User logging of web traffic on non-browser based devices

• US 9,876,871 B2
• Filed: 03/03/2016
• Issued: 01/23/2018
• Est. Priority Date: 10/25/2012
• Status: Active Grant

• Current Assignee: Google LLC (Alphabet Inc.)
• Original Assignee: Google LLC (Alphabet Inc.)
• Inventors: Rowe, Simon Michael
• Primary Examiner(s): ALRIYASHI, ABDULKADER MOHAMED
• Application Number:
  US15/059,700
• Publication Number:
  US 20160191641A1
• Time in Patent Office: 691 Days
• CPC Class Codes: H04L 63/102 Entity profiles
• CPC Class Codes: H04L 67/02 based on web technology, e.g. hypertext transfer protocol [HTTP]
• CPC Class Codes: H04L 67/535 Tracking the activity of the user network monitoring arrangements H04L43/00; recording of computer activity G06F11/34
• CPC Class Codes: H04L 9/40 Network security protocols

Abstract

A method for associating a web event with a member of a group of users is implemented at a first computing device. The method includes: receiving a data access request from a second computing device; determining whether the second computing device provides a user login service; if so, causing the second computing device to render the user login service so that the user can provide an instruction of whether or not to associate the data access request with the user of the second computing device; if not, identifying a third computing device that is physically proximate the second computing device; and causing the third computing device to output an alert signal prompting the user of the second computing device to respond; and in response to the user'"'"'s response through the third computing device, generating a data record to associate the data access request with the user of the second computing device.

Claims

1. A method for metering web traffic, comprising:

receiving, at a first computing device, a first request from a second computing device to access data from a first remote server;

determining, by the first computing device, that the first computing device lacks authorization to associate the first request with a user of the second computing device;

determining, by the first computing device, that the second computing device is unable to render a user login interface;

identifying, by the first computing device, a plurality of users associated with the second computing device;

transmitting, by the first computing device to a third computing device in proximity to the second computing device, personal information associated with each of the plurality of users associated with the second computing device;

receiving, by the first computing device from the third computing device, a selection of personal information associated with one of the plurality of users and authorization to associate the first request with the selected personal information; and

generating, by the first computing device, a first data record for the first request, the first data record comprising an identifier of the first request and the selected personal information.

2. The method of claim 1, further comprising:

receiving, at the first computing device, a second request from a fourth computing device to access data from a second remote server;

determining, by the first computing device, that the first computing device lacks authorization to associate the second request with a user of the fourth computing device;

identifying, by the first computing device, a second plurality of users associated with the fourth computing device;

transmitting, by the first computing device to the third computing device, personal information associated with each of the second plurality of users;

receiving, by the first computing device from the third computing device, a second selection of personal information associated with one of the second plurality of users and a denial of authorization to associate the second request with the second selected personal information; and

generating, by the first computing device, a second data record for the second request, the second data record comprising an identifier of the second request and an identifier of the fourth computing device.

3. The method of claim 1, further comprising:

receiving, at the first computing device, a second request from a fourth computing device to access data from a second remote server;

determining, by the first computing device, that the first computing device has personal information of a user of the fourth computing device and lacks authorization to associate the second request with the user of the fourth computing device; and

generating, by the first computing device, a second data record for the second request, the second data record comprising an identifier of the second request and an identifier of the fourth computing device.

4. The method of claim 1, further comprising:

receiving, at the first computing device, a second request from a fourth computing device to access data from a second remote server;

determining, by the first computing device, that the first computing device has personal information of a second user of the fourth computing device and has an authorization to associate the second request with the second user; and

generating, by the first computing device, a second data record for the second request, the second data record comprising an identifier of the second request and the second personal information.

5. The method of claim 1, further comprising:

identifying, by the first computing device, that the second computing device is in proximity to the third computing device responsive to the determination that the second computing device is unable to render the user login interface.

6. The method of claim 1,

wherein the second computing device is one of:

a game console, a smart TV, or a TV set top box; and

wherein the third computing device is one of;

a personal computer, a tablet computer, or a smart phone.

7. The method of claim 1, comprising directing the third computing device to render the user login interface and directing the third computing device to emit an alert signal including at least one of:

a sound signal or a light signal.

8. The method of claim 1, further comprising;

determining, by the processor, that the third computing device is able to render the user login interface.

