Estimating Content Visibility in Cross-Domain Iframes

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Solution Overview

Problem

Existing methods struggle to accurately determine content visibility, especially when content items are displayed within cross-domain iframes, due to browser security constraints and the inability to access necessary size and location measurements.

Innovation Solution

A computer-implemented method that estimates the size of the webpage viewing area and content item size, compensates for chrome elements, and determines visibility by calculating the overlap area using browser-provided APIs, allowing for accurate reporting of content visibility without relying on direct measurements or technologies like Flash.

Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles

VSEngineering Contradiction Analysis

1Measurement precision

If direct measurement methods are used to determine content visibility, then measurement precision is improved, but device complexity increases due to browser security constraints and inability to access measurements

Engineering Contradiction:

Improvecontent visibility measurementVSAvoidbrowser security constraints

Core Design Contradiction:

Measurement precisionVSDevice complexity

Solution Approach 1:

The patent introduces an intermediary estimation approach that bridges the gap between browser security constraints and visibility measurement needs. Instead of directly accessing protected measurements, the system uses available browser APIs to gather indirect information (viewport size, iframe position) and calculates visibility through mathematical estimation, effectively mediating between constrained access and measurement requirements

Inventive Principle:

Principle #24Intermediary (Mediator)

Solution Approach 2:

The patent replaces the mechanical/direct measurement system with an estimation-based computational approach. Rather than directly measuring content visibility through browser APIs that are blocked by security constraints, the system substitutes direct measurement with indirect estimation using available data points and geometric calculations

Inventive Principle:

Principle #28Mechanics substitution (Replace mechanical system)

2Reliability

If cross-domain iframe restrictions are enforced for security, then reliability is improved, but measurement precision deteriorates due to inability to access size and location data

Engineering Contradiction:

Improvebrowser securityVSAvoidcontent item visibility

Core Design Contradiction:

ReliabilityVSMeasurement precision

Solution Approach 1:

The patent uses intermediary estimation techniques that work within cross-domain iframe restrictions. By gathering available information through permitted browser APIs and using this as intermediate data to estimate visibility, the system maintains browser security while achieving measurement goals through a mediating calculation layer

Inventive Principle:

Principle #24Intermediary (Mediator)

Solution Approach 2:

The patent creates a virtual model or copy of the visibility measurement process that operates within security constraints. Instead of directly accessing protected iframe measurements, the system creates an estimated representation of visibility based on available data, effectively copying the measurement function in a security-compatible form

Inventive Principle:

Principle #26Copying

3Loss of information

If accurate visibility estimation is implemented, then loss of information is reduced, but use of energy increases due to calculation requirements

Engineering Contradiction:

Improvevisibility data accuracyVSAvoidbrowser resource consumption

Core Design Contradiction:

Loss of informationVSUse of energy by moving object

Solution Approach 1:

The patent implements partial action by estimating only the critical visibility parameters rather than performing complete measurements. The system calculates viewport size and iframe position estimates using selective browser APIs, performing just enough computation to achieve adequate visibility determination without exhaustive measurement

Inventive Principle:

Principle #16Partial or excessive action

Data Source

PatentEP2976719B1Estimating visibility of content items

Publication Date: 2022.02.23 GOOGLE LLC

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AI summary

Methods, systems, and apparatus include computer programs encoded on a computer-readable storage medium, including a method for determining content visibility when a content item is included in a cross-domain iframe. The method includes determining a first estimate of a size of a webpage viewing area of a viewport associated with a browser including reading an outer bound for a size of the viewport. The method further includes determining a second estimate for a size of a content item for display in the webpage viewing area, including reading iframe inside measurements for the iframe from a browser. The method further includes determining content item visibility including determining a location of the content item relative to the webpage viewing area by reading a location of the viewport and the iframe in screen coordinates. The method further includes reporting the visibility.