Source: http://www.google.fr/patents/US8041805
Timestamp: 2016-02-14 17:05:31
Document Index: 580029583

Matched Legal Cases: ['art 140', 'art 124', 'art 124', 'art 140', 'art 124', 'arts 124', 'art 140']

Brevet US8041805 - System and method for reporting to a website owner user reactions to ... - Google�BrevetsRecherche Images Maps Play YouTube Actualit�s Gmail Drive Plus »Connexion BrevetsIn certain embodiments, a system is provided for measuring page-specific user feedback concerning each of a plurality of particular web pages. A user-selectable element is viewable on and solicits page-specific user feedback concerning each such web page upon initial display of the web page, the element...http://www.google.fr/patents/US8041805?utm_source=gb-gplus-shareBrevet US8041805 - System and method for reporting to a website owner user reactions to particular web pages of a website Recherche avanc�e dans les brevets Num�ro de publicationUS8041805 B2Type de publicationOctroi Num�ro de demandeUS 11/458,625 Date de publication18 oct. 2011 Date de d�p�t19 juil. 2006 Date de priorit�30 ao�t 1999�tat de paiement des fraisPay�Autre r�f�rence de publicationUS20060248188 Num�ro de publication11458625, 458625, US 8041805 B2, US 8041805B2, US-B2-8041805, US8041805 B2, US8041805B2 InventeursRand B. Nickerson, Mark A. Treschl, Kathryn L. Kidd, Matthew J. Crofoot, A. Gregory Samata, David E. Mason Cessionnaire d'origineOpinionlab, Inc.Exporter la citationBiBTeX, EndNote, RefManCitations de brevets (51), Citations hors brevets (13), R�f�renc� par (3), Classifications (11), �v�nements juridiques (5) Liens externes: USPTO, Cession USPTO, EspacenetSystem and method for reporting to a website owner user reactions to particular web pages of a website
US 8041805 B2 R�sum�
In certain embodiments, a system is provided for measuring page-specific user feedback concerning each of a plurality of particular web pages. A user-selectable element is viewable on and solicits page-specific user feedback concerning each such web page upon initial display of the web page, the element appearing identically and behaving consistently on each such web page. Software associated with the element is operable to receive the feedback concerning the web page for reporting, the feedback comprising one or more page-specific subjective ratings of the web page and one or more associated page-specific open-ended comments concerning the web page, the feedback allowing an interested party to access page-specific subjective ratings and associated page-specific open-ended comments across the plurality of web pages to identify one or more web pages for which the feedback is notable.
Images(11) Revendications(33)
provide a user-selectable element viewable on each of a plurality of particular web pages of a website upon initial display of a particular web page and soliciting page-specific user feedback concerning the particular web page upon initial display of the particular web page, the user-selectable element appearing identically and behaving consistently on each of the plurality of particular web pages; and
receive the page-specific user feedback concerning the particular web page for reporting to an interested party, the page-specific user feedback concerning the particular webpages having been provided by a user while the user remained at the particular web page, and the page-specific user feedback comprising one or more page-specific subjective ratings of the particular web page and one or more associated page-specific open-ended comments concerning the particular web page, the page-specific user feedback allowing the interested party to access page-specific subjective ratings and associated page-specific open-ended comments across the plurality of particular web pages to identify one or more particular web pages for which the page-specific user feedback is notable relative to page-specific user feedback for other particular web pages;
wherein the user-selectable element is viewable within a browser window upon initial display of the particular web page and remains viewable within the browser window, at least prior to the user selection, regardless of user scrolling.
2. The media of claim 1, wherein the software associated with the user-selectable element is incorporated into software of each of the plurality of particular web pages.
3. The media of claim 1, wherein the software associated with the user-selectable element comprises a call to a directory containing a script.
4. The media of claim 1, wherein the software associated with the user-selectable element is incorporated into a web browser of the user.
5. The media of claim 1, wherein each page-specific subjective rating comprises one of:
a page-specific subjective rating of the particular web page as a whole; and
a specific page-specific subjective rating of at least one characteristic of the particular web page as a whole.
6. The media of claim 1, wherein the page-specific user feedback comprises a response to an explicit question presented to the user.
7. The media of claim 1, wherein the software associated with the user-selectable element is operable to receive demographic information from the user, in response to the page-specific user feedback concerning the particular web page, for reporting to the interested party in association with the page-specific user feedback concerning the particular web page.
8. The media of claim 1, wherein the plurality of particular web pages comprises substantially all web pages of the website.
9. The media of claim 1, residing at one or more of:
one or more first computer systems hosting one or more of the plurality of particular web pages;
one or more second computer systems associated with the interested party; or
one or more third computer systems associated with a user who has accessed one or more of the plurality of particular web pages.
