Web Browser Mediator for Cross-App Device Identification
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Solution Overview
Problem
Existing systems face challenges in consistently and securely identifying computing devices accessing web resources, particularly when multiple applications on the same device interact, and varying operating systems complicate industry-wide coordination.
Innovation Solution
A method involving a computer configured with an operating system, web browser, and applications, where an identifying code (IFA) is obtained through the operating system, and a durable ID (DID) is generated and communicated by the web browser to associate with the computing device, enabling identification even when the web browser cannot access the IFA directly.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Adaptability or versatility
If operating systems provide identifying codes to applications, then application-level identification is enabled, but web browsers cannot access these codes due to OS restrictions
Solution Approach 1:
The patent introduces an intermediary mechanism where the web browser acts as a mediator to obtain the identifying code from the operating system. The browser makes a request to the OS (e.g., iOS or Android) for the identifying code, and the OS returns it to the browser through a standardized interface, enabling cross-application identification without direct OS modification.
2Productivity
If multiple applications use the same operating system, then system resource sharing is enabled, but consistent device identification across applications becomes difficult
Solution Approach 1:
The patent implements a universal identifying code mechanism that works across multiple applications and operating systems. The OS provides a standardized interface that any application or web browser can use to obtain the identifying code, ensuring consistent device identification regardless of which application is active.
3Adaptability or versatility
If industry coordination for device identification is attempted, then unified identification standards can be established, but implementation complexity and coordination difficulty increase
Solution Approach 1:
The patent enables devices to self-identify by having the operating system automatically provide the identifying code when requested by a web browser. This eliminates the need for complex industry-wide coordination, as each device naturally provides its own identification information through the OS's built-in capabilities.
Data Source
AI summary
Improved identification of a computer configured with an operating system (OS), a web browser and one or more applications is disclosed. An identifying code for advertisers (IFA) may be obtained via the operating system (OS) of the computer. A first application configuring the computer may include instructions to initiate an ad call comprising a request including the IFA to cause the first application to render an advertisement received by the computing device from a first web resource in response to the ad call. The web browser may execute the script to configure the web browser with a durable id (DID). The web browser may also communicate the DID to associate the IFA with the computing device.