Netflix, Inc. v. Blockbuster, Inc.

Filing 22

Attachment 14

Request for Judicial Notice re 21 MOTION to Dismiss OR, ALTERNATIVELY, TO BIFURCATE AND STAY DEFENDANT BLOCKBUSTER'S ANTITRUST COUNTERCLAIMS AND TO STRIKE AFFIRMATIVE DEFENSES OF UNENFORCEABILITY AND PATENT MISUSE filed byNetflix, Inc.. (Attachments: # 1 Exhibit A 1 of 2# 2 Exhibit A 2 of 2# 3 Exhibit B# 4 Exhibit C 1 of 2# 5 Exhibit C 2 of 2# 6 Exhibit D 1 of 2# 7 Exhibit D 2 of 2# 8 Exhibit E# 9 Exhibit F# 10 Exhibit G 1 of 2# 11 Exhibit G 2 of 2# 12 Exhibit H 1 of 2# 13 Exhibit H 2 of 2# 14 Exhibit I)(Related document(s)21) (Durie, Daralyn) (Filed on 7/6/2006)

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Netflix, Inc. v. Blockbuster, Inc. Doc. 22 Att. 14 Case 3:06-cv-02361-WHA Document 22-15 Filed 07/06/2006 Page 1 of 17 EXHIBIT I Dockets.Justia.com Case 3:06-cv-02361-WHA Document 22-15 Filed 07/06/2006 US006714931Bl Page 2 of 17 111111111111111111111111111111111111111111111111111111111111111111111111111 (12) United States Patent Papierniak et aL. (10) Patent No.: (45) Date of Patent: US 6,714,931 Bl Mar. 30, 2004 (54) METHOD AND APPARATUS FOR FORMING USER SESSIONS AND PRESENTING INTERNET DATA ACCORDING TO THE . USER SESSIONS (75) Inventors: Karen A. Papierniak, SL Paul, MN (US); James E. Thaisz, Lincroft, NJ (US); Luo-Jen Chiang, Freehold, NJ 5,907,621 A * 5/1999 Bachman et a1. ............. 380/25 5,960,429 A * 9/1999 Peercy et al. .................. 707/5 5,987,498 A * 11/1999 Athing et a1. ............... 709/203 6,012,088 A * 112000 Li et a1. ..................... 709/219 6,018,619 A * 1/2000 Allard et a1. ............... 709/224 6,035,281 A * 3/2000 Crosskey et a1. ............. 705/14 OTHER PUBLICATONS (US); AnjaIi M. Diwekar, Matawan, NJ (US) Zaiane, O.R et aI., Discovering web access patterns and trends by applying OLAP and data mining technology on web logs, Research and technology advances in Digital (73) Asignee: NCR Corporation, Dayton, OH (US) (*) Notice: Subject Libraries, 1998, ADL 98 proceedings, IEEE, and 19-29, Apr. 1998.* to any disclaimer, the term of this patent is extended or adjusted under 35 U.S.c. 154(b) by 923 days. * cited by examiner (21) (22) (51) (52) Appl. No.: 091067,806 Primm)' Exominer-Srirama Channavajjala (74) Attorney, Agent, or Firm-Ying Tuo; Lowe Hauptman Gilman & Berner, LLP (57) Filed: Apr. 29, 1998 ABSTRACT Int. CI.7 ................................................ G06F 17/30 U.S. Cl. ................................. 707/10; 707/6; 707/9; 715/501.; 715/513; 713/154; 713/155; Conventionally, a web site stores Internet data indicating file access status for the files that have been accessed in response to requests from web browsers. Unfortunately, the Internet data are kept as a set of separate and non-correlated data 713/201; 709/218; 709/230; 705/27; '705/44 (58) Field of Search ....................... 707/1-10, 100-104, 707/200-206,500-501,513-515; 705/14, 17-18,26-27,42-44; 709/203, 217-219, 224-230,305; 713/200-203, 154-155 records that are chronologically arranged according to the times at which the requests have been received and processed. Consequently, the Internet data are not arranged meaningful to management and business operation. The present invention is able to correlate web page files (HTML, SHTML, DHTML, or CGI files) with individual users. The present invention is also able to correlate web page files with (56) References Cited U.S. PATENT DOCUMENTS 5,812,776 A * 9/1998 Gifford ....................... 709/217 5,835,712 A * 11/1998 DuFresne ................... 709/203 5,845,070 A * 12/1998 Ikudome ..................... 713/201 5,884,312 A * 3/1999 Dustan et a1. ................ 707/10 user sessions during which users perform their business transactions over the Internet. 17 Claims, 10 Drawing Sheets 408 414 FOR EACH ONE OF THE WEB PAGE FILES, COMBINE BYTES SENT FOR THE WEB PAGE FILE WITH THE BYTES SENT FOR THE OTHER TYPE FILES LINKED TO THE ONE WEB PAGE 416 STORE THE PROCESSED DATA IN PAGE MAP ww.freepatentsonline.com . ... CD i l l-1 04 "' CD Ol CD .:: .J ( �-----------: WEB SERVER 110 r n - n n - - n - ni ~ PROXY SERVER 11 WEB Lj . SERVER WEB SERVER 00 . o :: :: 1 1 1 CD : PAGES LOGS : 1 WEB li i PAGES LOGS ~102 : I WEB SERVER 118 : ~ 126.n () o 3 1WEB i i 1 iI 1 ______________.J ___ ____I 112 1I I J' 1 : 116 FIG. 1 _ _ _ _ _ ~ 3~ _ _ _ _ _ _ ~ ~ ~~ _ ~ ~ ~ = ~ s: :~ ~o Case 3:06-cv-02361-WHA 120 iLi 121 ~ _ __ _ __ _ ~___.c ~~2.1__ _ __ _ _J_ ___.c~22.2 _ ___ ___ t_ L~~~'~ 134 j ACCE~VER 1 i i ACCE~VER 2 � ... j ACCE~VER n i N o o ,� rF ~____~__J ~n__~_J l_n_~n-J : TELEPHONE NETWORK 142.1 Document 22-15 1_ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ f _ _ _ _ _1~~.~ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ t _ _ _ _ _! ~4.:~ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _1'_ _ _ _ ~2j:n_ ~ PAGE MAP USER SESSION MAP USER SESSION PAGE MAP (' (' :: .. o. . 142.2 .. .. o Filed 07/06/2006 ... D 1M.1 D 144.2 D 144.n c 00 146 '-100 '�. " .i \w 0 0\ �. Page 3 of 17 Cd �. Case 3:06-cv-02361-WHA Document 22-15 Filed 07/06/2006 Page 4 of 17 U.S. Patent Mar. 30, 2004 Sheet 2 of 10 US 6,714,931 Bl FIG. 2 WEB PAGE FILE 201 F200 204 GRAPHICS (LINK 205 TO A GIF FILE) 202 206 GRAPHICS (LINK 207 TO A JPEG FILE) 208 TEXT MUL TIMEDIA (LINK 209 TO AN AVI FILE) 214 (LINK 215 TO OTHER PORTIONS) 216 (LINK 217 TO ANOTHER WEB PAGE FILE) -- .. ww.freepatentsonline.com Case 3:06-cv-02361-WHA Document 22-15 Filed 07/06/2006 Page 5 of 17 U.S. Patent Mar. 30, 2004 Sheet 3 of 10 . US 6,714,931 Bl FIG. 3 l-1 04 . . . RECORD J1 : ........ (FOR WEB PAGE FILE) . . . RECORD J2 : ....... (FOR GIF FILE) . . . RECORD J3 : ....... (FOR JPEG FILE) . . . RECORD J4 : ....... (FOR A Vi FILE) . . . ww.freepatentsonline.com Case 3:06-cv-02361-WHA Document 22-15 Filed 07/06/2006 Page 6 of 17 u.s. Patent Mar. 30, 2004 Sheet 4 of 10 US 6,714,931 Bl FIG. 4 402 COLLECT DATA FROM SERVER LOGS 404 IDENTIFY WHAT TYPES OF SERVERS THAT HAVE GENERATED SERVER LOGS REMOVE NON-USEFUL DATA 406 IDENTIFY RECORDS FOR WEB PAGE FILES 408 IDENTIFY RECORDS FOR OTHER FILES LINKED TO 410 RESPECTIVE WEB PAGE FILES CORRELATE THE RECORDS FOR OTHER TYPE FILES WITH THE RECORDS FOR 412 THEIR RESPECTIVE WEB PAGE FILES 414 FOR EACH ONE OF THE WEB PAGE FILES, COMBINE BYTES SENT FOR THE WEB PAGE FILE WITH THE BYTES SENT FOR THE OTHER TYPE FILES LINKED TO THE ONE WEB PAGE 416 STORE THE PROCESSED DATA IN PAGE MAP www.freepatentsonline.com Case 3:06-cv-02361-WHA Document 22-15 Filed 07/06/2006 Page 7 of 17 u.s. Patent Mar. 30, 2004 Sheet 5 of 10 US 6,714,931 Bl FIG. 5 502.1 WEB PAGE FILE: ......... IP ADDRESS, LENGTH OTHER TYPE FILE 1: ......... TIME STAMP OTHER TYPE FILE 2: ........ . . . 502.2 . . . WEB PAGE FILE: ......... IP ADDRESS, LENGTH OTHER TYPE FILE 1: ......... TIME STAMP OTHER TYPE FILE 2: ......... . . . 502.i . . . WEB PAGE FILE: ......... IP ADDRESS, LENGTH OTHER TYPE FILE 1: ......... TIME STAMP OTHER TYPE FILE 2: ......... . . . . . . ww.freepatentsonline.com Case 3:06-cv-02361-WHA Document 22-15 Filed 07/06/2006 Page 8 of 17 U.s. Patent a a. '0 Cw C' a. "" ,. ~ ( Q.Ea. 2 co �o+-o a.a. a. (QCO+- cLO~a.~(QcNO E �+- m ~ ~ i.~ c � 0) ~ cm t o .... E 0 ~~'OelO) .2 '0 C' '0 (i c- a.a.~ ~ +- .2 ~ Q) '0 ~ .2 ~~'O-r co N'O el ~ C' ~ ~ Q) C' E0)- C'~~C' ,.C\~a. enC\ COo 0C~ q C\~ or cqE u .c ~ LO~CWO) CWC\,.u \ a E.Et-E~ o co~ 0E uEu u co ao 0 a. el -a -a E c Mar. 30, 2004 Sheet 6 of 10 US 6,714,931 Bl ca.~~N~ 'O'O~Q)~ 'O'O~a. ~o ~-C' ~~~'O ~~+-a. (ienou.~ a. . en g m a. a.uQ) Q) , ~ C\ ..a. 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C\ ~ ~~~CW ~~~~t- ~ ~ -~,. --~C'~-:~ ~ t- -- ~ --N ~ -: ~ ID ~ co 0) a --~C\ -- -- -- (Q ~ co 0) a ,. -- - ~ N -- l J " ~ ~ ww.freepatentsonline.com Case 3:06-cv-02361-WHA Document 22-15 Filed 07/06/2006 Page 9 of 17 u.s. Patent Mar. 30, 2004 Sheet 7 of 10 US 6,714,931 Bl FIG. 7 , 702 COLLECT DATA FROM SERVER LOGS, PROXY LOGS AND ACCOUNTING LOGS , 704 FROM PAGE MAP 1W /706 IDENTIFY USER IDs AND RECORDS ASSOCIATED WITH USER IDs �. l- 708 IDENTIFY SESSIONS , It l-71 o FORM USER SESSION MAP BY CORRELATING SESSIONS WITH IP ADDRESSES THAT ARE ASSOICATED WITH USER IDs ,i /"712 , IDENTIFY IP ADDRESSES IN PAGE MAP , If 714 FORM USER SESSION PAGE MAP BY MAPPING IP ADDRESSES INTO USER SESSIONS IN USER SESSION MAP " ww.freepatentsonline.com "' USER ID2 CD CD i. . o. CD .. :J .n. e USER IDj d . SESSION 1 (IP ADDRESS) 7J . o :J SESSION 1 (IP ADDRESS) USER ID1 (STEVE X) ~ :J CD (' SESSION 1 (999.888.77.66) START TIME: ............................ ~. . (t o 3 END TIME: ............................ ACCESS SERVER: PORT: PORT: = .. START TIME: DEC. 3000:00:18 START TIME: ........."................. Case 3:06-cv-02361-WHA END TIME: DEC. 3000:04:22 ACCESS SERVER: END TIME: ............................ ACCESS ~ ~ :- SERVER: 2 PORT: S14 806.1 808.1 SESSION 2 (IP ADDRESS) START ~o ~ N o o .i SESSION 2 (IP ADDRESS) Document 22-15 START TIME: TIME: ."................."...... END TIME: END TIME: ............................ ACCESS SERVER: PORT: r: =(" (" .. QC ACCESS SERVER: o. . PORT: .. o 808.2 806.2 810.2 Filed 07/06/2006 . . . 804.1 . . . 804.2 804.i cj rJ '- .FIG. 8 .. ~ ~.L '~ " 0' Page 10 of 17 \0 ~ ~ t: ~ iQ:) USER ID2 USER ID� CD CD l. . t .= SESSION 1 (IP ADDRESS) CD :: SESSION 1 (IP ADDRESS) USER ID1 (STEVE X) en :: :: . . 0 SESSION 1 (999.888.77.66) rJ . ~" " FIG. 9 ~ CD (' 0 3 . . . '-916.1 WEB PAGE FILE: ........ OTHER TYPE FILE 1: ........ OTHER TYPE FILE 2: ........ WEB PAGE FILE: ........ OTHER TYPE FILE 1: ........ OTHER TYPE FILE 2: ........ WEB PAGE FILE: ........ OTHER TYPE FILE 1: ........ OTHER TYPE FILE 2: ........ WEB PAGE FILE: ........ OTHER TYPE FILE 1: ........ OTHER TYPE FILE 2: ........ = "" (' Case 3:06-cv-02361-WHA 916.2 WEB PAGE FILE: ........ OTHER TYPE FILE 1: ........ OTHER TYPE FILE 2: ........ ~ ~ :~= WEB PAGE FILE: ........ OTHER TYPE FILE 1: ........ OTHER TYPE FILE 2: ........ ~ N = = .i 906.1 J . . . - . . . . . ~1 .0011 : . SESSION 2 (lP ADDRESS) I I SESSION 2 (IP ADDRESS) - I SESSION 2 (IP ADDRESS) Document 22-15 rJ =" WEB PAGE FILE: ........ III (' (' WEB PAGE FILE: ........ OTHER TYPE FILE 1: ........ OTHER TYPE FILE 2: ........ OTHER TYPE FILE 1: ........ . OTHER TYPE FILE 1: ........ OTHER TYPE FILE 2: ........ III WEBEPAGE FILE 2: ........ II OTH R TYPE FILE: ........ \0 138 .. .. = c ~ ii I WEB PAGE FILE: ....10.. OTHER TYPE FILE 1: ........ OTHER TYPE FILE 2: ........ I Filed 07/06/2006 WEB PAGE FILE: ........ OTHER TYPE FILE 1: ........ OTHER TYPE FILE 2: ........ WEB PAGE FILE: OTHER TYPE FILE 1: ........ OTHER TYPE FILE 2: ........ cj r. ~O\ Page 11 of 17 ~ ~ 904.1 906.2 ~ 908.2 904.2 ~~ 9 0 4 .i .. ~ c. \w 0 .i ~ Cd ~ Case 3:06-cv-02361-WHA Document 22-15 Filed 07/06/2006 Page 12 of 17 u.s. Patent Mar. 30, 2004 Sheet 10 of 10 US 6,714,931 Bl FIG. 10 1000~ 1006 1010 DISPLAY MONITOR 1002 1004 1008 MEMORY DEVICE 1012 DISK DRIVE INTERFACE PROCESSING UNIT DISPLAY INTERFACE SYSTEM BUS 1014 NETWORK COMMUNICATION INTERFACE 1034 BUS INTERFACE 1024 1025 TO INTERNET 105 www.freepatentsonline.com Case 3:06-cv-02361-WHA Document 22-15 Filed 07/06/2006 Page 13 of 17 us 6,714,931 Bl 1 METHOD AND APPARATUS FOR FORMING USER SESSIONS AND PRESENTING INTERNET DATA ACCORDING TO THE USER SESSIONS 2 upon clicking (or activating) the link, the browser sends a further request to the server for the HTML file. Upon receiving the further request, the server retrieves the HTML files ancl sends it to the web browser. It should be noticed that browsers interact with web sites in a stateless fashion. On the Internet, a particular web site can be accessed by BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTON thousands of browsers in a random fashion. While a browser is sending a sequence of requests to a web site, it does not The present invention relates generally to a method and maintain a constant connection to that web site between any apparatus for organizing