Method and apparatus for pushing applications to a web site visitor during co-browsing

1. A computer based method for pushing applications to a website visitor during co-browsing, the method comprising:

storing, in a memory device of a web-based server, one or more applications configured to receive an input from at least the website visitor and display information to the website visitor;

initiating, by a processor of a web-based server, a co-browsing session between an operator of the website and the website visitor over a communications interface;

selecting, by the processor, an application of the one or more applications to push to the website visitor over the communications interface;

configuring, by the processor, the application for a specific use by the website visitor;

pushing, by the processor, the application to the website visitor over the communications interface after the initialization of the co-browsing session; and

co-browsing, by the processor, the application with the website visitor such that the operator and the website visitor can both interact with the application in a collaborative manner.

2. The method of claim 1 , wherein the application is only available to the website visitor by the operator of the website pushing the application to the website visitor.

3. The method of claim 1 , wherein the configuring includes:

modifying elements of the application by selecting content from web servers over an Internet.

4. The method of claim 3 , wherein the content from the web servers is received through a content provider layer.

5. The method of claim 1 , wherein the application provides interactive functionality to the website visitor for assisting in a sale to the website visitor.

6. The method of claim 1 , wherein the application is configured to enable the website visitor with at least one function from the following group:

to upload a photograph, to record the co-browsing session, to play a game with the operator, to share a desktop of the website visitor, to select a button that pulls up contacts of the website visitor from a third party application that enables the website visitor to invite a friend to join the co-browsing session, and to invite a friend via a text message or email to join the co-browsing session.

7. The method of claim 1 , further comprising:

selecting, by the processor, to edit the application;

editing, by the processor, the application, wherein the website visitor cannot see changes that are made to the application during the editing of the application by the operator;

ending, by the processor, the editing of the application; and

sending, by the processor, the edits to the website visitor over the communications interface.

8. The method of claim 1 , wherein the application is configured to provide a program to enable the operator and the website visitor to collaborate.

9. The method of claim 1 , further comprising:

selecting, by the processor, a hold button, wherein selecting the hold button places the application in a hold state and returns the website visitor and operator to a previous co-browsing session;

pushing, by the processor, the hold state application to the website visitor over the communications interface; and

co-browsing, by the processor, the hold state application with the website visitor.

10. A computer system for pushing applications to a website visitor during co-browsing, the system comprising:

one or more input/output devices configured to communicate over a communications network;

one or more memory devices of a web-based server configured to store and retrieve one or more applications configured to receive an input from at least the website visitor and display information to the website visitor; and

one or more processors of a web-based server, wherein the one or more processors are configured to:

initiate a co-browsing session between a website operator and a website visitor over a communications interface, in response to an indication from the website operator to initiate a co-browsing session;

select an application of the one or more applications to push to the website visitor over the communications interface, in response to an indication from the website operator of a selection of the application;

configure the application for a specific use by the website visitor, in response to configuration selections from the website operator;

push the application to the website visitor over the communications interface after the initialization of the co-browsing session, in response to an indication to push the application from the website operator; and

co-browse the application with the website visitor such that the operator and the website visitor can both interact with the application in a collaborative manner, in response to browsing events received from the website operator.

11. The computer system of claim 10 , wherein the application is only available to the website visitor by the website operator pushing the application to the website visitor.

12. The computer system of claim 10 , wherein the one or more processors are further configured to:

modify elements of the application from content from web servers over an Internet in response to a selection of the content from web servers over the Internet from the website operator.

13. The computer system of claim 12 , wherein the content from the web servers is received through a content provider layer and then through the one or more input/output devices configured to communicate over the communications network.

14. The computer system of claim 10 , wherein the application is configured to enable the website visitor with at least one function from the following group:

to upload a photograph, to record the co-browsing session, to play a game with the operator, to share a desktop of the website visitor, to select a button that pulls up contacts of the website visitor from a third party application that enables the website visitor to invite a friend to join the co-browsing session, and to invite a friend via a text message or email to join the co-browsing session.

15. The computer system of claim 10 , wherein the one or more processors are further configured to:

receive an indication from the website operator to select to edit the application;

edit the application in response to an indication to edit from the website operator, wherein the website visitor cannot see changes that are made to the application during the editing of the application by the operator;

receive an indication from the website operator to end the editing of the application; and

send the edits to the website visitor.

16. The computer system of claim 10 , wherein the application is configured to provide a program to enable the website operator and the website visitor to collaborate.

17. The computer system of claim 10 , wherein the one or more processors are further configured to:

place the application in a hold state and return the website visitor and website operator to a previous co-browsing session in response to indication from the website operator to enter the hold state;

push the hold state application to the website visitor over the communications interface in response to receiving an indication from the website operator to push the application to the website visitor; and

co-browse the application with the website visitor in response to browsing events received from the website operator.

18. The computer system of claim 10 , wherein the application is configured to provide interactive functionality to the website visitor for assisting in a sale to the website visitor.