ECSS Link for Electronic Content Tracking

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Solution Overview

Problem

Current methods for distributing and tracking electronic content and advertising on the Internet lack effectiveness, as they fail to provide accurate readership data, sharing traceability, and efficient storage and retrieval mechanisms for content publishers, resulting in low response rates for electronic ads.

Innovation Solution

A system and method for enabling the storage, retrieval, and sharing of electronic content via an electronic content storage system (ECSS) that includes an ECSS link for encoding information, allowing users to store and share content while providing content publishers with tracking and analysis capabilities.

Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles

VSEngineering Contradiction Analysis

1Measurement precision

If cookie-based tracking services are used to determine readership, then readership data can be collected, but the tracking becomes ineffective when browser privacy settings prohibit cookie-usage or when cookies are deleted

Engineering Contradiction:

Improvereadership data accuracyVSAvoidtracking effectiveness

Core Design Contradiction:

Measurement precisionVSReliability

Solution Approach 1:

The patent introduces an intermediary component (ECSS link/embedded code) that acts as a mediator between the content publisher and the user's browser. This intermediary enables tracking through alternative mechanisms that do not rely on cookies, such as embedded JavaScript code that executes when the content is viewed, stored, or shared, thereby maintaining tracking effectiveness despite browser privacy settings.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #24Intermediary (Mediator)

Solution Approach 2:

The patent replaces the cookie-based tracking mechanism with an alternative system using embedded JavaScript code and ECSS links. This substitution eliminates dependency on browser cookie storage by using executable code that tracks content interaction events (views, stores, shares) through different technical means, such as event listeners and data attributes.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #28Mechanics substitution (Replace mechanical system)

2Ease of operation

If URL sharing services are used for content distribution, then users can share content easily, but the content publisher cannot determine which content has been shared, who shared it, or how many times

Engineering Contradiction:

Improvecontent sharing capabilityVSAvoidsharing traceability

Core Design Contradiction:

Ease of operationVSLoss of information

Solution Approach 1:

The patent applies preliminary action by embedding tracking code (ECSS link) into the content before it is shared. This pre-installed tracking mechanism automatically records sharing events, user identity, and distribution metrics as the content is propagated through the network, ensuring traceability is established in advance rather than requiring post-hoc analysis.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #10Preliminary action

Solution Approach 2:

The patent implements feedback mechanisms where the embedded ECSS code continuously reports back to the content publisher about content distribution status. This feedback loop provides real-time or near-real-time information about who has shared the content, how many times it has been shared, and distribution pathways, enabling publishers to monitor and analyze their content's propagation.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #23Feedback

3Adaptability or versatility

If cut-and-paste methods are used to store content in electronic notebooks, then users can save content for later viewing, but the stored content is no longer linked to the originating source

Engineering Contradiction:

Improvecontent storage flexibilityVSAvoidsource attribution

Core Design Contradiction:

Adaptability or versatilityVSLoss of information

Solution Approach 1:

The patent uses the nested doll principle by embedding the ECSS tracking code within the content itself in a nested structure. When content is stored in electronic notebooks or other platforms, the embedded code remains nested within the content data, maintaining the link to the originating source even as the content is copied and stored in different locations. This nested structure ensures source attribution is preserved through multiple layers of content replication.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #7Nested doll (Nesting)

4Productivity

If traditional web publishing is used for electronic content distribution, then content can be made available online, but accurate readership data and sharing traceability are difficult to obtain

Engineering Contradiction:

Improvecontent distribution reachVSAvoidreadership measurement accuracy

Core Design Contradiction:

ProductivityVSMeasurement precision

Solution Approach 1:

The patent applies universality by designing the ECSS embedded code to perform multiple functions simultaneously. The same code structure enables tracking of content views, stores, shares, and distribution metrics across different platforms and contexts (original publication, electronic notebooks, social media, etc.). This multi-functional approach provides comprehensive measurement capability without requiring separate tracking systems for each distribution channel.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #6Universality (Multi-functionality)

Data Source

PatentUS9159075B2System and method for distribution and redistribution of electronic content

Publication Date: 2015.10.13 JALILI REZA

AI summary

A system and method for enabling the recordation of electronic content that has been published via a network, such as the Internet, so that the electronic content may be stored, retrieved, shared, and manipulated by individual users. Furthermore, the system and method of the present invention enable the content publisher of the electronic content to analyze activity associated with its storage and sharing.