Location Object Tracer for User Action Tracking
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Solution Overview
Problem
Current location services lack a systematic mechanism to determine and track user actions taken with respect to provided location-related information, hindering understanding of user behavior and monetization opportunities for service providers and business entities.
Innovation Solution
Incorporating a location object tracer within location objects, which are used by client devices to log and report usage information back to a server, enabling the collection and tracking of user actions associated with these objects, and subsequently providing insights to service providers for better user behavior analysis and monetization strategies.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Loss of information
If location services provide location-related information to users, then users can access useful location information, but there is no mechanism to track what actions users take with this information
Solution Approach 1:
The patent applies preliminary action by embedding a tracer within the location object before it is provided to the user. This tracer is pre-configured to automatically track actions taken with the location information, eliminating the need for separate tracking mechanisms later. The tracer is inserted into the location object at the source (service provider or server) and travels with the object throughout its lifecycle, capturing actions such as views, calls, and navigations automatically.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent implements feedback by having the tracer report actions back to the service provider or server. When a user performs an action with the location information (such as viewing details, making a call, or initiating navigation), the tracer captures this action and sends feedback reports to the original provider. This creates a closed-loop system where the provider receives information about how their location data is being used, enabling continuous improvement and monetization strategies.
2Reliability
If no tracking mechanism is implemented, then the system remains simple, but service providers cannot understand user behavior or implement monetization strategies
Solution Approach 1:
The patent uses the tracer as an intermediary element that bridges the gap between location objects and tracking functionality. Rather than implementing complex tracking directly in the location service system, the tracer acts as a self-contained mediator that carries tracking capabilities within the location object itself. This intermediary approach isolates the tracking complexity from the main location service architecture, maintaining system simplicity while enabling reliable behavior tracking.
3Productivity
If location objects are enhanced with tracers, then user actions can be tracked systematically, but the structure of location objects becomes more complex
Solution Approach 1:
The patent applies merging by combining the tracer with the location object into a single integrated structure. Rather than maintaining separate tracking systems and location data structures, the tracer is merged into the location object itself, sharing the same data structure and lifecycle. This integration allows the location object to carry both its functional data (location coordinates, business information) and tracking capabilities (action logs, tracer identifiers) as a unified entity, improving tracking efficiency without requiring separate infrastructure.
Data Source
AI summary
An embodiment of a communication system includes a client device adapted to receive a location object that includes tracer information, and to perform one or more location object-based actions using the location object. The client device stores the tracer information and location object usage information, which describes the one or more location object-based actions that have been performed using the location object. The client device also sends the stored information to a server. The system also includes the server, which is adapted to receive the location object usage information and the tracer information reported by the client device. In an embodiment, the system also includes a service provider adapted to initiate a billing event, which may include generation and transmission of a bill to a sponsor entity based on an evaluation of the location object usage information and the tracer information reported by the client device.