Internet data in a format meaning10 two consecutive requests. To a server, it has no control over ful to management and business operation. the sequences of requests; a subsequent request may not With the development in information technology and have any logical relalionship with the previous one; a sequence of requests may come from diflerent web browsers; a request may be generated from a link embedded in an networking infrastructure, more and more business transactions are being conducted electronically over the Internet. getting so popular that it is currently we1\ know as electronic 15 observe customers' activities and behavior in ihe electronic Using the Internet to conduct business trausaetions is now HTML fie. Consequently, it is difcult to consecutively commerce environment over the Internet. commerce (or Internet commerce) by industry and the public. It is fair to predict that electronic commerce is having an enormous impact on the way businesses will be conducted and managed in the future. Thus, there is a great and decision making process in the electronic commerce environment. Traditiona1\y, business transactions have been conducted Current technology provides mechanisms to record access status data (or Internet data) for web page and other type files while a sequence of requests are being received and interest in studying and understanding consumers' behavior 20 processed by a server. However, the Internet data are kept as a sel of separate and non-correlated data records that are chronologically arranged according to the times at which the requests were received and processed. Consequently, Inter- al business premises, and there exist methods and techniques net data, without further processing, are not meaningful to 25 management and business operation. In addition, since Inter- net data are recorded mainly for the purpose of administrating web sites, they may contain redundant and erroneous display its goods in store shelves arranged in accordance data that have no use to management and business operation with the changes of the four seasons. By observing consumanalysis. When Internet data are further processed by other ers' reactions to the arrangement, the retailer can adjust the 30 applications (such as by data warehouse applications), these layout of the shelves to facilitate sales of its goods. redundant and erroneous data are undesirable because they traditional business' to study consumers behavior and decision process for a environment. For example, a retailer can In the electronic commerce environment, a retailer or service provider typically displays information about its wastefully occupy storage space and may cause errors in reports or during analysis. goods or services on a web site (which includes at least one Moreover, Internet data may be generated by different server) via the Internet. Specifically, the server for the web 35 types of servers that may use different formats to record the site can store the information in a set of web page files, such Internet data. In another words, Internet data generated by as HTML (Hypertext Markup Language) files. In addition to different types of servers are not compatible in format. Ibis containing text content, an HTMLfile may also contain links causes further problem to utilize Internet data. to other type files, such as graphic or audio files, for One diffculty in meaningfully presenting Internet data is displaying pictures and icons and playing audio message. An 40 how to relate Internet data with individual users. In sending HTML file may further contain link to other web page fies. requests to servers, browsers can allach IP (Internet The other type files can be also stored on the server. By using Protocol) addresses together with the requests. his!her web browser, a customer (or a potential customer) Conventionally, IP addresses have been used 10 identify can remotely navigate through the web site, gaining the users. However, one user can use different computers, or two information about the goods and services, or ordering 45 users can use a same computer, to get access to a web site. selected goods or services. Unfortunately, unlie in tradiIn either case, an IP address cannot accurately identify a tional business environment, there is no reliable method in user. Furthermore, in the situation where a user gets access the electronic commerce environment at the present time to to web sites tlirough an ISP (Internet service provider), IP measure the effectiveness of the layout of a web site. This is addresses are dynamically assigned to users when they are due to the difculties in observing consumers' behavior and 50 connected to the ISP via modem calls. In this situation, analyzing consumers' decision process over the Internet. different IP addresses may be assigned to a user in different Historically, the Internet was designed as an open strucmodem call connections. ture in which the main purpose was to exchange information Another diffculty in meaningfully presenting Internet freely without restriCtion. To obtain a web page I�e (such as data is how to organize the data in accordance with transan HTML file) from a web site, a web browser first sends a 55 action events. By way of example, assume that a consumer request to the server for that web site. Upon receiving the wants to order a gadget from a web site. In browsing through request, the server retrieves the I-TML file requested and the web pages in the web site, the consumer may perform the sends it to the web browser. Upon receiving the HTML file, fo1\owing activities in a purchase event: (1) searching genthe web browser displays the HTML file as a web page. If eral information about the gadget, (2) searching specific the HTML file also contains links to other type files (such as 60 information about a particular type of gadget made by graphic or audio files), the browser subsequently sends several