify an outgoing email addressed to the email recipient and sent using an email client configured to allow a sender to send the outgoing email and access one or more personal or corporate emails belonging to the sender, wherein the control logic configured to modify the outgoing email is further configured to edit the outgoing email to include a tracking code, wherein the tracking code is uniquely associated with the outgoing email, the email recipient, the sender or the business entity associated with the sender or a combination thereof, and wherein the tracking code is inserted into a hyperlink in the modified outgoing email; and
control logic configured to monitor the website behavior of the email recipient using information contained in the modified outgoing email;
wherein upon the email recipient clicking on the hyperlink, a connection to a remote server is made in which the tracking code is transmitted to the remote server;
the remote server being used to manage a website referenced by the hyperlink; and
wherein upon receipt of the tracking code by the remote server, the remote server is able to use the tracking code to monitor the website behavior of the email recipient.
3 Assignments
Litigations
1 Petition
Reexamination
Accused Products
Abstract
A system for monitoring email and website behavior of an email recipient is provided. According to one exemplary embodiment, the system includes a mail enhancement server and a logging server. The mail enhancement server is configured to intercept all outgoing emails from a mail server. The mail enhancement server then modifies each outgoing email to include a tracking code. The tracking code is embedded in an image call which in turn is also inserted into the outgoing email. If the outgoing email contains hyperlinks, each hyperlink is also modified to include the tracking code. The tracking code is uniquely associated with the outgoing email. The image call (and the tracking code) is used to detect when the recipient of the outgoing email has opened that email. The tracking code, when embedded in a hyperlink, is also used to monitor whether the recipient has opened the email and/or clicked through on one or more of the hyperlinks in the email. The logging server associates a cookie with the recipient of the outgoing email. When the logging server receives an image call, the corresponding image and the cookie are concurrently delivered to the recipient. The cookie is used to monitor the behavior of the recipient at a website, regardless of how the recipient arrives at that website, be it through a click-through from the email or otherwise. The logging server is configured to capture and store relevant information relating to the outgoing email thereby allowing the sender of the outgoing email and the recipient to be linked and the behavior of the recipient to be monitored via the tracking code, the image call and the cookie.
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Citations
76 Claims
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1. A system for monitoring website behavior of an email recipient, comprising:
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control logic configured to modify an outgoing email addressed to the email recipient and sent using an email client configured to allow a sender to send the outgoing email and access one or more personal or corporate emails belonging to the sender, wherein the control logic configured to modify the outgoing email is further configured to edit the outgoing email to include a tracking code, wherein the tracking code is uniquely associated with the outgoing email, the email recipient, the sender or the business entity associated with the sender or a combination thereof, and wherein the tracking code is inserted into a hyperlink in the modified outgoing email; and control logic configured to monitor the website behavior of the email recipient using information contained in the modified outgoing email; wherein upon the email recipient clicking on the hyperlink, a connection to a remote server is made in which the tracking code is transmitted to the remote server;
the remote server being used to manage a website referenced by the hyperlink; andwherein upon receipt of the tracking code by the remote server, the remote server is able to use the tracking code to monitor the website behavior of the email recipient. - View Dependent Claims (2, 3, 4, 5, 6, 7, 8, 9, 10, 11, 12, 13)
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14. A system for monitoring website behavior of an email recipient, comprising:
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control logic configured to modify an outgoing email addressed to the email recipient and sent using an email client configured to allow a sender to send the outgoing email and access one or more personal or corporate emails belonging to the sender, wherein the control logic configured to modify the outgoing email is further configured to edit the outgoing email to include a tracking code, wherein the tracking code is uniquely associated with the outgoing email, the email recipient, the sender or the business entity associated with the sender or a combination thereof; and control logic configured to monitor the website behavior of the email recipient using information contained in the modified outgoing email; wherein upon the email recipient opening the modified outgoing email, a connection to a remote server is made in which the tracking code is transmitted to the remote server; wherein upon receipt of the tracking code by the remote server, the remote server associates an identifier with the email recipient or an agent of the email recipient; and wherein the identifier is uniquely associated with the email recipient or its agent and is used in connection with monitoring the website behavior of the email recipient. - View Dependent Claims (15, 16, 17)
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18. A system for monitoring website behavior of an email recipient, comprising:
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control logic configured to modify an outgoing email addressed to the email recipient and sent using an email client configured to allow a sender to send the outgoing email and access one or more personal or corporate emails belonging to the sender, wherein the control logic configured to modify the outgoing email is further configured to post the modified outgoing email to a remote location and inform the email recipient to access the modified outgoing email at the remote location; and control logic configured to monitor the website behavior of the email recipient using information contained in the modified outgoing email; wherein upon the email recipient contacting the remote location to access the modified outgoing email, an identifier is associated with the email recipient or an agent of the email recipient; and wherein the identifier is uniquely associated with the email recipient or its agent and is used in connection with monitoring the website behavior of the email recipient. - View Dependent Claims (19)
