Method and apparatus for selectively sharing and passively tracking communication device experiences

Abstract

The present invention includes methods and devices for passively tracking and selectively sharing user experiences with communication devices, including computers, web-enabled telephones, and PDAs. User rating or comments on their experiences can be captured. Particular aspects of the present invention are described in the claims, specification and drawings.

We claim: 
     
       1. A method of sharing computer user experiences, including:
 communicating with a registration server to register a user, for automatic client-side collection of computer usage experiences for future sharing, wherein the computer usage experiences include one or more of browsing URLs or visiting a location with a location-aware device that records the visited location;   accessing one or more of the user's messaging buddy lists and selecting one or more buddies with whom to share the automatically collected computer usage experiences;   defining categories of computer usage experiences to be shared with particular selected buddies;   tracking automatically on the client-side at least a portion of the user's computer usage experiences and reporting the user's computer usage experiences to a tracking server to be published to the particular buddies in accordance with their defined categories of sharing.   
     
     
       2. The method of  claim 1 , wherein the registration server and the tracking server are a single server. 
     
     
       3. The method of  claim 1 , wherein the registration server and the tracking server are distinct servers. 
     
     
       4. The method of  claim 1 , wherein registering the user excludes collection of the user's e-mail address. 
     
     
       5. The method of  claim 1 , wherein registering the user excludes collection of the user's actual name. 
     
     
       6. The method of  claim 1 , wherein registering the user excludes collection of the user's physical address. 
     
     
       7. The method of  claim 1 , wherein registering the user excludes collection of any information that identities a user in a manner adapted to direct marketing. 
     
     
       8. The method of  claim 1 , wherein registering the user further includes establishing an anonymous unique identifier for the user. 
     
     
       9. The method of  claim 8 , wherein reporting the tracking data includes reporting the anonymous unique identifier. 
     
     
       10. The method of  claim 1 , wherein the messaging buddy list is maintained by AOL's Instant Messenger software. 
     
     
       11. The method of  claim 1 , wherein the messaging buddy list is maintained by MSN Messenger software. 
     
     
       12. The method of  claim 1 , wherein the messaging buddy list is maintained by Yahoo! Messenger software. 
     
     
       13. The method of  claim 1 , wherein the messaging buddy list is maintained by America Online's ICQ software. 
     
     
       14. The method of  claim 1 , wherein the messaging buddy list is maintained by Odigo's instant messenger software. 
     
     
       15. The method of  claim 1 , wherein the messaging buddy list is maintained by Jabber's instant messenger software. 
     
     
       16. The method of  claim 1 , wherein the rights of the buddies are defined by content category of the user's computer usage. 
     
     
       17. The method of  claim 1 , wherein the rights of the buddies are defined by appearance of one or more keywords on pages corresponding to URLs viewed. 
     
     
       18. The method of  claim 1 , wherein the rights of the buddies are defined by activity type of the user's computer usage. 
     
     
       19. The method of  claim 1 , wherein the user utilizes a computer and tracking is carried out by a module resident on the computer. 
     
     
       20. The method of  claim 1 , wherein the tracking is carried out by a device placed between a computer utilized by the user and an access point to the Internet. 
     
     
       21. The method of  claim 1 , wherein the computer usage experience tracked is filtered before it is reported to the tracking server. 
     
     
       22. The method of  claim 1 , wherein the computer usage reported is filtered after it is reported to the tracking server and before it is posted for the buddies to access. 
     
     
       23. The method of  claim 1 , wherein the messaging buddy list is maintained by an instant messenger software. 
     
     
       24. The method of  claim 1 , further including sending tracking data regarding one of a user's computer usage experiences to one or more buddies. 
     
     
       25. The method of  claim 1 , further including categorizing at least a portion of the tracking data by content and sorting the tracking data by content category. 
     
     
       26. The method of  claim 1 , further including categorizing at least a portion of the tracking data by content and making the tracking data searchable by content category and date range. 
     
     
       27. The method of  claim 1 , wherein posting further includes providing annotation tools for associating notes with individual tracking data entries. 
     
     
       28. The method of  claim 1 , wherein posting further includes providing annotation tools for associating ratings with individual tracking data entries. 
     
     
       29. The method of  claim 1 , wherein posting further includes indexing text portions of at least a portion of pages reported from tracking the user's Internet usage. 
     
     
       30. The method of  claim 29 , wherein text indexing is limited to pages reported from tracking as having been annotated or forwarded by the user. 
     
