Cross-Device Event Correlation via Annotated Interaction Data
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Solution Overview
Problem
Analytics systems face challenges in determining associations between events across devices due to disparate identifiers, leading to duplication and inaccurate correlation of interaction data.
Innovation Solution
A method and system that utilize a second identifier type, such as an account identifier, to associate interaction data from different devices, allowing for deduplication and accurate correlation of events by annotating interaction data based on previous interactions and their identifiers.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Measurement precision
If identifiers from various interactions are compared to determine associations, then associations between events can be determined, but duplication in associations occurs leading to inaccurate correlation
Solution Approach 1:
The patent introduces an intermediary data structure (annotation) that mediates between multiple identifiers and their associated interactions. This annotation tracks which interactions have already been associated with an event, preventing duplicate correlations while maintaining accurate event-identifier relationships.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent changes the state of interaction data by adding annotations that modify how identifiers are processed. By transforming raw interaction data into annotated data with preference indicators, the system resolves duplication issues without losing the ability to associate events across devices.
2Adaptability or versatility
If multiple identifiers are used to track interactions across devices, then cross-device event association is enabled, but system complexity increases
Solution Approach 1:
The patent merges multiple identifier types (device identifiers, account identifiers, session identifiers) into a unified event association framework. By combining these identifiers and processing them through a single annotation mechanism, the system maintains cross-device tracking capability while reducing the complexity of managing disparate identifier systems.
Solution Approach 2:
The annotation structure serves multiple functions simultaneously: it tracks associated interactions, indicates preference for specific identifiers, prevents duplication, and enables cross-device correlation. This multi-functional approach reduces the need for separate mechanisms for each function.
3Reliability
If all previous interactions are analyzed to identify associations, then comprehensive event correlation is achieved, but processing time increases
Solution Approach 1:
The patent applies partial action by using annotations to indicate preference for certain identifiers over others. Instead of uniformly processing all interactions with all identifiers, the system selectively processes interactions based on annotation preferences, reducing processing time while maintaining correlation completeness.
Solution Approach 2:
The system performs preliminary action by pre-computing and storing annotations that indicate which identifiers should be preferred for association. This preliminary processing allows subsequent event correlation to quickly identify associations without re-analyzing all previous interactions, significantly reducing processing time.
Data Source
AI summary
A method including receiving, from a device, interaction data associated with an event including a first identifier, identifying a second identifier associated with the first identifier, identifying one or more previous interactions associated with the first identifier or the second identifier, annotating the interaction data based on the identified one or more previous interactions, wherein the annotation indicates a preference for previous interactions associated with the first identifier or previous interactions associated with the second identifier, and transmitting an indication that the event is associated with one or more of the previous interactions, wherein the one or more previous interactions are determined based on the preference indicated by the annotation.