10. One or more computer-readable non-transitory storage media embodying software operable when executed to:
provide a first element viewable on each of a plurality of particular web pages of a website upon initial display of a particular web page and soliciting page-specific user feedback concerning the particular web page upon initial display of the particular web page, the first element appearing identically and behaving consistently on each of the plurality of particular web pages;
provide a second element displayed in response to user selection of the first element and soliciting one or more page-specific subjective ratings of the particular web page and one or more associated page-specific open-ended comments concerning the particular web page, the second element appearing identically and behaving consistently each time it is displayed in response to user selection of the first element viewable on a particular web page;
receive the user selection of the first element and initiate display of the second element in response; and
receive the page-specific user feedback comprising one or more page-specific subjective ratings of the particular web page and one or more associated page-specific open-ended comments concerning the particular web page for reporting to an interested party, the page-specific user feedback concerning the particular webpages having been provided by a user while the user remained at the particular web page, and the page-specific user feedback allowing the interested party to access page-specific subjective ratings and associated page-specific open-ended comments across the plurality of particular web pages to identify one or more particular web pages for which the page-specific user feedback is notable relative to page-specific user feedback for other particular web pages;
wherein the first element is viewable within a browser window upon initial display of the particular web page and remains viewable within the browse window, at east prior to the user selection, regardless of user scrolling.
11. The media of claim 10, wherein the software associated with the first element is incorporated into software of each of the plurality of particular web pages.
12. The media of claim 10, wherein the software associated with the second element comprises a call to a directory containing a script to receive the page-specific user feedback.
13. The media of claim 10, wherein the software associated with the first element is incorporated into a web browser of the user.
14. The media of claim 10, wherein each page-specific subjective rating comprises one of:
15. The media of claim 10, wherein the page-specific user feedback comprises a response to an explicit question presented to the user.
16. The media of claim 10, wherein the software associated with the second element is operable to receive demographic information from the user, in response to the page-specific user feedback concerning the particular web page, for reporting to the interested party in association with the page-specific user feedback concerning the particular web page.
17. The media of claim 10, wherein the plurality of particular web pages comprises substantially all web pages of the website.
using a user-selectable element viewable on each of a plurality of particular web pages of a website upon initial display of a particular web page to solicit page-specific user feedback concerning the particular web page from the user, the user-selectable element appearing identically and behaving consistently on each of the plurality of particular web pages; and
using software associated with the user-selectable element to receive the page-specific user feedback concerning the particular web page for reporting to an interested party, the page-specific user feedback concerning the particular webpages having been provided by a user while the user remained at the particular web page, and the page-specific user feedback comprising one or more page-specific subjective ratings of the particular web page and one or more associated page-specific open-ended comments concerning the particular web page, the page-specific user feedback allowing the interested party to access page-specific subjective ratings and associated page-specific open-ended comments across the plurality of particular web pages to identify one or more particular web pages for which the page-specific user feedback is notable relative to page-specific user feedback for other particular web pages;
wherein: the user-selectable element is viewable within a browser window upon initial display of the particular web page; and the method further comprises causing the user-selectable element to remain viewable within the browser window, at least prior to the user selection, regardless of user scrolling.
19. The method of claim 18, wherein the software associated with the user-selectable element is incorporated into software of each of the plurality of particular web pages.
20. The method of claim 18, further comprising using the software associated with the user-selectable element to call a directory containing a script.
21. The method of claim 18, wherein the software associated with the user-selectable element is incorporated into a web browser of the user.
22. The method of claim 18, wherein each page-specific subjective rating comprises one of:
23. The method of claim 18, wherein the page-specific user feedback comprises a user response to an explicit question presented to the user.
24. The method of claim 18, further comprising using software associated with the user-selectable element to receive demographic information from a user, in response to the page-specific user feedback concerning the particular web page, for reporting to the interested party in association with the page-specific user feedback concerning the particular web page.
25. The method of claim 18, wherein the plurality of particular web pages comprises substantially all web pages of the website.
using a first element viewable on each of a plurality of particular web pages of a website upon initial display of a particular web page to solicit page-specific user feedback concerning the particular web page, the first element appearing identically and behaving consistently on each of the plurality of particular web pages;
using a second element displayed in response to user selection of the first element to solicit one or more page-specific subjective ratings of the particular web page and one or more associated page-specific open-ended comments concerning the particular web page, the second element appearing identically and behaving consistently each time it is displayed in response to user selection of the first element viewable on a particular web page;
using software associated with the first element to receive the user selection of the first element and initiate display of the second element in response; and
using software associated with the second element to receive the page-specific user feedback, the page-specific user feedback concerning the particular webpages having been provided by a user while the user remained at the particular web page, and comprising one or more page-specific subjective ratings of the particular web page and one or more associated page-specific open-ended comments concerning the particular web page for reporting to an interested party, the page-specific user feedback allowing the interested party to access page-specific subjective ratings and associated page-specific open-ended comments across the plurality of particular web pages to identify one or more particular web pages for which the page-specific user feedback is notable relative to page-specific user feedback for other particular web pages;
wherein: the first element is viewable within a browser window upon initial display of the particular web page; and the method further comprises causing the first element to remain viewable within the browser window, at least at least prior to the user selection, regardless of user scrolling.