manufacturers, (3) searching information about prices of the particular type of gadget by the several requests to the server for these files. Upon receiving the requests, the server retrieves these files and sends them to the web browser. Upon receiving these files, the browser manufacturers, and (4) ordering a gadget made by a particular manufacture. As described above, the Internet data displays pictures and icons on the web page, or executes an 65 for recording the activities in the purchase event are kept as application to play audio files embedded in the web page. If the HTML file also contains a link to another HTML file, a set of separate and non-correlated data records, which may be mingled with other data records. ww.freepatentsonline.com Case 3:06-cv-02361-WHA Document 22-15 Filed 07/06/2006 Page 14 of 17 us 6,714,931 B1 3 Therefore, there is a need for a method and apparatus to prescnt Internet data in a format that is meaningful to drawing, in which: 4 detailed description in conjunction with the appended FIG. 1 shows an exemplary network system in accordance wilh the present invention; FIG. 2 shows a portion of an exemplary web page, which is associated with a web page file; management and business operation. There is another need for a method and apparatus to correlate Internet data with users. There is still another need for a method and apparatus to correlate Internet data with transaction events. The present invention meets these needs. FIG. 3 shows a plurality of exemplary data records in server logs; SUMMAY OF THE INVENTION FIG. 4 shows a flowchart ilustrating operation of forming 10 The present invention provides a novel method and assoa page map in accordance with the present invention; ciated apparatus for processing Internet data. FIG. 5 shows a plurality of exemplary data records in the Currently, a web site is able to store Internet data indipage map; cating access status for the files that have becn accessed in FIG. 6 shows a plurality of exemplary data records in response to requests from web browsers. Unfortunately, the 15 accounting logs; Internet data are kept as a set of separate and non-correlated FIG. 7 shows a flowchart ilustrating operation of forming data records that are chronologically arranged according to the times at which the requests have been received and a user session map based on user sessions, in accordance processed. Typically, a web page is associated with a web with the present invention; page file, which can further embed other type files. However, 20 FIG. 8 shows a plurality of exemplary data records in the user session map in accordance with the present invention; the data records indicating access status for a web page file FIG. 9 shows a plurality of exemplary data records in the and other type fies embedded in the wcb page file can be user session page map in accordance with the present scattered among multiple data records. Consequently, the invention; and Internet data is not arranged meaningful to management and business operation. 25 FIG. 10 shows an exemplary data processing computer to One diffculty in meaningfully present Internet data is to run utility application, in accordance with ihe present invenrelate Internet data records with individual users, because IP tion. addresses alone are unable to accurately identify users. DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE Another diffculty in meaningfully present Internet data is to PREFERRED EMBODIMENT relate Internet data records with user sessions during which 30 users perform their transaction events over the Internet. The present invention compries a novel method and an The present invention presents the Internet data in a format meaningful to management and business operation. In particular, the present invention can correlate data records with individual users. The present invention can also corn~- 35 associated apparatus for organizing Internet data. The following description is presented to enable any person skilled in the art to make and use the invention, and is provided in late the data records with user sessions during which users performs their transaction events. In one aspect, the invention provides a method in using with a first set of logs containing data indicating the files that the context of a particular application and its requirements. Various modifcations to the preferred embodiment(s) will be readily apparent to those skilled in the art, and the principles defined herein ma y be applied to other embodi- ments and applications without departing from the spirit and have been accessed and a second set of logs containing data 40 scope of the invention. Thus, the present invention is not indicating the users that have accessed the files. The method intended to be limited to the embodiment(s) shown, but is to comprises the steps of: be accorded with the broadest scope consistent with the principles and features disclosed herein. Referring to FIG. 1, there is shown an exemplary network system 1110, in accordance wilh the present invention. users; and Network system 100 includes an Internet Service Provider correlating the data for the J1es with respective users. (ISP) 102, n web servers (126.), 126'2' . . . , 126.,,) for n In another aspect, the present invention provides a method respective web sites, a data processing computer 132, a data in using with a first set of logs containing data indicating the 50 warehouse 146, Internet 130, telephone network 140, and n identifying a plurality of users; 45 identifying data for files that have been accessed by the receiving data from the first and second sets of logs; files that have been accessed and a second set of logs containing data indicating the users that have accessed the files. The method comprises the steps of: user tcrminals or computers (142'1, 142'2' . . . , 142.,,). receiving data from the first and second sets of logs; identifying a plurality of users; Coupled to telephone network 140 are ISP 102 and n user computers (142'1' 142'2" . ., and 142.,,). Coupled to Internet 130 are ISP 102, n web servers (126'1,126'2, . . . , and ll6.,,) 55 for n respective web sites, and data processing computer identifying sessions for the users; identifying data for fies that have been accessed by the users in the sessions; and 132. ISP 102 is able to provide Internet services to user computers (142'1' 142'2' . . . , 142.,, and includes: a web correlating the data for the files with respective users and respective sessions. server 104 (internal web server), a proxy server 110, an 60 Intranet (or LAN-Local Area Network) 120, and n access servers (122'1, 122'2' . . . , and 122.,,). Coupled to Intranet These and other features and advantages of the present invention wil become apparent from the following description and accompanying drawings. 