Pass-through Web Traffic Tracking via Intermediary Server
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Solution Overview
Problem
Existing systems face challenges in recording online transaction information across different websites and scenarios, particularly when the transaction recording system is unaffiliated with one or both websites, and in distinguishing between human and automated bot traffic.
Innovation Solution
A pass-through mechanism is introduced where an intermediate server affiliated with the interested party records online navigations by generating a custom webpage address that diverts web traffic through itself, using tracking code and a timer function to ensure transparent recording of transactions while differentiating between human and bot requests.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Measurement precision
If a pass-through mechanism with tracking code is implemented to record online transactions across unaffiliated websites, then transaction recording capability is improved, but device complexity and system overhead increase
Solution Approach 1:
The patent introduces an intermediate server that acts as a mediator between users and destination websites. This server receives webpage requests, inserts tracking code into the webpage data, and forwards requests to destination websites. The intermediary enables transaction recording across unaffiliated websites without requiring modifications to the destination websites themselves, thus improving measurement precision while managing complexity through a centralized mediation point.
Solution Approach 2:
The tracking code is inserted into webpage data in advance before the webpage is delivered to the client device. The timer function is also configured preliminarily to automatically execute the tracking code after a specified duration or upon specific events. This preliminary action ensures that tracking is already in place when the webpage loads, improving transaction recording capability without requiring complex real-time intervention mechanisms.
2Loss of information
If tracking code is included in all webpage data to record transactions, then transaction information capture is improved, but user experience and webpage loading speed deteriorate
Solution Approach 1:
Instead of implementing comprehensive tracking for all webpage elements immediately, the patent uses a timer function that delays the execution of tracking code until a specified time threshold is reached or specific events occur. This partial action approach ensures that critical webpage loading is not blocked by tracking operations, reducing the impact on user experience while still capturing necessary transaction information.
Solution Approach 2:
The timer function enables the tracking code to execute asynchronously after the main webpage content has been delivered and rendered to the user. This allows the critical webpage loading path to proceed quickly without waiting for tracking operations, while the tracking code subsequently executes to capture transaction information. This skipping approach separates the critical user experience path from the information collection path.
3Measurement precision
If an intermediate server is used to divert web traffic for tracking purposes, then transaction recording across unaffiliated websites is improved, but network traffic efficiency and user experience worsen
Solution Approach 1:
The intermediate server acts as a mediator that receives requests from client devices, modifies webpage data by inserting tracking code, and forwards requests to destination websites. This intermediary approach enables transaction recording across unaffiliated websites by routing traffic through a controlled point without requiring changes to destination websites. The mediator architecture improves measurement precision while managing network efficiency through centralized control.
Solution Approach 2:
The tracking code insertion is performed locally at the intermediate server for each specific webpage request, rather than requiring global changes to all websites in the network. This local quality approach allows the intermediate server to selectively add tracking functionality only where needed, maintaining network traffic efficiency for the majority of traffic while enabling precise transaction recording for specific targeted webpages and scenarios.
Data Source
AI summary
In one embodiment, a first server receives a webpage request for a first webpage address of a first webpage served by the first server. The first webpage address is associated with a second webpage served by a second server. The first server includes tracking code within data for the first webpage to record webpage transaction information for the client device. The first server includes a timer function for the tracking code in the data for the first webpage. The first server provides the data for the first webpage to the client device that includes the tracking code and the timer function. The timer function causes the client device to render the second webpage in response to the tracking code receiving a successful tracking status notification or in response to the tracking code not receiving a successful tracking status notification within a threshold amount of time.