Unified Mobile Identifier Bridging Apps and Cookie-Blocked Web
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Solution Overview
Problem
Conventional methods for identifying and tracking user mobile devices rely on 3rd party cookies, which are not accepted by default in browsers like Safari, leading to probabilistic and uncertain device identification.
Innovation Solution
Utilizing a unified identifier, such as a carrier ID or device ID, with improved persistence across applications and platforms, linked to a verification identifier, to identify and track devices without relying on cookies, ensuring deterministic identification through a chain of verification identifiers.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Reliability
If 3rd party cookies are used to identify mobile devices, then device identification can be implemented, but identification becomes probabilistic and uncertain when browsers block cookies by default
Solution Approach 1:
The patent introduces a verification identifier as an intermediary element that mediates between the device and the identification system. Instead of relying directly on cookies that may be blocked, the system uses verification identifiers (such as device IDs, carrier IDs, or other device-specific identifiers) that can be obtained through alternative means when cookies are unavailable, thus maintaining identification reliability across different browser configurations
Solution Approach 2:
The system changes the identification parameter from cookie-based identifiers to verification identifier-based identifiers. When cookies are blocked, the system transitions to using device-specific verification identifiers, effectively changing the identification mechanism to adapt to browser settings, thereby maintaining both reliability and compatibility
2Duration of action of stationary object
If multiple verification identifiers are used to ensure device identification, then identification persistence is improved, but system complexity increases
Solution Approach 1:
The patent segments the identification system into multiple independent verification identifiers (e.g., device ID, carrier ID, marketing ID) rather than relying on a single identifier. This segmentation allows the system to maintain persistence by using alternative identifiers when one becomes unavailable, while the modular structure helps manage complexity by treating each identifier as a separate, manageable component
Solution Approach 2:
The system prepares multiple verification identifiers in advance as backup options. When the primary identifier becomes unavailable or loses persistence, pre-alternate identifiers are already in place to immediately take over, cushioning against identification gaps without requiring complex real-time decision-making or system reconfiguration
Data Source
AI summary
An improved technique for identifying a user's mobile device is discussed. A persistent and unified identifier that bridges mobile app to mobile web and to other web browser-compatible mediums is utilized. Using a unique verification identifier, the unified identifier is consistently verified, revived and distributed across application and browser mediums.