Proxy Server Rendering Ads as Images to Bypass Adblockers

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Solution Overview

Problem

The rise of adblocking techniques threatens the revenue streams of companies that rely on advertising, as users increasingly block or skip ads, leading to a decline in effective advertising methods and privacy concerns, with existing solutions being inefficient or invasive.

Innovation Solution

A method and system that interprets a markup file in a virtual machine, converting displayable elements into images and generating scripting language code to secure ad display, defeating image recognition and semantic analysis, while preventing malicious code execution, and requiring no additional browser plugins or software.

Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles

VSEngineering Contradiction Analysis

1Ease of operation

If adblocking techniques are integrated into web browsers, then user experience is improved (cleaner pages, lower resource usage, faster loading), but advertising revenue is lost

Engineering Contradiction:

Improveuser experienceVSAvoidadvertising revenue

Core Design Contradiction:

Ease of operationVSQuantity of substance

Solution Approach 1:

The patent introduces an intermediary system (proxy server with virtual machine) between the web browser and the web page content. This intermediary renders ads into images and injects tracking code that monitors user interactions, allowing ads to be displayed without traditional adblocking tools while maintaining user experience benefits like faster loading and cleaner pages.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #24Intermediary (Mediator)

Solution Approach 2:

The patent changes the fundamental parameter of ad delivery from text/HTML-based ads to image-based ads. By converting ads into images and embedding them within the web page content, the system makes ads invisible to text-based adblockers while maintaining their functionality and revenue-generating capability.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #35Parameter changes

2Productivity

If targeted ads are delivered to users, then advertising effectiveness is improved, but user privacy is compromised (tracking habits)

Engineering Contradiction:

Improveadvertising effectivenessVSAvoiduser privacy

Core Design Contradiction:

ProductivityVSLoss of information

Solution Approach 1:

The patent implements self-service tracking where the ad system passively monitors user interactions with ads through injected tracking code. The system automatically collects data about user behavior patterns and ad performance without requiring active participation or explicit consent, enabling targeted advertising while maintaining user convenience.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #25Self-service

Solution Approach 2:

The patent establishes a feedback loop where tracking code monitors user interactions with ads and feeds this information back to the advertising system. This feedback mechanism enables continuous optimization of ad targeting and placement based on actual user behavior data, improving advertising effectiveness while keeping the tracking process transparent and controlled.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #23Feedback

3Productivity

If traditional ad formats (flash, animated gifs, pop-ups) are used, then advertising engagement is improved, but user intrusion increases (covers content, hard to read)

Engineering Contradiction:

Improveadvertising engagementVSAvoiduser intrusion

Core Design Contradiction:

ProductivityVSObject-affected harmful factors

Solution Approach 1:

The patent extracts the intrusive elements (flash animations, pop-ups, large graphical banners) from traditional ad formats and replaces them with subtle image-based ads that blend into the web page content. By taking out the aggressive ad delivery mechanisms and replacing them with gentle, contextually-appropriate images, the system maintains advertising engagement while eliminating user intrusion.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #2Taking out (Extraction)

Solution Approach 2:

The patent applies local quality by rendering ads with different visual characteristics depending on their position and context within the web page. Ads are customized to match the surrounding content style, using appropriate image formats and dimensions that harmonize with the page layout, thereby reducing visual disruption and improving overall user experience.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #3Local quality

4Use of energy by moving object

If adblockers are used to block ads, then resource usage is reduced (bandwidth, processing), but ad display is prevented

Engineering Contradiction:

Improveresource usageVSAvoidad display

Core Design Contradiction:

Use of energy by moving objectVSQuantity of substance

Solution Approach 1:

The patent substitutes the mechanical adblocking system (text filtering, URL blacklists, script blockers) with an image-based ad delivery system. By replacing text/HTML ads with rendered images, the system bypasses text-based adblockers while maintaining ad visibility and functionality, effectively neutralizing the impact of traditional adblocking mechanisms.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #28Mechanics substitution (Replace mechanical system)

Data Source

PatentUS8935609B2Method and system to secure the display of advertisements on web browsers

Publication Date: 2015.01.13 INTERNATIONAL BUSINESS MACHINE CORPORATION

AI summary

A method and system to secure the display of advertisements on web browsers. A method according to an embodiment includes: interpreting a markup file in a virtual machine, converting displayable elements of the markup file to one or a plurality of images and constructing a modified markup file comprising the at least one image file and a scripting language code adapted to cause a user terminal upon which it is executed to transmit coordinate information defining the position of a user-controlled cursor and action information defining a clicking action.