Web Browser Information Output via USB Remote Debugging
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Solution Overview
Problem
Existing methods for evaluating web browser quality of experience and user satisfaction struggle to acquire browsing histories and display times for https sites, as proxy logs encrypt URLs, making it difficult to conduct experiments without affecting user behavior and limiting the ability to measure arbitrary internet content usage.
Innovation Solution
An information output apparatus that communicates with a web terminal via USB, enabling remote debugging using devtools to output information related to web browser processing, such as navigationStart and loadEventEnd times, allowing for the acquisition of detailed operation histories and display times even on https sites.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Loss of information
If proxy logs are used to acquire browsing histories, then connection logs can be checked, but URLs of https sites cannot be seen due to encryption
Solution Approach 1:
The patent introduces a intermediary mechanism (performance timing API integration) that bridges the gap between encrypted proxy logs and readable URL information. The system uses the browser's built-in navigation timing API as an intermediary source to obtain URL and timing data that would otherwise be encrypted in proxy logs, allowing experimenters to acquire both HTTPS URL visibility and timing information without breaking encryption security.
2Measurement precision
If web browsers are set to use dedicated proxies, then connection logs can be checked, but it becomes difficult to evaluate natural utilization methods of general users
Solution Approach 1:
The patent enables the browser itself to provide the required measurement data through its built-in navigation timing API. Instead of requiring users to configure proxies or change browsing behavior, the system leverages the browser's own self-contained timing and navigation information, allowing users to browse naturally while still providing precise measurement data for experimentation.
3Measurement precision
If navigationTiming API information is used to measure display speed, then accurate timing data can be obtained, but it is not accessible when using proxy methods
Solution Approach 1:
The patent merges the navigation timing API data with the proxy logging system. By combining these two previously separate data sources, the system achieves both accurate timing measurement (from navigationTiming API) and comprehensive browsing history recording (from proxy logs), creating a unified data acquisition approach that overcomes the limitations of using either method alone.
Data Source
AI summary
An information output apparatus that is able to communicate with a terminal used by a subject of an experiment for evaluating quality of experience related to utilization of a web browser includes: an output unit configured to output a value of designated information out of information related to processing executed by the web browser of the terminal in accordance with operations. Thus, it is possible to simply acquire information related to processing performed by the web browser in response to arbitrary operations.