Patent Publication Number: US-2023164289-A1

Title: Method and apparatus for storing and sending a computer location

Description:
CROSS-REFERENCE TO RELATED APPLICATIONS 
     This application is a continuation-in-part of U.S. Pat. Application No. 15/980,318, filed May 15, 2018, which claims priority to U.S. Provisional Pat. Application No. 62/506,930, filed May 16, 2017, each of which is hereby incorporated by reference in its entirety. 
    
    
     FIELD OF INVENTION 
     The present disclosure relates generally to methods and apparatuses for storing and sending a computer location. 
     SUMMARY 
     The present application is directed to methods and apparatuses for storing and sending a computer location with one or more devices. The methods and apparatuses according to the present disclosure advantageously allows a user of a device to substantially simultaneously capture visual data and location data, and then associate the obtained data for later reference or for sending to another device. In embodiments, a user may provide an activation input to a device which causes the device to obtain visual data corresponding to an image being displayed on the device (“screenshot”) and also obtain location data that corresponds to a computer location that was the origin for the visual data. According to embodiments the present disclosure, the visual data and location data may automatically be stored and associated for a seamless user experience. 
     A method for storing a computer location according to embodiments of the present disclosure includes the steps of initiating a capture sequence of a device, wherein the device comprises a processor and a display screen, obtaining, by the processor, visual data corresponding to an image displayed on the display screen at the time of the initiating of the capture sequence, obtaining, by the processor, location data corresponding to a computer location accessed by the device, and storing, by the processor, the visual data and the location data as associated data such that the visual data and the location data are associated with each other. 
     A method for storing and sending a computer location according to embodiments of the present disclosure include initiating a capture sequence of a first device, wherein the first device comprises a first processor and a first display screen, obtaining, by the first processor, visual data corresponding to an image displayed on the first display screen at the time of the initiating step, obtaining, by the first processor, location data corresponding to a computer location accessed by the first device, storing, by the first processor, the visual data and the location data as associated data such that the visual data and location data are associated with each other, and sending, by the first device, the associated data to a second device, wherein the second device comprises a second processor and a second display screen. 
     A device for storing a computer location according to embodiments of the present disclosure includes a processor, a display screen, an input element, and a storage medium, wherein the device is configured to perform a capture sequence based on a detection, by the processor, of an activation input performed by a user on the input element. The capture sequence includes obtaining, by the processor, visual data corresponding to an image displayed on the display screen at the time of the detection of the activation input by the processor, obtaining, by the processor, location data corresponding to a computer location accessed by the device, and storing, by the processor, the visual data and the location data as associated data in the storage medium such that the visual data and the location data are associated with each other. 
    
    
     
       BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS 
         FIG.  1    shows a first device according to embodiments of the present disclosure; 
         FIG.  2    shows a second device according to embodiments of the present disclosure; 
         FIG.  3    shows a system according to embodiments of the present disclosure, the system including the first device shown of  FIG.  1    and the second device shown of  FIG.  2   ; 
         FIG.  4 A  shows a flow diagram of a method for storing a computer location according to embodiments of the present disclosure; 
         FIG.  4 B  shows a flow diagram of a portion of the method shown in  FIG.  4 A  according to embodiments of the present disclosure; 
         FIG.  4 C  shows a flow diagram of a portion of the method shown in  FIG.  4 A  according to embodiments of the present disclosure; 
         FIG.  5    shows a flow diagram of a method for storing and sending a computer location according to embodiments of the present disclosure; 
         FIG.  6    shows a device according to embodiments of the present disclosure; 
         FIG.  7 A  shows a first device during a use case according to embodiments of the present disclosure; 
         FIG.  7 B  shows the first device of  FIG.  7 A  during the use case of  FIG.  7 A  according to embodiments of the present disclosure; 
         FIG.  7 C  shows the first device of  FIGS.  7 A and  7 B  during the use case of  FIGS.  7 A and  7 B  according to embodiments of the present disclosure; 
         FIG.  7 D  shows a second device during the use case of  FIGS.  7 A- 7 C  according to embodiments of the present disclosure; 
         FIG.  7 E  shows the second device of  FIG.  7 D  during the use case of  FIGS.  7 A- 7 D  according to embodiments of the present disclosure; 
         FIG.  8    shows a device according to embodiments of the present disclosure; 
         FIG.  9 A  shows a first portion of a work flow of a dedicated software application according to embodiments of the present disclosure; 
         FIG.  9 B  shows a second portion of the work flow of  FIG.  9 A  according to embodiments of the present disclosure; 
         FIG.  9 C  shows a flow diagram of an application program interface of the second portion of the work flow of  FIG.  9 B  according to embodiments of the present disclosure; 
         FIG.  10 A  shows a first device during a use case according to embodiments of the present disclosure; 
         FIG.  10 B  shows the first device during the use case of  FIG.  10 A  according to embodiments of the present disclosure; and 
         FIG.  10 C  shows the second device of  FIG.  10 B  during the use case of  FIG.  10 A  according to embodiments of the present disclosure. 
