Abstract: The present invention relates to an advanced search engine. The advanced search engine may include a client component for monitoring an end-user's browsing activity, a remote server (may comprise one or more computers) for storing and processing data received from the client component, and a module that process web pages and serves search results to end-users. The advanced search engine may collect web pages for keywords of proven interest, fetch web pages requested by end-users, generate snippets or abstracts of the web pages, eliminate duplicate web pages, rank the importance of the web pages, and provide relevant web pages or links to web pages in response to an end-user search request for information regarding one or more keywords, for example. Particular aspects of the present invention are described in the claims, specification and drawings.

Abstract: The present invention relates to summarizing cross-network user behavioral data. The summarizing cross-network user behavioral data may particularly include publishing the data to one or more data structures that become accessible to a server hosting an authorized domain when a user accesses the authorized domain.

Abstract: In one embodiment, a first search result responsive to a first search request is displayed in a presentation vehicle that is separate from a browser employed by an end-user to submit the first search request. The presentation vehicle may be a pop-under, for example. Upon detection of a second search request submitted by the end-user, the same presentation vehicle may be updated to display a second search result. In another embodiment, a presentation vehicle is employed to display a first content responsive to a first end-user behavior. An end-user behavior may be an activity that an end-user engages in while on a computer network. The end-user behavior may be navigation from one web site to another web site or submission of a search request, for example. The presentation vehicle may be updated to display a second content in response to a second end-user behavior.

Abstract: In one embodiment, a method to be performed in a client computer includes the acts of sending a request for information from a client computer to a first server computer accessible over a computer network, receiving in the client computer a first response to the request for information, and receiving in the client computer a second response to the request for information. The first server computer may include a search engine and the first response may be a search result from the search engine. The second response may be a search result presented by a message delivery program resident in the client computer. The second response may include a message content that relates to a keyword employed by the end-user in the request for information. Because the keyword represents the end-user's interest in a topic, the chance of the end-user being interested in the message content is increased.

Abstract: In one embodiment, addressing information identifying a location in a computer network is received in a computer. The location may be a website or a specific web page of a website on the Internet, for example. A keyword may be determined based on the addressing information. A search may be performed on the keyword to obtain a search result, which may be displayed in a presentation vehicle such as a pop-under, for example.

Abstract: In one embodiment, a computer program blocks windows categorized as bad windows, while allowing windows categorized as good windows to be displayed. The computer program may categorize a window by consulting one or more lists. In one embodiment, a list may be updated from time to time to optimize the computer program and prevent program-obsolescence. Techniques for defeating a window-blocking mechanism are also disclosed. In one embodiment, a computer program detects if a window is of a type that offers a product to a user. If so, the computer program provides a separate window containing information regarding the product. In one embodiment, a computer program detects if a user has a need for the computer program. If so, the user is informed of the efficacy of the computer program, which is then offered to the user.

Abstract: A method for preventing fraud in Internet-based advertising. The first step of this method is providing behavior-tracking software on a user computer. That software tracks and analyzes the user's activity across multiple content providers. Next, the system displays content, including advertising, based on preferences inferred from previous activity. Finally, the system identifies behavior patterns consistent with fraudulent activity.

Abstract: The present invention relates to an advanced search engine. The advanced search engine may include a client component for monitoring an end-user's browsing activity, a remote server (may comprise one or more computers) for storing and processing data received from the client component, and a module that process web pages and serves search results to end-users. The advanced search engine may collect web pages for keywords of proven interest, fetch web pages requested by end-users, generate snippets or abstracts of the web pages, eliminate duplicate web pages, rank the importance of the web pages, and provide relevant web pages or links to web pages in response to an end-user search request for information regarding one or more keywords, for example. Particular aspects of the present invention are described in the claims, specification and drawings.

Abstract: In one embodiment, statistical information is generated in a computer network by detecting reception of documents in a client computer. A server computer is notified of the reception of the documents to allow the server computer to generate statistical information indicative of the effectiveness of an advertising campaign. The documents may comprise web pages, while the computer network may comprise the Internet.

Abstract: A method of creating user-generated reports. The method begins with the step of receiving information related to consumer internet behavior. That information is then assembled into a database having facts and dimensions, in which the database resides on a server, the server being connected to a communications network. The method then provides a report generation system, including a report generation module resident on the server. The module generates a report, beginning with accepting user criteria for generating a report from a front end system resident on a client computer. It then generates from the database a dataset corresponding to the first report and forwards the same to the client computer, and it displays the report generated from the first dataset. The module then reiterates the report generation steps to generate a second report, the first report remaining resident on the client computer.