27. The method of claim 26, wherein the software associated with the first element is incorporated into software of each of the plurality of particular web pages.
using the software associated with the second element to call a directory containing a script; and
using the script to receive the page-specific user feedback.
29. The method of claim 26, wherein the software associated with the first element is incorporated into a web browser of the user.
30. The method of claim 26, wherein each page-specific subjective rating comprises one of:
31. The method of claim 26, wherein the page-specific user feedback comprises a user response to an explicit question presented to the user.
32. The method of claim 26, further comprising using software associated with the second element to receive demographic information from a user, in response to the page-specific user feedback concerning the particular web page, for reporting to the interested party in association with the page-specific user feedback concerning the particular web page.
33. The method of claim 26, wherein the plurality of particular web pages comprises substantially all web pages of the website. Description
This application is a continuation of U.S. application Ser. No. 09/595,050, filed Jun. 14, 2000, now U.S. Pat. No. 7,085,820, which is a continuation-in-part of U.S. application Ser. No. 09/385,256, filed Aug. 30, 1999, now U.S. Pat. No. 6,421,724 B1.
According to certain embodiments of the present invention, problems and disadvantages associated with previous techniques for receiving user feedback concerning websites may be substantially reduced or eliminated.
In certain embodiments, a system is provided for measuring page-specific user feedback concerning each of a plurality of particular web pages of a website. A user-selectable element is viewable on each of the plurality of particular web pages upon initial display of the particular web page and solicits page-specific user feedback concerning the particular web page upon initial display of the particular web page, the user-selectable element appearing identically and behaving consistently on each of the plurality of particular web pages. Software associated with the user-selectable element is operable to receive the page-specific user feedback concerning the particular web page for reporting to an interested party, the page-specific user feedback comprising one or more page-specific subjective ratings of the particular web page and one or more associated page-specific open-ended comments concerning the particular web page, the page-specific user feedback allowing the interested party to access page-specific subjective ratings and associated page-specific open-ended comments across the plurality of particular web pages to identify one or more particular web pages for which the page-specific user feedback is notable relative to page-specific user feedback for other particular web pages.
In certain embodiments, a system is provided for measuring page-specific user feedback concerning each of a plurality of particular web pages of a website. A first element is viewable on each of the plurality of particular web pages upon initial display of the particular web page and solicits page-specific user feedback concerning the particular web page upon initial display of the particular web page, the first element appearing identically and behaving consistently on each of the plurality of particular web pages. A second element is displayed in response to user selection of the first element and solicits one or more page-specific subjective ratings of the particular web page and one or more associated page-specific open-ended comments concerning the particular web page, the second element appearing identically and behaving consistently each time it is displayed in response to user selection of the first element viewable on a particular web page. Software associated with the first element is operable to receive the user selection of the first element and initiate display of the second element in response. Software associated with the second element is operable to receive the page-specific user feedback comprising one or more page-specific subjective ratings of the particular web page and one or more associated page-specific open-ended comments concerning the particular web page for reporting to an interested party, the page-specific user feedback allowing the interested party to access page-specific subjective ratings and associated page-specific open-ended comments across the plurality of particular web pages to identify one or more particular web pages for which the page-specific user feedback is notable relative to page-specific user feedback for other particular web pages.
Certain embodiments of the present invention may provide a number of important technical advantages over prior techniques. Certain embodiments of the present invention measure subjective user reactions to particular pages of websites using measurement software that is readily identifiable (according to the associated icon), easy to use, and unobtrusive. For example, in these embodiments, the user need not separately download any software and open a new window on the user's browser. As a result, not only may very valuable information be readily compiled—subjective reactions to particular pages, along with other appropriate data that may be correlated to the subjective reactions—but it is likely that many users will actually provide this information so that it may actually be compiled. This stands in sharp contrast to previous techniques. In addition, the website owner may relatively easily incorporate the measurement software into one or more new or existing pages of the website, rather than assuming the cost and delay often associated with rewriting software code of these pages. These and other advantages may contribute to this measurement software (and associated icon) becoming a standard across the entire community of Internet users.
The reports provided to the website owner, in addition to containing a wealth of previously unavailable information concerning the particular pages of the website, may be readily interpreted and allow useful comparisons to be made between these particular pages. Moreover, certain embodiments of the present invention may allow a website owner to access reports concerning the subjective user reactions in much the same way a user might navigate from one page to another within a website, according to the topography of the website. This may give the website owner additional valuable information upon which to base decisions concerning website. These and other advantages make the system and method of the present invention well suited for used in modern Internet and other environments in which users access websites.
One or more other technical advantages may be apparent to those skilled in the art from the figures, descriptions, and claims included herein.
