Router IP Attribution via Usage Pattern Analysis
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Solution Overview
Problem
Traditional back-end systems inaccurately attribute online activities to a single network or device due to shared IP addresses and dynamic IP address reassignment, leading to incorrect content customization across different LANs and user devices.
Innovation Solution
A computer system determines IP address usage patterns over time to differentiate between routers and assigns unique router identifiers, attributing online activities to the correct network and identifying a 'home' IP address for each user device to ensure accurate content customization.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Ease of operation
If traditional back-end systems use router IP addresses to customize content, then content delivery is simplified, but attribution accuracy deteriorates due to dynamic IP reassignment and shared addresses
Solution Approach 1:
The patent introduces cookies and device identifiers as intermediary elements that bridge the gap between user devices and back-end systems. Instead of relying solely on router IP addresses, the system uses these intermediaries to maintain accurate device identification even when IP addresses change or are shared across multiple devices. This resolves the contradiction by preserving attribution accuracy while maintaining operational simplicity.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent segments the identification process into multiple components: device identifiers, cookies, and IP address tracking. By dividing the attribution system into these separate elements, each serving a specific function, the system can accurately attribute online activities even when IP addresses are dynamic or shared. This segmentation allows the system to overcome the limitations of using IP addresses alone.
2Adaptability or versatility
If back-end systems attribute activities to router IP addresses, then network-level customization is achieved, but device-level accuracy deteriorates due to multiple devices sharing the same router
Solution Approach 1:
The patent applies local quality by treating each device within a network uniquely through device-specific identifiers and cookies, while still recognizing the network-level context provided by the router IP address. This allows the system to customize content at both network and device levels simultaneously, resolving the contradiction between network-level adaptability and device-level precision.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent adds another dimension to the identification system by incorporating device identifiers and cookies alongside IP addresses. This multi-dimensional approach allows the system to distinguish between devices on the same network (resolving device attribution accuracy) while still maintaining network-level customization capabilities through the IP address dimension.
3Productivity
If dynamic IP address reassignment is used by DHCP, then IP address availability is improved, but attribution reliability deteriorates due to IP address reuse across different routers and time periods
Solution Approach 1:
The patent ensures continuity of useful action by maintaining persistent device identifiers and cookies that remain valid across IP address changes. When DHCP reassigns IP addresses, the system continues to accurately attribute activities using these persistent identifiers, ensuring uninterrupted and reliable attribution despite IP address turnover. This resolves the contradiction between IP address productivity and attribution reliability.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent performs preliminary action by establishing device identifiers and cookies before IP address changes occur. These pre-established identifiers remain valid through IP address reassignment, allowing the system to maintain reliable attribution even when DHCP changes IP addresses. This preliminary identification mechanism resolves the reliability issue caused by dynamic IP reassignment.
Data Source
AI summary
Certain embodiments involve associating a device with an identifier of a router that is assigned an IP address based on DHCP. For example, connection data that includes the IP address is analyzed to associate devices with the identifier of the router. A determination is made as to whether any usage of the IP address by the devices overlap in time. Devices with overlapping usage are determined to be connecting to online resources via a same router, while devices with non-overlapping usage are determined to be connecting from other routers. A single router identifier is associated with the devices using the same router. This identifier is then used to track the online activity of the associated devices.