Asynchronous Tracking Identifier Reduces Redirect Latency
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Solution Overview
Problem
The existing methods for tracking user interactions with online content items, such as advertisements, result in increased latency and error likelihood due to multiple redirects, which can lead to incomplete or delayed resource delivery to user devices.
Innovation Solution
Implementing a system where one server provides a unique identifier for user interactions, allowing asynchronous reporting to other servers without additional redirects, thereby reducing the number of redirects required for tracking user interactions.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Reliability
If multiple redirects are performed to track user interactions through intermediary servers, then user interaction tracking capability is improved, but latency increases and reliability decreases
Solution Approach 1:
The patent extracts the tracking function from the redirect chain by providing a unique identifier directly in the response data from the advertisement management system. This allows the destination server to perform tracking without requiring the user device to traverse multiple intermediary servers, thereby reducing latency while maintaining tracking capability.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent introduces a unique identifier as an intermediary mechanism that enables tracking without physical redirects. The identifier acts as a mediator that carries tracking information through the system without requiring the user device to actually visit intermediary servers, thus reducing time loss while preserving tracking reliability.
2Reliability
If multiple redirects are performed to track user interactions, then tracking coverage is improved, but error likelihood increases
Solution Approach 1:
The patent extracts the tracking function from the redirect chain by providing a unique identifier directly in the response data from the advertisement management system. This allows the destination server to perform tracking without requiring the user device to traverse multiple intermediary servers, thereby reducing latency while maintaining tracking capability.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent provides the unique identifier in advance through the response data, cushioning against potential errors that would occur during multiple redirects. By having the identifier available beforehand, the system prevents tracking failures that might arise from redirect chain breaks, thus reducing error likelihood while maintaining tracking accuracy.
3Speed
If asynchronous reporting is implemented, then resource delivery speed is improved, but system complexity increases
Solution Approach 1:
The patent performs preliminary action by providing the unique identifier in the response data before the user interaction occurs. This allows the destination server to immediately track interactions without waiting for redirect completions, enabling asynchronous reporting while keeping the system relatively simple through pre-prepared tracking data.
Data Source
AI summary
Methods, systems, and apparatus, including computer programs encoded on a computer storage medium, for reducing redirects. In one aspect, a method includes receiving request data indicating that a user device has requested a content item. The request data specifies other data processing apparatus to which user interactions with the content item are to be reported. The content item includes a reference to a resource that is requested in response to user interaction with the content item. Response data is provided. The response data includes data that cause presentation of the content item. Interaction data is received specifying user interaction with the content item occurred. Redirect data is provided that cause the user device to be redirected to the resource. Reporting data is provided to the other data processing apparatus, specifying user interaction with the content item occurred. The reporting data is provided asynchronously relative to the redirect data.