| 20100312706 | NETWORK CENTRIC SYSTEM AND METHOD TO ENABLE TRACKING OF CONSUMER BEHAVIOR AND ACTIVITY - A method for collecting Internet and e-commerce data accessed via messaging devices such as mobile terminals comprises monitoring packet traffic in a communication system providing communication services to the messaging devices and extracting network data from packets associated with respective device users. The portion of extracted network data from which a user's identity might otherwise be determined is encrypted, creating an anonymized, unique identifier correlated to network access data extracted from any packet traffic applicable to that user. Network access data associated with each user is distinguishable from network access data associated with all other users on the basis of the unique identifier. A third party granted access to the anonymized network access data, associated with identifiably unique but anonymous users of the communication system, may retrieve and store the data in a database for analysis. Anonymized network access data associated with those users electing to become voluntary panelists is correlated, solely on the basis of the anonymized unique identifier, to socio-demographic data furnished by such panelists. | 12-09-2010 |
| 20100313009 | SYSTEM AND METHOD TO ENABLE TRACKING OF CONSUMER BEHAVIOR AND ACTIVITY - A method for collecting, processing and analyzing Internet and e-commerce data accessed by users of messaging devices such, for example, as mobile terminal users includes receiving network access data extracted from packetized traffic of a communication system. A portion of the extracted network access data is encrypted to anonymize the received network access data, obscuring information from which messaging device users' identities might otherwise be determined. The encrypted portion constitutes a unique, anonymized identifier that can be correlated to the messaging device user associated with the traffic. Network access data anonymized in this manner, once received, is processed for analysis. By referencing the identifier, anonymized network access data associated with any messaging device user is distinguishuable from anonymized network access data associated with all other messaging device user—allowing patterns of internet access activity of the users to be tracked and reported anonymously. By correlating the identifier to a socio-demographic profile, it is further possible to monitor a sample of users sufficiently large to represent an entire population sharing the same socio-demographic characteristic(s). | 12-09-2010 |