120 are web server 104, proxy server 110, and n access servers (122'1' 122'2' . . . , and 122.,,). Intranet 120, which 65 BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS The purpose and advantage of the the present invention will be apparent to those skilled in the art from the following includes a router 121, is coupled to Internet 130. Web server 104 includes a web page repository ILL for storing web page and other type files provided by ISP 102 and server logs 114 for storing data records indicating access www.freepatentsonline.com Case 3:06-cv-02361-WHA Document 22-15 Filed 07/06/2006 Page 15 of 17 us 6,714,931 B1 5 status to these files. Web server 104 is able to process requests from browsers, retrieve files from web page repository 112 in response to the requests, sends the retrieved files to the browsers that have generated the requests, and generates and maintains the data records in server logs 114. 6 122'2' . . . , 122.,,), so that an associated access server c~n establish a modem connection to the user computer via telephone network 140. After the modem connection has been established, the user sends a user identification (ID) and password to the connected access server. Upon authen- run on the user computer to retrieve web pages via ISP 102. proxy logs 118 for storing data records indicating access status to these files. Proxy server 110 is able to process 10 To retrieve a web page fie, the browser sends a Get request to the connected access server. A Get request conrequests for retrieving web page and other type files external tains a URL (Uniform Resource Locator) indicating the to ISP 102. More specifically, proxy server 110 sends Get request, router 121 determines whether the web page file and 126.,,) via Intranet (or LAN) 120 and Internet 130, accepts the web page and other type files from the web 15 is located in internal web server 104 or in an external web Proxy server 110 includes a web page repository 116 for storing web page files and other type files that are retrieved from external web servers (126'1,126'2' . . . , and 126.,,) and ticating the password against the user ID, the connected access server assigns an available IP address to the user computer so that the user can use the browser that is being requests received to external web servers (126'1,126'2, . . . , name of and path to the web page fie. Upon receiving the located internally, router 121 sends the Get request to web server 104 via Intranet 120. Web server 104 retrieves the web page file from web page repository 112 and sends the generated the requests via Intranet (or LAN) 120 and telephone network 140. Proxy server 110 is also able to 20 web page file to the user computer (on which the browser is being run) via telephone network 140. Web server 104 then generate and maintain data records in proxy logs 118. servers (126.1, 126'2' . . . , and 126.,) via Intranet (or LAN) 120 and Internet 130, stores the files retrieved in web page reposilory 116, and sends the files to the browsers that have server (126'1, 126'2' . . . , or 126.,,). If the web page file is Each of the access servers (122.1-access server 1, 122.2-access server 2, . . . , or 122.,,-access server n) is records access status data for the web page file in server logs associated with a telephone number. Each of the access servers includes a respective set of accounting logs (or 114. If the web page file is located externally, router 121 sends the Get request to proxy server 110 via Intranet 120. 25 Proxy server 110 in turn sends the Get request to an external web server (126'1' 126'2' . . . , or 126.,,) via Internet 130. RAIUS-Remote Access Dial In User Services-logs) (124'1,124'2' . . . , or 124.,,), and a plurality of ports to accept Upon receiving the web page file from the external web server, proxy server 110 stores the web page file in web page dialed-in calls. Each set of the access servers is able to: (1) includes a respective web page repository for storing web page files, a respective set of server logs for storing data 40 other type files are located internally to ISP 104, the connected access server sends the Get requests to web server records indicating access status of the web page files, and 1114; which in turn retrieves the other type I�es from web accounting logs for storing data records indicating access page repository 112, sends them to the user eomp~ter, and activities for users. Each of the n web servers is able to records access status data for the other type files II server process requests from browsers and retrieves files from its 45 logs 114. If the other type files are located externally to ISP respective web page repository in response to the requests. Each of the n web servers is also able to accept user IDs and 104, router 121 sends the Get requests to proxy server 110; server 110 then records access status data for the web page file in proxy logs 118. authenticate passwords against user identifications (IDs), (4) Upon receiving the web page file, the web browser manage a set ofIP (Internet