     
    
    
     DETAILED DESCRIPTION 
     Before the various embodiments are described in further detail, it is to be understood that the present disclosure is not limited to the particular embodiments described. It will also be understood that the methods and apparatuses described herein may be adapted and modified as appropriate for the application being addressed and that the devices described herein may be employed in other suitable applications, and that such other additions and modifications will not depart from the scope thereof. 
     Although various features have been shown in different figures for simplicity, it should be readily apparent to one of skill in the art that the various features may be combined without departing from the scope of the present disclosure. 
       FIG.  1    shows an exemplary first device  100  according to embodiments of the present disclosure. The device  100  includes a processor  102 , a display screen  104 , a computer readable storage medium  106  (i.e. memory or any other non-transitory computer readable storage medium) and an input element  108 . The processor  102  is operatively connected to the display screen  104  so that the processor  102  can instruct the display screen  104  to display an image. The processor  102  is operatively connected to the storage medium  106  so that the processor can read and/or write to and from the storage medium  106 . The input element  108  is operable by a user of the device  100 . The processor  102  is operatively connected to the input element  108  to receive input generated by the user. 
       FIG.  2    shows an exemplary second device  200  according to embodiments of the present disclosure. The second device  200  is similar to the first device  100  in that the second device  200  also includes a processor  202 , a display screen  204 , a computer readable storage medium  206  (i.e. memory or any other non-transitory computer readable storage medium) and an input element  208 . The processor  202  is operatively connected to the display screen  204  so that the processor  202  can instruct the display screen  204  to display an image. The processor  202  is operatively connected to the storage medium  206  so that the processor can read and/or write to and from the storage medium  206 . The input element  208  is operable by a user of the device  200 . The processor  202  is operatively connected to the input element  208  to receive input generated by the user. 
     The processors  102 ,  202  of the devices  100 ,  200  are configured to detect whether an activation input has been performed by a user on the input element  108 ,  208 . If the processors  102 ,  202  detect an activation input being performed, the processors  102 ,  202  are configured to perform a capture sequence without additional input from the user beyond an activation input, which is discussed in greater detail below. 
     The devices  100 ,  200  are configured to access the internet and/or an intranet via network technology, such as ethernet, fiber optic cable, Wi-Fi, cellular networks, and the like. The devices are configured to send and receive data with other devices through methods such as email, SMS text messaging, peer-to-peer data exchange, and other communication exchange methods. The devices  100 ,  200  may have software application(s) for accessing the internet or intranet such as an internet browser, web portal, social media application, and the like. 
     While the devices  100 ,  200  are shown in  FIGS.  1  and  2    as smartphones, the devices  100 ,  200  may be different computer or electronic devices, such as, without limitation, tablets, desktop computers, laptops, virtual reality goggles, and the like. While the input elements  108 ,  208  are shown as buttons that are capable of receiving physical input from a user, the input elements  108 ,  208  can be configured as other types of input elements, such as, for example, a microphone (not shown) configured to receive audible input from a user, a touch display (not shown - may be unitary with the display screen  104 ,  204  or a separate layer of the device  100 ,  200  screen) configured to receive touch input from a user, an accelerometer (not shown) configured to receive movement input of the device  100 ,  200  generated by a user, and the like. 
       FIG.  3    shows an exemplary system  300  according to methods and apparatuses of the present disclosure. The system  300  comprises the first device  100  of  FIG.  1    and the second device  200  of  FIG.  2   , and an optional server  310  that is remote from the devices  100 ,  200 . As indicated by arrows, the first device  100  is configured to communicate with the second device  200 , and vice-versa, and/or both devices  100 ,  200  are configured to communicate with the server  310 , and vice-versa. For the purposes of the present disclosure, the term “communicate” means the ability to transmit and receive data via one or more networks such as, for example, internet, intranet, cellular network, Wi-Fi, Bluetooth, near-field communication, and the like. 
