The patent badge is an abbreviated version of the USPTO patent document. The patent badge does contain a link to the full patent document.
The patent badge is an abbreviated version of the USPTO patent document. The patent badge covers the following: Patent number, Date patent was issued, Date patent was filed, Title of the patent, Applicant, Inventor, Assignee, Attorney firm, Primary examiner, Assistant examiner, CPCs, and Abstract. The patent badge does contain a link to the full patent document (in Adobe Acrobat format, aka pdf). To download or print any patent click here.
Patent No.:
Date of Patent:
Dec. 17, 2002
Filed:
Dec. 31, 1998
Suzanne Kennedy Rajchel, Wheaton, IL (US);
Michael G. Ressl, Western Springs, IL (US);
Lucent Technologies Inc., Murray Hill, NJ (US);
Abstract
A method of anonymously providing user information while browsing internet web sites by inputting a data information record into storage, dynamically generating a user alias, linking the user alias with the user data record to form a user infotmation record (UIR) and then transmitting the anonymous user information record automatically or in response to user commands. This alias identification is transmitted to a remote internet operating computer of a web site that receives the information inputted for collecting information, such as statistical or demographic information. Once the combined UIR has been formed, a communication protocol of the invention allows the user to deliver the UIR to any web site that is accessed. The protocol of the invention also allows the web site operator to read the UIR and aggregate any information it desires about the user. However, as noted, the web site can only gain access to the user's alias identification in combination with the user data. In this way the web site is enabled to collect general demographic information about its user base while being isolated from the true identity of the user. With such privacy the quality of the demographic information can be improved and the statistical reliability is improved by detection of repeat hits by the same user.