Timestamp-Based Identifier Matching for Cross-Device Tracking
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Solution Overview
Problem
Current browsers lack unique identifiers that can be accessed and used by websites, leading to inaccurate tracking of user traffic and potential exposure of personally identifiable information, complicating the ability to track user activity across different browsers and devices.
Innovation Solution
Implementing timestamp-based matching of identifiers, where information is stored in memory to associate device identifiers with browser identifiers, allowing for the updating of maps based on received information including timestamps and IP addresses, enabling the tracking of user activity across devices and browsers.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Measurement precision
If websites use tracking mechanisms to obtain statistical data regarding user traffic, then the accuracy of user data collection is improved, but user privacy and personally identifiable information are exposed
Solution Approach 1:
The patent introduces a browser identifier as an intermediary that decouples the direct link between user identity and tracking data. Instead of tracking users directly, the system uses browser identifiers that can be matched across sessions and devices through timestamp-based correlation, allowing statistical analysis without exposing personally identifiable information
Solution Approach 2:
The system changes the parameter being tracked from user-identifiable data to browser-based identifiers with temporal context. By using timestamps associated with browser identifiers, the system transforms precise user tracking into aggregated behavioral patterns that preserve privacy while maintaining measurement accuracy
2Object-affected harmful factors
If browsers do not contain or expose unique identifiers, then user privacy is protected, but the ability to track user traffic and activity across different browsers and devices is compromised
Solution Approach 1:
The patent adds a temporal dimension to browser identification by associating timestamps with browser identifiers. This allows the system to track user activity across different browsers and devices by matching identifiers within temporal windows, recovering lost tracking capability without compromising privacy through traditional persistent identifiers
Solution Approach 2:
The browser identifier system serves multiple functions: it protects privacy by not exposing personally identifiable information, enables cross-device and cross-browser tracking through timestamp matching, and provides statistical data for web analytics. This universal approach replaces multiple separate tracking mechanisms
3Productivity
If traditional tracking methods are used to identify repeat visitors, then user activity can be tracked, but the data may be inaccurate because multiple requests may be made by the same user
Solution Approach 1:
The system creates a copy of the browser identifier with an associated timestamp that can be stored and matched against future requests. This temporal copy allows the system to recognize repeat visitors accurately by matching the identifier-timestamp combination, distinguishing between different visits by the same user and improving traffic metric accuracy
Data Source
AI summary
Systems and methods for timestamp-based matching of identifiers are provided. Information may be stored in memory regarding a plurality of identifiers each unique to an associated website or to an associated browser. Stored information may further include one or more maps each associating a device identifier with at least one immutable browser identifier or mutable browser identifier. The device identifier may be unique to an associated computing device. Information may be received from a computing device that has used a browser to download a website, where the downloaded website includes a reference to a browser identifier specific to the downloaded website. The received information may be determined to include a timestamp and an internet protocol (IP) address. The timestamp and IP in the received information may further be determined to correspond to a computing device associated with one of the stored maps, where the corresponding computing device is identified by a corresponding device identifier. The stored map associated with the corresponding device identifier may be updated based on the referenced browser identifier.