AU2016100777A4

AU2016100777A4 - A Search Tool

Info

Publication number: AU2016100777A4
Application number: AU2016100777A
Authority: AU
Inventors: Philipp Thurner
Original assignee: G&t Service Co Pty Ltd
Current assignee: G&t Service Co Pty Ltd
Priority date: 2016-05-27
Filing date: 2016-05-27
Publication date: 2016-06-30
Anticipated expiration: 2024-05-27

Abstract

A computer-based domain search tool comprises a processing arrangement which implements a domain search application. The 5 domain search application is programmed to display an interface on a user computer display for allowing a user to enter one or more domain names to be searched. Once the domain names have been entered, the application sends a web request to a predefined API provided by a domain search provider for 10 retrieving registration data for each of the domain names input by the user. The registration data is then parsed to extract predefined entity and status data for each domain name. A report is subsequently generated by the domain search application presenting the extracted entity and status data in a 15 predefined format for presenting to the user. (FIGURE 1) I Z LI-i - ---- --- -------- - --------- . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .

Description

A Search Tool

Field of the Invention

This invention relates to a tool for facilitating domain name searching. The tool is particularly, but by no means exclusively, suited for use in carrying out domain name searches as part of a due diligence matter, where the registrant and status for numerous domain names need to be validated and reported on.

Background of Invention

There are numerous websites that currently allow interested parties to ascertain the status, ownership and availability of a particular domain name. These websites typically provide a text box where the interested party can enter one or more domain names, separated by a common or semi colon. The resultant registration data is typically provided in raw/unformatted form for evaluation by the interested party.

Domain name searches are routinely carried out in the legal profession. For example, when advising a client on the potential acquisition of a company, it is prudent that the client's lawyers conduct the necessary domain name searches to verify legal ownership and registration status of the domain names that the company purports to own. Domain name searches may also be carried out to check availability for registration, to trace the source of web pages and data, and for security purposes, among others.

However, for substantial matters, it is often necessary to search and report on hundreds and sometimes thousands of domain names and it can be a particularly arduous and time consuming task to enter each of the domain names into the conventional search sites and then copy and paste selected components of the raw data for generating a suitable report. Further, the raw data will take a different form depending on the domain name extension and identifying the relevant data from the raw data can be tedious and prone to operator error.

Summary of Invention

In accordance with a first aspect there is provided a computer implemented domain search tool, comprising: a processing arrangement implementing a domain search application programmed to: display an interface on a user computer display for allowing a user to enter one or more domain names to be searched; send a web request to a predefined API provided by a domain search provider for retrieving registration data for each of the domain names input by the user; and parse the retrieved registration data to extract predefined entity and status data for each domain name; and generate a report which presents the extracted entity and status data in a predefined format for presenting to the user.

In an embodiment the domain search application is further programmed to include API credentials for the user in the web request, the API credentials used by the domain search provided for billing the user.

In an embodiment at least one of the type of data extracted and predefined presentation format can be modified by the user for report customisation.

In an embodiment the report comprises a table listing the entity and status data for each searched domain name.

In accordance with a second aspect there is provided a computer implemented method for conducting a domain name search, comprising: entering one or more domain names to be searched using the interface displayed by the domain search application as described in accordance with the first.

In accordance with yet another aspect of the present invention there is provided a computer readable medium implementing a computer program comprising at least one instruction which, when implemented by a computer system, is operable to carry out the method as described above.

Brief Description of the Drawings

Features and advantages of the present invention will become apparent from the following description of embodiments thereof, by way of example only, with reference to the accompanying drawings, in which:

Figure 1 is a schematic block diagram illustrating a system in which an embodiment can be implemented;

Figure 2 is a process flow diagram for carrying out a domain search utilising the system of Figure 1, in accordance with an embodiment; and

Figures 3a to 3c are example screen shots of an interface, in accordance with an embodiment.

Detailed Description

Embodiments described herein relate to a computer implemented tool for facilitating the reporting of domain name searches. Embodiments are particularly suited for use in carrying out domain name searches as part of a due diligence matter and accordingly will be described in that context below. It will be understood, however, that embodiments are not so limited and could be used for any matter which involves searching and reporting on multiple domain names.

With reference to Figure 1 there is shown a system for implementing an embodiment of the present invention.

The system comprises a web server 10 comprising a processor which implements an automated domain name search tool. According to the illustrated embodiment, the search tool takes the form of a web application 11. The web application 11 provides an interface which allows a user to enter multiple domain names to be searched. The web application 11 is programmed to interface with at least one domain search Application Programming Interface (API) 13 for ascertaining registration data, such as registrant and status, of the requested domain names.

According to the illustrated embodiment, the web application 11 is programmed to interface with the WHOIS XY API 13 (see URL: www.whoisxy · com ) . The web request initiated by the web application 11 takes the form of a HTTP web request and the resultant raw data is returned as a JSON string.

Users access the web application 11 via a browser on their network-enabled computing device 12. Communication between the server 10 and computing device 12 is made over the network 14. The network 14 may be any suitable fixed and/or mobile communications network, e.g., the Internet or a private intranet, and may use any suitable protocol for the exchange of electronic data, e.g., TCP/IP, NNTP, HTTP, etc. It will be understood that in an alternative embodiment, users can access the web application 11 via a native application installed on a personal user computer device (e.g. mobile phone, tablet, etc.), as will be well understood by persons skilled in the art.

