Router-Based Web Meter for Mixed Mode User Tracking
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Solution Overview
Problem
It is challenging to associate web browsing activities with individual household members in a non-intrusive manner, especially when multiple members use different devices simultaneously, as existing systems struggle to accurately track and differentiate between users within a shared Internet connection.
Innovation Solution
A computer-implemented method and system that utilizes a router and a web traffic logging server to associate data access requests with specific household members by determining if the device provides a user login service, collecting personal information and authorization, or using device identifiers if not, thereby generating data access records that link web events to the appropriate user.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Measurement precision
If user login service is implemented on each computing device to collect personal information and authorization, then measurement precision is improved by accurately associating web events with specific users, but device complexity increases due to the need for login services and authorization mechanisms on each device
Solution Approach 1:
The router acts as an intermediary device that centralizes the collection of user identifiers and device identifiers. Instead of implementing complex login services on each computing device, the router intercepts data access requests and automatically extracts user identifiers from HTTP cookies or other authentication mechanisms, thereby resolving the contradiction by simplifying device complexity while maintaining measurement precision
Solution Approach 2:
The system leverages existing authentication mechanisms already present in web browsers (such as HTTP cookies containing user identifiers) to automatically identify users without requiring separate login services on each device. The router itself performs the identification function by examining these existing authentication data, allowing the system to self-serve the user identification need without adding complexity to client devices
2Measurement precision
If router intercepts and examines data access requests to extract user identifiers, then measurement precision is improved by tracking web browsing activities, but loss of information increases due to potential privacy concerns and data security risks
Solution Approach 1:
The router extracts only the essential user identifier from the HTTP cookie or authentication data without retaining or processing other sensitive information. By taking out only the necessary identifier portion and discarding the rest, the system achieves accurate tracking while minimizing privacy intrusion and data security risks
Solution Approach 2:
The system creates a simplified copy of the authentication data containing only the user identifier needed for tracking purposes, rather than handling or storing the complete authentication information. This copying approach allows measurement precision to be maintained while reducing the privacy and security concerns associated with handling sensitive authentication data
3Productivity
If system collects user identifiers from HTTP cookies and associates them with device identifiers, then productivity is improved by enabling efficient web event tracking, but device complexity increases due to the need for router-based interception and examination mechanisms
Solution Approach 1:
The router is designed to perform multiple functions: it serves as the standard network routing device while simultaneously functioning as a web event tracking system. By integrating the tracking functionality into the existing router infrastructure, the system achieves improved productivity without requiring separate dedicated tracking devices, thereby managing device complexity effectively
Data Source
AI summary
A method for associating a web event with a member of a group of users is implemented at a first computing device, the method including: receiving a data access request from a second computing device; examining the data access request to determine whether the second computing device provides a user login service; if the second computing device provides the user login service: causing the second computing device to collect personal information and authorization from the user of the second computing device using the user login service; receiving the user's personal information and authorization from the second computing device; and associating the data access request with the user's personal information in accordance with the user's authorization; and otherwise, associating the data access request with an identifier of the second computing device.