Patent Publication Number: US-2012047449-A1

Title: Integrating a user browsing feed into a co-browsing session

Description:
BACKGROUND 
     Aspects of the present invention relate to browsing on the Internet or other networks and more particularly to a method, system and computer program product for integrating a user browsing feed into a co-browsing session. 
     Users in a co-browsing session may browse or navigate the web using independent sessions that can be synchronized to view the same information. However, other users have no indication of what users that are independently browsing may be viewing. When a feature, such as a “follow me” feature is enabled or activated during a co-browsing the session, a master user may send a web page to other users or participants to synchronize what everyone is viewing. If any user leaves the co-browsing session, they lose communication with the other co-browser participants through the co-browsing environment. 
     BRIEF SUMMARY 
     According to one aspect of the present invention, in a co-browsing session a user, as the non-active user, may independently navigate or browse from the co-browsing session using his browser. A browsing feed of the main session including an indication of content being viewed in the main co-browser session may be provided to keep the user inform of what is going on in the main co-browsing session. Additionally, browsing or navigating a web site, Internet or other network by the non-active user or user outside the main co-browsing session may be a feed to other users so that they may be informed of what the other user may be doing or viewing. This co-browsing feature may simulate a real shopping experience of two or more people that took different paths to a checkout counter. Typically when shoppers go into a store, they may proceed some distance together and then go separate directions and then rejoin each other later. The features of the present invention allow online simulation of that experience and keep all parties engaged in the co-browsing session while also allowing users to navigate or browser separately or independently. 
     According to another aspect of the present invention, a method for integrating a user browsing feed into a co-browsing session may include allowing a computing device of a user in a co-browsing session to independently navigate a network from each other user in the co-browsing session. The method may also provide an indication of content being viewed by each other user in the co-browsing session on the computing device of the user. 
     According to another aspect of the present invention, a system for integrating a user browsing feed into a co-browsing session may include a processing device. The system may also include a module operating on the processing device for integrating a user browsing feed into a co-browsing session. The module may be adapted to allow the user in a co-browsing session to independently navigate a network from each other user in the co-browsing session. The module may also be adapted to provide an indication of content being viewed by each other user in the co-browsing session. 
     According to a further aspect of the present invention, a computer program product for integrating a user browsing feed into a co-browsing session may include a computer readable storage medium having computer readable program code embodied therewith. The computer readable program code may include computer readable program code configured to allow a computing device of a user in a co-browsing session to independently navigate a network from each other user in the co-browsing session. The computer readable program code may also include computer readable program code configured to provide an indication of content being viewed by each other user in the co-browsing session on the computing device of the user. 
    
    
     
       BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE SEVERAL VIEWS OF THE DRAWINGS 
       The present invention is further described in the detailed description which follows in reference to the noted plurality of drawings by way of non-limiting examples of embodiments of the present invention in which like reference numerals represent similar parts throughout the several views of the drawings and wherein: 
         FIGS. 1A and 1B  are a flowchart of an example of a method for integrating a user browsing feed into a co-browsing session in accordance with an embodiment of the present invention. 
         FIG. 2  is a flowchart of an example of a co-browsing session illustrating integrating a user browsing feed into the co-browsing session in accordance with an embodiment of the present invention. 
         FIGS. 3A and 3B  are each an example of a graphical user interface (GUI) for respective users in a co-browsing session, such as the exemplary co-browsing session illustrated in  FIG. 2 . 
         FIG. 4  is a block schematic diagram of an example of a system for integrating a user browsing feed into a co-browsing session in accordance with an embodiment of the present invention. 
     
    
    