Protocol) adclesses, (5) dynamidisplays it as a web page. If the web page file also contains cally assign the IP addresses to called-in user computers, and (6) generate and maintain data records in accounting logs (or 35 links to other type files, the browser further sends Get requests to the connected access server, so that these other RADIUS logs) (124'1' 124'2, . . . , and 124.,, for access type files can be obtained and displayed together with the activities for the dialed-in user computers. web page file. The links embedded in the web page file Each of n web servers (126'1' 126'2' . . . , and 126.,, contain the names of and paths to the other type files. If the repository 116, and sends the retrieved web page file to the accept calls from user computers (142'1' 142'2' . . . , and 142.,,) via telephone network 140, (2) establish and mainiain 30 user computer (on which the browser is being run). Proxy (modem) connections to called-in user computers, (3) passwords from users, check the user IDs against the passwords, generate data records indicating user access status, and maintain the data records in its respective which in turn retrieves the other type files from external web servers (126'1, 126'2' . . . , or 126.,,) via Internet 130, sends the other type files to the user computer (on which the and each of the browsers is able to retrieve files from anyone of the servers that are coupled to Intranet 130 or via Internet 140. 50 browser is being run) via telephone network 140, and accounting logs. records access status da ta for the other type files in proxy Each of the n user computers (142'1,142'2' . . . , or 142'4) logs 118. If the web page file further contains a link to runs a respective web browser (144.1' 144'2' . . . , or 144."), another web page file, in response to clicking (activating) the link, the browser sends a Get request to the connected access 55 server, so that the web page file can be obtained and a new web page can be displayed. It should be noted that in FIG. 1 browsers (144'1' Data processing computer 132, includes a utility applica- tion 134, a page map 136, a user session map 137, a user session page map 138, and a loading utility 145. Utility 124'1 2' . . . , ," and proces the da ta collected. Loading 144'2' . . . , and 144.,,) interact with web server 104 or proxy server 110 in a stateless fashion. The browsers (144.1' application 134 is able to collect data from logs 114,118 and 60 144'2"'" and 144.,,) send requests to servers (104 and 110) control over the sequences of requests; a subsequent request session map 137, and user session page map 138 to data may not have any logical relationship with the previous one; warehouse 146 for further processing. a sequence of requests may come from different browsers; a To communicatively connect a user computer (142'1' 65 request may be generated from a link embedded in an web 142'2' . . . , or 142,) to ISP 102, a user dials a telephone page file. Consequently, the Internet data are kept as a set of number associated with one of the access servers (122'1' separate and non-correlated data records that are chrono- utilit� 145 is able to load the data from page map 136, user in a random fashion. To a server (104 or 110), it has no www.freepatentsonline.com Case 3:06-cv-02361-WHA Document 22-15 Filed 07/06/2006 Page 16 of 17 US 6,714,931 B1 9 has received a web page file, the browser immediately sends 10 server 2 assigned IP address 999.888.77.66 to user ID requests out to retrieve the other type files. Hence, the IP address in the request for retrieving the web page file is the same IP address in the requests for relrieving the oiher type fies. In addition, the time al which the request for retrieving the web page file was received should be close to those at which the requests for retrieving the other type files were received. Therefore, utility application ILL correlates the following records together: SteveX at 00:00: 18 (start time), after access server 2 authenticated password provided by the user against user ID SteveX. Data record (15) indicates the user initiated call hang up for port S14 at 00:04:22 (end time). Data record (18) indicates that access server 2 disconnected the user from port S14 at 00:04:40. It should be noted that record (1) indicates port S14 was assigned to an access event for the user identified by user ID SteveX, and record (18) indicates port S14 was released from the access event. Referring to FIG. 7, there is shown a flowchart illustrating (1) a particular record for a particular web page file, which 10 the operation of forming user session map 137 based on user contains an IP address and time stamp, and sessions, in accordance with the present invention. (2) a set of records for the other type files, which contain As shown in FIG. 7, at step 702, utility application 134 the same IP address with thal in ihe particular record; collects data records from server logs 114, proxy logs 118, and contain the times close to (within two seconds, for example) that in the particular record. 15 and the accounting logs (ll4.), ll4.2, . . . , 124.,,) In the example shown in FIG. 3, records J2.4 can be correlated with record J l' In step 414, for each of the web page files, utility At step 706, using the data records collected from the application 112 calculates a length by combining the bytes accounting logs, utility application 134 identifies user IDs sent for the one web page file with the bytes sent for the 2D and the data records associated with the user IDs. Using data At step 704, application utility 134 forms page map 136 by using the data records collected from server logs 114 or proxy logs 118 (specifc steps are shown in FIG. 4). other type files linked in the one web page file. In the example shown in FIG. 2, the bytes sent for web page file 201 will be combined with the bytes sent for GIF, JPEG and records (1), (2), (15) and (18) shown in FIG. 6 as an example, these four data records are associated together by: (1) a common port S14, (2) time stamp, and (3) user ID AVI files. The length is useful for an Internet Service SteveX. Provider to manage its operation, because it can provide the 25 At step 708, utility application 134 identifies sessions by information to determine the bandwidth used and the cost to correlating the associated dala records in the accounting send these fies. logs. A session can be identified by: an IP address assigned In step 416, utility application ILL stores the data proto a user ID, start time and end time of the access activities cessed in the steps (406,408,410,412, and 414) in page map for the user ID, and a port number. Using data records (1), 136 shown in FIG. 1. 