Method and apparatus for tracking user profile and habits on a global network

摘要

A method and apparatus for tracking network activity of a user. A user PC ( 302 ) disposed on a network ( 306 ) runs tracking software which initially requires registration to a registration server ( 2500 ). The registration process is initiated by the user entering user information into the tracking software for transmission to the registration server ( 2500 ). In response to registration, the registration server ( 2500 ) sends a unique ID and bar code back to the user PC ( 302 ). Subsequently, when the user accesses a vendor server ( 2504 ) disposed on the network ( 306 ), the user PC ( 302 ) passes the unique ID/bar code to the vendor server ( 2504 ). The vendor server ( 2504 ) sends the unique ID/bar code to the registration server to obtain user profile information which matches the unique ID/bar code. As the user accesses the vendor server ( 2504 ), the user activities are logged and returned to the registration server ( 2500 ) for updating the user information stored therein. Alternatively, the user information is stored on the user PC ( 302 ), the tracking software issued to the user having the unique ID bar code. Subsequent accesses to the vendor server ( 2504 ) results in the activity log being sent back to the user PC ( 302 ) for updating the user information.