FIG. 1 illustrates an example system for measuring and reporting user reactions to particular web pages of a website;
FIG. 2 illustrates an example web page incorporating a user reaction measurement tool;
FIG. 3 illustrates an example web page incorporating a general reaction measurement tool;
FIG. 4 illustrates another example general reaction measurement tool;
FIG. 5 illustrates an example web page incorporating a specific reaction measurement tool;
FIG. 6 illustrates an example combined general reaction measurement tool and specific reaction measurement tool;
FIG. 10 illustrates an example method of incorporating a user reaction measurement tool into particular web pages of a website;
FIG. 11 illustrates an example method of measuring a user's reactions to particular web pages of a website; and
FIG. 12 illustrates an example method of reporting on user reactions to particular web pages of a website.
FIG. 1 illustrates an exemplary system 10 for measuring and reporting on user reactions to particular web pages associated with a website using one or more reaction measurement tools that are incorporated in and viewable on the pages. As described more fully below, in one embodiment, the reaction measurement tools are standardized across some or all of the web pages, are readily identifiable by users of the pages, and are intuitive, predictable, and easy for the users to use in providing their reactions to the pages. As a result, these measurement tools provide a number of important technical advantages over previous techniques for measuring user input, which may merely measure and report objective website usage information or user reactions concerning transactions rather subjective user reactions on a page by page basis. Such systems are therefore incapable of providing meaningful feedback to website owners as to the “topography” of their websites; that is, which of possibly numerous pages of a website have been rated particularly successful or unsuccessful in the eyes of users of the website as those users navigate through the pages of the website according their particular needs. Embodiments of the system and method of the present invention address these and other deficiencies.
Although embodiments of the present invention are described primarily in connection with the measurement and reporting of subjective user reactions to one or more particular pages of one or more websites, the present invention may be similarly applied in connection with polling, surveying, product development research, market research, usability testing, business-to-consumer (B2C) commercial transactions, business-to-business (B2B) commercial transactions, or any other suitable activity for which the measurement and reporting of user responses may be desirable. Those skilled in the art will readily appreciate the application of the present invention to such activities based on these figures, descriptions, and claims.
System 10 includes a website owner 12, a web server 14, one or more website users 16, and a reporting server 18 coupled to one another using network 20, which may be any suitable local area network (LAN), metropolitan area network (MAN), wide area network (WAN), a global communications network such as the Internet, or any other suitable network. Although owner 12, server 14, users 16, and server 18 are described as coupled using a single network 20, the present invention contemplates multiple networks 20 of the same type or different types to couple these components to one another, according to particular needs. Owner 12 and users 16 may each be autonomous computer systems or may receive appropriate input from one or more associated persons. Servers 14 and 18 may include software operating on one or more computer systems 22 and 24, respectively, at one or more locations. Owner 12, server 14, and server 18 may operate on at least one shared computer system. The computer systems associated with owner 12, user 16, server 14, and server 18 include input devices, output devices, processors, memories, and other components suitable for the features and operation described below.
According to embodiments of the present invention, the reactions of users 16 to one or more particular pages 28 of website 26 are measured and compiled to allow system 10 to provide valuable information to owner 12 concerning the topography of website 26; that is, particular pages 28 and specific aspects of those particular pages 28 that have been successful or unsuccessful in the eyes of users 16 as users 16 navigate through pages 28 of the website 26. In one embodiment, server 14 supports a user reaction measurement tool 30 that is incorporated into pages 28 and may be communicated to user 16 with page 28 in response to user 16 requesting page 28.
To specify an icon and its characteristics, as an example only and not by way of limitation, owner 12 might click on the desired icon, which might be one of multiple standard icons, and manipulate its characteristics using pull down menus. Owner 12 might then click on, drag and drop, or otherwise incorporate the desired icon into the local version of the page 28. The incorporation might instead occur automatically in response to owner 12 specifying characteristics of the icon. The wizard may create a dedicated or other suitable directory containing the script of tool 30 and, in addition, paste or otherwise incorporate a call to the script in the software code of the page 28. Owner 12 may use the wizard or another software component to upload or otherwise communicate each modified page 28 (incorporating the tool 30) back to the server 14, singly or as a group, to replace corresponding previous page 28 (not incorporating tool 30) within website 26. The process through which owner 12 may incorporate tool 30 in one or more pages 28 provides an important technical advantage of embodiments of the present invention. In one embodiment, incorporation of tool 30 in pages 28 frees users 16 from needing to download separate software (separate from accessing page 28) or open a separate window to provide subjective reactions using tool 30, providing another important technical advantage.
As illustrated in FIG. 3, in response to the user 16 rolling an associated mouse pointer over icon 50, pointing to and clicking on icon 50 using the mouse pointer, touching icon 50 using an associated touch screen, or selecting icon 50 in another suitable manner, icon 50 may change into or be replaced with a multi-level subjective rating scale 60 that corresponds to general reaction measurement tool 32. In a particular embodiment, rating scale 60 includes five levels ranging from very negative to very positive, each level having an associated language-independent or other appropriate symbol 62. For example and without limitation, a “−−” symbol 62 might correspond to a very negative rating, a “−” symbol 62 might correspond to a somewhat negative rating, a “+−” symbol 62 might correspond to a neutral rating, a “+” symbol 62 may correspond to a somewhat positive rating, and a “++” symbol 62 may correspond to a very positive rating. Although a five level rating scale 60 is described above in connection with a particular embodiment, any appropriate multi-level or other subjective rating scale or scheme may be used without departing from the intended scope of the present invention.