9. The method of claim 1, wherein the first computing device, the second computing device, and the third computing device are located within one household such that the first computing device is configured to process requests for data from the second computing device and from the third computing device.

10. A system for metering web traffic, the system comprising a memory storing instructions and one or more processors in a first computing device configured to execute the instructions to:

receive a first request from a second computing device to access data from a first remote server;

determine that the first computing device lacks authorization to associate the first request with a user of the second computing device;

determine that the second computing device is unable to render a user login interface;

identify a plurality of users associated with the second computing device;

transmit, to a third computing device in proximity to the second computing device, personal information associated with each of the plurality of users associated with the second computing device;

receive, from the third computing device, a selection of personal information associated with one of the plurality of users and authorization to associate the first request with the selected personal information; and

generate a first data record for the first request, the first data record comprising an identifier of the first request and the selected personal information.

11. The system of claim 10, wherein execution of the instructions further cause the one or more processors to:

receive a second request from a fourth computing device to access data from a second remote server;

determine that the first computing device lacks authorization to associate the second request with a user of the fourth computing device;

identify a second plurality of users associated with the fourth computing device;

transmit, to the third computing device, personal information associated with each of the second plurality of users;

receive, from the third computing device, a second selection of personal information associated with one of the second plurality of users and a denial of authorization to associate the second request with the second selected personal information; and

generate a second data record for the second request, the second data record comprising an identifier of the second request and an identifier of the fourth computing device.

12. The system of claim 10, wherein execution of the instructions further cause the one or more processors to:

receive a second request from a fourth computing device to access data from a second remote server;

determine that the first computing device has personal information of a user of the fourth computing device and lacks authorization to associate the second request with the user of the fourth computing device; and

generate a second data record for the second request, the second data record comprising an identifier of the second request and an identifier of the fourth computing device.

13. The system of claim 10, wherein execution of the instructions further cause the one or more processors to:

receive a second request from a fourth computing device to access data from a second remote server;

determine that the first computing device has personal information of a second user of the fourth computing device and has an authorization to associate the second request with the second user; and

generate a second data record for the second request, the second data record comprising an identifier of the second request and the second personal information.

14. The system of claim 10, wherein execution of the instructions further cause the one or more processors to:

identify that the second computing device is in proximity to the third computing device responsive to the determination that the second computing device is unable to render the user login interface.

15. The system of claim 10,

wherein the second computing device is one of a game console, a smart TV, or a TV set top box;

and

wherein the third computing device is one of;

a personal computer, a tablet computer, or a smart phone.

16. The system of claim 10, wherein execution of the instructions further cause the one or more processors to:

direct the third computing device to render the user login interface, and

direct the third computing device to emit an alert signal including at least one of;

a sound signal or a light signal.

17. The system of claim 10, wherein execution of the instructions further cause the one or more processors to:

determine that the third computing device is able to render the user login interface.

18. The system of claim 10, wherein the first computing device, the second computing device, and the third computing device are located within one household such that the first computing device is configured to process requests for data from the second computing device and from the third computing device.

19. A non-transitory computer readable storage medium storing instructions that cause one or more processors of a first computing device executing the instructions to:

receive, at the first computing device, a first request from a second computing device to access data from a first remote server;

determine that the first computing device lacks authorization to associate the first request with a user of the second computing device;

determine that the second computing device is unable to render a user login interface;

identify a plurality of users associated with the second computing device;

transmit, from the first computing device to a third computing device in proximity to the second computing device, personal information associated with each of the plurality of users associated with the second computing device;

receive, by the first computing device from the third computing device, a selection of personal information associated with one of the plurality of users and authorization to associate the first request with the selected personal information; and

generate a first data record for the third request, the first data record comprising an identifier of the first request and the selected personal information.

20. The non-transitory computer readable storage medium of claim 19, further storing instructions that cause the one or more processors of the first computing device executing the instructions to:

receive, at the first computing device, a second request from a fourth computing device to access data from a second remote server;

determine that the first computing device lacks authorization to associate the second request with a user of the fourth computing device;

identify a second plurality of users associated with the fourth computing device;

transmit, from the first computing device to the third computing device, personal information associated with each of the second plurality of users;

receive, by the first computing device from the third computing device, a second selection of personal information associated with one of the second plurality of users and a denial of authorization to associate the second request with the second selected personal information; and

generate a second data record for the second request, the second data record comprising an identifier of the second request and an identifier of the fourth computing device.