Browser Ad Preference Indicators for Compliant Web Advertising
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Solution Overview
Problem
Users of web browsers face annoyance from various types of advertisements, and existing advertisement blocking software is constantly outpaced by advertisers' methods to circumvent blocking, leading to a persistent battle between users and providers.
Innovation Solution
A method and apparatus that allow users to configure advertisement preferences through a browser interface, which are then indicated in HTTP requests, enabling web servers and advertisement servers to provide compliant advertisements that align with user preferences, thereby facilitating the display of acceptable ads.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Object-affected harmful factors
If advertisement blocking software is used to prevent display of unwanted ads, then user experience is improved, but web site revenue and advertiser effectiveness deteriorate
Solution Approach 1:
The patent introduces an intermediary system that includes a user profile database, advertisement preference indicators, and a matching mechanism. This intermediary translates user preferences into HTTP request parameters that guide advertisement servers to deliver compliant ads without requiring direct blocking, thus resolving the contradiction between user experience and advertisement delivery.
Solution Approach 2:
The system changes the parameter of advertisement delivery by incorporating user preference indicators into HTTP requests. Instead of blocking ads after delivery, the system modifies the request parameters to pre-filter advertisements, allowing revenue maintenance while respecting user preferences.
2Reliability
If advertisement blocking software is constantly updated to block new ad types, then blocking effectiveness is improved, but device complexity and maintenance burden increase
Solution Approach 1:
Instead of inverting the blocking approach to allow only approved ads through, the patent inverts the problem by having users define what ads they want to see through preference indicators. This shifts the complexity from maintaining blocking rules to maintaining preference profiles, which is more intuitive and scalable.
Solution Approach 2:
The system enables users to self-configure their advertisement preferences through a web interface. Users can independently adjust their ad preferences without requiring software updates, transferring the maintenance burden from the blocking software to the user's preference settings.
3Productivity
If web sites and advertisers change advertisement types and methods to circumvent blocking, then advertisement delivery is improved, but user experience and trust deteriorate
Solution Approach 1:
The patent implements a feedback mechanism where user preferences are continuously communicated to advertisement servers through HTTP request parameters. This feedback loop ensures that advertisement delivery is continuously adjusted to match user preferences, preventing circumvention attempts while maintaining user experience.
Data Source
AI summary
A resource provider receives a request for a resource and receives an indication of an advertising format, the advertising format defining at least one of a layout or content of an advertisement, and the advertising format specified by a browser that issued the request for the resource, where the advertising format is different than a format of the resource. The resource provider generates a response to the request that is compliant with the advertising format, wherein generating the response comprises selecting a resource version from a plurality of resources versions that are each compliant with the advertising format.