Generation Information Tracking in Digital Object Propagation
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Solution Overview
Problem
Current systems lack the ability to effectively track and analyze how objects propagate through social networks, specifically in terms of the chain of referrals, making it difficult for creators and distributors to understand the effectiveness of publicity efforts and user interactions.
Innovation Solution
Objects can provide generation information indicating the length of the chain of referrals, allowing users to obtain copies through mechanisms like links that contact a download server, enabling the tracking and analysis of propagation patterns.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Loss of information
If objects propagate through referrals without tracking mechanisms, then the propagation process is simple and automatic, but the ability to analyze and measure propagation effectiveness is lost
Solution Approach 1:
The patent applies preliminary action by embedding generation information into objects before they are distributed. When objects are initially created or uploaded, they are assigned a generation number (typically zero for direct uploads). This pre-embedded information then automatically propagates through referral chains without requiring active tracking at each transmission point, thus capturing referral information while minimizing system complexity.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent implements feedback by having objects report their generation information back to the server when they are accessed or shared. The server collects this information and uses it to analyze propagation patterns. This feedback mechanism enables the system to measure propagation effectiveness without requiring complex real-time tracking of each referral interaction.
2Measurement precision
If generation information is embedded in every object instance, then referral chain analysis becomes possible, but the data processing and storage requirements increase
Solution Approach 1:
The patent extracts only the essential referral information (generation number) from the complex referral chain data. Instead of storing complete referral paths or detailed interaction histories, the system extracts and stores only the generation number, which is sufficient for measuring propagation depth and effectiveness. This extraction approach enables precise referral chain measurement while minimizing data volume.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent applies local quality by making generation information a specific attribute of individual object instances rather than a global system-wide data structure. Each object instance carries its own generation number locally, allowing the system to process and analyze referral information in a distributed manner without centralizing large volumes of data.
3Reliability
If the system tracks every referral interaction, then complete propagation data is captured, but the ease of object distribution and user interaction is reduced
Solution Approach 1:
The patent implements self-service by making objects automatically carry and transmit their own generation information without requiring external tracking intervention. When an object is shared or accessed, it automatically provides its generation number to the server, eliminating the need for complex tracking mechanisms that would complicate object distribution and user interaction while maintaining reliable propagation data.
Data Source
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AI summary
An object (e.g., a video, a widget, etc.) may carry generation information, indicating the length of the referral chain that led to the object's being downloaded. Some users become aware of the object through initial publicity. When these users download an instance of the object, that instance is a generation zero instance. The object may contain a mechanism (e.g., a link) that invites other users to download an instance of the objects. When a user follows such a link and downloads an instance of the object, the downloaded instance has a higher generation than the instance that presented the link to the user. For example, if a generation zero object refers a download, then the downloaded object instance may have generation one. Generation information may be collected and analyzed to determine how successfully an object propagates.