       FIG.  4 A  shows a flow diagram of an exemplary method  400  for storing a computer location according to the present disclosure. The method  400  is capable of being performed with a computer or electronic device, such as, for example, the first device  100  of  FIG.  1    and/or the second device  200  of  FIG.  2   . The method  400  starts at block  412  with detecting, by the processor  102 ,  202 , whether an activation input has been performed on an input element  108 ,  208  by a user. If no activation input is detected (i.e. “No”), then the method  400  loops at block  416  to continue to detect for an activation input. If an activation input is detected (i.e. “Yes”), then the method  400  proceeds to block  414 , where the processor  102 ,  202 , obtains visual data corresponding to an image displayed on the display screen  104 ,  204  at the time of the detection of an activation input at block  412  (i.e. the active screen at the time of activation input). Practically speaking, given that the activation input must be detected and processed by the processor before the processor can recognize the instruction to obtain the visual data, the visual data may be obtained slightly after the time of the activation input. However, given that the practical time for accomplishing these steps may be relatively short from a user’s perspective, such a short time delay should be considered to be “at the time” of the activation input being detected. Then, at block  416 , the processor  102 ,  202  obtains location data corresponding to a computer location accessed by the device  100 ,  200 . The location data may or not be visible to the user. Then, at block  418 , the processor  102 ,  202  stores the visual data and the location data as associated data such that the visual data and the location data are associated with each other. Then, the method  400  proceeds to exit the process. 
     Although the method  400  is shown and described as the processor first obtaining visual data at block  414  and then obtaining location data at block  416 , it is within the scope of the present disclosure for the processor to first obtain the location data (block  416 ) and then obtain the visual data (block  414 ). Alternatively, the visual data and location data may be obtained substantially simultaneously. 
       FIG.  4 B  shows a flow diagram of a portion  418 A of the method  400  for performing the step of storing the visual data and the location data as associated data such that the visual data and the location data are associated with each other at block  418 , discussed above. In this embodiment, for this portion  418 A of the method  400 , at block  420 , the processor  102 ,  202  generates a data file based on the visual data and the location data. Then, at block  422 , the data file is stored in the storage medium  106 ,  206  of the device  100 ,  200 . Then, the method  418 A exits the process. 
       FIG.  4 C  shows a flow diagram of another exemplary portion  418 B of the method  400  for performing the step of storing the visual data and the location data as associated data such that the visual data and the location data are associated with each other at block  418 , discussed above. In embodiments, for this portion  418 B of the method  400 , at block  424 , the device  100 ,  200  sends the visual data and the location data to the server  310  ( FIG.  3   ). The device may also optionally send an instruction to the server  310  indicating a recipient. At block  426 , the server  310  saves the visual data and the location data (and, if included, the intended recipient instruction) in a table such that the storage of the data in the table thereby associates the visual data with the location data (and, if included, the intended recipient instruction). 
       FIG.  5    shows a flow diagram of an exemplary method  500  for storing and sending a computer location according to the present disclosure. The method  500  at blocks  512 ,  514 ,  516 ,  518  is substantially identical to the method  400  for storing a computer location discussed above, and, thus, those portions will not be discussed in detail here. After storing the visual data and the location data as associated data at block  518 , the method proceeds to block  528 , where the device  100 ,  200  sends the associated data to a different device  100 ,  200 . The recipient of the associated data can be selected by the user or a predetermined recipient(s). Then, at block  530 , the receiving device  100 ,  200  of the associated data displays the image corresponding to the visual data contained in the associated data. Then, at block  532 , the processor  102 ,  202  detects whether there is user “interaction” with the image via the receiving device  100 ,  200 , indicating a desire to launch an internet browser, web portal, social media application, or the like, to access the computer location corresponding to the location data contained in the associated data. The user can “interact” with the image by touching the image if the display screen  204  is a touch screen, accessing a menu of the device or by other user input through the user input element  108 ,  208  or otherwise engaging the image via other device  100 ,  200  elements. If Yes, the method  500  proceeds to block  534  to launch a software application to access the computer location (and process the access request through a Domain Name Server “DNS” if necessary), and then the method  500  proceeds to exit the process. If No, the process exits without launching a software application to access the computer location. 
