Methods and devices for reconstructing visual stimuli observed through browser-based interfaces over time

• US 20020012012A1
• Filed: 03/19/2001
• Published: 01/31/2002
• Est. Priority Date: 03/17/2000
• Status: Active Grant

• Current Assignee: Slingshot Technologies LLC
• Original Assignee: Schlucktronix LLC (Intellectual Ventures LLC)
• Inventors: Vanover, William K., Crain, Kenneth H.
• Granted Patent: US 7,191,403 B2
• Time in Patent Office: Days
• US Class Current: 345/744
• CPC Class Codes: G06F 16/954 Navigation, e.g. using categorised browsing
• CPC Class Codes: G06F 16/955 using information identifiers, e.g. uniform resource locators [URL]
• CPC Class Codes: G06F 3/14 Digital output to display device ; Cooperation and interconnection of the display device with other functional units
• CPC Class Codes: G09G 2370/027 Arrangements and methods specific for the display of internet documents
• CPC Class Codes: G09G 5/14 Display of multiple viewports

Abstract

In one embodiment, the invention allows an operator to identify a specific article of online-content to be reconstructed and displayed, and specify a duration of time to be used when graphically representing what areas of the visual stimuli were actually visible to the user. First, the operator selects an article of online-content based on its original network address, or from a substitute name from a database that contains a record of all online-content visited by the original user. Next, the operator enters a specific duration of time to reconstruct, preferably by using slider-bar, a timeline equal to duration, preferably the maximum duration, that the online content was visible to the original user. Next, the user selects from various compositions that can be used to represent the visual stimuli as it was originally displayed to the user. Finally, the original visual stimuli displayed to the user is recreated based on the article of online content and period of time specified, using the selected form of composition. In yet another embodiment, the invention is a method for retrieving multiple instances of an article of online content from a database of previously recorded content. In yet a further embodiment, the invention is a method for reconstructing visual stimuli as originally displayed to a user as one form of composition. Still another embodiment of the invention is a method for reconstructing a field of visual stimuli that could be observed by a user as one form of composition.

Claims

1. A system that enables the reconstruction of user-viewable visual stimuli observed through a browser-based interface comprising:

a processing platform for executing code capable of reconstructing a user-viewable stimuli; and

a storage platform for storing at least one user-viewed visual stimuli, the storage platform coupled to the processing platform.

2. The system of claim 1 further comprising a user interaction device coupled to the processing platform.

3. The system of claim 1 wherein the processing platform executes code capable of reconstructing a user-viewable stimuli, by:

receiving a selection of content for reconstruction;

retrieving data;

calculating what to display; and

reconstructing a display.

4. The system of claim 1 further comprising a browser coupled to the processing platform.

5. The system of claim 1 further comprising a browser interface coupled to the server.

6. The system of claim 1 further comprising a network coupled to the processing platform.

7. The system of claim 1 wherein the storage platform comprises a visual stimuli algorithm.

8. The system of claim 1 wherein the system is maintained in a Person Digital Assistant (PDA).

9. The system of claim 6 wherein the network is the internet.

10. The system of claim 6 further comprising a host computer coupled to the network, the host computer for communicating with the processing platform.

11. The system of claim 1 further comprising an eye tracking device coupled to the processing platform.

12. The system of claim 11 wherein the eye tracking device is enabled to monitor pupil dilation.

13. The system of claim 1 wherein the storage platform comprises a creation algorithm.

14. The system of claim 6 wherein the network is a wireless network.

15. A data signal comprising a data structure capable of reconstructing user-viewable visual stimuli, by:

receiving a selection of content for reconstruction;

retrieving data;

calculating what to display; and

reconstructing a display.

16. The data signal of claim 15 further comprising a code segment capable of calculating the size of a visual area.

17. The data signal of claim 15 further comprising a code segment capable of masking an area.

18. A system that reconstructs user-viewable visual stimuli, comprising:

a processing platform for executing code capable of reconstructing a user-viewable stimuli by;

receiving a selection of content for reconstruction;

retrieving data;

calculating what to display;

reconstructing a display; and

a storage platform for storing at least one user-viewed visual stimuli, the storage platform coupled to the processing platform.

19. The system of claim 18 further comprising a computer network for delivering online content to a web page, the network in communication with the web page.

20. The system of claim 18 further comprising an eye tracking device coupled to the processing platform.