Patent US6446119B1 successfully refreshed from Google Patents.
US6446119B1
Expired / Lapsed
US
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System and method for monitoring computer usage
Assignee: LASLO OLAH
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Filing: 1997-10-29
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Granted: 2002-09-03
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Expires: 2017-10-29
Abstract
Abstract A system and method for monitoring computer usage is disclosed. A computer operator specifies discrete moments of a computer's usage at which screen captures are executed and saved to a log. The operator, such as a parent or employer, can later retrieve the screen images to provide a graphical record of the activities, such as that of their child or employees, on that computer. The system and method of the present invention gives full authority of determining what type of computer usage is inappropriate or offensive to the computer operator. Through the use of the present invention, an operator may determine not only whether or not a user's computer activity was inappropriate, but may also simply determine if the computer was operated in any manner. By employing the system and method of the disclosed invention, a record of a user's activity or inactivity is created that, in addition to being highly simple to evaluate, is an irrefutable account of the user's computer usage. Variations of the system and method allow the operator to direct monitoring events toward online or off-line activities.
Inventors
- 👤 Laslo Olah
- 👤 Ferenc Friedler
- 👤 Zoltan Kovacs
Bibliographic Details
Application Number
—
Jurisdiction
US
Data Source
google_patents
Last Synchronized
2026-11-05 11:44
CPC Classifications
G; G06; G06F; G06F11/00; G06F11/30; G06F11/34; G06F11/3409; G06F11/3419; G06F11/3423
Claims Analysis
Total Claims: 44
Claim 1
Independent Claim
190 words
A method for monitoring usage activities of a user on a computer system, said usage activities of said user including the viewing of a plurality of screen images on a display connected to said computer system, said method comprising the steps of: intercepting a data transmission over a span of time within said computer system, said data transmission corresponding to at least some of said screen images being viewed by said user at a given time within said span of time on said display, said screen images each being a snapshot short in time length compared to said span of time, said snapshots being illustrative of the usage activities of said user of said computer system within said span of time, said data transmission being a portion of data available to said user of said computer system, said data available to said user not being subject to blocking; storing, within a memory, said snapshots; and viewing, by another user after said step of storing, said snapshots on a display device connected to said computer system, whereby said another user monitors the usage activities of said user on said computer system.
Claim 2
Independent Claim
190 words
A method for monitoring usage activities of a user on a computer system, said usage activities of said user including the viewing of a plurality of screen images on a display connected to said computer system, said method comprising the steps of: intercepting a data transmission over a span of time within said computer system, said data transmission corresponding to at least some of said screen images being viewed by said user at a given time within said span of time on said display, said screen images each being a snapshot short in time length compared to said span of time, said snapshots being illustrative of the usage activities of said user of said computer system within said span of time, said data transmission being a portion of data available to said user of said computer system, said data available to said user not being subject to blocking; storing, within a memory, said snapshots; and viewing, by another user after said step of storing, said snapshots on a display device connected to said computer system, whereby said another user monitors the usage activities of said user on said computer system.
Claim 3
Dependent Claim
33 words
The method according to claim 1 , further comprising, prior to said step of intercepting, the step of: defining a multiplicity of discrete times at which said snapshots of said data transmission occur.
Claim 4
Dependent Claim
21 words
The method according to claim 2 , wherein said step of defining is performed by an operator of said computer system.
Claim 5
Dependent Claim
44 words
The method according to claim 2 , wherein, in said step of defining a multiplicity of discrete times for intercepting a respective multiplicity of data transmissions, the respective data transmissions correspond to the respective images being displayed on said display at said discrete times.
Claim 6
Dependent Claim
22 words
The method according to claim 4 , wherein said multiplicity of discrete times correspond to discrete positions within a given time interval.
Claim 7
Dependent Claim
15 words
The method according to claim 5 , wherein said given time interval is an hour.
Claim 8
Dependent Claim
36 words
The method according to claim 4 , wherein, in said step of defining, said multiplicity of discrete times are randomly defined, said interceptions of the data transmissions over a given time interval being randomly spaced apart.
