# US 2018/0324064 A1 · Unobtrusive methods and systems for collecting information transmitted over a network > Agents: this data is available as JSON from the patentgrep API and MCP server — see https://patentgrep.com/llms.txt - Number: US 2018/0324064 A1 - Document ID: US20180324064A1 - Status: Published application - Kind: A1 - Application number: 16/036,092 - Filed: 2018-07-16 - Published: 2018-11-08 - Earliest claimed: 2007-04-17 - Assignees: DataTrendz, LLC - Applicants: DataTrendz, LLC - Inventors: Kenneth TOLA - Web page: https://patentgrep.com/patent/US20180324064A1 ## CPC - H04L 43/04: Processing captured monitoring data, e.g. for logfile generation - H04L 67/02: based on web technology, e.g. hypertext transfer protocol [HTTP] - H04L 67/1001: for accessing one among a plurality of replicated servers - H04L 67/1021: based on client or server locations - H04L 67/1097: for distributed storage of data in networks, e.g. transport arrangements for network file system [NFS], storage area networks [SAN] or network attached storage [NAS] - H04L 67/59: Providing operational support to end devices by off-loading in the network or by emulation, e.g. when they are unavailable - H04L 61/4511: using domain name system [DNS] - H04L 67/563: Data redirection of data network streams - H04L 67/568: Storing data temporarily at an intermediate stage, e.g. caching - H04L: TRANSMISSION OF DIGITAL INFORMATION, e.g. TELEGRAPHIC COMMUNICATION (arrangements common to telegraphic and telephonic communication H04M) ## Abstract The present invention relates generally to unobtrusive methods and systems for collecting information transmitted over a network utilizing a data collection system residing between an originator system and a responding system. In one embodiment the Originator System can be a web browser and the Responding System can be a web server. In another embodiment the Originator System can be a local computer and the Responding System can be another computer on the network. According to embodiments described herein, the system and method may be utilized to manage and track messages sent over a network and without the use of cookies or their equivalents. ## Claims ### Claim 1 A system for obtaining and storing information transmitted over a network, wherein such system comprises: a. A first network location connected to the network that is capable of transmitting information to a second network location on the network; b. An intermediary network location that is logically situated between the first and second network location, said intermediary location being capable of: i. Receiving a transmission from the first network location; ii Sending a transmission to the second network location where said transmission is based on the content of the transmission received from the first network location; iii. Receiving a transmission from the second network location; iv. Sending a transmission to the first network location based on the content of the transmission received from the second network location; c. wherein the intermediary network location is capable of storing the transmissions received from both the first and second network locations into a logical memory location. ### Claim 2 (depends on 1) The system of claim 1 wherein the intermediary network location acts on behalf of the first network location when sending transmissions to the second network location. ### Claim 3 (depends on 1) The system of claim 1 wherein the intermediary network location acts on behalf of the second network location when sending transmissions to the first network location. ### Claim 4 (depends on 1) The system of claim 1 wherein the logical memory location is a global queue. ### Claim 5 (depends on 4) The system of claim 4 wherein the information in the memory location is persisted to a more permanent storage medium. ### Claim 6 (depends on 5) The system of claim 5 wherein said storage medium is selected from one of either a file on a file system or a record in a database. ### Claim 7 (depends on 1) The system of claim 1 wherein at least one of said transmissions includes a non-visible component and where a tracking value is placed in said non-visible component in order to track a series of transmissions. ### Claim 8 (depends on 1) The system of claim 1 wherein the transmission from the intermediate network location to the first network location includes active content and where at least some portion of the active content is modified to direct subsequent responses back to the intermediate network location. ### Claim 9 (depends on 8) The system of claim 8 where the active content is one or more hyperlinks. ### Claim 10 (depends on 8) The system of claim 8 where the active content is an embedded component. ### Claim 11 (depends on 9) The system of claim 9 where the embedded component is one of Flash, or ActiveX or Java Applets. ### Claim 12 (depends on 9) The system of claim 9 where the embedded component is a client-side script. ### Claim 13 (depends on 12) The system of claim 12 where the client-side script is selected from VBScript or JavaScript. ### Claim 14 (depends on 8) The system of claim 8 which additionally comprises a list of network locations that can be monitored by the intermediary network location. ### Claim 15 (depends on 14) The system of claim 14 wherein transmissions received from the first network location can be optionally compared to said list of network locations to be monitored whereby; a. If the target second network location identified by the transmission from the first network location is not in the list of network locations then the transmission from the first network location is forwarded directly to the second network location without the intermediary network location taking an action selected from one of modification, tracking or storage of the transmission by the intermediate network location. ### Claim 16 (depends on 8) The system of claim 8 wherein transmissions are directed from the first network location to the intermediate network location through a distinct URI value. ### Claim 17 (depends on 16) The system of claim 16 wherein the URI value contains a unique value enabling the intermediate network location to determine the second network location. ### Claim 18 (depends on 17) The system of claim 17 wherein the unique value is placed in the URI in the form of a name-value pair. ### Claim 19 (depends on 1) The system of claim 1 wherein transmissions are directed from the first network location to the intermediate network location utilizing DNS entries. ### Claim 20 (depends on 1) The system of claim 1 wherein unique information from the first network location is used to determine the second network location wherein transmissions from the first network location are automatically sent to the intermediate network location.