Patent ID: 9635421
Date: 2017-04-25
CPC Classifications: H04L,H04N

Claim:
1. A method for anonymizing data collected by one or more computers in a data collection system of a content delivery network, said method comprising: collecting a first identifier data element, said first identifier data element uniquely identifying at least one client device in a first one of a plurality of households within said content delivery network; determining a second identifier data element, said second identifier data element being descriptive of a geographic location associated with said at least one client device; concatenating said first identifier data element and said second identifier data element to generate concatenated identifier elements automatically using a first computerized process; converting digits of said concatenated identifier data elements to a first converted format yielding a first converted string of digits automatically using a second computerized process; dividing said first converted string of digits into a plurality of first and second alternating segments automatically using a third computerized process, said first and second alternating segments each comprising n-bit data structures; adjusting each of said plurality of first and second alternating segments to generate an adjusted plurality of segments by: converting said adjusted plurality of segments to a second converted format automatically using a sixth computerized process; performing a first cryptographic hash of said second converted plurality of segments to produce one or more results automatically using a seventh computerized process; and storing said one or more results on a computer readable storage apparatus for use in said anonymous data collection, said computer readable storage apparatus being in communication with said one or more computers of said data collection system.