Claim 9
Dependent Claim
24 words
The method according to claim 7 , wherein said interceptions of the data transmissions over a second time interval are also randomly spaced apart.
Claim 10
Dependent Claim
39 words
The method according to claim 1 , further comprising, prior to said steps of intercepting and storing, the step of: detecting a download data transmission to said computer system, said download data transmission detection triggering said step of intercepting.
Claim 11
Dependent Claim
16 words
The method according to claim 9 , wherein said download data transmission is via a modem.
Claim 12
Dependent Claim
27 words
The method according to claim 1 , wherein said step of storing further comprises the step of appending time and date information of said intercepted data transmission.
Claim 13
Dependent Claim
21 words
The method according to claim 11 , wherein statistical information on said intercepted data transmission is viewed during said viewing step.
Claim 14
Dependent Claim
34 words
The method according to claim 1 , wherein a multiplicity of data transmissions are intercepted and stored, a plurality of said transmissions being subsequently simultaneously viewed by said another user on said display device.
Claim 15
Dependent Claim
25 words
The method according to claim 13 , wherein at least two of said data transmissions are viewed by said another user on said display device.
Claim 16
Dependent Claim
34 words
The method according to claim 14 , wherein said at least two data transmissions correspond to respective images of the usage activities of said user on said computer system on at least two times.
Claim 17
Dependent Claim
27 words
The method according to claim 1 , wherein, in said step of viewing, an operator selectively views a multiplicity of intercepted data transmissions stored within said memory.
Claim 18
Dependent Claim
38 words
The method according to claim 1 , wherein, in said step of intercepting, said computer system intercepts a data transmission within a remote computer system, said intercepted data transmission being stored within said memory in said computer system.
Claim 19
Dependent Claim
14 words
The method according to claim 17 , wherein said computer system is a server.
Claim 20
Dependent Claim
40 words
The method according to claim 1 , further comprising, prior to said step of intercepting, the step of: selectively activating said monitoring of usage activities, said intercepting and storing steps being deactivated by an operator for a given time interval.
Claim 21
Dependent Claim
191 words
A monitor for monitoring usage activities of a user on a computer system, said usage activities of said user including the viewing of a plurality of screen images on a display connected to said computer system, said monitor comprising: interception means for intercepting a data transmission over a span of time within said computer system, said data transmission corresponding to at least some of said screen images being viewed by said user at a given time on said display, said screen images each being a snapshot short in time length compared to said span of time, said snapshots being illustrative of the usage activities of said user of said computer system at said given time, said data transmission being a portion of data available to said user of said computer system, said data available to said user not being subject to blocking; a memory, connected to said interception means, for storing said snapshots; and viewing means, connected to said memory, for viewing by another user said snapshots on a display device connected to said computer system, whereby said another user monitors the usage activities of said user on said computer system.
Claim 22
Dependent Claim
191 words
A monitor for monitoring usage activities of a user on a computer system, said usage activities of said user including the viewing of a plurality of screen images on a display connected to said computer system, said monitor comprising: interception means for intercepting a data transmission over a span of time within said computer system, said data transmission corresponding to at least some of said screen images being viewed by said user at a given time on said display, said screen images each being a snapshot short in time length compared to said span of time, said snapshots being illustrative of the usage activities of said user of said computer system at said given time, said data transmission being a portion of data available to said user of said computer system, said data available to said user not being subject to blocking; a memory, connected to said interception means, for storing said snapshots; and viewing means, connected to said memory, for viewing by another user said snapshots on a display device connected to said computer system, whereby said another user monitors the usage activities of said user on said computer system.
Claim 23
Dependent Claim
28 words
The monitor according to claim 20 , further comprising: time defining means for defining a multiplicity of discrete times at which said interception means intercepts said data transmission.
Claim 24
Dependent Claim
39 words
The monitor according to claim 21 , wherein said multiplicity of discrete times are defined by said time defining means, and the respective data transmissions correspond to the respective images being displayed on said display at said discrete times.
Claim 25
Dependent Claim
22 words
The monitor according to claim 22 , wherein said multiplicity of discrete times correspond to discrete positions within a given time interval.