To record a general reaction to page 28, the user 16 clicks on, points to, or otherwise selects an appropriate symbol 62 reflective of that reaction. In response, tool 32 (or tool 30) may store the user reaction information and, at the appropriate time, cause the reaction information to be communicated to server 18 for storage in database 36. In a particular embodiment, the user reaction information collected in response to user 16 providing a general reaction to the page 28 may include, in any suitable combination and without limitation: (1) the title of page 28; (2) the URL for page 28; (3) the reaction user identifier; (4) the subjective rating (for example only, “++,” “+,” “+−,” “−,” or “−−”); (5) the time and date page 28 was accessed; (6) the time and date the subjective rating was received; (7) the web profile information for user 16; and (8) any other suitable information. According to the demographic user identifier, if one is available at server 18, the demographic information for user 16 may be stored in association with the user reaction information in database 36, as described more fully above.
Where appropriate, reactions to page 28 collected using tools 30 and 32 may include responses to one or more explicit questions posed to the user 16 concerning page 28, concerning one or more visual, audible, or other elements of page 28, or concerning one or more items with which page 28 is logically associated. Questions may be presented instead of or in addition to rating scale 60. As an example, a page 28 of a vehicle manufacturer's website 26 may include a picture of a particular make and model of vehicle. Questions posed to user 16 using tool 30 or 32, in response to the user 16 selecting icon 50, might include “How well do you like this picture?” or “Do you like the shape of the tail fin?” for example. The responses to the questions might be received using rating scale 60, similar to collection of user reactions to page 28 described above, or might be received using a color or other suitable scale. For example, user 16 might select a green box, dot, or other visual element to provide a “Yes” response, might select a white box, dot, or other visual element to provide a “neutral” response, and might select a red box, dot, or other visual element to provide a “No” response. Each question may appear within a banner, bar, flag, or other visual element in response to user 16 selecting icon 50, in response to user 16 providing a reaction to page 28 using tool 30, 32, or 34, or otherwise. A particular color, shape, or other indicia associated with the element may always signify the same question, regardless of the page 28 on which it appears. For example only, a green element might always signify the question, “Do you consider the price of this item fair?” A particular question may be posed in response to the user 16 providing a particular subjective rating of the page 28 or a particular response to a previous question, the question presented being dependent upon the previous response. According to embodiments of the present invention, one or more questions may be associated with any one or more pages 28 of website 26 according to the particular needs of owner 12, providing an important technical advantage.
To record a specific reaction to page 28, the user 16 clicks on, points to, or otherwise selects an appropriate symbol 74 reflective of that reaction. In response, tool 34 (or tool 30) may store corresponding user reaction information and cause the user reaction information to be communicated to server 18 for storage in database 36. In a particular embodiment, the reaction information collected in response to user 16 providing a specific reaction to the page 28 may include, in any combination and without limitation: (1) the title of page 28; (2) the URL for page 28; (3) the reaction user identifier; (4) the subjective ratings (for example only, “++,” “+,” “+−,” “−,” or “−−”); (5) the time and date the page 28 was accessed; (6) the time and date the subjective ratings were received; (7) web profile information for user 16; and (8) any other appropriate information. According to the demographic user identifier, if one is available at server 18, the demographic information for user 16 may be stored in association with the user reaction information in database 36, as described above. Tool 34 may require multiple ratings to be provided, one for each rating scale 72, before such information is stored.
FIG. 7 illustrates an exemplary registration page 80 that may be sent to user 16 in response to user 16 providing a general or specific reaction to at least one page 28 of a website 26. Alternatively, user 16 may select a hypertext or other link within or associated with icon 50, rating scale 60, ratings scales 72, or window 78. The registration page 80 includes one or more suitable input fields 82 for receiving demographic information from user 16, which is then used to create a user profile for user 16 that is stored in database 40. In one embodiment, demographic information collected from user 16 may include, for example only and not by way of limitation, in any suitable combination: (1) a name; (2) an e-mail or other electronic address; (3) a residence, business, or other physical address; (4) a password; (5) a gender; (6) an age or age range; (7) a job title, position, profession, industry, or other employment information; (8) an employment status (for example, full-time, part-time, student, or retired); (9) number of persons in household; (10) a housing status (for example, homeowner or renter); (11) a highest level of education; (12) personal or household income or income range; (13) information concerning one or more activities of user 16, such as computer usage patterns and preferences; and (14) any other appropriate demographic information.
