Mechanism for automating the extraction of selected information from web based pages design and implementation

摘要

The present invention provides an apparatus and a method for automating a data extraction process from an "on-line" database so that certain information may be presented automatically, to obviate the need for it to be entered repeatedly. In addition the system enables the user to enter this information in such a way that the sequence is learned so that it may be used again in whole or in part to make further automated accesses. The method of the invention comprises the steps of providing a user with an emulated user interface of an on-line information source, monitoring a sequence of user inputs whilst the user accesses the on-line information source via the emulated user interface, building a on-line information source access script from the sequence of inputs and storing the on-line information source access script for subsequent automatic access to the on-line information source.