     If the associated data was stored by generating a data file as described above in connection with the portion  418 A of the method  400  shown in  FIGS.  4 A and  4 B , then the generated data file can be sent at block  528  to a recipient device(s)  100 ,  200  directly or indirectly through known network technologies. Once the recipient device(s)  100 ,  200  receives and stores the data file, the recipient device  100 ,  200  can access the visual data of the data file to display an image on the display screen  104 ,  204  for a user. As discussed above, if desired, the user can interact with the image on the display screen  104 ,  204  to access the location data of the associated data, which will automatically open an internet browser, web portal, social media application, or the like, and access the computer location corresponding to the location data. 
     If the associated data was stored by sending the associated data to a server  310  ( FIG.  3   ) as described above in connection with the portion  418 B of the method shown in  FIGS.  4 A and  4 C , when the recipient device  100 ,  200  accesses the server  310 , the recipient device  100 ,  200  will have access to an image path where the visual data of the associated data is stored in a table of the server  310  as well as the location data. Once the device  100 ,  200  has access to the visual data, the device  100 ,  200  can display the image corresponding to the visual data on the display screen  104 ,  204  and the user can interact with the image in order to access the computer location corresponding to the location data, as discussed above 
     Referring to  FIG.  6   , devices according to embodiments of the present disclosure may be configured to store the associated data in a “history” viewing page. As shown in  FIG.  6   , a device  600  may show history page  636  having a plurality of stored associated data displayed as screenshot images  638  corresponding to the visual data of each associated data displayed as thumbnail images  638 . The user can scroll through and view the thumbnail images  638 . If the user wishes to access the computer location corresponding to where the visual data was accessed from by the device  600 , the user can interact with the image  638  in order to launch an internet browser, web portal, social media application, and the like, that automatically accesses the computer location corresponding to the location data associated with the visual data of the image  638  interacted with by the user. The user can select a thumbnail image  638  to proceed to a larger view or full screen view of the image  638 . 
       FIGS.  7 A-C  show an exemplary use case of apparatuses and methods according to embodiments of the present disclosure.  FIG.  7 A  shows a first smartphone device  700 A comprising a processor  102  ( FIG.  1   ), a display screen  704 A, a computer readable storage medium  106  ( FIG.  1   ) and input elements  708 A. Displayed on the display screen  704  is an image  740  of an active screen generated by an internet browser software application running on the device  700 A, which was generated based on visual data obtained from a computer location accessed by the internet browser software application running on the device  700 A, in this case, a website address. 
       FIG.  7 B  shows the device  700 A shown in  FIG.  7 A  after the user engaged the input element(s)  708  in a predetermined manner that the processor  102  recognized as corresponding to an activation input. Having stored the visual data corresponding to the active screen image  740  and the location data corresponding with the website address accessed by the device  700 A as associated data in accordance with a method  400  described above, the display screen  704  shows a screenshot image  738  along with a prompt window  742  which allows the user to send the associated data to a recipient in accordance with a method  500  described above by selecting the send button  742 A or return to the internet browsing application by selecting the close button  742 B. If the user selects the close button  742 B, the user can later access the associated data from within a history page (e.g. history page  636  of  FIG.  6   ) and send the associated data to a recipient from the history page, if desired. 
       FIG.  7 C  shows the device  700 A shown in  FIGS.  7 A and  7 B  after the user selected the close button  742 B ( FIG.  7 B ) and then at a later time (e.g. three weeks later) interacted with an image based on visual data of a stored associated data from a history page ( FIG.  6   ) in order to access the website address of the associated location data. However, as seen in the active screen image  740  shown in  FIG.  7 C , while the location data remains unchanged, the visual data from the website address has changed due to the owner or administrator of the website having changed the content/appearance (i.e. change of visual data) in the time since the storage of the associated data had occurred, thereby causing the different active screen image  740  to be generated by the device  700 A when accessing the website address. If the content/appearance of the website address has not changed in the interim, then the content/appearance of the website should be substantially identical to the screenshot image  738  corresponding to the visual data of the associated data. 
       FIG.  7 D  shows a second smartphone device  700 B comprising a processor  202  ( FIG.  2   ), a display screen  704 B, a computer readable storage medium  206  ( FIG.  2   ) and input elements  708 B. Displayed on the display screen  704 B is the screenshot image  738  corresponding to the visual data of the associated data sent to the second device  700 B from the first device  700 A. Though the first device  700 A sent the associated data after the owner or administrator of the website address had changed the content/appearance, since the visual data is static and unchanged by the owner or administrator, the screenshot image  738  corresponds to the active screen image  740  resembling the content/appearance of the website at the time the first user provided an activation input to the processor  102  of the first device  700 A. 
       FIG.  7 E  shows the second device  700 B of  FIG.  7 D  after the user of the second device interacted with the image  738  to launch an internet browser, automatically accessing the website address corresponding to the location data of the associated data. As discussed above, since the content/appearance of the website has changed, the active screen image  740  generated by an internet browsing software application running on the second device  700 B is different than the screenshot image  738 . However, as discussed above, if the content/appearance of the website was unchanged, the screenshot image  738  would be substantially identical to the active screen image  740  at the time the capture sequence was initiated. 
       FIG.  8    shows a device  800  according to embodiments of the present disclosure. The device  800  comprises a display screen  804 .  FIG.  8    a still frame of a video  844  being played on the device  800  that is accessed from a website by an internet browser running on the device  800 . During the video  844 , a video progress bar  846  is displayed along with a dynamic video progress point  848 . According to embodiments of the present disclosure, when a user of the device  800  provides an activation input thereby triggering a capture sequence as described above, in addition to the visual data and location data, in the associated data is also stored video progress data corresponding to the where the video progress point  848  is when the capture sequence is performed. Thus, when the computer location corresponding to the location data of the associated data is accessed (either by the same user or a recipient of the associated data), the internet browser (or other software application) is also provided with the video progress data such that the internet browser navigates to a point in the video corresponding to when in the duration of the video the capture sequence was performed, or substantially near that point. 
     Apparatuses according to embodiments of the present disclosure may have operating system programming that permits methods  400 ,  500  to be performed without additional software applications. However, it is within the scope of the present disclosure for the methods  400 ,  500  to be coordinated through a dedicated software application running on an apparatus (e.g. a third party application). 
       FIG.  9 A  shows a flow diagram for a first portion of a work flow  900  and  FIG.  9 B  shows a flow diagram for a second portion of the work flow  900  of a dedicated software application according to embodiments of the present disclosure. The work flow  900  starts at block  950  by a user surfing data on a browser. Then, at block  951 , the user may press on a share button (or activation input) within the browser operatively connected to the dedicated software application. Then, at block  952 , the user is permitted engage an icon corresponding to the dedicated software application. If the user does not engage an icon corresponding to the dedicated software application, then the work flow  900  may end. If the user does engage the icon (Yes), the work flow  900  proceeds to block  953  where a preview screen is shown with a screenshot image corresponding to the active screen image at the time of pressing the share button at block  951 . At block  954 , the user is prompted with options for sharing, such as, for example, sharing within the dedicated software application or sharing with a different software application such as email, WhatsApp®, and the like. If the user selects the option to share via a software application different than the dedicated software application, then the sharing is accomplished via the chosen software application and the work flow  900  exits the process. 
     If at block  954  the user selects to share via the dedicated software application, the work flow  900  proceeds to block  955  where it is determined whether the user is a registered user or not. If the user is not a registered a user, the user will be prompted to enter the user’s mobile phone number (or other unique identifier) for the first time. Then, at block  956 , the dedicated software application will fetch application contacts from a server. Then, at block  957 , a list of contact options will appear for distribution selection. The user will select any one or more contacts from the list. If the selected contact(s) is not a registered user, an invitation will be sent to the selected contact to become a user of the dedicated software application. Once registered, the selected contact will be able to retrieve distributions of share data from a relational table in the server, for example, as discussed above in connection with the storing and sending method  500 . If the selected contact is a registered user, at block  958  a screen shot will be shared with embedded Uniform Resource Locator “URL” (or other website address or computer location identifier protocol) via an application program interface (“API”) of the dedicated software application. At block  959 , the registered recipient user will be able to access the shared screenshot with embedded URL data in an inbox showing a history of shared screenshots from different users. As shown at block  960 , the user can delete specific history shares at any time via the API. At block  961 , the user is free to click on any history in the inbox to show all screenshots shared with that contact via API. Then the work flow  900  ends. 
