Method and system of measuring and recording user data in a communications network

A method of measuring and recording user data in a communications network and associating the user data with demographic data of the user, the user being able to access a user computer processing means having browser means, the method comprising the steps of:

• the user accessing a part of the network having a portion of measurement code embedded therein;
• forwarding a measurement record from the browser means to a data processing means;
• determining from the received measurement record whether a survey identified by a survey identifier has been presented to the user;
• whereupon if the survey identifier is not detected, survey initiation code is forwarded with compatible measurement code to the user in order to complete a survey including the demographic data of the user;
• and
• forwarding the completed survey response data and measurement record to a first electronic storage means, each linked by a common user identification code;
• such that an interested party has access to information based on the measurement record and survey data of the user for the purpose of ascertaining information about the user in a market segment.

A system for measuring and recording user data in a communications network and associating the user data with demographic data of the user, the user being able to access a user computer processing means having browser means, the system comprising:

• data processing means for receiving from the browser means a measurement record after the user accesses a part of the network having a portion of measurement code embedded therein;
• wherein the data processing means determines from the received measurement record if the survey identified by a survey code has been presented to the user and completed by the user;
• wherein, where the survey has been completed by the user and survey data stored in a first electronic storage means, the measurement record, containing a portion of the user data, is forwarded to the first electronic storage means;
• the measurement record and the survey data, including demographic data of the user, being identified by a user identification code;
• wherein an interested party has access to information based on the measurement record and survey data of the user for the purpose of ascertaining information about the user in a market segment.

A system for measuring and recording user data in a communications network and associating the user data with demographic data of the user, the user being able to access a user computer processing means having browser means, the system comprising:

• data processing means for receiving from the browser means a measurement record after the user accesses a part of the network having a portion of measurement code embedded therein, the measurement record forming part of the user data;
• wherein a user identification code is applied to the browser means to provide the user data in the network in a market segment;
• first electronic storage means for storing survey data containing demographic data of the user;
• said survey data linked to the user data by the user identification code;
• wherein an interested party obtains information about the user based on demographic data of the user in combination with the user data across the market segment.