Publisher-Specific Network ID for Privacy-Preserving User Tracking

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Solution Overview

Problem

Existing user tracking methods, such as cookies and mobile ad IDs, are inadequate for consistent identification across platforms and over time, lack privacy protections, and hinder personalized user experiences, making it difficult for publishers to analyze user behavior and preferences.

Innovation Solution

A system and method for generating and managing publisher-specific network-based IDs that are consistent across devices and platforms, using asynchronous HTTP calls to provide unique identifiers while ensuring user consent and privacy, allowing for robust user tracking and activity monitoring.

Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles

VSEngineering Contradiction Analysis

1Reliability

If traditional user identifiers such as cookies or mobile ad IDs are used for tracking, then user tracking capability is provided, but user privacy is compromised and identification consistency across platforms and over time is lacking

Engineering Contradiction:

Improveidentification consistencyVSAvoidprivacy loss

Core Design Contradiction:

ReliabilityVSObject-affected harmful factors

Solution Approach 1:

The system segments the identification system into multiple components: network-based identifiers (device-level), cookies (session-level), and user profiles (account-level). This segmentation allows each component to serve specific tracking needs while maintaining privacy boundaries, resolving the contradiction between reliable identification and privacy protection.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #1Segmentation

Solution Approach 2:

The patent introduces an intermediary layer between users and publishers through network-based identifiers that are managed by a central system. This intermediary enables consistent identification across platforms without requiring direct access to personal user data, thus maintaining privacy while achieving reliable tracking.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #24Intermediary (Mediator)

2Object-affected harmful factors

If user tracking is eliminated to protect privacy, then user privacy is improved, but the ability to provide personalized experiences and analyze user behavior is reduced

Engineering Contradiction:

Improveprivacy protectionVSAvoidpersonalization capability

Core Design Contradiction:

Object-affected harmful factorsVSAdaptability or versatility

Solution Approach 1:

The system applies local quality by implementing different identification mechanisms for different purposes: network-based identifiers for consistent device identification, cookies for session management, and optional user profiles for personalized experiences. This allows privacy protection while maintaining personalization capability where users consent.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #3Local quality

Solution Approach 2:

The patent implements dynamic identification strategies where the system adapts the level of tracking and personalization based on user preferences and consent. Users can dynamically adjust their privacy settings, and the system responds by adjusting the granularity of identification and data collection accordingly.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #15Dynamics

3Adaptability or versatility

If existing tracking methods are used, then some user identification is possible, but identification reliability across different platforms and over time deteriorates

Engineering Contradiction:

Improvecross-platform trackingVSAvoididentification consistency

Core Design Contradiction:

Adaptability or versatilityVSReliability

Solution Approach 1:

The patent creates a universal identification system using network-based identifiers that function across multiple platforms (web, mobile, desktop) and persist over time. These identifiers are device-specific and platform-agnostic, enabling reliable cross-platform tracking without relying on platform-specific solutions like cookies that have limited lifespan and scope.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #6Universality (Multi-functionality)

4Productivity

If user identifiers are harvested and sold without user control, then data tracking capability is improved, but user autonomy and privacy control are lost

Engineering Contradiction:

Improvedata tracking efficiencyVSAvoiduser control

Core Design Contradiction:

ProductivityVSEase of operation

Solution Approach 1:

The system implements feedback mechanisms where users are informed about data collection practices and can provide consent or opt-out. The system responds to user feedback by adjusting data collection and sharing practices, maintaining transparency and user control while enabling efficient tracking when authorized.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #23Feedback

Solution Approach 2:

Users are empowered to manage their own identification preferences and data sharing settings through self-service interfaces. They can control which identifiers are created, how they are used, and who has access to their data, maintaining user autonomy while enabling productive tracking within user-defined boundaries.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #25Self-service

Data Source

PatentUS20250385911A1Network based id for user tracking

Publication Date: 2025.12.18 BCE

AI summary

Systems and methods for identifying a user with a publisher specific network based identifier. The method comprising: receiving a request for a unique user identifier associated with a user device that accesses the publisher; parsing a database for an existing user identifier associated with the user device for the publisher, the database storing a plurality of existing user identifiers associated with user devices for respective publishers; when the existing user identifier is found, returning the existing user identifier associated with the user device; otherwise: generating the unique user identifier; returning the unique user identifier; and storing the unique user identifier in the database in association with the user device and the publisher.