     
       31. A method of sharing Internet browsing experiences, including:
 tracking automatically with a client-side application at least a portion of a user's Internet usage and reporting the tracking data to a server;   categorizing at least a portion of the reported tracking data by content category;   presenting to the user a history of the reported tracking data, with tools for searching and forwarding the tracking data;   receiving from the user data identifying of one or more persons on the user's buddy lists and authorizing the persons to receive tracking data;   responsive to a user request, sending one or more entries from the history of the reported tracking data to the authorized persons.   
     
     
       32. A method of sharing computer user experiences, including:
 registering a user with a registration server to collect and share visited location data using a client-side application collected while visiting a location with a location-aware device that records the visited location;   accessing one or more of the user's messaging buddy lists to identify one or more buddies with whom the tracking data may be shared;   defining rights of the buddies to access the visited location data;   posting at least a portion of the user's visited location data for the buddies to access according to their defined rights.   
     
     
       33. A non-transitory computer-readable medium storing software for instructing a controller of a location-aware device to:
 collect visited geographic location data for geographic locations visited by the location-aware device using a client-side application, the visited geographic location data comprising a plurality of the geographic locations visited by the location-aware device, each geographic location visited time-stamped with a time of visit, the geographic locations visited automatically and passively recorded by the location-aware device;   in response to user inputs received at the location-aware device, associate one or more of the geographic locations visited with one or more of an emoticon, user rating, bookmark, description, and user comment;   report, to a server device, first information indicating the visited geographic location data;   receive, from the server device, second information based on a geographic location of the location-aware device;   present, on a display of the location-aware device, the second information in a context sensitive manner;   receive, from the server device, third information identifying patterns in the visited geographic location data by the location-aware device;   present, on the display of the location-aware device, the third information;   receive, from the server device, fourth information identifying an other location-aware device in geographical proximity to the location-aware device; and   present, on the display of the location-aware device, the fourth information.   
     
     
       34. The non-transitory computer-readable medium of claim 33 wherein the controller of the location-aware device is further instructed to:
 register a user of the location-aware device with the server device to collect the visited geographic location data.   
     
     
       35. The non-transitory computer-readable medium of claim 34 wherein the server device is a registration server device and the location-aware device is operable to present information making the user aware that the visited geographic location data is to be collected. 
     
     
       36. The non-transitory computer-readable medium of claim 34 wherein the server device is a tracking server device. 
     
     
       37. The non-transitory computer-readable medium of claim 34 wherein the server device is a registration and tracking server device. 
     
     
       38. The non-transitory computer-readable medium of claim 34 wherein the user and an other user are both users of an instant messaging system. 
     
     
       39. The non-transitory computer-readable medium of claim 34 wherein the user and an other user are associated electronically through an invitation process. 
     
     
       40. The non-transitory computer-readable medium of claim 33 wherein the location-aware device is a location-aware cellular phone device. 
     
     
       41. The non-transitory computer-readable medium of claim 33 wherein the location-aware device is a location-aware PDA device. 
     
     
       42. A non-transitory computer-readable medium storing software for instructing at least one controller of a server device to:
 receive, at the server device, registrations of a plurality of users for automatic and passive client-side collection of first information, the first information including visited geographic location data, wherein the visited geographic location data define geographic locations visited, each geographic location visited time-stamped with a time of visit, the client-side collection occurring via a client-side application on a corresponding plurality of location-aware devices, the plurality of location-aware devices including a location-aware device and an other location-aware device, one or more of the geographic locations visited associated with one or more of an emoticon, user rating, bookmark, description, and user comment assigned at the location-aware device;   process the visited geographic location data to determine second information based on a geographic location of the location-aware device;   send, to the location-aware device, the second information;   process the visited geographic location data to determine third information identifying patterns in the visited geographic location data by the location-aware device;   send, to the location-aware device, the third information;   process the visited geographic location data to determine fourth information identifying the other location-aware device in geographical proximity to the location-aware device; and   send, to the location-aware device, the fourth information.   
     
     
       43. The non-transitory computer-readable medium of claim 42 wherein the controller of the server device is further instructed to:
 receive a registration of a user of the location-aware device and an other registration of an other user of the other location-aware device, the registrations to collect the visited geographic location data.   
     
