Anonymized Behavioral Prediction Models for Privacy-Safe Visitor Analysis
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Solution Overview
Problem
Existing methods for analyzing website visitors are limited by privacy concerns, as they often rely on personal identifying information (PII), which is restricted, and using clickstream data alone is not sufficient for accurately determining consumer behavior.
Innovation Solution
A computer-implemented method using anonymized behavioral prediction models that generates reports for website owners without providing PII, by redirecting browser requests to a marketing services provider server, which tracks and records anonymous links associated with consumer data, allowing for analysis without compromising privacy.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Measurement precision
If personal identifying information (PII) is collected and used for analyzing website visitor behavior, then the accuracy and usefulness of consumer behavior analysis is improved, but the privacy protection of website visitors deteriorates
Solution Approach 1:
The patent extracts and removes personal identifying information (PII) from the data collection process while retaining anonymous identifiers that can still track behavior patterns. The system collects behavioral data without capturing names, addresses, phone numbers, or email addresses, thereby maintaining analysis accuracy while protecting visitor privacy.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent introduces an intermediary anonymous identifier system that mediates between the need for tracking individual behavior patterns and the need to protect personal privacy. This intermediary layer allows the system to follow and analyze visitor behavior without directly exposing or storing personal identifying information.
2Object-affected harmful factors
If only clickstream data is collected to protect privacy, then the privacy protection of website visitors is improved, but the accuracy of consumer behavior analysis deteriorates
Solution Approach 1:
The patent performs preliminary data enrichment by collecting additional contextual information about visitors (such as device type, browsing patterns, and demographic proxies) before privacy-sensitive operations occur. This preliminary action enhances the quality of anonymous data available for analysis without requiring PII collection.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent changes the parameters of data collection from personal identifying information to anonymous behavioral and contextual parameters. By measuring different parameters (such as browsing duration, pages visited, device characteristics) instead of personal identifiers, the system maintains privacy protection while improving behavioral analysis accuracy.
3Object-affected harmful factors
If anonymous identifiers are used to track visitor behavior, then the privacy protection of website visitors is improved, but the ability to provide personalized marketing insights deteriorates
Solution Approach 1:
The patent transitions from one-dimensional personal identifier-based tracking to multi-dimensional anonymous behavioral profiling. By collecting data across multiple dimensions (browsing behavior, device characteristics, temporal patterns, contextual information), the system can reconstruct personalized marketing insights without relying on personal identifiers.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent creates anonymous copies of visitor profiles that replicate the essential behavioral characteristics needed for personalized marketing without containing actual personal identifying information. These anonymous profiles serve as functional substitutes that enable targeted marketing while protecting visitor privacy.
Data Source
AI summary
A method for analyzing web visitors using anonymized behavior production models begins with a website visitor accessing a website. The website includes a web beacon, which redirects the website visitor's browser to the server of a marketing services provider (MSP). The MSP server reads a cookie previously set by the MSP that includes an anonymous link. The anonymous link may be used to match data related to the website visitor that is maintained by the MSP, and browsing activity for that visitor is stored in an activity database from which periodic reports may be constructed for the website owner. The anonymous link is not associated with any personally identifiable information (PII), and thus privacy for the visitor is maintained.