Unique identifiers for browsers

摘要

A webpage may be downloaded by a browser at a computing device. Such downloaded webpage may be associated with a reference to a browser identifier file. The browser may be directed to access the referenced browser identifier file. As a result, the browser may automatically check a local browser cache for the referenced browser identifier file. A request regarding the referenced browser identifier file may be sent over a communication network to an identifier server. Such request may be indicative of whether the referenced browser identifier file is found in the local browser cache. A response may be received from the identifier server. Such response may include the referenced browser identifier file when the referenced browser identifier file (or a current version thereof) is not found in the local browser cache. Alternatively, the response may include an indicator when the referenced browser identifier file is found in the local browser cache. The contents of the referenced browser identifier file may be made available to the browser and other related applications.

主权项

1. A method for associating unique identifiers with browsers, the method comprising:
finding a reference to a browser identifier file in a download of a webpage by a browser at a computing device; directing the browser to access the referenced browser identifier file, wherein the browser automatically checks a local browser cache for the referenced browser identifier file; sending a request regarding the referenced browser identifier file over a communication network to an identifier server, the request indicative of whether the referenced browser identifier file is found in the local browser cache; receiving a response over the communication network from the identifier server,
wherein the response includes the referenced browser identifier file when the referenced browser identifier file is not found in the local browser cache, the referenced browser identifier file in the response then being cached in the local browser cache, andwherein the response includes an indicator when the referenced browser identifier file is found in the local browser cache, the indicator directing the browser to use the referenced browser identifier file in the local browser cache; providing that content in the referenced browser identifier file in the local browser cache is accessible by the browser, wherein the content includes a browser identifier that uniquely identifies the browser at the computing device, the browser identifier having been assigned by an identifier server that has assigned a plurality of other browser identifiers, wherein each other browser identifier uniquely identifies a different browser at the computing device or at another computing device; and logging information regarding activity of the browser across a plurality of different websites, wherein the logged information is associated with the unique browser identifier.