       FIG.  9 C  shows a flow diagram for an exemplary application program interface utilized at block  958  ( FIG.  9 B ) according to embodiments of the present disclosure.  FIG.  9 C  shows that at block  958  the data is saved in a relational table corresponding to users, shared media and location data information. A relational table according to the present disclosure may include a screenshot image path field, a website URL input field, a sender user field, a recipient user field, and a creation date/time field. A single screenshot image data file can be saved in hard disk in a server in order to avoid unnecessary increase in size of database that could be attributed to multiple shares of the same media. The single data file would be maintained (and back-up duplicates for redundancy if necessary) and the media could be shared by the sharing of image file paths corresponding to the shared media in the relational table. The share history can be fetched from the relational table based on filter parameters of the relational table. The relational table may managed by MySQL tm  management system or other similar relational database management system. 
       FIGS.  10 A- 10 C  show an exemplary use case of apparatuses and methods according to embodiments of the present disclosure similar to the exemplary use case described above in connection with  FIGS.  7 A- 7 E .  FIG.  10 A  shows a first smartphone device  1000 A comprising a processor  102  ( FIG.  1   ), a display screen  1004 A, a computer readable storage medium  1006  ( FIG.  1   ) and input elements  1008 A. Displayed on the display screen  1004 A is an image  1040  of an active screen generated by an internet browser software application running on the device  1000 A, which was generated based on visual data obtained from a computer location accessed by the internet browser software application running on the device  1000 A, in this case, a website address. 
     While browsing the internet (or, if not an internet browser, while navigating a social media application or other application) a predetermined set of contacts  1062  is displayed on the display screen  1004 A. The first smartphone device  1000 A is configured such that, while browsing, the user may provide a single input to select any one contact of the predetermined set of contacts  1062 , for example and without limitation, by touching the area of the display screen  1004 A where the contact is displayed if the display screen  1004 A is a touchscreen and/or by using the input element(s)  1008 A to select the desired contact. Through this single input, the processor  102  causes the associated computer location data and visual data (i.e. associated data) to be sent to the second smartphone device  1000 B that belongs to the selected contact of the predetermined set of contacts  1062 . Thus, the contacts  1062  are displayed at the time the user provides the input that causes the device  1000 A to obtain the associated data and send/transmit the associated data to the second device  1000 B. 
     The user can repeat this process as many times as desired with each of the desired contacts. For example, the user can select a plurality of contacts of the predetermined set of contacts  1062  in order to cause the computer location data and visual data to be sent to the smartphone devices of each of the selected contacts. 
     The predetermined set of contacts  1062  may be set by a user or administrator, or may be determined and set by the processor  102  according to a predetermined algorithm. For example and without limitation, the processor  102  may set the predetermined set of contacts  1062  as a group of contacts the user most frequently messages via text message (or other messaging protocol) or as a most recent group of contacts the user has messaged via text message (or other messaging protocol) recently (e.g. in the last 24-48 hours), or a combination of most frequently messaged and recently messaged. 
     While the predetermined set of contacts  1062  has been shown in a particular area of the display screen  1004 A and with a particular shape, orientation and relative size of the contacts, it should be readily understood by those of ordinary skill in the art that the predetermined set of contacts  1062  can be located and formatted as desired for convenient presentation to the user. In some embodiments, the contacts of the predetermined set of contacts  1062  can be “scrolled” or engaged with by the user to move the displayed contacts off screen and move un-displayed contacts on screen for selection. 
       FIG.  10 B  shows a second smartphone device  1000 B comprising a processor  202  ( FIG.  2   ), a display screen  1004 B, a computer readable storage medium  206  ( FIG.  2   ) and input elements  1008 B. Displayed on the display screen  1004 B is the screenshot image  1038  corresponding to the visual data of the associated data sent to the second device  1000 B from the first device  1000 A. Though the first device  1000 A sent the associated data after the owner or administrator of the website address had changed the content/appearance, since the visual data is static and unchanged by the owner or administrator, the screenshot image  1038  corresponds to the active screen Image  1040  resembling the content/appearance of the website at the time the first user provided an activation input to the processor  102  of the first device  1000 A. 
       FIG.  10 C  shows the second device  1000 B of  FIG.  10 B  after the user of the second device interacted with the image  1038  to launch an internet browser, automatically accessing the website address corresponding to the location data of the associated data. As discussed above, since the content/appearance of the website has changed, the active screen image  1040  generated by an internet browsing software application running on the second device  1000 B is different than the screenshot image  1038 . However, as discussed above, if the content/appearance of the website was unchanged, the screenshot image  1038  would be substantially identical to the active screen image  1040  at the time the capture sequence was initiated. 
