Correlating Mobile Device Usage Events with User Profiles via IMEI
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Solution Overview
Problem
Existing methods for collecting and correlating user profile data in cellular mobile communications systems are inefficient due to limitations in CMCS device interaction, such as small screens, limited keyboards, and high user effort, leading to incomplete and inaccurate data collection.
Innovation Solution
A method involving a standard web browser to collect user profile data, which includes sending a message to the CMCS device to download a device metering software module, allowing the collection and correlation of device usage data with user-provided profile data through a data collection server, using the IMEI number for identification.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Measurement precision
If user profile data is collected using CMCS device forms and surveys, then data can be obtained directly from the device, but the process is time-consuming and frustrating due to limited interaction capabilities
Solution Approach 1:
The patent introduces a personal computer as an intermediary device between the user and the CMCS device. The PC collects comprehensive profile data through a web browser with full interaction capabilities, then transmits this data to a server that correlates it with CMCS device usage events. This mediator eliminates the need for users to input data directly on the limited CMCS device, resolving the contradiction between data accuracy and collection time.
Solution Approach 2:
The system performs preliminary data collection on the PC before the actual CMCS device monitoring begins. By gathering complete profile information in advance through the PC's superior interface capabilities, the system prepares all necessary user data beforehand, eliminating the need for time-consuming data entry during or after device usage tracking.
2Ease of operation
If voluntary survey forms are used for data collection, then user participation is obtained, but the data is incomplete due to user time constraints and forgetfulness
Solution Approach 1:
The system automatically collects CMCS device usage events through embedded metering software without requiring continuous user input or attention. The device itself generates and transmits usage data autonomously to the server, which then correlates this objective usage information with the profile data collected via PC. This self-service approach eliminates data incompleteness caused by user forgetfulness while maintaining ease of operation.
3Loss of information
If profile data is collected through PC web browser, then rich demographic data is obtained with less user effort, but the data must be correlated to the specific CMCS device
Solution Approach 1:
The metering software embedded in the CMCS device continuously monitors and records usage events, maintaining an ongoing log of device activities. This continuous data stream includes timestamped events that the server can correlate with the profile data collected via PC. The continuous action ensures that usage information is consistently captured and linked to the correct device and user profile, managing the correlation complexity systematically.
Solution Approach 2:
The system implements a feedback loop where the server receives both profile data from the PC and usage events from the CMCS device, correlates them, and uses this correlated information to provide insights about user behavior patterns. The feedback mechanism allows the system to continuously refine the correlation between profile attributes and device usage, managing complexity through iterative analysis rather than one-time matching.
Data Source
AI summary
A system to collect personal and demographic data from user's of cellular mobile communications system devices. This system uses a standard web browser to collect the personal and demographic data instead of the device itself because of the limited interactive experience available to cellular mobile communications system device users. After obtaining data from the user including the user's cellular mobile communications system device's cellular phone number, a message is sent to the device. When a link is the message is activated a small event collection data software module is downloaded to the cellular mobile communications system device. The return message to the data collection entity incorporates the cellular mobile communications system device's International Mobile Equipment Identifier (IMEI) number. This number then ties the event data collected by the module to the personal and demographic information collected from the cellular mobile communications system device user.