Patent ID: 7430597

Claim:
A system for tracking web-based sessions comprising: a browser disposed on an associated data terminal and having at least one visible browser window associated therewith, which browser is adapted for generating at least one interactive session with an associated web server; and at least one session tracking application associated with an interactive session, which session tracking application includes, monitoring means adapted for monitoring activity of the associated interactive session, means adapted for initiating a counter to an opening value in accordance with a session identifier of an initial instance associated with the interactive session, unload event testing means adapted for determining whether monitored activity includes an unload event, means adapted for spawning a hidden browser window upon determination of the unload event, which hidden browser window enables a termination means, instance opening test means adapted for determining when monitored activity includes opening of an additional instance of the associated interactive session, instance closing test means adapted for determining when monitored activity includes a closing of an instance of the associated interactive session, incrementing means adapted for incrementing a counter in accordance with each instance determined by the instance opening testing means, decrementing means adapted for decrementing the counter in accordance with an output of the instance closing test means, and means adapted for testing a current counter value; and wherein the hidden browser window includes termination means adapted for generating a termination signal to the at least one session tracking session application so as to commence a termination of the associated interactive session upon a determination of an unload event by the session tracking application when a current counter value reaches a selected value relative to the opening value; and the at least one session tracking session commences operation of a notification means adapted for notifying the associated web server to close out the interactive session in accordance with a received termination signal from the termination means.