Method of data collection among participating content providers in a distributed network
First Claim
1. In a content delivery network (CDN) in which participating content providers offload given content for delivery from content servers managed by a content delivery network service provider, a method comprising:
- tracking a client machine user agent across a plurality of content provider domains being managed by the content delivery network service provider; and
with permission of a first participating content provider, providing a second participating content provider with information obtained during the tracking step, wherein the information tracks the client machine user agent across one or more content domains associated with the first participating content provider.
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Abstract
A content delivery network (CDN) service provider extends a content delivery network to gather information on atomically identifiable web clients (called “user agents”) as such computer-implemented entities interact with the CDN across different domains being managed by the CDN service provider. In one embodiment, a set of machines, processes, programs, and data comprise a data system. The data system tracks user agents, preferably via cookies, although one or more passive techniques may be used. A user agent may be a cookie-able device having a cookie store. As the user agent navigates across sites, a CDN-specific unique identifier used by the system to correlate user agents is generated. Preferably, the unique identifier is stored as an encrypted cookie. The unique identifier represents one user agent (and, thus, one cookie-able device'"'"'s store). The system tracks user agent behavior on and across customer sites that are served by the CDN, and these behaviors are classified into identifiable “segments” that may be used to create a profile. CDN customers use the data system to obtain information that characterizes the user agent.
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Citations
10 Claims
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1. In a content delivery network (CDN) in which participating content providers offload given content for delivery from content servers managed by a content delivery network service provider, a method comprising:
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tracking a client machine user agent across a plurality of content provider domains being managed by the content delivery network service provider; and
with permission of a first participating content provider, providing a second participating content provider with information obtained during the tracking step, wherein the information tracks the client machine user agent across one or more content domains associated with the first participating content provider. - View Dependent Claims (2, 3, 4, 5, 6, 7, 8, 9, 10)
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Specification