SVG Steganography for Privacy-Compliant Returning User Recognition
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Solution Overview
Problem
Existing internet applications face challenges in identifying returning users without violating privacy, as privacy applications block legitimate uses of cookies for security purposes, necessitating an alternative method for user identification.
Innovation Solution
Implementing a steganography-based system using SVG images to embed user identification tokens, allowing secure and privacy-compliant identification of returning users by encoding user information within SVG images.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Measurement precision
If cookies are used to identify returning users, then user identification accuracy is improved, but privacy protection deteriorates
Solution Approach 1:
The patent introduces SVG images as an intermediary carrier to embed user identification tokens. Instead of using traditional cookies that directly track users, the system embeds tokens within SVG images that are served to users' browsers. This intermediary approach allows user identification while maintaining privacy compliance, as the tokens are embedded in legitimate image content rather than being separate tracking cookies.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent uses steganography to embed identification tokens within SVG image files. The token information is copied and hidden within the image data structure, allowing the identification data to travel with the image content. This copying approach enables user recognition without requiring separate cookie storage, as the identification information is embedded within the legitimate image asset.
2Object-affected harmful factors
If privacy applications are implemented to block third-party tracking, then privacy protection is improved, but user identification capability deteriorates
Solution Approach 1:
The patent makes SVG images serve multiple functions: they act as both legitimate graphical content for the website and as carriers for user identification tokens. This multi-functionality allows the same image asset to fulfill both its visual purpose and its identification purpose, eliminating the need for separate tracking mechanisms that would be blocked by privacy applications.
Solution Approach 2:
The system uses the user's own browser cache and legitimate image rendering capabilities to store and retrieve the embedded tokens. Instead of relying on external tracking mechanisms, the identification system leverages the user's existing browser infrastructure to maintain identification state, allowing privacy-compliant user recognition.
3Object-affected harmful factors
If steganography-based SVG images are used for user identification, then privacy compliance is improved, but system complexity increases
Solution Approach 1:
The patent merges the user identification functionality with the existing SVG image serving infrastructure. The token embedding, image serving, and token retrieval processes are combined into the existing web server and browser workflows. This merging approach minimizes additional system complexity by integrating the privacy-compliant identification mechanism into existing components rather than creating separate tracking systems.
Data Source
AI summary
In some embodiments, a system includes a processor: and a non-transitory computer readable medium coupled to the processor. In some embodiments, the non-transitory computer readable medium includes code that; receives a steganography-based scalable vector graphics (SVG) image request from a browser associated with a webpage; generates, based on the receipt of the steganography-based SVG image request, the steganography-based SVG image; and provides the steganography-based SVG image to a browser cache of the browser for use in determining whether a user of the webpage is a return user.