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20. A system for monitoring website behavior of email recipients, comprising:
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a plurality of email clients configured for use by a plurality of corresponding senders to send a plurality of outgoing emails and access a plurality of incoming personal or corporate emails, the plurality of senders respectively having a plurality of emails accounts for sending the plurality of outgoing emails and accessing the plurality of incoming personal or corporate emails, the plurality of email accounts being associated with an Internet domain or a business entity associated with the plurality of senders; control logic configured to modify the plurality of outgoing emails, wherein the control logic configured to modify the plurality of outgoing emails is further configured to edit one or more of the plurality of outgoing emails to each include a tracking code, wherein each tracking code is uniquely associated with its corresponding modified outgoing email, recipient, sender or a business entity associated with the sender or a combination thereof, and wherein the associated tracking code is inserted into a hyperlink in the corresponding modified outgoing email; and control logic configured to monitor website behavior of corresponding email recipients using information contained in the plurality of modified outgoing emails; and wherein upon the recipient of the corresponding modified outgoing email clicking on the hyperlink, a connection to a remote server is made in which the associated tracking code is transmitted to the remote server;
the remote server being used to manage a website referenced by the hyperlink; andwherein upon receipt of the associated tracking code by the remote server, the remote server is able to use the associated tracking code to monitor the website behavior of the recipient. - View Dependent Claims (21, 22, 23, 24, 25, 26, 27, 28, 29, 30, 31, 32)
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33. A system for monitoring website behavior of email recipients, comprising:
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a plurality of email clients configured for use by a plurality of corresponding senders to send a plurality of outgoing emails and access a plurality of incoming personal or corporate emails, the plurality of senders respectively having a plurality of emails accounts for sending the plurality of outgoing emails and accessing the plurality of incoming personal or corporate emails, the plurality of email accounts being associated with an Internet domain or a business entity associated with the plurality of senders; control logic configured to modify the plurality of outgoing emails, wherein the control logic configured to modify the plurality of outgoing emails is further configured to edit one or more of the plurality of outgoing emails to each include a tracking code, wherein each tracking code is uniquely associated with its corresponding modified outgoing email, recipient, sender or a business entity associated with the sender or a combination thereof; and control logic configured to monitor website behavior of corresponding email recipients using information contained in the plurality of modified outgoing emails; wherein upon a recipient opening a corresponding modified outgoing email, a connection to a remote server is made in which the associated tracking code is transmitted to the remote server; wherein upon receipt of the associated tracking code by the remote server, the remote server associates an identifier with the recipient or an agent of the recipient; and wherein the identifier is uniquely associated with the recipient or its agent and is used in connection with monitoring the website behavior of the recipient. - View Dependent Claims (34, 35, 36)
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37. A system for monitoring website behavior of email recipients, comprising:
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a plurality of email clients configured for use by a plurality of corresponding senders to send a plurality of outgoing emails and access a plurality of incoming personal or corporate emails, the plurality of senders respectively having a plurality of emails accounts for sending the plurality of outgoing emails and accessing the plurality of incoming personal or corporate emails, the plurality of email accounts being associated with an Internet domain or a business entity associated with the plurality of senders; control logic configured to modify the plurality of outgoing emails, wherein the control logic configured to modify the plurality of outgoing emails is further configured to post the modified outgoing emails to a remote location and inform the corresponding recipients to access the modified outgoing emails at the remote location; and control logic configured to monitor website behavior of corresponding email recipients using information contained in the plurality of modified outgoing emails; wherein upon a recipient contacting the remote location to access a corresponding modified outgoing email, an identifier is associated with the recipient or an agent of the recipient; and wherein the identifier is uniquely associated with the recipient or its agent and is used in connection with monitoring the website behavior of the recipient. - View Dependent Claims (38)
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39. A method for monitoring website behavior of an email recipient, comprising:
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modifying an outgoing email addressed to the email recipient and sent using an email client configured to allow a sender to send the outgoing email and access one or more personal or corporate emails belonging to the sender, wherein modifying the outgoing email includes inserting a tracking code into a hyperlink in the outgoing email, wherein the tracking code is uniquely associated with the outgoing email, the email recipient, the sender or the business entity associated with the sender or a combination thereof; monitoring the website behavior of the email recipient using information contained in the modified outgoing email; upon the email recipient clicking on the hyperlink, establishing a connection to a remote server and transmitting the tracking code to the remote server;
the remote server being used to manage a website referenced by the hyperlink; andupon receipt of the tracking code by the remote server, directing the remote server to use the tracking code to monitor the website behavior of the email recipient. - View Dependent Claims (40, 41, 42, 43, 44, 45, 46, 47, 48, 49, 54, 55)
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50. A method for monitoring website behavior of an email recipient, comprising:
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modifying an outgoing email addressed to the email recipient and sent using an email client configured to allow a sender to send the outgoing email and access one or more personal or corporate emails belonging to the sender, wherein the step of modifying the outgoing email includes editing the outgoing email to include a tracking code, wherein the tracking code is uniquely associated with the outgoing email, the email recipient, the sender or the business entity associated with the sender or a combination thereof; monitoring the website behavior of the email recipient using information contained in the modified outgoing email; upon the email recipient opening the modified outgoing email, establishing a connection to a remote server in which the tracking code is transmitted to the remote server; and upon receipt of the tracking code by the remote server, directing the remote server to associate an identifier with the email recipient or an agent of the email recipient; wherein the identifier is uniquely associated with the email recipient or its agent and is used in connection with monitoring the website behavior of the email recipient. - View Dependent Claims (51, 52, 53)
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56. A method for monitoring website behavior of an email recipient, comprising:
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modifying an outgoing email addressed to the email recipient and sent using an email client configured to allow a sender to send the outgoing email and access one or more personal or corporate emails belonging to the sender; monitoring the website behavior of the email recipient using information contained in the modified outgoing email; posting the modified outgoing email to a remote location and informing the email recipient to access the modified outgoing email at the remote location; and upon the email recipient contacting the remote location to access the modified outgoing email, associating an identifier with the email recipient or an agent of the email recipient; wherein the identifier is uniquely associated with the email recipient or its agent and is used in connection with monitoring the website behavior of the email recipient. - View Dependent Claims (57)
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58. A method for monitoring website behavior of email recipients, comprising:
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modifying a plurality of outgoing emails respectively sent by a plurality of email clients, the plurality of email clients configured for use by a plurality of corresponding senders to send a plurality of outgoing emails and access a plurality of incoming personal or corporate emails, the plurality of senders respectively having a plurality of emails accounts for sending the plurality of outgoing emails and accessing the plurality of incoming personal or corporate emails, the plurality of email accounts being associated with an Internet domain or a business entity associated with the plurality of senders; monitoring website behavior of corresponding email recipients using information contained in the plurality of modified outgoing emails; editing one or more of the plurality of outgoing emails to each include a tracking code;
wherein each tracking code is uniquely associated with its corresponding modified outgoing email, recipient, sender or a business entity associated with the sender or a combination thereof;inserting the associated tracking code into a hyperlink in the corresponding modified outgoing email; upon the recipient of the corresponding modified outgoing email clicking on the hyperlink, establishing a connection to a remote server and transmitting the associated tracking code to the remote server;
the remote server being used to manage a website referenced by the hyperlink; andupon receipt of the associated tracking code by the remote server, directing the remote server to use the associated tracking code to monitor the website behavior of the recipient. - View Dependent Claims (59, 60, 61, 62, 63, 64, 65, 66, 67, 68, 69, 70)
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71. A method for monitoring website behavior of email recipients, comprising:
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modifying a plurality of outgoing emails respectively sent by a plurality of email clients, the plurality of email clients configured for use by a plurality of corresponding senders to send a plurality of outgoing emails and access a plurality of incoming personal or corporate emails, the plurality of senders respectively having a plurality of emails accounts for sending the plurality of outgoing emails and accessing the plurality of incoming personal or corporate emails, the plurality of email accounts being associated with an Internet domain or a business entity associated with the plurality of senders; and monitoring website behavior of corresponding email recipients using information contained in the plurality of modified outgoing emails; editing one or more of the plurality of outgoing emails to each include a tracking code, wherein each tracking code is uniquely associated with its corresponding modified outgoing email, recipient, sender or a business entity associated with the sender or a combination thereof; upon a recipient opening a corresponding modified outgoing email, establishing a connection to a remote server and transmitting the associated tracking code to the remote server; and upon receipt of the associated tracking code by the remote server, directing the remote server to associate an identifier with the recipient or an agent of the recipient; and wherein the identifier is uniquely associated with the recipient or its agent and is used in connection with monitoring the website behavior of the recipient. - View Dependent Claims (72, 73, 74)
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75. A method for monitoring website behavior of email recipients, comprising:
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modifying a plurality of outgoing emails respectively sent by a plurality of email clients, the plurality of email clients configured for use by a plurality of corresponding senders to send a plurality of outgoing emails and access a plurality of incoming personal or corporate emails, the plurality of senders respectively having a plurality of emails accounts for sending the plurality of outgoing emails and accessing the plurality of incoming personal or corporate emails, the plurality of email accounts being associated with an Internet domain or a business entity associated with the plurality of senders; and monitoring website behavior of corresponding email recipients using information contained in the plurality of modified outgoing emails; posting the modified outgoing emails to a remote location and informing the corresponding recipients to access the modified outgoing emails at the remote location; and upon a recipient contacting the remote location to access a corresponding modified outgoing email, associating an identifier with the recipient or an agent of the recipient; and wherein the identifier is uniquely associated with the recipient or its agent and is used in connection with monitoring the website behavior of the recipient. - View Dependent Claims (76)
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Specification