     
       44. The non-transitory computer-readable medium of claim 43 wherein the server device is a registration server device and the plurality of location-aware devices are operable to present information making the users aware that the visited geographic location data is to be collected. 
     
     
       45. The non-transitory computer-readable medium of claim 43 wherein the server device is a tracking server device. 
     
     
       46. The non-transitory computer-readable medium of claim 43 wherein the server device is a registration and tracking server device. 
     
     
       47. The non-transitory computer-readable medium of claim 43 wherein the user and the other user are both users of an instant messaging system. 
     
     
       48. The non-transitory computer-readable medium of claim 43 wherein the user and the other user are associated electronically through an invitation process. 
     
     
       49. The non-transitory computer-readable medium of claim 42 wherein the location-aware device is a location-aware cellular phone device. 
     
     
       50. The non-transitory computer-readable medium of claim 42 wherein the location-aware device is a location-aware PDA device. 
     
     
       51. A location-aware device comprising:
 a network interface operable to:
 connect the location-aware device to a server device over a network; and 
   a controller and memory, coupled to the network interface, operable to:
 collect visited geographic location data for geographic locations visited by the location-aware device using a client-side application, the visited geographic location data comprising a plurality of the geographic locations visited by the location-aware device, each geographic location visited time-stamped with a time of visit, the geographic locations visited automatically and passively recorded by the location-aware device; 
 in response to user inputs received at the location-aware device, associate one or more of the geographic locations visited with one or more of an emoticon, user rating, bookmark, description, and user comment; 
 report, to the server device, first information indicating the visited geographic location data; 
 receive, from the server device, second information based on a geographic location of the location-aware device; 
 present, on a display of the location-aware device, the second information in a context sensitive manner; 
 receive, from the server device, third information identifying patterns in the visited geographic location data by the location-aware device; 
 present, on the display of the location-aware device, the third information; 
 receive, from the server device, fourth information identifying an other location-aware device in geographical proximity to the location-aware device; and 
 present, on the display of the location-aware device, the fourth information. 
   
     
     
       52. The location-aware device of claim 51 further operable to:
 register a user of the location-aware device with the server device to collect the visited geographic location data.   
     
     
       53. The location-aware device of claim 52 wherein the server device is a registration server device and the location-aware device is operable to present information making the user aware that the visited geographic location data is to be collected. 
     
     
       54. The location-aware device of claim 52 wherein the server device is a tracking server device. 
     
     
       55. The location-aware device of claim 52 wherein the server device is a registration and tracking server device. 
     
     
       56. The location-aware device of claim 52 wherein the user and an other user are both users of an instant messaging system. 
     
     
       57. The location-aware device of claim 52 wherein the user and an other user are associated electronically through an invitation process. 
     
     
       58. The location-aware device of claim 51 wherein the location-aware device is a location-aware cellular phone device. 
     
     
       59. The location-aware device of claim 51 wherein the location-aware device is a location-aware PDA device. 
     
     
       60. A server device comprising:
 a network interface operable to:
 connect the server device to a plurality of location-aware devices over a network; and 
   a controller and memory, coupled to the network interface, operable to:
 receive, at the server device, registrations of a plurality of users for automatic and passive client-side collection of first information, the first information including visited geographic location data, wherein the visited geographic location data define geographic locations visited, each geographic location visited time-stamped with a time of visit, the client-side collection occurring via a client-side application on a corresponding plurality of location-aware devices, the plurality of location-aware devices including a location-aware device and an other location-aware device, one or more of the geographic locations visited associated with one or more of an emoticon, user rating, bookmark, description, and user comment assigned at the location-aware device; 
 process the visited geographic location data to determine second information based on a geographic location of the location-aware device; 
 send, to the location-aware device, the second information; 
 process the visited geographic location data to determine third information identifying patterns in the visited geographic location data by the location-aware device; 
 send, to the location-aware device, the third information; 
 process the visited geographic location data to determine fourth information identifying the other location-aware device in geographical proximity to the location-aware device; and 
 send, to the location-aware device, the fourth information. 
   
     
     
       61. The server device of claim 60 further operable to:
 receive a registration of a user of the location-aware device and an other registration of an other user of the other location-aware device, the registrations to collect the visited geographic location data.   
     
     
       62. The server device of claim 61 wherein the server device is a registration server device and the plurality of location-aware devices are operable to present information making the users aware that the visited geographic location data is to be collected. 
     
