Browser Random Number Generator for Web Session Tracking

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Solution Overview

Problem

Existing audience measurement techniques face challenges in tracking web browsing sessions due to security configurations that prevent local storage of user identifiers, such as cookies, and the difficulty in tracking IP addresses, especially for mobile devices using proxy servers.

Innovation Solution

The method employs a random number generator (RNG) native to the web browser, seeded with a known value, to identify browsing sessions and track visited media, allowing for persistent tracking across different domains without relying on cookies or IP addresses.

Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles

VSEngineering Contradiction Analysis

1Reliability

If cookies are used to track browsing sessions, then tracking reliability is improved, but security configurations block or prevent local storage of cookies

Engineering Contradiction:
Improvetracking reliabilityVSAvoidsecurity blocking
Core Design Contradiction:
ReliabilityVSObject-affected harmful factors

Solution Approach 1:

The patent introduces an intermediary mechanism using the browser's native random number generator (RNG) as a mediator between the tracking system and the user's browsing activity. Instead of directly storing identifiers on the user device (which is blocked by security), the system uses the RNG's predictable sequence as an intermediary that can be seeded and regenerated, allowing tracking without local storage. The RNG acts as a bridge that enables session identification without requiring cookies or direct local storage access.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #24Intermediary (Mediator)

2Reliability

If IP addresses are used to track users, then tracking capability is improved, but IP tracking becomes difficult for mobile devices using proxy servers

Engineering Contradiction:
Improvetracking capabilityVSAvoidIP address tracking difficulty
Core Design Contradiction:
ReliabilityVSDifficulty of detecting and measuring

Solution Approach 1:

The patent replaces the mechanical approach of directly accessing and storing user identifiers (IP addresses, cookies) with a different mechanism - utilizing the browser's native RNG algorithm. Instead of trying to capture network identifiers that are obscured by proxies, the system substitutes a client-side mathematical process that is inherently available in the browser environment. This substitution eliminates the need to penetrate proxy obfuscation or network security layers.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #28Mechanics substitution (Replace mechanical system)

3Measurement precision

If persistent tracking across domains is implemented, then measurement accuracy is improved, but device complexity increases due to security restrictions

Engineering Contradiction:
Improvemeasurement accuracyVSAvoidtracking system complexity
Core Design Contradiction:
Measurement precisionVSDevice complexity

Solution Approach 1:

The patent applies universality by leveraging the browser's native RNG function, which is already a universal component present in all modern web browsers. Instead of implementing a complex custom tracking system that would need to navigate security restrictions, the system uses the existing RNG as a multi-functional tool for session identification, cross-domain tracking, and user differentiation. This universal approach simplifies the tracking system by eliminating the need for domain-specific tracking mechanisms or complex security workarounds.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #6Universality (Multi-functionality)

Data Source

PatentUS9659105B2Methods and apparatus to track web browsing sessions
Publication Date: 2017.05.23 THE NIELSEN CO (US) LLC
  • US9659105B2 patent drawing
  • US9659105B2 patent drawing
  • US9659105B2 patent drawing

AI summary

Methods and apparatus to tracker web browsing sessions are disclosed. An example method includes computing a sequence of numbers to be generated by a random number generator during a first browsing session associated with a browser given a first seed value; and determining whether a web site visit is associated with the first browsing session based on a received number.