30 (2), (15) and (18) shown in FIG. 6 as an example, the session Referring to HG. 5, there is shown a plurality of exemfor user ID SteveX is identifed by IP address 999.888.77.66 plary records in page map 136, in accordance with the contained in data record (2), call in time contained in data present invention. record (1), disconnecting time contained in data record (18), As shown in FIG. 5, page map 136 contains a pluralily of and port S14 contained in data records (1), (2), (15) and (18). data records 502'1' 502'2' . . . , 502.j, . . . Each of the recorcls 35 At step 710, utilty application 134 forms user session may include several physical or logical storage units. Each map 137 (shown in FIG. 8) by correlating sessions with user of the records stores the correlated information indicating IDs and IP addresses. Using data records (1), (2), (15) and the access status for a web page file and other type files (18) shown in FIG. 6 as an example, session record 806'1 in linkeclto the web page fie. Each of the recorcls also stores record unit 804.) (see FIG. 8) contains session information an IP address used to retrieve a web page file, a time stamp for these four data records. indicating the time at which a request was received, and a 40 At step 712, utility application 134 identifies IP addresses combined length for alllhe bytes senl for the web page file and time stamp contained in web page files stored in page and the other type files. map 136 (see FIG. 5). Referring to FIG. 6, there is shown a plurality of exemAt step 714, utility application 134 forms user session plary data records stored in accounting logs (124'1' page map 138 by correlating web page files in page map 136 124'2' . . . , and 124.,,). 45 with user sessions in user session map 137, based on: (1) IP A data record in the accounting logs typically contain addresses, (2) start and end times in user sessions, and (3) some of the following fields: access times of the web page files. The correlating process time stamp (indicated by year, month, day and time), can be specifically ilustrated using session record 906'1; in access server name, account number, which: (1) IP address is 999.888.77.66, (2) session start time 50 is December 30, 00:00:18, and session end time is December 30,00:04:22, and (3) web page files 916'1' 916'2' . . . were type of connection or protocol used, dialed-in port ID, user ID, accessed between the session start time and session end time. Thus, in page map 136, all web pages files having IP address 999.888.77.66 and access time between 00:00:18 55 and 00:04:22 of December 30 wil be mapped into user IP address assigned the user, session record 906.). status of connection, and It should be noted that the principle illustrated in FIG. 8 call duration. can also be used to processed the data records stored in the As shown in FIG. 6, each of the data records indicates web logs and accounting logs in web servers (126'1' conneciion status (such as call arrived, connection 126'2' . . . , 126.,,). succeeded, connection failed, session disconnected, etc.) for 60 Referring to FIG. 8, there is shown a plurality of exema user. By correlating a set of associated data records, an access session can be defined for a user. For example, data records (1), (2), (15) and (18) indicate an access session for a user identified by user ID Stevex. Specifically, data record plary records in user session map 137, in accordance with the present invention. As shown in FIG. 8, user session map 137 includes a plurality of record units (804.), 804'2' . . . , 804.j, . . . ) for (1) indicates that a call arrived at time 00:00:01 from port 65 user ID.i, user 10'2' . . . , user ID." . . . respectively. Each S14 via access server 2 from a user. Data record (2) indicates of the record units contains a plurality of user session the user provided user ID SteveX via port S14, and access records for a respective user ID. Each of the user session www.freepatentsonline.com Case 3:06-cv-02361-WHA Document 22-15 Filed 07/06/2006 Page 17 of 17 us 6,714,931 Bl 11 records contains session information regarding: session start 12 Processing unit 1002, which may include one or more processors, has access to memory device 1004 and hard disk 1006, and is able to control operations of the computer by time, session end time, access server number, and call in port. For example, record unit 804'1 contains a plurality of user session records (806'1' 806'2' . . . ) for user ID SteveX. User session record 806'1 contains the information for the 5 session identified by IP address 999.888.77.66 for data records (1), (2), (15) and (18) shown in FIG. 6. Since each of the access servers shown FIG. 1 is associated with a unique telephone number and a port in an access server is associated with a truk number (the three digits after area code), the server number in a data record can 10 executing programs stored in memory device 1004 or hard disk 1006. Processing unit 1002 is also able to control the transmissions of programs and data between memory device 1004 and hard disk 1006. In the present invention, utility application 112 can be stored in either memory device 1004 or hard disk 1006, and