Method and stored program for accumulating descriptive profile data along with source information for use in targeting third-party advertisements

What is this patent about?

’904 is related to the field of data brokerage and automated profile management within a global computer network. It specifically addresses the technical challenge of aggregating disparate pieces of consumer data from multiple, unaffiliated sources to create a high-resolution behavioral or demographic profile. The background context involves the transition from static, siloed databases to a dynamic marketplace where individual information attributes are treated as discrete assets with measurable economic value.

The underlying idea behind ’904 is the creation of a centralized clearinghouse for information attributes that incentivizes third-party data providers to contribute partial profiles. By tracking the specific origin of every data point—such as a user's interests, age, or purchasing habits—the system can facilitate a micro-payment or royalty-based economy. This allows the system to build a comprehensive, multi-source profile that is far more valuable for targeted advertising than the sum of its individual, disconnected parts.

The claims of ’904 focus on an automated method and system for collecting entity profiles via URL redirection. The process involves receiving a partial profile from a third-party server when a user accesses a website, identifying which specific third party provided that data, and automatically merging those attributes into a maintained profile for that entity. A critical component of the claim is the generation of an electronic record that maps each attribute back to its contributor to enable compensation when that data is used for ad targeting.

In practice, the invention functions as a real-time data aggregator that utilizes HTTP headers and cookies to link incoming data to existing records. When a visitor hits a participating website, the site redirects a portion of the transaction to the central databank, which then reconciles the new attributes with its current database. This mechanism ensures that the profile is constantly refined and updated, with the system assigning credibility weightings to data based on the reliability of the source and the frequency of verification across different providers.

This approach differs from prior solutions by shifting the focus from selling entire databases to brokering discrete data elements. Traditional methods relied on massive clerical efforts or static database merges, which often resulted in stale or redundant information. By contrast, ’904 implements a dynamic mercantile model where data providers are compensated on a per-use basis, ensuring that the databank remains current and that the economic value of high-quality, verified attributes is accurately captured and distributed.