Method and Apparatus for the Implementation of a Real-Time, Sharable Browsing Experience
The present invention describes a method and apparatus for the implementation of a real-time, sharable browsing experience, utilizing the transfer of URL, form data, script and other information. The present invention further describes a method for establishing a synchronized browsing session, comprising receiving a request to establish the synchronized browsing session from a host device, establishing the synchronized browsing session in response to the request, sending a confirmation message to the host device, receiving a request to join from a guest device to join the synchronized browsing session, and adding the guest device to 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, accessing routing information for a guest device, and transmitting information related to the shared web browsing interaction to the guest device based on the routing information.
1 . A method for establishing a synchronized browsing session, comprising:
receiving a request to establish the synchronized browsing session from a host device;
establishing the synchronized browsing session in response to the request;
sending a confirmation message to the host device;
receiving a request to join from a guest device to join the synchronized browsing session; and
adding the guest device to the synchronized browsing session.
2 . The method of claim 1 , further comprising generating a synchronized browsing session identifier associated with the synchronized browsing session.
3 . The method of claim 2 , wherein the confirmation message includes the synchronized browsing session identifier.
4 . The method of claim 1 , further comprising sending a notification message to the host device that the guest device has joined the synchronized browsing session.
5 . An apparatus for establishing a synchronized browsing session, comprising:
a network interface adapted to communicate with a host device and a guest device; and
a processor adapted to:
receive a request to establish the synchronized browsing session from the host device via the network interface;
establish the synchronized browsing session;
send a confirmation message to the host device via the network interface;
receive a request to join the synchronized browsing session from the guest device via the network interface; and
add the guest device to the synchronized browsing session.
6 . The apparatus of claim 5 , further comprising a memory adapted to store information related to the established synchronized browsing session.
7 . The apparatus of claim 5 , wherein the processor is further adapted to generate a session identifier associated with the established synchronized browsing session.
8 . The apparatus of claim 7 , wherein the confirmation message includes the synchronized browsing session identifier.
9 . The apparatus of claim 5 , wherein the processor is further adapted to send a notification message to the host device via the network interface that the guest device has joined the synchronized browsing session.
10 . The apparatus of claim 6 , wherein the information related to the established synchronized browsing session comprises:
a session identifier;
routing information of the host device; or
routing information of the guest devices.
11 . A method for implementing a synchronized browsing session, comprising:
receiving information related to a shared web browsing interaction performed by a host device;
accessing a routing information for a guest device; and
transmitting information related to the shared web browsing interaction to the guest device based on the routing information.
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 , further comprising:
analyzing the information related to the shared web browsing interaction to identify a website;
searching a database for an affiliation identifier related to the identified website;
accessing an affiliation identifier if the identified website is found in the database; and
transmitting the affiliation identifier to the host device.
14 . The method of claim 13 , further comprising transmitting the affiliation identifier to the guest device.
15 . The method of claim 13 , further comprising modifying the information related to the shared web browsing interaction based upon the affiliation identifier.
16 . An apparatus for implementing a synchronized browsing session, comprising:
a network interface adapted to communicate with a host device and a guest device; and
a processor adapted to:
receive information related to a shared web browsing interaction performed by the host device;
access a routing information for the guest device; and
transmit the information related to the shared web browsing interaction to the guest device based on the routing information.
17 . The apparatus of claim 16 , further comprising a memory adapted to store the routing information of the host and guest devices.
18 . The apparatus of claim 17 , wherein the memory is further adapted to store information related to affiliate websites.
19 . The apparatus of claim 18 , wherein the processor is adapted to:
analyze the information related to the shared web browsing interaction to identify a website;
search the memory for an affiliation identifier related to the identified website;
access the affiliation identifier if the identified website is found in the memory; and
transmit the affiliation identifier to the host device.
20 . The apparatus of claim 16 , wherein information related to the shared web browsing interactions comprises:
a URL;
form data;
cookie information;
java script data; or
other web browsing interaction data.