Tracking Web Server Virtual PURL Interception
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Solution Overview
Problem
Existing tracking web server technologies face resource-intensive requirements, including high disk space usage and CPU overhead due to the need for multiple web pages and instances of application code for each user, leading to performance issues when handling large numbers of personalized URLs (PURLs) and concurrent requests.
Innovation Solution
A tracking server system that intercepts and processes HTTP requests for virtual PURLs, logs access requests, and forwards them to the target web server without relying on physical web pages, thereby reducing resource strain and avoiding 'Page Not Found' errors, while maintaining seamless user redirection.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Reliability
If physical web pages are created for each personalized URL to ensure proper tracking and content delivery, then tracking accuracy and user experience are improved, but disk space consumption and server resource usage increase significantly
Solution Approach 1:
The patent uses virtual web pages that replicate the functionality of physical web pages without duplicating their content. Instead of storing multiple copies of the same content for different PURLs, the system creates virtual representations that reference a single source content location, thereby maintaining tracking accuracy while eliminating redundant storage.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent introduces a virtual web page as an intermediary between the user's request and the actual content. This virtual page acts as a mediator that captures tracking information and redirects the user to the appropriate content without requiring the content to be physically duplicated on the tracking server.
2Adaptability or versatility
If separate instances of application code are deployed for each tracking web site to enable independent tracking functionality, then tracking independence and functionality are improved, but CPU overhead and memory usage increase
Solution Approach 1:
The patent implements a single instance of application code that can handle multiple tracking web sites through the virtual web page mechanism. The universal code base processes requests from different PURLs by interpreting their virtual page definitions, eliminating the need for separate code instances while maintaining the ability to track each site independently.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent segments the tracking functionality into configuration data stored in the database rather than hardcoding it into separate application instances. Each tracking web site's parameters, content locations, and tracking rules are stored as separate database records, allowing a single application instance to serve multiple clients through data-driven configuration.
3Productivity
If virtual web pages are implemented without physical page files, then resource utilization is reduced and scalability is improved, but the system complexity of request interception and processing increases
Solution Approach 1:
The patent performs preliminary configuration of virtual web pages by storing their definitions, parameters, and associated content locations in a database before runtime. This advance preparation allows the system to quickly resolve virtual page requests during operation without needing to create or analyze complex page structures in real-time, thereby reducing processing complexity while maintaining high responsiveness.
Data Source
AI summary
A web server is disclosed that is configured to track requests for web pages on a third party web server. The tracking web server traps a web page request, such as a PURL (Personalised URL) for a personalised web page, before it attempts to serve the web page requested. The URL of the web page request is analysed to determine the location of the requested page on a third party server, and details of the contact with which the personalised web page is associated. Receipt of the web page request is then recorded in a memory associated with the server, and the web page request is forwarded to the third party server for processing. The redirection to the third party web server may be seamless, such that the contact requesting the page does not know of the redirection. In this way, a tracking web server is provided which can supply a personalised tracking and forwarding function.