Method and apparatus for the implementation of a real-time, sharable browsing experience on a guest device

• US 8,527,591 B2
• Filed: 05/20/2010
• Issued: 09/03/2013
• Est. Priority Date: 05/20/2010
• Status: Active Grant

• Current Assignee: Samesurf, Inc.
• Original Assignee: Actual Works Incorporated
• Inventors: Pirnazar, Kambiz David
• Primary Examiner(s): Chang, Jungwon
• Application Number:
  US12/783,743
• Publication Number:
  US 20110289157A1
• Time in Patent Office: 1,202 Days
• Field of Search: 709/204, 709/205, 709/227, 709/206, 715/752, 715/751, 707/200, 707/102, 345/213
• US Class Current: 709/205
• 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 a guest device performing a synchronized browsing session administered by a synchronization server, comprising:

detecting an activation of a hyperlink associated with the synchronized browsing session by a guest device;

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

receiving from the synchronization server a notification that guest device has joined the synchronized browsing session;

receiving data from the synchronization server, where the data relates to a website being accessed in real-time by a host device; and

wherein the data comprises a URL of the website and cookie information associated with the website and the host device; and

operating a browser by the guest device based on the data received from the synchronization server.

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. The method of claim 1, wherein information related to the shared user input web browsing interaction comprises:

form data;

java script data;

or

other web browsing interaction data.

7. The method of claim 1, wherein the shared user input web browsing interaction is depicted in a first web browser window.

8. The method of claim 7, wherein non-shared web browsing interactions are depicted in a second web browser window.

9. The method of claim 1, wherein the shared user input web browser action further comprises a log-in into a restricted-access webpage.

10. An apparatus for a guest device performing 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;

detect an activation of a hyperlink associated with the synchronized browsing session by a guest device;

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;

receive from the synchronization server a notification that guest device has joined the synchronized browsing session;

receiving data from the synchronization server, where the data relates to a website being accessed in real-time by a host device, and wherein the data comprises a URL of the website and cookie information associated with the website and the host device; and

operate a browser by the guest device based on the data received from the synchronization server.

11. The apparatus of claim 10, further comprising a user interface adapted to initiate the processor to send the request in response to a user input.

12. The apparatus of claim 11, wherein the user input comprises activation of the hyperlink for initializing sending of the request to join the synchronized browsing session.

13. The apparatus of claim 10, further comprising a memory adapted to store one or more software modules for controlling the processor.

14. The apparatus of claim 10, 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.

15. The apparatus of claim 10, further comprising a user interface adapted to depict the shared user input web browsing interactions in a shared web browsing window.

16. The apparatus of claim 10, wherein information related to the shared user input web browsing interaction comprises:

form data;

java script data;

or

other web browsing interaction data.

17. The apparatus of claim 10, wherein the shared user input web browsing interaction is depicted in a first web browser window.

18. The apparatus of claim 17, wherein non-shared web browsing interactions are depicted in a non-shared web browser window.