The web application 11 is communicable with a data store which stores one or more report templates. According to the illustrated embodiment, the report templates are saved as a byte array within the application. Users are able to select a stored template or create a new template for use by the web application 11 in generating a suitable report, as will be described in more detail in subsequent paragraphs. According to the illustrated embodiment, the templates are Microsoft Word® or

Excel® templates. The web application may also be communicable with a data store 16 for storing reports. The data store 16 may be implemented using any suitable relational or non-relational database application program, such as, e.g., Oracle, Sybase and the like. According to the embodiment described herein, the data store 16 takes the form of a SQL database.

Generating a New Search Request

With additional reference to Figures 2 and 3, a method for initiating a domain name search request utilising the web application 11 will now be described.

At step SI (Figure 2), the method involves creating a new search request. An example interface 300 generated by the web application 11 for inputting domain names to be searched is shown in Figure 3a. The interface 300 includes a text box 302 where a user can key in the names of the domains. Once all of the domain names have been entered the user selects the "Search" button 304 at the top right of the interface 300. An example interface completed by a user is shown in Figure 3b.

At step S2, the application 11 generates a HTTP web request in a format that is accepted by the API 13. In this instance the format is as follows: http://api.whoxy. com/?key=xxxxx&whois=example. com

As shown above, the request includes a key (in this instance a code that the API has previously issued to the user) which is used by the API 13 for billing the requesting entity, as will be understood by persons skilled in the art.

At step S3, the application 11 receives the raw registration data from the API 13 for processing. According to the illustrated embodiment, the application 11 then parses the raw data (in this instance using Visual Basic programming code).

The result is a JSON object that can be utilised to extract the data of interest for automatically populating a table to be included in the report. In this regard, the application advantageously includes pre-defined data structures which are applied depending on the TLD (top level domain). For example, the address information of the registrant in the JSON object registered under a CO.UK TLD is in a different place than for a JSON object returned for .COM domains.

It will be understood that the data of interest may be modified by the user, depending on the data they wish to be included in the table.

At Step S4, the application 11 initiates a report generating routine. According to the illustrated embodiment, this involves the application 11 interfacing with a Microsoft Component Object Model (COM) interface to create a report document using a specific template.

Each template has a defined space holder which is populated with the data extracted by the application at step S3. After filling in all values needed for the template, the application 11 saves a temporary copy of the document locally on the user's computer. The document then gets imported into the document management system and saved against a particular matter (e.g. in data store 16) .

Figure 3c shows an example Microsoft Word® document generated by the application 11 for reporting the domain search of Figure 3b. In this example, the template includes a table 306 including the following fields which are populated with the data extracted at step S3:

Domain name Registrant Expiry date

Status

Registrar

Further Detail of System Configuration

The web server 10 can be any form of suitable server computer that is capable of communicating with user computing devices 12 and API 13 via network 14. The server 10 may include typical web server hardware including a processor, motherboard, memory, hard disk and a power supply. The server 10 includes an operating system which co-operates with the hardware to provide an environment in which software applications can be executed.

In this regard, the hard disk of the server 10 is loaded with a processing module which, under the control of the processor, is operable to implement the web application 11 for carrying out the aforementioned functions. In an alternative embodiment, the computer platform may be implemented as a cloud based application (i.e. in a secure web based cloud environment), using techniques which will be well understood by persons skilled in the art.

According to the illustrated embodiment, the user computing devices take the form of general purpose network enabled computers equipped with a browser. It will be appreciated, however, that the devices could be any suitable form of network-enabled computing device. For example, the devices may take the form of a special purpose device including a smart phone, tablet, or the like. Details of such devices (e.g. processor, memory, displays, data storage devices) are omitted for the sake of clarity.

The various aspects discussed herein may be implemented via any appropriate number and/or type of computer platform, modules, processors, memory, etc. each of which may be embodied in hardware, software, firmware, middleware and the like.

While the invention has been described with reference to the present embodiment, it will be understood by those skilled in the art that alterations, changes and improvements may be made and equivalents may be substituted for the elements thereof and steps thereof without departing from the scope of the invention. In addition, many modifications may be made to adapt the invention to a particular situation or material to the teachings of the invention without departing from the central scope thereof. Such alterations, changes, modifications and improvements, though not expressly described above, are nevertheless intended and implied to be within the scope and spirit of the invention. Therefore, it is intended that the invention not be limited to the particular embodiment described herein and will include all embodiments falling within the scope of the independent claims.

In the claims which follow and in the preceding description of the invention, except where the context requires otherwise due to express language or necessary implication, the word "comprise" or variations such as "comprises" or "comprising" is used in an inclusive sense, i.e. to specify the presence of the stated features but not to preclude the presence or addition of further features in various embodiments of the invention.

Claims

THE CLAIMS DEFINING THE INVENTION ARE AS FOLLOWS:

1. A computer implemented domain search tool, comprising: an application executable by a processing arrangement to: display an interface on a user computer display for allowing a user to enter one or more domain names to be searched; send a web request to a predefined API provided by a domain search provider for retrieving registration data for each of the domain names input by the user; and parse the retrieved registration data to extract predefined entity and status data for each domain name; and generate a report which presents the extracted entity and status data in a predefined format for presenting to the user.
2. A computer implemented domain search tool, wherein the domain search application is further programmed to include API credentials for the user in the web request, the API credentials used by the domain search provided for billing the user.
3. A computer implemented domain search tool, wherein at least one of the type of data extracted and predefined presentation format can be modified by the user for report customisation.
4. A computer implemented domain search tool, wherein the report comprises a table listing the entity and status data for each searched domain name.
5. A computer implemented method for conducting a domain name search, comprising: entering one or more domain names to be searched using the interface displayed by the domain search application of claim 1.