Abstract: Validation of geolocation data received via an Internet Protocol (IP) network is shown. Advertisement requests are received from publishers connected to the IP network, and comprise the identity of the publisher and geolocation data of a device requesting a resource from the publisher over the IP network. A map procedure parses the advertisement requests to construct a first table having records indexed by the identity of the publisher and values that are at least the geolocation data. A reduce procedure reads the first table and performs tests on the values stored in it. A second table is then constructed having records indexed by the identity of the publisher and values that indicate whether the publisher is trusted or not. A publisher is trusted if each one of the plurality of tests is passed for all of the records in the first table corresponding to that publisher.

Abstract: Methods for A/B testing to evaluate the efficacy of an advertisement campaign are disclosed. An advertisement request is received via an IP network from a publisher connected to the IP network. The advertisement request comprises information including a device identifier of a device requesting a resource from the publisher over the IP network. A determination is made to respond to the advertisement request or not on the basis of the information in the advertisement request. In response to determining to respond to the advertisement request, a hash of the device identifier is evaluated to determine whether the device belongs to a control group or not. In response to determining that the device belongs to the control group, no response is made to the advertisement request.

Abstract: Methods associating geolocation data received via an Internet Protocol (IP) network with IP addresses are disclosed. A plurality of advertisement requests are received from a plurality of publishers connected to the IP network. Each advertisement request comprises an IP address and geolocation data comprising the latitude and longitude of a device requesting a resource from the publisher. A first table is constructed having records indexed by IP address and values that are the geolocation data of each advertisement request. Cluster analysis is then carried out on the records to identify clusters of records that have the same IP address and geolocation data that meet a density threshold. A centroid for each cluster and a confidence level for the centroid are then evaluated. The IP addresses, the latitude and longitude of the centroid and the confidence level of each cluster are then written to a second table.

Abstract: Apparatus and methods are provided for identifying the physical location of internet service providers. Requests for data are received from a plurality of locatable browsing clients that include the IP address of the internet service provider that each of the locatable browsing clients is connected to, and geolocation data identifying the physical location of each of the plurality of locatable browsing clients. These requests are stored in records in a first database. A query is then performed on the first database to identify records where the originating IP addresses match and the geolocation data match within a threshold range; the results of the query are then stored in records in a second database. The records in the second database can then be used to provide location-specific data to clients in a web server implementation, or make bids on advertising opportunities based upon a browsing client's location.

Abstract: Techniques for verifying the transfer from a content provider of a selected data file selected by a client device using a proxy server is disclosed. By creating a local set of characteristics of the selected data file, network traffic sent between the client device and the content provider can be monitored. A local record of a transfer session is then created, and a download request from the client device is received and forwarded, thus initiating the transfer of the selected data file to the content provider. A data file is then received from the content provider and forwarded to the client device. The characteristics of the received data file are evaluated, thus allowing verification that the characteristics of the received data file match the local set of characteristics of the selected data file to take place. Finally, the received data file is forwarded to the client device.

Abstract: Apparatus and methods are provided for identifying the physical location of internet service providers. Requests for data are received from a plurality of locatable browsing clients that include the IP address of the internet service provider that each of the locatable browsing clients is connected to, and geolocation data identifying the physical location of each of the plurality of locatable browsing clients. These requests are stored in records in a first database. A query is then performed on the first database to identify records where the originating IP addresses match and the geolocation data match within a threshold range; the results of the query are then stored in records in a second database. The records in the second database can then be used to provide location-specific data to clients in a web server implementation, or make bids on advertising opportunities based upon a browsing client's location.

Abstract: Techniques for verifying the transfer from a content provider of a selected data file selected by a client device using a proxy server is disclosed. By creating a local set of characteristics of the selected data file, network traffic sent between the client device and the content provider can be monitored. A local record of a transfer session is then created, and a download request from the client device is received and forwarded, thus initiating the transfer of the selected data file to the content provider. A data file is then received from the content provider and forwarded to the client device. The characteristics of the received data file are evaluated, thus allowing verification that the characteristics of the received data file match the local set of characteristics of the selected data file to take place. Finally, the received data file is forwarded to the client device.