Patent US6073241A successfully refreshed from Google Patents.
US6073241A
Expired / Lapsed
US
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Apparatus and method for tracking world wide web browser requests across distinct domains using persistent client-side state
Assignee: C/NET Inc
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Filing: 1996-08-29
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Granted: 2000-06-06
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Expires: 2016-08-29
Abstract
Abstract A method of tracking a web browser across distinct domains of a network of computers includes the step of identifying, at a first server computer with a first domain name, a first request from the web browser. The web browser is then assigned a unique identification code. The unique identification code is then conveyed to a second server with a second domain name that is distinct from the first domain name. A request by the web browser to the second server computer is associated with the web browser via the unique identification code. In this way, the web browser is tracked across distinct domains of the World Wide Web. As a result, the web browser can be passively tracked to identify content preferences and interests associated with the individual using the web browser.
Inventors
- 👤 Jonathan Rosenberg
- 👤 Munish Gandhi
- 👤 Andrew Werth
Bibliographic Details
Application Number
—
Jurisdiction
US
Data Source
google_patents
Last Synchronized
2026-11-05 19:48
CPC Classifications
H; H04; H04L; H04L9/00; H04L9/40; H04L67/00; H04L67/01; H04L67/02; H04L67/10; H04L67/104; H04L67/1087; H04L67/1091
Claims Analysis
Total Claims: 24
Claim 1
Independent Claim
87 words
A method of tracking a web browser across distinct domains of a network of computers, said method comprising the steps of: identifying, at a first server computer with a first domain name, a first request from said web browser; assigning said web browser a unique identification code; conveying said unique identification code to a second server computer with a second domain name distinct from said first domain name; and associating a second request from said web browser at said second server computer with said unique identification code.
Claim 2
Independent Claim
87 words
A method of tracking a web browser across distinct domains of a network of computers, said method comprising the steps of: identifying, at a first server computer with a first domain name, a first request from said web browser; assigning said web browser a unique identification code; conveying said unique identification code to a second server computer with a second domain name distinct from said first domain name; and associating a second request from said web browser at said second server computer with said unique identification code.
Claim 3
Dependent Claim
23 words
The method of claim 1 wherein said assigning step includes the step of recording said unique identification code as persistent client-side state information.
Claim 4
Dependent Claim
33 words
The method of claim 2 further comprising the step of using said second server computer to access persistent client-side state information in said web browser that was established by said first server computer.
Claim 5
Dependent Claim
18 words
The method of claim 1 further comprising the step of storing said unique identification code in a database.
Claim 6
Dependent Claim
31 words
The method of claim 4 further comprising the steps of: executing an authentication operation at said first server computer to generate authentication data; and archiving said authentication data in said database.
Claim 7
Dependent Claim
33 words
The method of claim 5 further comprising the step of accessing said authentication data in said database with said second server computer such that said second server computer automatically authenticates said web browser.
Claim 8
Dependent Claim
31 words
The method of claim 4 further comprising the step of registering visitation activity data of said web browser at said first server computer and said second server computer in said database.
Claim 9
Dependent Claim
24 words
The method of claim 7 further comprising the step of creating a customized response for said web browser based upon said visitation activity data.
Claim 10
Dependent Claim
28 words
The method of claim 5 further comprising the step of creating on said second server computer a customized response for said web browser based upon said authentication data.
Claim 11
Dependent Claim
31 words
The method of claim 1 wherein said conveying step includes the step of specifying said unique identification code and said second domain name in a Hypertext Mark-up Language (HTML) cross-site reference.
Claim 12
Dependent Claim
22 words
The method of claim 10 wherein said conveying step includes the step of representing said HTML cross-site reference with a hypertext link.
Claim 13
Dependent Claim
22 words
The method of claim 10 wherein said conveying step includes the step of representing said HTML cross-site reference with a frame tag.
Claim 14
Dependent Claim
24 words
The method of claim 10 wherein said conveying step includes the step of representing said HTML cross-site reference with an HTML form submission tag.
Claim 15
Dependent Claim
22 words
The method of claim 10 wherein said conveying step includes the step of representing said HTML cross-site reference with an image tag.
Claim 16
Dependent Claim
23 words
The method of claim 10 wherein said conveying step includes the step of representing said HTML cross-site reference with an HTTP redirect command.
Claim 17
Dependent Claim
139 words
A computer readable memory that can be used to direct a client/server computer network to function in a specified manner, comprising: a first set of instructions, executed at a first server computer with a first domain name, to identify a first request from a web browser of a client computer; a second set of instructions, executed at said first server computer, to assign said web browser a unique identification code; a third set of instructions, executed at said first server computer, to direct said client computer to convey said unique identification code to a second server computer with a second domain name distinct from said first domain name; and a fourth set of instructions, executed at said second server computer, to associate a second request from said web browser at said second server computer with said unique identification code.
Claim 18
Dependent Claim
139 words
A computer readable memory that can be used to direct a client/server computer network to function in a specified manner, comprising: a first set of instructions, executed at a first server computer with a first domain name, to identify a first request from a web browser of a client computer; a second set of instructions, executed at said first server computer, to assign said web browser a unique identification code; a third set of instructions, executed at said first server computer, to direct said client computer to convey said unique identification code to a second server computer with a second domain name distinct from said first domain name; and a fourth set of instructions, executed at said second server computer, to associate a second request from said web browser at said second server computer with said unique identification code.
Claim 19
Dependent Claim
26 words
The computer readable memory of claim 16 wherein said second set of instructions includes instructions to record said unique identification code as persistent client-side state information.
Claim 20
Dependent Claim
29 words
The computer readable memory of claim 16 further comprising a fifth set of instructions to direct said first server computer to store said unique identification code in a database.
Claim 21
Dependent Claim
36 words
The computer readable memory of claim 18 further comprising a sixth set of instructions to execute an authentication operation at said first server computer to generate authentication data, and archive said authentication data in said database.
Claim 22
Dependent Claim
39 words
The computer readable memory of claim 19 further comprising a seventh set of instructions, executed on said second server computer, to access said authentication data in said database such that said second server computer automatically authenticates said web browser.
Claim 23
Dependent Claim
34 words
The computer readable memory of claim 20 further comprising an eighth set of instructions, executed on said second server computer, to create a customized response for said web browser based upon said authentication data.
Claim 24
Dependent Claim
34 words
The computer readable memory of claim 16 wherein said third set of instructions includes instructions to specify said unique identification code and said second domain name in a Hypertext Mark-Up Language (HTML) cross-site reference.
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USPTO Annuity & Maintenance Windows
| Annuity Stage | Window Opens | Payment Deadline | Surcharge Period Until | Estimated Fee | Status |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 3.5 Years (Year 4) | 2003-06-06 | 2003-12-06 | 2004-06-06 | $2000.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |
| 7.5 Years (Year 8) | 2007-06-06 | 2007-12-06 | 2008-06-06 | $3760.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |
| 11.5 Years (Year 12) | 2011-06-06 | 2011-12-06 | 2012-06-06 | $7700.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |