Timestamp-Based Content Targeting for Break Detection
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Solution Overview
Problem
Existing methods for displaying content on web pages, such as advertisements, lack efficiency in targeting users who have taken a break from browsing, leading to suboptimal monetization and relevance of displayed content.
Innovation Solution
A computer-implemented method and system that determines if a user has taken a break from browsing by checking the timestamp of their last content request, and if so, retrieves and displays content items with a 'first look' attribute, selected through an auction process, to maximize monetizable value.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Productivity
If content is displayed using traditional methods without timestamp tracking, then the system complexity is low, but the monetization efficiency and content relevance to users is suboptimal
Solution Approach 1:
The system performs preliminary actions by tracking user browsing timestamps in advance and pre-identifying users who have taken breaks. This allows the system to be ready to serve high-value 'first look' content immediately when these users return, rather than waiting until content delivery is needed. The timestamp tracking and user break identification happen proactively, enabling faster and more targeted content delivery that improves monetization efficiency.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent introduces an intermediary component (content placement system) that sits between the content repository and the user. This intermediary tracks user behavior, determines break status, selects appropriate content based on break duration and content attributes, and delivers content optimally. This mediator layer adds complexity but enables sophisticated targeting and content selection that significantly improves monetization efficiency and content relevance.
2Reliability
If the system tracks user timestamps and retrieves content based on break duration, then content relevance and monetization value increase, but the processing time and computational resources increase
Solution Approach 1:
The system performs preliminary actions by tracking user browsing timestamps in advance and pre-identifying users who have taken breaks. This allows the system to be ready to serve high-value 'first look' content immediately when these users return, rather than waiting until content delivery is needed. The timestamp tracking and user break identification happen proactively, enabling faster and more targeted content delivery that improves monetization efficiency.
Solution Approach 2:
The system uses self-service mechanisms where user devices automatically provide timestamps of last content requests, and the content placement system automatically queries the content repository and selects appropriate content without manual intervention. This automation reduces processing overhead and enables rapid content delivery while maintaining high relevance through automated break detection and content matching.
3Productivity
If the system retrieves content items based on threshold comparison and attributes, then the monetizable value of displayed content increases, but the device complexity and data processing requirements increase
Solution Approach 1:
The patent applies local quality by differentiating content treatment based on user break duration thresholds. Content items are categorized into different groups (e.g., 'first look' content for users who broke for longer periods, regular content for shorter breaks). This localized differentiation allows the system to apply appropriate selection criteria and pricing strategies to different content segments, maximizing monetizable value while managing processing complexity through structured categorization.
Solution Approach 2:
The system changes parameters by using break duration as a key parameter to determine content selection strategy. By comparing the time elapsed since the user's last visit against predefined thresholds, the system dynamically adjusts which content attributes are prioritized and what type of content is served. This parameter-based approach enables flexible, high-value content delivery without requiring overly complex processing logic.
Data Source
AI summary
Systems and methods of providing information via a computer network are provided. A request for content to display with a resource can be received via a computer network at a data processing system. The request can include user information and resource information. The data processing system can retrieve a timestamp of a last request for content from a user associated with the user information. The data processing system can determine if a difference between current time and the timestamp reaches a threshold, and can retrieve a plurality of content items based at least in part on whether the threshold is reached and at least one attribute of the content items. The data processing system can select at least one content item and provide it for display with the resource. The data processing system can store the current time as the timestamp of the last request for content from the user.