Browser Function Injection for Proxy Web Filtering and User Tracking

Resolve Bottlenecks,
Find Innovative SolutionsGenerate Solutions

Solution Overview

Problem

Conventional proxy servers lack the ability to filter or alter web content at the user device and do not have access to user interaction data, limiting their effectiveness in managing web content access and user accountability.

Innovation Solution

A proxy server or application injects browser-executable functions into web content, enabling enhanced filtering and tracking by allowing the browser to monitor user interaction and report data to the proxy, which can then make informed filtering decisions.

Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles

VSEngineering Contradiction Analysis

1Loss of information

If a proxy server acts as a pass-through device that receives requests, retrieves web pages, and forwards them to user devices, then web filtering can be performed at the proxy level, but the proxy server cannot filter or alter web content at the user device and lacks access to user interaction data

Engineering Contradiction:

Improveuser interaction dataVSAvoidproxy server functionality

Core Design Contradiction:

Loss of informationVSDevice complexity

Solution Approach 1:

The patent introduces browser-executable functions as an intermediary mechanism that bridges the proxy server and the user device. These injected functions run within the browser environment, allowing the proxy server to indirectly access user interaction data (clicks, scrolls, time spent) without the proxy server itself needing to be more complex. The browser acts as the mediator that executes these functions and reports data back to the proxy.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #24Intermediary (Mediator)

2Measurement precision

If the proxy server filters web content based on basic characteristics, then some web filtering is achieved, but granular control over user interaction and detailed tracking of content access is not possible

Engineering Contradiction:

Improvecontent access trackingVSAvoidfiltering implementation

Core Design Contradiction:

Measurement precisionVSEase of operation

Solution Approach 1:

The patent replaces the mechanical approach of server-side content analysis with browser-executable functions that leverage the browser's native capabilities to track user interactions. Instead of the proxy server analyzing every byte of content and user behavior, the system substitutes this with lightweight JavaScript functions that run in the browser and automatically capture interaction data (clicks, scrolls, hover events) with high precision.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #28Mechanics substitution (Replace mechanical system)

Solution Approach 2:

The browser-executable functions enable the browser itself to perform the tracking and measurement functions. The browser monitors its own activity (user interactions with web content) and reports this data back to the proxy server, eliminating the need for the proxy server to implement complex tracking mechanisms.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #25Self-service

3Reliability

If all web content requests are reported to the proxy server, then complete tracking is achieved, but noise from automatic requests (ads, analytics) overwhelms intentional user requests

Engineering Contradiction:

Improvereporting accuracyVSAvoidsignal-to-noise ratio

Core Design Contradiction:

ReliabilityVSLoss of information

Solution Approach 1:

The patent applies different tracking and reporting rules to different types of requests based on their characteristics. Browser-executable functions can distinguish between automatic requests (ads, analytics, resource loading) and intentional user requests (clicks on main content, navigation). The system selectively reports only the relevant requests to the proxy server, giving each type of request appropriate attention based on its importance.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #3Local quality

4Adaptability or versatility

If the proxy server blocks unapproved content, then web filtering is effective, but the proxy server cannot alter or sanitize content that is delivered to the user device

Engineering Contradiction:

Improvecontent control capabilityVSAvoidcontent modification functionality

Core Design Contradiction:

Adaptability or versatilityVSDevice complexity

Solution Approach 1:

The patent segments the content control functionality into two parts: (1) the proxy server handles blocking and filtering decisions based on content characteristics, and (2) browser-executable functions handle content sanitization and alteration at the user device. This segmentation allows content modification without requiring the proxy server to become more complex, as the modification functions run locally in the browser.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #1Segmentation

Data Source

PatentUS20250385957A1Proxy injection of browser-executable functions

Publication Date: 2025.12.18 LIGHTSPEED SOLUTIONS LLC

AI summary

A proxy, such as a proxy server or proxy server application executed on a user device may inject code into web content for execution by a web browser. The injected code may perform functions such as tracking and reporting interaction with the web content and browser-level filtering of the web content. The web browser may execute the injected code to track and report user interaction with the web content and to filter web content delivered to the web browser.