Method and Apparatus for the Implementation of a Real-Time, Sharable Browsing Experience on a Guest Device

• US 20110289157A1
• Filed: 05/20/2010
• Published: 11/24/2011
• Est. Priority Date: 05/20/2010
• Status: Active Grant

• Current Assignee: Samesurf, Inc.
• Original Assignee: Samesurf, Inc.
• Inventors: Pirnazar, Kambiz David
• Granted Patent: US 8,527,591 B2
• Time in Patent Office: Days
• US Class Current: 709/206
• CPC Class Codes: G06F 16/954 Navigation, e.g. using categorised browsing
• CPC Class Codes: H04L 51/046 Interoperability with other network applications or services
• CPC Class Codes: H04L 51/52 for supporting social networking services
• CPC Class Codes: H04L 65/1069 Session establishment or de-establishment
• CPC Class Codes: H04L 65/403 Arrangements for multi-party communication, e.g. for conferences data switching systems for conference H04L12/18; arrangements for connecting several subscribers to a common circuit, i.e. affording conference facilities H04M3/56; television conferencing systems H04N7/15

Abstract

The present invention describes a method and apparatus for the implementation of a real-time, sharable web browsing experience on a guest device, utilizing the transfer of URL and form data information. The present invention further describes a method for joining a synchronized browsing session administered by a synchronization server, comprising activating a hyperlink associated with the synchronized browsing session, sending a request to join the synchronized browsing session to the synchronization server in response to the activation of the hyperlink, and joining the synchronized browsing session. The present invention further describes a method for implementing a synchronized browsing session, comprising receiving information related to a shared web browsing interaction performed by a host device from a synchronization server, and performing the shared web browsing interaction based on the information received from the synchronization server.

Claims

1. A method for joining a synchronized browsing session administered by a synchronization server, comprising:

activating a hyperlink associated with the synchronized browsing session;

sending a request to join the synchronized browsing session to the synchronization server in response to the activation of the hyperlink; and

joining the synchronized browsing session.

2. The method of claim 1, further comprising receiving an invitation to join the synchronized browsing session.

3. The method of claim 2, wherein the invitation comprises the hyperlink associated with the synchronized browsing session.

4. The method of claim 2, wherein the invitation further comprises a session identifier.

5. The method of claim 2, wherein the invitation is received via:

a social network communication;

a news feed;

an email message;

an instant message communication;

a micro-blogging communication;

a text message communication;

or

other communication medium.

6. An apparatus for joining a synchronized browsing session administered by a synchronization server, comprising:

a network interface adapted to communicate with the synchronization server; and

a processor adapted to;

activate a hyperlink associated with the synchronized browsing session;

send a request to join the synchronized browsing session to the synchronization server via the network interface, in response to the activation of the hyperlink; and

join the synchronized browsing session.

7. The apparatus of claim 6, further comprising a user interface adapted to initiate the processor to send the request in response to a user input.

8. The apparatus of claim 6, further comprising a memory adapted to store one or more software modules for controlling the processor.

9. The apparatus of claim 7, wherein the user input comprises activation of the hyperlink for initializing sending of the request to join the synchronized browsing session.

10. The apparatus of claim 6, wherein the hyperlink is received from a host device via:

a social network communication;

a news feed;

an email message;

an instant message communication;

a micro-blogging communication;

a text message communication;

or

other communication medium.

11. A method for implementing a synchronized browsing session, comprising:

receiving information related to a shared web browsing interaction performed by a host device from a synchronization server; and

performing the shared web browsing interaction based on the information received from the synchronization server.

12. The method of claim 11, wherein information related to the shared web browsing interaction comprises:

a URL;

form data;

cookie information;

java script data;

or

other web browsing interaction data.

13. The method of claim 11, wherein the shared web browsing interaction is depicted in a first web browser window.

14. The method of claim 13, wherein non-shared web browsing interactions are depicted in a second web browser window.

15. An apparatus for implementing a synchronized browsing session, comprising:

a network interface adapted to communicate with a synchronization server; and

a processor adapted to;

receive information from the synchronization server related to a shared web browsing interaction performed by a host device; and

perform the shared web browsing interaction based on the information received from the synchronization server.

16. The apparatus of claim 15, further comprising a user interface adapted to depict the shared web browsing interactions in a shared web browsing window.

17. The apparatus of claim 15, further comprising a memory adapted to store one or more software modules for controlling the processor.

18. The apparatus of claim 15, wherein information related to the shared web browsing interaction comprises:

a URL;

form data;

cookie information;

java script data;

or

other web browsing interaction data.

19. The apparatus of claim 15, wherein the shared web browsing interaction is depicted in a first web browser window.

20. The apparatus of claim 19, wherein non-shared web browsing interactions are depicted in a non-shared web browser window.