     Advantageously, the first smartphone device  1000 A can obtain visual data and computer location data, associate the data, and send the data to another device  1000 B through a single input (activation input) provided by the user (e.g. through an input element). This simplified way of obtaining data, associated data, and sending the associated data provides an efficient way to consume and share data while navigating different computer locations (e.g. the internet, social media applications, networks, etc.). In some embodiments, after selecting a contact  1062 , the device  1000 A does not display a screen or imagery associated with a messaging application (e.g. the device’s  1000 A native messaging application or a third party messaging application). Instead, the device  1000 A continues to cause the display screen  1004 A to show the visual data that was shared. In this way, the user can proceed to select another contact  1062  to share data with and the device  1000 A will likewise share the associated data with the device at that contact’s phone number, email address, etc. This is an improvement over conventional sharing techniques that introduce unsightly pop-ups or redirect the screen to a messaging application’s imagery for further messaging application interactions, which cause an interruption to the user’s browsing experience and can be complicated and confusing to individuals not comfortable with operating the device  1000 A. 
     In some embodiments, one of the contacts  1062  can be a group of contacts such that selecting that single contact icon or graphic (e.g. the contacts  1062  shown in  FIG.  10 A ) will cause the associated data to be sent to each of the devices associated with the devices associated with that group of contacts. For example, selecting a group contact thread showing “mom” and “dad” would send the associated data to each of the devices associated with “mom” and “dad” as stored by the device or remote server. 
     Methods and apparatuses according to the present disclosure may advantageously include the appropriate encryption and security measures necessary to prevent personal information from being stolen and/or inadvertently compromised. For instance, necessary encryption and security measures may be implemented to ensure that different users accessing the server are only permitted to view or access data within their permissions. Thus, associated data from other users would be inaccessible unless the appropriate instructions or permissions were granted to give users access to the associated data or other personal data (e.g. user names, passwords, financial information, contacts, history, and the like). 
     Methods and apparatuses according to the present disclosure may advantageously be utilized while a first user is accessing a computer location during a session established with a third party application. During the session of the third party application, location data stored during a capture sequence initiated by the first user may include one or more unique session identifiers (or session anchors). A unique session identifier may be, for example, a terminal portion of a URL address or separate metadata obtained and retrieved by the processor of the device from the computer location. When the associated data is transferred to a second user, the associated data contains the unique session identifier(s) so that the when the second user engages the image generated from the associated data the device of the second user is directed to a corresponding session at the computer location. 
     An exemplary use case with an established session according to embodiments of the present application may entail the following. A first user operates a first device to establish an ongoing session with a third party taxi request service application. During the session, the first user views a real-time map showing the location of a requested taxi car. The first user initiates a capture sequence according to methods discussed above, and in this case the location data contains a unique session identifier, which is stored as associated data with the visual data corresponding to the image of the real-time map at the time of the capture sequence. The first user sends the associated data to a second user, the second user engages the real-time map image corresponding to the visual data stored in the associated data, the second device launches a software application (may or may not be similar software application used by the first user to establish the ongoing session with the third party taxi request service application) that accesses the computer location corresponding to the location data and also the ongoing session corresponding to the unique session identifier. Accordingly, now the second user can view the real-time map of the third party taxi request service application which was being viewed by the first user. 
     Another exemplary use case with an established session according to embodiments of the present application may entail the following. A first user operates a first device to establish an ongoing session with a third party food service ordering application. The first user views a menu of items that are selectable to add to an electronic shopping cart for ordering. The first user selects one or more items for order such as, for example, a pizza pie and soda. Before checking out and ending the session, the first user initiates a capture sequence as discussed above, and in this case the location data obtains a unique session identifier and stores the unique session identifier as associated data with the visual data corresponding to the image of the menu or electronic shopping cart at the time of the capture sequence. The first user sends the associated data to a second user, the second user engages the menu or electronic shopping cart image corresponding to the visual data stored in the associated data, the second device launches a software application (may or may not be similar software application used by the first user to establish the ongoing session with the third party food service ordering application) that accesses the computer location and also the ongoing session corresponding to the unique session identifier. Accordingly, now the second user can view the menu or electronic shopping cart page of the session of the third party food service ordering application and make additional selections. The second user selects, for example, an order of wings. When the first user proceeds to check out in the third party food service ordering application, the first user checks out the “full” order of a pizza pie, soda and wings. 