Claim 26
Dependent Claim
15 words
The monitor according to claim 23 , wherein said given time interval is an hour.
Claim 27
Dependent Claim
31 words
The monitor according to claim 22 , wherein said multiplicity of discrete times are randomly defined, said interceptions by said interception means being randomly spaced apart over a given time interval.
Claim 28
Dependent Claim
21 words
The monitor according to claim 20 , wherein said interception means intercepts said data transmission after detecting a download data transmission.
Claim 29
Dependent Claim
16 words
The monitor according to claim 26 , wherein said download data transmission is via a modem.
Claim 30
Dependent Claim
19 words
The monitor according to claim 20 , wherein said viewing means displays statistical information on said intercepted data transmission.
Claim 31
Dependent Claim
33 words
The monitor according to claim 28 , wherein said statistical information is selected from the group consisting of download sites, times, dates, file names, file sizes, and applications running at a particular time.
Claim 32
Dependent Claim
47 words
The monitor according to claim 20 , wherein said interception means intercepts a multiplicity of data transmissions and said memory stores said multiplicity of data transmissions, said viewing means subsequently and simultaneously displaying for said another user a plurality of said data transmissions on said display device.
Claim 33
Dependent Claim
21 words
The monitor according to claim 30 , wherein at least two of said data transmissions are viewed on said display device.
Claim 34
Dependent Claim
43 words
The monitor according to claim 20 , further comprising: a remote computer system, connected to said computer system, said interception means intercepting a data transmission within said remote computer system, said intercepted data transmission being stored within said memory in said computer system.
Claim 35
Dependent Claim
14 words
The monitor according to claim 32 , wherein said computer system is a server.
Claim 36
Dependent Claim
39 words
The monitor according to claim 20 , further comprising: deletion means, within said computer system, for deleting at least one of said snapshots stored in said memory, said deleting means having a multiplicity of informational requests prior to deletion.
Claim 37
Dependent Claim
168 words
A program storage device readable by a machine and encoding a program of instructions for executing the following method steps: intercepting a data transmission over a span of time within said computer system, said data transmission corresponding to at least some of said screen images being viewed by said user at a given time within said span of time on said display, said screen images each being a snapshot short in time length compared to said span of time, said snapshots being illustrative of the usage activities of said user of said computer system within said span of time, said data transmission being a portion of data available to said user of said computer system, said data available to said user not being subject to blocking; storing, within a memory, said snapshots; and viewing, by another user after said step of storing, said snapshots on a display device connected to said computer system, whereby said another user monitors the usage activities of said user on said computer system.
Claim 38
Dependent Claim
168 words
A program storage device readable by a machine and encoding a program of instructions for executing the following method steps: intercepting a data transmission over a span of time within said computer system, said data transmission corresponding to at least some of said screen images being viewed by said user at a given time within said span of time on said display, said screen images each being a snapshot short in time length compared to said span of time, said snapshots being illustrative of the usage activities of said user of said computer system within said span of time, said data transmission being a portion of data available to said user of said computer system, said data available to said user not being subject to blocking; storing, within a memory, said snapshots; and viewing, by another user after said step of storing, said snapshots on a display device connected to said computer system, whereby said another user monitors the usage activities of said user on said computer system.
Claim 39
Dependent Claim
224 words
An article of manufacture comprising a computer usable medium having computer readable program code means embodied thereon for monitoring usage activities of a user on a computer system, said usage activities of said user including the viewing of a plurality of screen images on a display connected to said computer system, the computer readable program code means in said article of manufacture comprising: (a) computer readable program code for intercepting a data transmission over a span of time within said computer system, said data transmission corresponding to at least some of said screen images being viewed by said user at a given time within said span of time on said display, said screen images each being a snapshot short in time length compared to said span of time, said snapshots being illustrative of the usage activities of said user of said computer system within said span of time, said data transmission being a portion of data available to said user of said computer system, said data available to said user not being subject to blocking; (b) computer readable program code for storing, within a memory, said snapshots; and (c) computer readable program code for viewing by another user said snapshots on a display device connected to said computer system, whereby said another user monitors the usage activities of said user on said computer system.