be executed by processing unit 1002. indicate the origination of a dialed-in call. Thus, the data records in FIG. 8 are able to provide the information in three important aspects: (1) users (identified by user IDs), (2) start and end times (during which activities occurred), 15 and While the invention has been ilustrated and described in detail in the drawing and foregoing description, it should be understood that the invention may be implemented through alternative embodiments within the spirit of the present invention. Thus, the scope of the invention is not intended to be limited to the illustration and description in this specifica tion, but is to be defined by the appended claims. What is claimed is: (3) origination of the users (identified by server and port 1. A method of arranging Internet data slored as separate numbers). non-correlated data record that relate to Internet data records Referring to FIG. 9, there is shown a plurality of exem- 20 with individual users, comprising: plary record units in user session page map 138, in accorforming a page map; dance with the present invention. forming a user sesion map; and As shown in FIG. 9, user session page map 138 includes forming a user sesion page map. a plurality of record units (904'1' 904'2' . . . , 904.;, . . . ) for 2. The method of claim 1, wherein: (a) a user provides a user ID.l' user ID.2, . . . , user ID.;, . . . respectively. Each of the' record units contains a plurality of user session 25 user identification (ID) before getting access to files, and (b) an address is dynamically assigned to the user, and records for a respective user ID. Each of the user session wherein forming a user session page map correlates the records contains, identified by an IP address, a plurality of data with the user by using the user ID and the address web page files and their respeciive other type files. For assigned to the user. example, record unit 904.) contains a plurality of user session records (906'1' 906'2' . . .) for user ID Stevex. User 30 3. The method of claim 2, wherein the address is an Internet Protocol (IP) address. session record 906'1' identified by IP address 999.888.77.66, contains a plurality of web page files (916'1' 916'2' . . . ). It should be readily noted that Internet data shown in FIG. 9 are presented in a format meaningful to business manage- 4. The method of claim 1, comprising displaying the user session page map. 5. The method of claim 1, comprising collecting data from ment and operation. Specifically, all other type fies are 35 server logs and proxy logs. correlated with their respective web page files, all web page fies are correlated with their respective user sessions, and all user sessions are correlated with their respective user IDs. Referring to FIG. 10, there is shown an exemplary data processing computer 132 to run utility application 112, in 6. The method of claim 5, comprising correlating records from the server logs and the proxy logs. 7. The method of claim 6, comprising identifying a particular record for a particular web page fie having an IP address and a time stamp and correlating other records having the same IP address and a iime stamp within a As shown in FIG. 10, the data processing computer predetermined time diJlerence relative to the particular comprises a processing unit 1002, a memory device 1004, a record and grouping these records together. hard disk 1006, a disk drive interface 1008, a display 8. The method of claim 7, the web page files include monitor 1010, and display interface 1012, a bus interface HTML, SHTML, DHTML, CGI, GIF, JPEG, and AVI files. 1024, a mouse 1025, a keyboard 1026, a network commu- 45 9. The method of claim 7, wherein the IP address is the web server IP address. nication interface 1034, and a system bus 1014. Hard disk 1006 is coupled to disk drive interface 1008, 10. The method of claim 7, wherein the IP address is a accordance with the preset invention. 40 display monitor 1010 is coupled to display interf�ce 1012, user IP address. and mouse 1025 and keyboard 1026 are coupled to bus 11. The method of claim 6, comprising records including interface 1024. Coupled to system bus 1014 are: processing 50 the same IP address are grouped together. unit 1002, memory device 1004, disk drive interface 1008, 12. The method of claim 1, comprising defining an access display interface 1012, bus interface 1024, and network session by a user. communication interface 1034. 13. The method of claim 12, comprising collecting data Memory device 1004 is able to store programs (including from server logs, proxy logs and accounting logs. instructions and data). Operating together with disk drive 55 14. The method claim 13, wherein the accounting log is interface 1008, hard disk 1006 is also able to store programs. a RADIUS log. However, memory device 1004 has faster access speed than 15. The method of claim 12, wherein the access session is hard disk 1006, while hard disk 1006 has higher capacity identified by an IP address assigned to a user ID, start time than memory device 1004. and end time of the access activities for the user ID, and a Operating together with display interface 1012, display port number. monitor 1010 is able to provide visual interface between 6D 16. The method of claim 1, wherein the user session.map programs being executed and a user. is formed by correlating web page fies in the page map with Operating together with bus interface 1024, mouse 1025 user sessions in the user session map. and keyboard 1026 are able to provide inputs to computer 17. The method of claim 16, wherein the user session map system 1000. is based on IP addresses, start and end times in user sessions Network communication interface 1034 is able to provide 65 and access times of the web page fies. an interface between computer system 1000 and Intranet 107. **** www.freepatentsonline.com

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