     
       63. The server device of claim 61 wherein the server device is a tracking server device. 
     
     
       64. The server device of claim 61 wherein the server device is a registration and tracking server device. 
     
     
       65. The server device of claim 61 wherein the user and the other user are both users of an instant messaging system. 
     
     
       66. The server device of claim 61 wherein the user and the other user are associated electronically through an invitation process. 
     
     
       67. The server device of claim 60 wherein the location-aware device is a location-aware cellular phone device. 
     
     
       68. The server device of claim 60 wherein the location-aware device is a location-aware PDA device. 
     
     
       69. A computer implemented method of operating a location-aware device, the method comprising:
 collecting visited geographic location data for geographic locations visited by the location-aware device using a client-side application, the visited geographic location data comprising a plurality of the geographic locations visited by the location-aware device, each geographic location visited time-stamped with a time of visit, the geographic locations visited automatically and passively recorded by the location-aware device;   in response to user inputs received at the location-aware device, associate one or more of the geographic locations visited with one or more of an emoticon, user rating, bookmark, description, and user comment;   reporting, to a server device, first information indicating the visited geographic location data;   receiving, from the server device, second information based on a geographic location of the location-aware device;   presenting, on a display of the location-aware device, the second information in a context sensitive manner;   receiving, from the server device, third information identifying patterns in the visited geographic location data by the location-aware device;   presenting, on the display of the location-aware device, the third information;   receiving, from the server device, fourth information identifying an other location-aware device in geographical proximity to the location-aware device; and   presenting, on the display of the location-aware device, the fourth information.   
     
     
       70. The computer implemented method of claim 69 further comprising:
 registering a user of the location-aware device with the server to collect the visited geographic location data.   
     
     
       71. The computer implemented method of claim 70 wherein the server device is a registration server device and the location-aware device is operable to present information making the user aware that the visited geographic location data is to be collected. 
     
     
       72. The computer implemented method of claim 70 wherein the server device is a tracking server device. 
     
     
       73. The computer implemented method of claim 70 wherein the server device is a registration and tracking server device. 
     
     
       74. The computer implemented method of claim 70 wherein the user and an other user are both users of an instant messaging system. 
     
     
       75. The computer implemented method of claim 70 wherein the user and an other user are associated electronically through an invitation process. 
     
     
       76. The computer implemented method of claim 69 wherein the location-aware device is a location-aware cellular phone device. 
     
     
       77. The computer implemented method of claim 69 wherein the location-aware device is a location-aware PDA device. 
     
     
       78. A computer implemented method of operating a server device, the method comprising:
 receiving, at the server device, registrations of a plurality of users for automatic and passive client-side collection of first information, the first information including visited geographic location data, wherein the visited geographic location data define geographic locations visited, each geographic location visited time-stamped with a time of visit, the client-side collection occurring via a client-side application on a corresponding plurality of location-aware devices, the plurality of location-aware devices including a location-aware device and an other location-aware device, one or more of the geographic locations visited associated with one or more of an emoticon, user rating, bookmark, description, and user comment assigned at the location-aware device;   processing the visited geographic location data to determine second information based on a geographic location of the location-aware device;   sending, to the location-aware device, the second information;   processing the visited geographic location data to determine third information identifying patterns in the visited geographic location data by the location-aware device;   sending, to the location-aware device, the third information;   processing the visited geographic location data to determine fourth information identifying the other location-aware device in geographical proximity to the location-aware device; and   sending, to the location-aware device, the fourth information.   
     
     
       79. The computer implemented method of claim 78 further comprising:
 receiving a registration of a user of the location-aware device and an other registration of an other user of the other location-aware device, the registrations to collect the visited geographic location data.   
     
     
       80. The computer implemented method of claim 79 wherein the server device is a registration server device and the plurality of location-aware devices are operable to present information making the users aware that the visited geographic location data is to be collected. 
     
     
       81. The computer implemented method of claim 79 wherein the server device is a tracking server device. 
     
     
       82. The computer implemented method of claim 79 wherein the server device is a registration and tracking server device. 
     
     
       83. The computer implemented method of claim 79 wherein the user and the other user are both users of an instant messaging system. 
     
     
       84. The computer implemented method of claim 79 wherein the user and the other user are associated electronically through an invitation process. 
     
     
       85. The computer implemented method of claim 78 wherein the location-aware device is a location-aware cellular phone device. 
     
     
       86. The computer implemented method of claim 78 wherein the location-aware device is a location-aware PDA device.