System and method for monitoring computer usage
US6446119B1 · kind B1 · utility
Assignee
Inventors
Key dates
| Filing date | Oct 29, 1997 |
| Grant date | Sep 3, 2002 |
| Priority date | — |
| Expiry date | Oct 29, 2017 |
Classification
- Technology area (CPC G)Physics
- CPC primaryG06F11/3423
- WIPO fieldComputer technology
- WIPO sectorElectrical engineering
Abstract
A system and method for monitoring computer usage is disclosed. A computer operator specifies discrete moments of a computer's usage at which screen captures are executed and saved to a log. The operator, such as a parent or employer, can later retrieve the screen images to provide a graphical record of the activities, such as that of their child or employees, on that computer. The system and method of the present invention gives full authority of determining what type of computer usage is inappropriate or offensive to the computer operator. Through the use of the present invention, an operator may determine not only whether or not a user's computer activity was inappropriate, but may also simply determine if the computer was operated in any manner. By employing the system and method of the disclosed invention, a record of a user's activity or inactivity is created that, in addition to being highly simple to evaluate, is an irrefutable account of the user's computer usage. Variations of the system and method allow the operator to direct monitoring events toward online or off-line activities.
Source: USPTO / EPO open patent data. Objective bibliographic and citation counts.