Anonymous web site user information communication method

{
  "publication_number": "US6496931B1",
  "country": "US",
  "kind": "B1",
  "title": "Anonymous web site user information communication method",
  "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.",
  "claims": [
    "1. A method of communication computer Internet web site user information from a user computer to an Internet web site, comprising the steps of: automatically creating an encrypted identification of a user; automatically enabling a web site operation computer to dynamically access the user information together with only the encrypted user identification while the user is connected with a web site; and establishing inaccessibility of an Identity of the user by the web operating computer of the web site.",
    "2. The method of claim 1 in which the step of creating is performed by creating an alias identification.",
    "3. The method of claim 2 in which the alias identification includes at least one of an alias name, an alias password and an alias electronic mail address.",
    "4. The method of claim 3 in which the alias identification includes the alias name and the alias electronic mail address.",
    "5. The method of claim 1 in which the alias identification includes at least one of an alias name, an alias password and an alias electronic mail address.",
    "6. The method of claim 1 in which the step of encrypting is performed at an internet server remote from the user.",
    "7. The method of claim 1 in which the step of creating includes the step of automatically, dynamically creating an alias user identification without storage of the alias created.",
    "8. The method of claim 1 in which the step of encrypting is performed at a computer of the user.",
    "9. The method of claim 1 in which the step of enabling includes the step of automatically providing access to the web site operating computer when the user is connected with the web site.",
    "10. The method of claim 1 in which the step of enabling includes the step of providing access to the web site operating computer in response to entry of a command from the user.",
    "11. The method of claim 1 in which the step of enabling includes the step of storing the user information at one of a computer of the user and a computer of a network server of the user.",
    "12. The method of claim 1 in which the step of enabling includes the step of concatenating the encrypted identification with the user information prior to providing access to the user information.",
    "13. The method of claim 12 in which the step of concatenating is performed at one of a computer of the user and an operating computer of a network server of the user.",
    "14. The method of claim 13 in which the step of concatenating is performed automatically by the computer of the user.",
    "15. The method of claim 1 in which the step of enabling includes the step of downloading from the web site a user document record template to a computer of the user.",
    "16. The method of claim 1 including the step of storing the user information in association with a template.",
    "17. The method of claim 1 in which the step of enabling includes the steps of: storing the user information remote from the web site, automatically linking the user information that is stored with the encrypted identification, and transmitting the user information stored remote from the web site to the web site while linked with the encrypted identification in lieu of being linked with an actual identification of the user.",
    "18. The method of claim 17 in which the step of creating an encrypted identification includes the step of dynamically generating an alias identification.",
    "19. A method of communication computer Internet web site user information from a user computer to an internet web A method site, comprising the steps of: creating a user data record profile; encrypting the user data record profile to create an encrypted data record profile to create a user information record; establishing inaccessibility of an identity of a user by the web operating of the web site; dynamically generating an alias user identification; linking the dynamically generated alias user identification with the encrypted data record profile to create a user information record; and transmitting the user information record to a web site in response to a request for the information.",
    "20. The communicating method of claim 19 in which the user information record is transmitted to the web site in response to one of a user command and web site access via an internet protocol.",
    "21. The communicating method of claim 19 in which the user information record is transmitted to the web site in response to one of a user command and web site access via one of HTTP and XML.",
    "22. A method of communicating computer internet web site user information from a user computer to an internet web site, comprising the steps of: automatically creating an identification of a user; and automatically enabling a web site operating computer to dynamically access the user information together with only the user identification while the user is connected with a web site.",
    "23. The method of claim 22 in which the step of creating is performed by creating an alias identification.",
    "24. The method of claim 23 in which the step of encrypting is performed at an internet server remote from the user.",
    "25. The method of claim 23 in which the step of creating includes the step of automatically, dynamically creating an alias user identification without storage of the alias created."
  ],
  "description_excerpt": "The invention generally relates to communicating web site user information through the internet and, more particularly, to a method of communicating such web site user information to a web site server while shielding the true identity of the user from the web site server.\n\nA common problem facing users of the world wide internet is the difficulty of maintaining user privacy. An internet user generally wishes to browse the internet and visit various web sites without being tracked or monitored. On the other hand, web site operators or web page host providers need information about the internet users who visits its sites. Web site operators collect information that is useful in compiling demographic information about the users in general. Web site operators need this information to track the number of visitors to a web site, make educated estimates to price advertising associated with the web site, and to collect other information about the internet users. In this manner, a web site operator can compile “Nielsen” type data for potential advertisers and other interested parties. To this end, demographic information is quantified and the web site operator or advertiser can determine the efficacy of the advertising money spent.\n\nWhile an internet user may be willing to provide user information such as age, income range, job description, etc., many are unwilling to do so in association with their actual identification.",
  "cpc": [
    "H04L 63/02",
    "H04L 63/0407",
    "H04L 67/02",
    "H04L 67/306",
    "H04L 69/329",
    "H04L 9/40"
  ],
  "ipc": [
    "G06F 13/00",
    "G06F 21/31",
    "G06Q 50/00",
    "H04L 29/06",
    "H04L 29/08",
    "H04M 11/00",
    "H04M 3/00"
  ],
  "assignees": [
    "Lucent Technologies Inc"
  ],
  "inventors": [
    "Suzanne Kennedy Rajchel",
    "Michael G. Ressl"
  ],
  "filing_date": "1998-12-31",
  "publication_date": "2002-12-17",
  "grant_date": "2002-12-17",
  "priority_date": "1998-12-31",
  "application_number": "US-22462598-A",
  "family_id": "22841472",
  "cited_by_count": 253,
  "citations": [
    "EP0855659A1",
    "US5999971A",
    "US6289318B1",
    "US6286098B1",
    "US6275934B1"
  ]
}