Abstract: A method for monitoring client interaction with a resource downloaded from a server in a computer network includes the steps of using a client to specify an address of a resource located on a first server, downloading a file corresponding to the resource from the first server in response to specification of the address, using the client to specify an address of a first executable program located on a second server, the address of the first executable program being embedded in the file downloaded from the first server, the first executable program including a software timer for monitoring the amount of time the client spends interacting with and displaying the file downloaded from the first server, downloading the first executable program from the second server to run on the client so as to determine the amount of time the client interacts with the file downloaded from the first server, using a server to acquire client identifying indicia from the client, and uploading the amount of time determined by the firs

Abstract: The invention can enable monitoring of the display of content by a computer system. Moreover, the invention can enable monitoring of the displayed content to produce monitoring information from which conclusions may be deduced regarding the observation of the displayed content by an observer. The invention can also enable monitoring of the display at a content display site of content that is provided by a content provider site over a network to the content display site. Additionally, the invention can enable the expeditious provision of updated and/or tailored content over a network from a content provider site to a content display site so that the content provider's current and appropriately tailored content is always displayed at the content display site. Aspects of the invention related to transfer of content over a network are generally applicable to any type of network.

Abstract: A method and apparatus for allowing the collection of information regarding visits to the pages of a data network such as the Internet, and the number of separate images viewed is described. The described method overcomes various prior art limitations including providing for improved accuracy in reporting the number of times a banner image, such as an advertisement, is viewed; providing improved methods and apparatuses for efficiently identifying unique banner images viewed; providing an improved method and apparatus for configuring a network user's computer so that interference from the data collection process with the normal operation of the computer is minimized; providing an improved method and apparatus for efficiently calculating a checksum to allow unique identification of a banner image viewed by a network user; and providing an improved method and apparatus for determining whether the network user used the browser BACK button to view a page and, if so, to count the banner images viewed.