Patent ID: 7222170
Filing Date: 2007-05-22
Classification: G06F,H04L

Abstract:
1. A method of tracking hits for a network file comprising the steps of: receiving a request for said network file from a requesting device, said receiving occurring at a proxy having cache memory to service said request when said cache memory includes a cached copy of said network file, said proxy being configured to forward said request to an originating server when said cache memory is without said cached copy; sending said network file to said requesting device in response to said request, said network file including an instruction to transmit an indicator subsequent to said requesting device receiving said network file, said instruction being embedded within said network file such that said instruction is transparent to an end-user at said requesting device; transmitting said indicator from said requesting device as an automated response to executing said instruction as a direct consequence of receiving said network file, said indicator being a count-inducing message that is specific to said network file; and processing said indicator at a location to which said indicator is transmitted to track said hits for said network file, including counting said indicator at said location for updating a tally of said hits for said network file, said tally thereby being representative of both sending said network file from said proxy and sending said network file from said originating server.