For example, as shown in FIG. 8A for a website 26 as a whole, ratings table 102 may include a timeframe 104 during which user reactions of ratings table 102 were collected. A website overview 106 might include, in any combination and without limitation: (1) the number of ratings for all pages 28 of website 26 (generally or as to one or more specific aspects); (2) the number of one or more specified types of ratings for all pages 28, such as the number of negative ratings (generally or as to one or more specific aspects); (3) the number of unrated pages 28 among all pages 28 (where user 16 accessed page 28 incorporating tool 30 but did not provide a rating); (4) the number of positively rated pages 28 (generally or as to one or more specific aspects) among all the pages 28 (which might include, for example, both positive ratings and very positive ratings according to rating scale 60 or 72 described above); (5) the number of neutrally rated pages 28 (generally or as to one or more specific aspects) among all of the pages 28; (6) the number of negatively rated pages 28 (generally or as to one or more specific aspects) among all pages 28 (which may include, for example, both negative ratings and very negative ratings according to rating scale 60 or 72); (7) the number of ratings for the page 28 with the most ratings or most ratings of a specified type, such as the most negative ratings (generally or as to one or more specific aspects); (8) the number of comments received in connection with all pages 28; (9) and any other suitable rating information concerning website 26, considering all the pages 28. In the alternative, the ratings table 102 might provide similar information concerning one or more particular pages 28.
In one embodiment, report 100 may also include a chart 140, integral to or separate from chart 124, providing a percentage or other relative portion of pages 28 of website 26 that have been rated. For example, and without limitation, if chart 124 is substantially circular as illustrated in FIG. 8A, chart 140 may be located in a sector of chart 124 to allow the owner 12 to appreciate the information in charts 124 and 138 substantially simultaneously. The percentage of other relative portion of rated pages 28 may be indicated using a scale 142 or according to the amount 144 of the chart 140 that is colored, filled, or otherwise indicated as corresponding to that percentage or other relative portion. Providing site level rating information to the owner 12 in an integrated and readily understandable manner using report 100 is an important technical advantage of embodiments of the present invention.
If the owner 12 wishes to access another report 100 or 150 at step 420, the method returns to step 412, where the owner 12 provides new report criteria. In a particular embodiment, report 100 or 150 may provide hypertext or other appropriate links that, when selected, cause reporting module 46 to generate a new report 100 or 150 according to the selected link. The present invention contemplates owner 12 specifying new report criteria through selection of such a link, in the manner that owner 12 specified the original report criteria, or in any other appropriate manner. Preferably, owner 12 may navigate through at least reports 150 in substantially the same manner that users 16 might navigate through various pages 28 of website 26, according to the topography of website 26. As described above, this feature provides an important technical advantage of embodiments of the present invention. Steps 412 through 420 may be repeated as many times as necessary or desirable to satisfy the needs of the owner 12. If the owner 12 does not wish to access another report 100 or 150 at step 420, the method ends.
Citations de brevets Brevet cit� Date de d�p�t Date de publication D�posant TitreUS553761822 d�c. 199416 juil. 1996Diacom Technologies, Inc.Method and apparatus for implementing user feedbackUS567804125 ao�t 199514 oct. 1997At&TSystem and method for restricting user access rights on the internet based on rating information stored in a relational databaseUS57065075 juil. 19956 janv. 1998International Business Machines CorporationSystem and method for controlling access to data located on a content serverUS572795022 mai 199617 mars 1998Netsage CorporationAgent based instruction system and methodUS575493931 oct. 199519 mai 1998Herz; Frederick S. M.System for generation of user profiles for a system for customized electronic identification of desirable objectsUS576168313 f�vr. 19962 juin 1998Microtouch Systems, Inc.Techniques for changing the behavior of a link in a hypertext documentUS57781827 nov. 19957 juil. 1998At&T Corp.Usage management systemUS58048032 avr. 19968 sept. 1998International Business Machines CorporationMechanism for retrieving information using data encoded on an objectUS580924722 juil. 199615 sept. 1998Intel CorporationMethod and apparatus for guided