User-identifier tag generation for cross-platform tracking
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Solution Overview
Problem
Existing user tracking methods, such as email beacons and cookies, are limited in effectiveness due to browser restrictions and inability to execute client-server web actions, making it challenging to accurately identify and tag users across various online platforms.
Innovation Solution
A computer-implemented method that involves receiving content requests, associating user-access identifiers with data from these requests, generating a user-identifier tag based on these identifiers and request data, and providing this tag in the response to subsequent content requests, thereby enabling effective user identification and tracking.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Reliability
If email beacons are used for user tracking, then user identification capability is provided, but the tracking is limited to single-use and cannot be stored in browser cache
Solution Approach 1:
The patent creates a copy of the beacon functionality by generating an image tag that contains encoded user identification data. This image tag can be stored in the browser cache and reused across multiple sessions, effectively copying the identification capability while overcoming the single-use limitation of traditional beacons.
Solution Approach 2:
The system performs preliminary encoding of user identification data into an image tag format during the initial tracking setup. This pre-encoded tag is then stored and can be automatically retrieved and used in subsequent interactions, eliminating the need for repeated beacon deployment.
2Reliability
If cookies are used for user tracking, then user identification is enabled, but cookies are blocked or filtered by most email software
Solution Approach 1:
The patent replaces the cookie mechanism with an image tag copy that embeds identification data in a format universally supported by email clients. This image-based approach bypasses email software restrictions while maintaining the core identification functionality.
Solution Approach 2:
The system changes the data format parameter from text-based cookies to image-based tags. This parameter transformation allows the identification mechanism to work within email software constraints while preserving the essential tracking capability.
3Ease of manufacture
If traditional tracking methods are used, then implementation simplicity is maintained, but effectiveness in executing client-server web actions is reduced
Solution Approach 1:
The patent creates a universal tracking tag that serves multiple functions: it identifies users, enables cross-platform tracking, and facilitates client-server communications. This multi-functional tag replaces multiple separate tracking mechanisms while simplifying implementation.
Solution Approach 2:
The image tag acts as an intermediary element that bridges the gap between simple tracking implementation and effective client-server communication. It carries encoded identification data that can be processed by server-side scripts to trigger various web actions.
Data Source
AI summary
The present disclosure relates to a system, method, and computer-program product for identifying and tagging users. Embodiments may include receiving, using at least one processor, a first content request. Embodiments may further include associating a user-access identifier with a first portion of data from the first content request based upon a second portion of the data from the first content request. Embodiments may also include storing the first portion of data from the first content request and the user-access identifier within a memory system. Embodiments may further include receiving a second content request. Embodiments may also include generating a user-identifier tag based upon the user-access identifier stored in the memory system, the first portion of data from the first content request, and a first portion of data from the second content request. Embodiments may further include providing a response to the second content request, the response including the user-identifier tag.