Beacon-Based User Data Collection via Hashed Identifiers
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Solution Overview
Problem
Existing digital signal monitoring techniques, such as the use of cookies, invade user privacy by allowing unaffiliated parties to collect personal information from users' online activities.
Innovation Solution
A computer-implemented method and system that utilizes beacon broadcasts and hashed user identifiers to securely collect and transfer user insights without relying on cookies, ensuring that only affiliated parties can access the information.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Quantity of substance
If cookies are used to collect user information, then data gathering capability is improved, but user privacy is worsened due to unauthorized access by unaffiliated parties
Solution Approach 1:
The patent introduces an intermediary system consisting of a server and hashed user identifiers that mediates between the user device and third-party advertisers. The server receives beacon broadcasts from the user device, processes them through hashing to create anonymized user identifiers, and then distributes targeted advertising communications. This intermediary layer enables data collection and targeted advertising while preventing direct access by unaffiliated parties, as the server acts as a trusted gateway that processes and secures user information before sharing with advertisers.
2Adaptability or versatility
If third-party cookies are used for advertising, then advertising personalization is improved, but device complexity increases due to multiple cookies being downloaded
Solution Approach 1:
The patent extracts the cookie-based tracking mechanism from the user device and relocates it to a centralized server. Instead of downloading and storing multiple third-party cookies on the user device, the system uses beacon broadcasts transmitted to the server, which then processes the information and returns targeted advertising communications. This extraction eliminates the need for the user device to store multiple cookies while maintaining advertising personalization capability through server-side processing of hashed user identifiers.
3Measurement precision
If digital signal monitoring is used, then user behavior tracking is improved, but loss of information occurs due to privacy concerns and data security risks
Solution Approach 1:
The patent applies parameter changes by transforming raw user data into hashed user identifiers through a cryptographic hashing function. This transformation alters the form of the data from readable, identifiable information to an encoded format that maintains uniqueness and tracking capability while eliminating direct exposure of personal information. The server processes beacon broadcasts by hashing user identifiers before storing and distributing them, thereby maintaining measurement precision for user behavior tracking while preventing information loss through privacy protection.
Data Source
AI summary
The present disclosure is directed to servicing mobile devices at a point of interest. The method includes receiving a plurality of beacon broadcasts with beacon identifiers corresponding to first party beacons within a physical location associated with a merchant. The method includes detecting a triggering event associated with at least one of the one or more beacon identifiers. The method includes generating a user communication for a first party computing system associated with the merchant. The user communication includes data indicative of the at least one beacon identifier. The method includes receiving a first party advertising communication indicative of a first party item associated with the at least one beacon identifier. In response to the first party advertising communication, the method includes providing, for display, data indicative of the first party item associated with the at least one beacon identifier.