Claim 40
Dependent Claim
224 words
An article of manufacture comprising a computer usable medium having computer readable program code means embodied thereon for monitoring usage activities of a user on a computer system, said usage activities of said user including the viewing of a plurality of screen images on a display connected to said computer system, the computer readable program code means in said article of manufacture comprising: (a) computer readable program code for intercepting a data transmission over a span of time within said computer system, said data transmission corresponding to at least some of said screen images being viewed by said user at a given time within said span of time on said display, said screen images each being a snapshot short in time length compared to said span of time, said snapshots being illustrative of the usage activities of said user of said computer system within said span of time, said data transmission being a portion of data available to said user of said computer system, said data available to said user not being subject to blocking; (b) computer readable program code for storing, within a memory, said snapshots; and (c) computer readable program code for viewing by another user said snapshots on a display device connected to said computer system, whereby said another user monitors the usage activities of said user on said computer system.
Claim 41
Independent Claim
166 words
A method for monitoring usage activities of a user of a computer system, said usage activities of said user including the viewing a plurality of screen images on said computer system, said method comprising the steps of: saving over a span of time, to a computer memory within said computer system, at least some of said plurality of screen images being viewed by said user, said saved screen images being snapshots short in time length compared to said span of time, said snapshots being illustrative of the usage activities of said user of said computer system within said span of time, said plurality of screen images being a portion of data available to said user of said computer system, wherein said data available to said user is not subject to blocking; and viewing, by another user after said step of saving, said at least some of said saved screen image, whereby said another user may monitor the usage activities of said user on said computer system.
Claim 42
Independent Claim
166 words
A method for monitoring usage activities of a user of a computer system, said usage activities of said user including the viewing a plurality of screen images on said computer system, said method comprising the steps of: saving over a span of time, to a computer memory within said computer system, at least some of said plurality of screen images being viewed by said user, said saved screen images being snapshots short in time length compared to said span of time, said snapshots being illustrative of the usage activities of said user of said computer system within said span of time, said plurality of screen images being a portion of data available to said user of said computer system, wherein said data available to said user is not subject to blocking; and viewing, by another user after said step of saving, said at least some of said saved screen image, whereby said another user may monitor the usage activities of said user on said computer system.
Claim 43
Dependent Claim
170 words
A computer system for monitoring usage activities of a user of said computer system, said user viewing a plurality of screen images on said computer system, said computer system comprising: a computer memory; screen image saving means for saving over a span of time, to said computer memory, at least some of said plurality of screen images being viewed within said span of time by said user, said saved screen images being snapshots short in time length compared to said span of time, said snapshots being illustrative of the usage activities of said user within said span of time said plurality of screen images being a portion of data available to said user of said computer system, wherein said data available to said user is not subject to blocking; and a view screen for viewing said snapshots by another user after said screen image saving means saves at least some of said saved snapshots, whereby said another user may monitor the usage activities of said user on said computer system.
Claim 44
Dependent Claim
170 words
A computer system for monitoring usage activities of a user of said computer system, said user viewing a plurality of screen images on said computer system, said computer system comprising: a computer memory; screen image saving means for saving over a span of time, to said computer memory, at least some of said plurality of screen images being viewed within said span of time by said user, said saved screen images being snapshots short in time length compared to said span of time, said snapshots being illustrative of the usage activities of said user within said span of time said plurality of screen images being a portion of data available to said user of said computer system, wherein said data available to said user is not subject to blocking; and a view screen for viewing said snapshots by another user after said screen image saving means saves at least some of said saved snapshots, whereby said another user may monitor the usage activities of said user on said computer system.
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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) | 2005-09-02 | 2006-03-04 | 2006-09-03 | $2000.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |
| 7.5 Years (Year 8) | 2009-09-02 | 2010-03-04 | 2010-09-03 | $3760.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |
| 11.5 Years (Year 12) | 2013-09-02 | 2014-03-04 | 2014-09-03 | $7700.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |