Method and apparatus for defeating a mechanism that blocks windows

• US 6,968,507 B2
• Filed: 11/27/2001
• Issued: 11/22/2005
• Est. Priority Date: 11/27/2001
• Status: Expired due to Term

• Current Assignee: Gula Consulting Limited Liability Company (Intellectual Ventures LLC)
• Original Assignee: Claria Corporation
• Inventors: Pennell, Mark E., Primak, L. Scott, Gilbert, Charles
• Primary Examiner(s): Bayerl, Raymond J.
• Application Number:
  US09/993,888
• Publication Number:
  US 20030098883A1
• Time in Patent Office: 1,456 Days
• Field of Search: 345/713, 345/709, 345/707, 715/808, 715/809, 715/781, 715/713, 715/709, 715/707, 715/733, 715/738, 715/741, 715/743, 715/748, 715/749, 715/760, 715/788, 715/803, 705/14, 719/328, 719/310, 719/318, 719/329
• US Class Current: 715/781
• CPC Class Codes: G06F 16/9535 Search customisation based on user profiles and personalisation
• CPC Class Codes: G06F 21/50 Monitoring users, programs or devices to maintain the integrity of platforms, e.g. of processors, firmware or operating systems
• CPC Class Codes: G06Q 30/0277 Online advertisement
• CPC Class Codes: H04L 63/0245 Filtering by information in the payload
• CPC Class Codes: H04L 63/168 above the transport layer
• CPC Class Codes: H04L 67/75 Indicating network or usage conditions on the user display
• CPC Class Codes: Y10S 715/962 Operator interface for marketing or sales

Abstract

In one embodiment, a computer program blocks windows categorized as bad windows, while allowing windows categorized as good windows to be displayed. The computer program may categorize a window by consulting one or more lists. In one embodiment, a list may be updated from time to time to optimize the computer program and prevent program-obsolescence. Techniques for defeating a window-blocking mechanism are also disclosed. In one embodiment, a computer program detects if a window is of a type that offers a product to a user. If so, the computer program provides a separate window containing information regarding the product. In one embodiment, a computer program detects if a user has a need for the computer program. If so, the user is informed of the efficacy of the computer program, which is then offered to the user.

Claims

1. A method for displaying a window in a computer, the method to be performed by computer-readable program code and comprising:

launching a new window in the computer, the computer including a window-blocking mechanism; and

preventing the window from being blocked by the window-blocking mechanism; and

wherein preventing the window from being blocked includes incorporating a non-functional feature on the window;

wherein the non-functional feature includes a non-functional menu bar.

2. A method for displaying a window in a computer, the method to be performed by computer-readable program code and comprising:

launching a new window in the computer, the computer including a window-blocking mechanism; and

preventing the window from being blocked by the window-blocking mechanism;

wherein preventing the window from being blocked includes incorporating a non-functional feature on the window;

wherein the non-functional feature includes a non-functional tool bar.

3. A method for displaying a window in a computer, the method to be performed by computer-readable program code and comprising:

launching a new window in the computer, the computer including a window-blocking mechanism; and

preventing the window from being blocked by the window-blocking mechanism;

wherein preventing the window from being blocked includes incorporating a non-functional feature on the window;

wherein the non-functional feature includes a non-functional login field.

4. A method for displaying a window in a computer, the method to be performed by computer-readable program code and comprising:

launching a new window in the computer, the computer including a window-blocking mechanism; and

preventing the window from being blocked by the window-blocking mechanism;

wherein preventing the window from being blocked includes incorporating a non-functional feature on the window;

wherein the non-functional feature includes a non-functional password field.

5. A method for displaying a window in a computer, the method to be performed by computer-readable program code and comprising:

launching a new window in the computer, the computer including a window-blocking mechanism; and

preventing the window from being blocked by the window-blocking mechanism;

wherein preventing the window from being blocked includes using a part of a domain name in a URL of the window, wherein the window is not served from a server computer corresponding to the domain name.

6. A method for displaying a window in a computer, the method to be performed by computer-readable program code and comprising:

launching a new window in the computer, the computer including a window-blocking mechanism; and

preventing the window from being blocked by the window-blocking mechanism;

wherein preventing the window from being blocked includes intercepting an event to close the window and then hiding the window from a user'"'"'s view.

7. A method for displaying a window in a computer, the method to be performed by computer-readable program code and comprising:

launching a new window in the computer, the computer including a window-blocking mechanism; and

preventing the window from being blocked by the window-blocking mechanism;

wherein preventing the window from being blocked includes inputting keystroke combinations into a browser.

8. A method for displaying a window in a computer, the method to be performed by computer-readable program code and comprising:

launching a new window in the computer, the computer including a window-blocking mechanism; and

preventing the window from being blocked by the window-blocking mechanism;

wherein preventing the window from being blocked includes triggering mouse events.

9. A method for displaying a window in a computer, the method to be performed by computer-readable program code and comprising:

launching a new window in the computer, the computer including a window-blocking mechanism; and

preventing the window from being blocked by the window-blocking mechanism;

wherein preventing the window from being blocked includes altering a list of the window-blocking mechanism.