touring of internet/intranet websitesUS586222324 juil. 199619 janv. 1999Walker Asset Management Limited PartnershipMethod and apparatus for a cryptographically-assisted commercial network system designed to facilitate and support expert-based commerceUS586226016 mai 199619 janv. 1999Digimarc CorporationMethods for surveying dissemination of proprietary empirical dataUS586232527 sept. 199619 janv. 1999Intermind CorporationComputer-based communication system and method using metadata defining a control structureUS587074430 juin 19979 f�vr. 1999Intel CorporationVirtual people networkingUS589290931 janv. 19976 avr. 1999Diffusion, Inc.Intranet-based system with methods for co-active delivery of information to multiple usersUS595800811 avr. 199728 sept. 1999Mercury Interactive CorporationSoftware system and associated methods for scanning and mapping dynamically-generated web documentsUS599173511 ao�t 199823 nov. 1999Be Free, Inc.Computer program apparatus for determining behavioral profile of a computer userUS602917110 f�vr. 199722 f�vr. 2000Actioneer, Inc.Method and apparatus for group action processing between users of a collaboration systemUS603533029 mars 19967 mars 2000British TelecommunicationsWorld wide web navigational mapping system and methodUS611554912 f�vr. 19975 sept. 2000Novell, Inc.Directory-services-based software distribution apparatus and methodUS613453124 sept. 199717 oct. 2000Digital Equipment CorporationMethod and apparatus for correlating real-time audience feedback with segments of broadcast programsUS614101017 juil. 199831 oct. 2000B. E. Technology, LlcComputer interface method and apparatus with targeted advertisingUS616111219 mai 199812 d�c. 2000International Business Machines CorporationWeb page presentation control mechanism and methodUS618840125 mars 199813 f�vr. 2001Microsoft CorporationScript-based user interface implementation defining components using a text markup languageUS6189029 *20 sept. 199613 f�vr. 2001Silicon Graphics, Inc.Web survey tool builder and result compilerUS623697529 sept. 199822 mai 2001Ignite Sales, Inc.System and method for profiling customers for targeted marketingUS62600648 janv. 199910 juil. 2001Paul J. KurzrokWeb site with automatic rating systemUS638953822 oct. 199814 mai 2002International Business Machines CorporationSystem for tracking end-user electronic content usageUS642172430 ao�t 199916 juil. 2002Opinionlab, Inc.Web site response measurement toolUS643455616 avr. 199913 ao�t 2002Board Of Trustees Of The University Of IllinoisVisualization of Internet search informationUS643859225 f�vr. 199820 ao�t 2002Michael G. KillianSystems for monitoring and improving performance on the world wide webUS64489855 ao�t 199910 sept. 2002International Business Machines CorporationDirectory tree user interface having scrollable subsectionsUS64496321 avr. 199910 sept. 2002Bar Ilan University Nds LimitedApparatus and method for agent-based feedback collection in a data broadcasting networkUS64775042 mars 19985 nov. 2002Ix, Inc.Method and apparatus for automating the conduct of surveys over a network systemUS648085211 d�c. 199812 nov. 2002International Business Machines CorporationMethod and system for rating bookmarks in a web browserUS651042719 juil. 199921 janv. 2003Ameritech CorporationCustomer feedback acquisition and processing systemUS657801413 avr. 200010 juin 2003Thomas Murcko, Jr.Method and apparatus for post-transaction pricing systemUS660658114 juin 200012 ao�t 2003Opinionlab, Inc.System and method for measuring and reporting user reactions to particular web pages of a websiteUS660665928 janv. 200012 ao�t 2003Websense, Inc.System and method for controlling access to internet sitesUS663118424 juil. 20007 oct. 2003Comverse Ltd.System for community generated feedback and/or ratingUS668124718 oct. 199920 janv. 2004Hrl Laboratories, LlcCollaborator discovery method and systemUS6741967 *26 mars 199925 mai 2004Vividence CorporationFull service research bureau and test center method and apparatusUS685978428 sept. 199922 f�vr. 2005Keynote Systems, Inc.Automated research toolUS68954377 sept. 200017 mai 2005Usability Sciences CorporationSystem for monitoring browsing activity of a visitor and decrementing a reference count upon a web page change for automatic unloading a client programUS200200497139 mai 200125 avr. 2002Chase Manhattan BankWebsite for financial informationUS2002006580230 mai 200130 mai 2002Koki UchiyamaDistributed monitoring system providing knowledge servicesUS200200729554 sept. 200113 juin 2002Brock Stephen P.System and method for performing market research studies on online contentUS2002008796928 d�c. 20004 juil. 2002International Business Machines CorporationInteractive TV audience estimation and program rating in real-time using multi level tracking methods, systems and program productsUS2002011186514 mars 200215 ao�t 2002Enliven, Inc.Tracking user micro-interactions with web page advertisingUS2003020723830 