     Administrators of third party applications can structure the sessions so that the second user does not have full access to the ongoing session of the first user. For instance, the second user may not have permission for accessing personal information, financial information, or other information of the first user accessible by the first user in the first user’s established session. However, the second user would have limited viewing and/or input permissions such that the collective users or recipients of associated data have an improved user experience of the third party application(s). 
     Advantageously, methods and apparatuses according to the present disclosure may associate visual data with the location data of a website by recording, writing, integrating, generating or otherwise including with a generated data file the location data of the website address of an accessed page of a website that was being displayed by a device at the time a capture sequence is initiated by a user. Advantageously embodiments according to the present disclosure include associating the visual data and location data on a remote server for distribution to one or more contacts. 
     The term “computer location” encompasses any computer accessible destination on an internet, intranet, or other network. A server, computer, or other hardware, or a virtual server or virtual computer may be storing a data file, website page, social media page, ongoing session, or other content data at the computer location, which may be retrievable and/or capable of being interacted with by devices and methods according to the present disclosure when directed to that computer location. In some embodiments, a computer location can be a location within a map application; for example, if a user is viewing a particular address, latitude/longitude, point of interest, etc. within a map application, a capture sequence that captures the computer location includes information or data about the location in the map application so that when the second device receives the associated data, the second device is directed to that location or at least is able to be directed to that location when a user engages the associated data (e.g. a user capturing associated data while viewing 123 Main Street, Anytown, USA within a map application will include that location in the associated data so that the second device is directed to this location within the same map application or a different map application). 
     The phrase “capture sequence” used herein may refer to the general process of obtaining and storing visual data and location data based on a single command from a user or processor. A capture sequence may be initiated solely based on a single activation input. Thus, no input may be needed from a user beyond the activation input in order to initiate a capture sequence. A user may advantageously capture desired data with a single activation input for later reference of the data and/or for later distribution of the data. 
     The term “activation input” may be any predetermined manner for inputting a command into a device. For instance, an activation input could be holding one or more input elements (e.g. button, lever, or slider) for a predetermined amount of time, actuating a series of buttons in a predetermined order, navigating a series of menu options, making a gesture on a touch sensitive display with one or more fingers, a voice command, and the like. Advantageously, the activation input may be a single action by a user to cause the performance of a capture sequence as discussed above. 
     The term “location data” encompasses any unique identifier for a computer location on the internet, intranet, or other network. For instance, location data for a computer location could be in the form of a domain name or a unique Uniform Resource Locator (“URL”) for a particular website address such as, for example, Hypertext Transfer Protocol “HTTP” or File Transfer Protocol “FTP”, or any Internet Protocol such as, for example, IPv4 or Ipv6. However, other computer location identifying protocol(s) and/or nomenclature are within the scope of the present disclosure. 
     Advantageously, apparatuses and methods according to the present disclosure allow for a capture sequence to store visual data and location data as associated data automatically from a single activation input. The stored associated data can be sent to a recipient device substantially immediately after the association, or stored for later access by the user via the same device that stored the associated data. Or the user can later reference the associated data and decide to send the associated data at a later time. 
     Advantageously, apparatuses and methods according to the present disclosure allow for visual storage and sending of a computer location. Visual storage and sending allows for users not very adept at computer navigation and communication to easily store and send information with few steps. A user can look at a collection of images and quickly be able to identify which computer location the user is seeking to access based on the stored images. This collection of visual data associated with location data is able to be quickly and efficiently generated by a user because the user does not need to take many steps in order to associate the desired data. For example, a user can assemble a plurality of associated data while browsing the internet by simply “clicking a button” (activation input) whenever desired. 
     If desired, users of methods and apparatuses according to the present disclosure may advantageously send a portion of the obtained data of stored associated data. For example, after associated data, a first user may choose to only send the visual data to a second user without also transmitting the stored location data. In some embodiments, a user can choose to “unsend” sent associated data by selecting a command to unsend sent data. Methods and devices according to the present disclosure may be configured to unsend the most recently sent message or a user can navigate to particular sent transmission of associated data and choose to unsend that sent data. 
     Although apparatuses and methods have been shown and described with respect to particular embodiments, the scope of the present disclosure is not limited to the particular embodiments shown and described herein. It should be appreciated by those of ordinary skill in the art that various modifications to this disclosure may be made without departing from the spirit and scope of the present disclosure. For example, while the present disclosure shows and describes smartphone devices, it should be readily understood that the principles of the present disclosure can be applied to other computer or electronic devices, such as desktop computers, laptops, virtual reality goggles, and the like.