Multi-source consumer behavior tracking system

摘要

A process for tracking a consumer's behavior based on his or her entries into a number of cybernetic device sources such as personal computers, automated goods and services dispensing kiosks, automated teller machines and cell phones does not depend exclusively upon the presence of cookies implanted into such devices by vendors or upon a consumer's having provided a positive identification form. The process uses a pairing algorithm to comb elements of information from the source device visitation records in search of one or more common characteristics that can be presumptively attributed to a single consumer. Characteristics such as source device identifiers, phone numbers, street addresses or email addresses are each weighted by a weighting factor that is used to identify the consumer and attribute the visitation record and its associated activity to that consumer at a calculated confidence level. The attributed information can analyzed to track that consumer's behavior.

主权项

1. A process for associating unattributed elements of information collected from a plurality of cybernetic sources with a plurality of consumers, said process comprising:
obtaining information regarding identity of a first consumer from the plurality of cybernetric sources; creating a master registration containing at least one characteristic attributed to the first consumer; collecting a plurality of visitation records containing elements of information non-exclusively attributable to said first consumer; detecting in said elements a value matching portion of said at least one characteristic by periodically scanning the collected visitation records, wherein said value originating in a first of said records; and attributing, by a processor, said first of said records to said first consumer.