d�c. 20026 nov. 2003Markus LatzinaTraining methods and systemsWO2000062204A113 avr. 200019 oct. 2000Conjoin IncOnline content lifecycle management based on usage statistics, user-supplied value ratings and expiration datesWO2004012044A225 juil. 20035 f�vr. 2004Opinionlab IncReceiving and reporting page-specific user feedback concerning one or more particular web pages of a website* Cit� par l'examinateurCitations hors brevetsR�f�rence1BizRate.com, Independent Merchant Evaluation, https://eval.bizrate.com/popchoice.pl?id=19383&rb=1&ip=204.194.97.2&xsum=6774, 1 page https://eval.bizrate.com/eval-t.pl?id-19383&ip=204.194.97.2&xsum=67748&g=102, 5 pages, printed Jun. 13, 2000.2BizRate.com, Independent Merchant Evaluation, https://eval.bizrate.com/popchoice.pl?id=19383&rb=1&ip=204.194.97.2&xsum=6774, 1 page https://eval.bizrate.com/eval—t.pl?id-19383&ip=204.194.97.2&xsum=67748&g=102, 5 pages, printed Jun. 13, 2000.3C Shahabi, et al., "Knowledge Discovery from Users Web-Page Navigation," XP010219671, ISBN: 0-8186-7849-6, Research Issues in Data Engineering, 1997 Proceedings, Seventh International Workshop on Birmingham, UK Apr. 7-8, 1997, Los Alamitos, CA, USA, IEEE Computer Society US, pp. 20-29, Apr. 7, 1997.4Etgen, Michael et al., "What Does Getting WET (Web Event-Logging Tool) Mean for Web Usability?," Proceedings of the 5th Conference on Human Factors & The Web, XP002332999, Jun. 3, 1999.5Faison, Ted, "Component-Based Development with VisuaIC#," Online!, XP002333001, Chapter 8, Creating Front Ends with the Web Browser Component, pp. 1-4, 27, 33, Feb. 2002.6J.H. Watt, et al., "Using the Internet for Audience and Customer Research," XP010355892, ISBN: 0-7803-579-09-4, Professional Communication Conference 1999, IPCC 99, Communication Jazz: Improvising the New International Communication Culture, Proceedings 1999, IEEE International New Orleans, LA, USA Sep. 7-10, 1999, Piscataway, NJ, USA, IEEE US, pp. 121-130, Sep. 7, 1999.7Morgan, Bryan, "Visual J++ Unleashed," Online?, Sams.Net, Indianapolis,. IND., XP022333000, Chapter 25 Browser Support for Active Content, Jun. 21, 2005.8Nickerson et al., "System and Method for Reporting to a Website Owner User Reactions to Particular Web Pages of a Website," U.S. Appl. No. 09/595,050, 57 pages, filed Jun. 14, 2000.9Nickerson, et al., "Measuring a Page-Specific Subjective User Reaction Concerning Each of Multiple Web Pages of a Website," U.S. Appl. No. 10/136,919, pending, May 1, 2002.10Notification of Transmittal of the International Search Report or the Declaration (PCT Rule 44.1) mailed Sep. 7, 2004 (12 pages) re International Application No. PCT/US 03/23327, Jul. 25, 2003.11PCT, Notification of Transmittal of International Preliminary Examination Report, 5 pages, Aug. 22, 2002.12PCT, Notification of Transmittal of the International Search Report or the Declaration, 7 pages, Jan. 8, 2004.13Unknown, "Different Versions of the OnlineOpinion Data Collection Technique Dramatically Impact the Type of Response a Website Receives," OpinionLab, Inc., White Paper, 5 pages, � 2001. R�f�renc� par Brevet citant Date de d�p�t Date de publication D�posant TitreUS8676961 *27 juil. 200618 mars 2014Yahoo! Inc.System and method for web destination profilingUS91709891 mai 201427 oct. 2015Social Commenting, LlcSystem and method for facilitating posting of public and private user comments at a web siteUS20080028067 *27 juil. 200631 janv. 2008Yahoo! Inc.System and method for web destination profiling* Cit� par l'examinateurClassifications Classification aux �tats-Unis709/224, 709/229, 709/217, 705/7.32 Classification internationaleG06F15/173 Classification coop�rativeG06F17/30896, G06Q30/0203, G06Q30/02 Classification europ�enneG06F17/30W7S, G06Q30/02, G06Q30/0203�v�nements juridiques DateCode�v�nementDescription19 juil. 2006ASAssignmentOwner name: PERFORMANCE NETWORKS, LLC, ILLINOISFree format text: ASSIGNMENT OF ASSIGNORS INTEREST;ASSIGNORS:NICKERSON, RAND B.;TRESCHL, MARK A.;KIDD, KATHRYN L.;ANDOTHERS;SIGNING DATES FROM 20000607 TO 20000612;REEL/FRAME:017961/07024 mars 2014IPRAia trial proceeding filed before the patent and appeal board: inter partes reviewFree format text: TRIAL NO: IPR2014-00366Opponent name: QUALTRICS, LLCEffective date: 201401179 janv. 2015ASAssignmentOwner name: OPINIONLAB, INC., ILLINOISFree format text: CHANGE OF ADDRESS;ASSIGNOR:OPINIONLAB, INC.;REEL/FRAME:034746/0621Effective date: 201307011 avr. 2015FPAYFee paymentYear of fee payment: 410 nov. 2015CBMAia trial proceeding filed before patent trial and appeal board: covered business methodsFree format text: TRIAL NO: CBM2016-00003Opponent name: QUALTRICS, LLC ANDQUALTRICS LABS, INC.Effective date: 20151002Faire pivoterImage d'origineAccueil Google - Plan du site - T�l�chargements par lot sur l'USPTO - R�gles de confidentialit� - Conditions d'utilisation - � propos de Google�Brevets - Envoyer des commentairesDonn�es fournies par IFI CLAIMS Patent Services