Abstract: In one embodiment, a first message and a second message are sequentially displayed in the same presentation vehicle. Initially, the first message may be displayed in the presentation vehicle. The second message may replace the first message in the presentation vehicle if the presentation vehicle is about to be closed. Sequentially displaying two messages in the same presentation vehicle minimizes the number of presentation vehicles on a computer screen and provides at least two chances to attract an end-user's attention. It provides end-users with another alternative choice without taking up any more display space. When employed to display advertisements, for example, this provides more value to end-users and enables more advertisers to reach their target audience.

Abstract: The present invention relates to displaying coordinated related-search feedback in a single active window, to help a user develop, refine and select a useful search. In particular, it relates to conducting a plurality of related searches and making the results simultaneously available to the user in a coordinated display.

Abstract: The present invention provides techniques for selectively distributing messages to viewers. Specific embodiments provide systems, methods, apparatus and computer program products for distributing messages to viewers based upon information about potential viewers. In specific embodiments, targeted messages are made available to the client machines in response to client message requests by a server that takes the machine and/or user ID provided as part of the client request and queries the database to see if there are any messages pending for that user or that match that user's profile. Specific embodiments can provide a plurality of messages coupled together to form a campaign. The client can receive the campaign using available bandwidth unused by foreground applications, such as web browsers and the like.

Abstract: A method and apparatus allowing for entry of form data in a browser. In the described embodiment, a browser automation program executes on the user's computer and communicates with a browser program in order to determine when forms are encountered.

Abstract: A system, method and computer program product are disclosed for presenting information to a user. At a client, information about a user is collected. Via a network, the collected information is transmitted from the client to a location so that a user profile for the user can be generated based on the collected information. Based on the generated user profile, content is selected for the user. At the client, the content is received via the network and then subsequently presented to the user.

Abstract: In one embodiment, a computer program blocks windows categorized as bad windows, while allowing windows categorized as good windows to be displayed. The computer program may categorize a window by consulting one or more lists. In one embodiment, a list may be updated from time to time to optimize the computer program and prevent program-obsolescence. Techniques for defeating a window-blocking mechanism are also disclosed. In one embodiment, a computer program detects if a window is of a type that offers a product to a user. If so, the computer program provides a separate window containing information regarding the product. In one embodiment, a computer program detects if a user has a need for the computer program. If so, the user is informed of the efficacy of the computer program, which is then offered to the user.

Abstract: A method for controlling and adapting a media stream from multiple providers to a cluster of users. The first step of the process consists of providing a media server for receiving media content from multiple sources and distributing such content to multiple media outlets, the server including a behavior monitoring module. Next occurs the step of providing a categorization source having information about media content, followed by creating one or more user profiles reflecting user preferences for media delivery. Then the system carries out monitoring user behavior regarding media consumption and interacting with the categorization source to report user behavior and receive media source categorization information. The final steps are updating user profiles to reflect observed behavior and received categorization information, and adapting media streams to particular users by suggesting or inserting content, based on an updated user profile.

Abstract: A method of predicting consumer response to given content. The process begins with the step of collecting a dataset of consumer response to the content, each data item including values for a selected set of segmentation variables related to past consumer behavior. The dataset contains at least twice the number of entries required to provide statistical validity. The process continues by constructing a classification tree structure using the dataset, in which the dataset is subdivided into learning and validation datasets of substantially equal size. Also, the criterion for each successive split is the lowest entropy of segmentation variables not employed to the point of such split. Each successive split of the learning dataset is performed only if that split produces child nodes statistically different from one another, and an identical split of the validation data set produces child nodes statistically similar to child nodes produced on the learning dataset.

Abstract: A method of tracking and publishing categorical user interest data, based on computer user behavior observed by a server coupled in communication with the user's computer. The method includes, as a first step, responsive to a user navigating with a browser to a first content site, receiving one or more categorical navigation history cookies. The next step constitutes categorizing the first content site into one or more subject categories (from a multiplicity of subject categories) and a sponsorship status (as hosting sponsored content or as navigation to sponsored content), which is followed by updating the categorical navigation history cookies to log by subject category and sponsorship status the user navigation to the first content site. The final step is sending to the user's browser the updated categorical navigation history cookies for persistent storage on the user's computer.

Abstract: A system, method and computer program product are disclosed for collecting information about a user. A set of one or more rules for collecting information is obtained by a first application on a client. The first application is utilized to monitor a second application on the client in communication with the network for information that satisfies one or more rules of the set of rules. The second application is utilized by a user to access sites coupled to the network. Information that that satisfies one or more rules of the set of rules is collected from the second application utilizing the first application. At least a portion of the collected information is stored on the client utilizing the first application. Content is received via the network for presentment by the first application based on the portion of the collected information stored on the client.