Mobile Trigger Web Workflow

• US 20140108482A1
• Filed: 10/12/2012
• Published: 04/17/2014
• Est. Priority Date: 10/12/2012
• Status: Active Grant

• Current Assignee: eBay Inc.
• Original Assignee: eBay Inc.
• Inventors: Glasgow, Dane
• Granted Patent: US 9,552,598 B2
• Time in Patent Office: Days
• US Class Current: 709/201
• CPC Class Codes: G06F 21/305 by remotely controlling device operation
• CPC Class Codes: G06F 9/44 Arrangements for executing specific programs
• CPC Class Codes: G06Q 10/06316 Sequencing of tasks or work
• CPC Class Codes: G06Q 30/0282 Rating or review of business operators or products
• CPC Class Codes: G06Q 30/06 Buying, selling or leasing transactions
• CPC Class Codes: H04L 69/329 in the application layer [OSI layer 7]
• CPC Class Codes: H04L 9/40 Network security protocols

Abstract

In an example embodiment, actions taken on a web site using one device initiate a workflow on a different device. A main process, including a series of steps, is executed on one user device. When a particular step in the main process is reached, a secondary process is then initiated on another device, such as a mobile device.

Claims

1. A method for initiating from a first user device a secondary process on a second user device, comprising:

running a main process on the first user device, wherein the main process comprises a plurality of steps; and

upon reaching a particular step of the plurality of steps in the main process, initiating a secondary process on the second user device.

2. The method of claim 1, further comprising:

receiving output at the first user device from the secondary process; and

sending the output to a server.

3. The method of claim 1, wherein the main process comprises a web page having fields to complete, wherein the fields correspond to the plurality of steps.

4. The method of claim 1, wherein the secondary process is a subprocess.

5. The method of claim 1, wherein the secondary process is a second part of the main process.

6. The method of claim 1, wherein the second user device is a mobile device.

7. The method of claim 6, wherein the secondary process includes steps to take a photograph using a camera on the second user device.

8. The method of claim 7, wherein the secondary process includes uploading a photograph to a server.

9. The method of claim 7, wherein the secondary process includes sending a photograph to the main process on the first user device.

10. The method of claim 6, wherein the secondary process includes steps undertaken to scan a barcode using a camera on the second user device.

11. The method of claim 1, wherein the initiating includes issuing a command directly to the second user device requesting that a secondary process loaded in a stand-alone application on the second user device be run.

12. A method for initiating a secondary process at a server, in a system comprising the server, a first user device, and a second user device, comprising:

receiving output at the second user device generated by a main process operating on the first user device;

receiving an indication from the first user device that the main process has reached a particular step; and

in response to the receipt of the indication, initiating a secondary process on the second user device.

13. The method of claim 12, further comprising:

in response to the receipt of the indication, passing control from the main process to the secondary process.

14. The method of claim 13, further comprising:

receiving at the first user device an indication from the second user device that the secondary process has completed; and

passing control from the secondary process to the main process in response to the receipt of the indication that the secondary process has completed.

15. A computer-implemented system comprising:

a first user device including;

at least one processor coupled to a memory;

an application configured to run a main process, wherein the main process comprises a plurality of steps; and

upon reaching a particular step of the plurality of steps in the main process, initiates a secondary process on a second user device.

16. The computer-implemented system of claim 15, wherein the application is a web browser.

17. The computer-implemented system of claim 15, wherein the application is an auction listing application.

18. A computer-implemented system comprising:

a server including;

at least one processor coupled to a memory;

a secondary process initiation module configured to;

receive output from the first user device from steps undertaken in a main process operating on the first user device;

receive an indication from the first user device that the main process has reached a particular step; and

in response to the receipt of the indication, initiating a secondary process on a second user device.

19. The computer-implemented system of claim 18, wherein the first user device is a desktop computer,

20. The computer-implemented system of claim 18, wherein the second user device is a mobile device and the secondary process is initiated over a wireless communication network.

21. The computer-implemented system of claim 20, wherein the wireless communication network is a cellular phone network.

22. A machine-readable non-transitory storage medium having instruction data to cause a machine to execute a method for initiating from a first user device secondary process on a second user device, comprising:

running a main process on the first user device, wherein the main process comprises a plurality of steps; and

upon reaching a particular step of the plurality of steps in the main process, initiating a secondary process on the second user device.

23. A machine-readable non-transitory storage medium having instruction data to cause a machine to execute a method for initiating a secondary process at a server, in a system comprising the server, a first user device, and a second user device, comprising:

receiving output at the second user device generated by a main process operating on the first user device;

receiving an indication from the first user device that the main process has reached a particular step; and

in response to the receipt of the indication, initiating a secondary process on the second user device.