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Method and system for tracking client software use

  • US 7,739,282 B1
  • Filed: 05/13/2005
  • Issued: 06/15/2010
  • Est. Priority Date: 10/18/2001
  • Status: Expired due to Fees
First Claim
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1. A method for analyzing a logging file from a computer, wherein the logging file comprises a plurality of records corresponding to user interactions with a software application program module of the computer, the method comprising the steps of:

  • downloading the logging file from the computer;

    converting the logging file to Extensible Markup Language (XML) data associated with a unique user identifier, wherein the step of converting the logging file to XML data comprises the steps of;

    calling an application with a plurality of mapping files, wherein the mapping files are operative to expand the records in the logging file to indicate a specific user interface element, the mapping files comprising information that maps a user interface of the software application program module, the mapping files further comprising a list of elements, wherein each listed element includes a full textual name, a numeric identifier, and a reference to a user interface object containing the listed element, wherein only the numeric identifiers for the listed elements are stored on the computer, wherein the mapping files are used to resolve the numeric identifiers during post-processing operations to reduce a size of a set-up program on the computer, to reduce a disk space amount consumed on the computer, and to reduce an amount of code loaded into a memory of the computer, thereby improving computer performance;

    expanding the records in the logging file; and

    converting the records in the logging file to XML data;

    parsing the XML data and uploading the parsed XML data to a SQL data warehouse, wherein parsing the XML data comprises converting an identification field, a user interface element field, and a time stamp field into unique fields in an SQL table of the SQL data warehouse; and

    analyzing the XML data, wherein analyzing the XML data comprises;

    submitting a plurality of queries to the data warehouse for specific usage questions, wherein the plurality of queries comprise;

    a query for determining a number of users using specific features within the software application program module and a frequency of use with respect to the specific features;

    a query for identifying undiscovered areas of the software application program module which are frequently used by users after the areas are discovered;

    a query for identifying unused areas of the software application program module; and

    a query for identifying a most-performed sequence of features used within the software application program module; and

    receiving a plurality of the XML data from the data warehouse in response to the plurality of queries.

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