System and method for distributed querying and presentation of information from heterogeneous data sources
First Claim
1. A method for distributed querying of heterogeneous data sources, comprising:
- transmitting at least one data request from a client to at least one server;
creating a signed applet at the server based on the data request from the client and fetch rules and extraction rules stored by said server;
executing said signed applet on the client, said signed applet configured to;
acquire data from at least one remote site using said fetch rules; and
extract information from said acquired data using said extraction rules;
wherein said data request includes user metadata enabling said signed applet to mimic a user by performing automated interactions which imitate user-controlled interactions between the client and the remote site to appear as if a user were navigating the remote site directly and thus prevent said remote sites from restricting automated access.
1 Assignment
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Accused Products
Abstract
A method, system, business method, and computer program product for retrieving and organizing networked data, wherein fetch rules and extraction rules enable a user to automatically collect and extract information from a remote network site. The fetch rules reproduce the interaction a client executes if interacting directly with the remote site, so a server cannot be shut out. The extraction rules allow the client, preferably via an applet, to glean relevant information from the acquired pages for presentation in a general interface. As an electronic commerce business method, information about remote site responsiveness, fetch rules, and extraction rules may be shared between server and client for a fee. The server accumulates vendor contacts, stores query rules, and provides common interface rules. The invention can gather statistics on vendor responsiveness and can resell information to vendors or others.
17 Citations
24 Claims
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1. A method for distributed querying of heterogeneous data sources, comprising:
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transmitting at least one data request from a client to at least one server; creating a signed applet at the server based on the data request from the client and fetch rules and extraction rules stored by said server; executing said signed applet on the client, said signed applet configured to; acquire data from at least one remote site using said fetch rules; and extract information from said acquired data using said extraction rules; wherein said data request includes user metadata enabling said signed applet to mimic a user by performing automated interactions which imitate user-controlled interactions between the client and the remote site to appear as if a user were navigating the remote site directly and thus prevent said remote sites from restricting automated access. - View Dependent Claims (2, 3, 4, 5, 6, 7, 8, 9, 10, 17)
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11. A method for conducting electronic commerce, comprising the steps of:
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transmitting at least one data request from a client to at least one server; creating a signed applet at the server based on the data request from the client and fetch rules and extraction rules stored by said server; executing said signed applet, said signed applet acquiring data from at least one remote site using said fetch rules and extracting information from said acquired data using said extraction rules, wherein said server charges a data request originator for using at least one of said rules; wherein said data request includes user metadata for said signed applet to mimic a particular data request originator by performing automated interactions which imitate user-controlled interactions between the client and the remote site to appear as if a user were navigating the remote site directly and thus prevent said remote sites from restricting automated access. - View Dependent Claims (12, 13, 14, 15, 16, 18)
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19. A system for distributed querying of heterogeneous data sources, comprising:
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means for transmitting at least one data request from a client to a server; means for creating a signed applet at the server based on the data request from the client and fetch rules and extraction rules stored by said server; and means for executing said signed applet on the client, said signed applet comprising; means for acquiring data from at least one remote site using said fetch rules; and means for extracting information from said acquired data using said extraction rules; wherein said data request includes user metadata for said signed applet to mimic a particular data request originator by performing automated interactions which imitate user-controlled interactions between the client and the remote site to appear as if a user were navigating the remote site directly and thus prevent said remote site from restricting automated access.
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20. A computer program product for distributed querying of heterogeneous data sources, the computer program product comprising:
a computer readable storage medium having computer readable program code embodied therewith, the computer readable program code comprising; a first program code instruction to transmit at least one data request from a client to a server; a second program code instruction to create a signed applet at the server with fetch rules and extraction rules stored by said server, said signed applet further comprising; a third program code instruction for acquiring data from at least one remote site using said fetch rules; and a fourth program code instruction for extracting information from said acquired data using said extraction rules; wherein said data request includes user metadata for said signed applet to mimic a particular data request originator by performing automated interactions which imitate user-controlled interactions between the client and the remote site to appear as if a user were navigating the remote site directly and thus prevent said remote site from restricting automated access.
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21. A system for distributed querying of heterogeneous data sources, the system comprising:
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a client; a server; and a communications link between said client and said server; wherein said server is configured to receive at least one data request from said client, to create a signed applet with stored fetch rules and stored extraction rules, and to return said signed applet to said client for execution; wherein said client is configured to execute said signed applet to acquire data from at least one remote site using said fetch rules and to extract information from said acquired data using said extraction rules; wherein said data request includes user metadata for said signed applet to mimic a particular data request originator by performing automated interactions which imitate user-controlled interactions between the client and the remote site to appear as if a user were navigating the remote site directly and thus prevent said remote site from restricting automated access. - View Dependent Claims (22, 23, 24)
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Specification