     DETAILED DESCRIPTION 
     As will be appreciated by one skilled in the art, aspects of the present invention may be embodied as a system, method or computer program product. Accordingly, aspects of the present invention may take the form of an entirely hardware embodiment, an entirely software embodiment (including firmware, resident software, micro-code, etc.) or an embodiment combining software and hardware aspects that may all generally be referred to herein as a “circuit,” “module” or “system.” Furthermore, aspects of the present invention may take the form of a computer program product embodied in one or more computer readable medium(s) having computer readable program code embodied thereon. 
     Any combination of one or more computer readable medium(s) may be utilized. The computer readable medium may be a computer readable signal medium or a computer readable storage medium. A computer readable storage medium may be, for example, but not limited to, an electronic, magnetic, optical, electromagnetic, infrared, or semiconductor system, apparatus, or device, or any suitable combination of the foregoing. More specific examples (a non-exhaustive list) of the computer readable storage medium would include the following: an electrical connection having one or more wires, a portable computer diskette, a hard disk, a random access memory (RAM), a read-only memory (ROM), an erasable programmable read-only memory (EPROM or Flash memory), an optical fiber, a portable compact disc read-only memory (CD-ROM), an optical storage device, a magnetic storage device, or any suitable combination of the foregoing. In the context of this document, a computer readable storage medium may be any tangible medium that can contain, or store a program for use by or in connection with an instruction execution system, apparatus, or device. 
     A computer readable signal medium may include a propagated data signal with computer readable program code embodied therein, for example, in baseband or as part of a carrier wave. Such a propagated signal may take any of a variety of forms, including, but not limited to, electro-magnetic, optical, or any suitable combination thereof. A computer readable signal medium may be any computer readable medium that is not a computer readable storage medium and that can communicate, propagate, or transport a program for use by or in connection with an instruction execution system, apparatus, or device. 
     Program code embodied on a computer readable medium may be transmitted using any appropriate medium, including but not limited to wireless, wireline, optical fiber cable, RF, etc., or any suitable combination of the foregoing. Computer program code for carrying out operations for aspects of the present invention may be written in any combination of one or more programming languages, including an object oriented programming language such as Java, Smalltalk, C++ or the like and conventional procedural programming languages, such as the “C” programming language or similar programming languages. The program code may execute entirely on the user&#39;s computer, partly on the user&#39;s computer, as a stand-alone software package, partly on the user&#39;s computer and partly on a remote computer or entirely on the remote computer or server. In the latter scenario, the remote computer may be connected to the user&#39;s computer through any type of network, including a local area network (LAN) or a wide area network (WAN), or the connection may be made to an external computer (for example, through the Internet using an Internet Service Provider). 
     Aspects of the present invention are described below with reference to flowchart illustrations and/or block diagrams of methods, apparatus (systems) and computer program products according to embodiments of the invention. It will be understood that each block of the flowchart illustrations and/or block diagrams, and combinations of blocks in the flowchart illustrations and/or block diagrams, can be implemented by computer program instructions. These computer program instructions may be provided to a processor of a general purpose computer, special purpose computer, or other programmable data processing apparatus to produce a machine, such that the instructions, which execute via the processor of the computer or other programmable data processing apparatus, create means for implementing the functions/acts specified in the flowchart and/or block diagram block or blocks. 
     These computer program instructions may also be stored in a computer readable medium that can direct a computer, other programmable data processing apparatus, or other devices to function in a particular manner, such that the instructions stored in the computer readable medium produce an article of manufacture including instructions which implement the function/act specified in the flowchart and/or block diagram block or blocks. 
     The computer program instructions may also be loaded onto a computer, other programmable data processing apparatus, or other devices to cause a series of operational steps to be performed on the computer, other programmable apparatus or other devices to produce a computer implemented process such that the instructions which execute on the computer or other programmable apparatus provide processes for implementing the functions/acts specified in the flowchart and/or block diagram block or blocks. 
       FIGS. 1A and 1B  are a flowchart of an example of a method  100  for integrating a user browsing feed into a co-browsing session in accordance with an embodiment of the present invention. In block  102 , a request may be received from a user to begin a co-browsing session. The user may activate or operate a feature on a browser to activate the co-browser application, module or feature. The user that activates or initiates the co-browsing session may be designated as the master user or participant. 
     In block  104 , a request may be received to invite at least one other user to join the co-browsing session. The master user may request that an invitation be sent to at least one other user or participant. In block  106 , a request or invitation may be sent to at least other user to join the co-browsing session. 
     In another aspect of the invention, the master user may send invitations by another arrangement, such as by email, text message or other form of communication. The co-browsing session may also be prearranged and scheduled by multiple users or participants for a particular time. Under these scenarios, the different users or participants may request to join a co-browsing session. One of the users may be the master user. 
     In block  108 , at least one other user may accept an invitation to join the co-browsing session or may request to join the co-browsing session. A co-browser web page for a web site may be presented to each user or participant in response to the user or participant joining the co-browsing session. An example of a co-browsing web page including a GUI will be described in more detail with reference to  FIGS. 3A and 3B . 
     In block  110 , the master user may be allowed to navigate the web site or Internet. The master user may navigate or browser similar to that which is known in the computing arts, for example, operating links or clicking-on links in a web page using a computer pointing device to access another location on the network or web site. 
     In block  112 , a feed to the browser of other users in the co-browsing session are updated or synchronized as the master user navigates the web site or web. By synchronizing the feed or browser of each user with the master user, each user may view the same content as the master user as the master user browses or navigates using his browser. 
     In block  114 , other users or participants in the co-browser session may be allowed to independently navigate the web site or Internet. 
     In block  116 , an indication may be provided on the master user&#39;s browser or co-browser feature of the content being viewed by each of the other users in the co-browser session that may be independently navigating or browsing the web site, Internet or network. Additionally, an indication may also be provided on a browser or co-browser feature of each of the other users in the co-browsing session of the content being viewed by the master user and the content being viewed by each of the other users that may be independently navigating or browsing the web site or Internet. An example of an indication that may be provided of the content being viewed by the master user and other users in a co-browsing session will be described with reference to  FIGS. 3A and 3B . For example, a co-browser panel or similar mechanism may be provided on the browser screen or GUI of the user&#39;s display for provided the indication of content being viewed. The screen or GUI on a display of a user&#39;s computing device may be divided to form the co-browser panel and to form another portion on the screen of the display or GUI to allow independent navigation by the user and to provide content currently being viewed by the user. In another aspect, a separate co-browser panel or window may be provided for each of the other users in the co-browsing session that may be independently navigating the web site or Internet. Each user may be allowed to configure the co-browser panel or panels for providing the content being viewed by each of the other users as each user independently browses or navigates the web site or web. 
     In block  120 , each user may be allowed to operate a feature to select to rejoin or join the master user or any user. The browser window of the rejoining or joining user may be updated or synchronized to provide the same content of the master user or other user. The additional content may be provided on a split a screen or by some other arrangement. In block  122 , a user&#39;s browser or co-browser may be synchronized with another user&#39;s browser or window in response to the user operating the feature to select to rejoin or join the master user or other user to view the same content. For example, a user may rejoin the master user or join another user in the co-browsing session by clicking-on the feed or indication of the content being viewed by the master user or other user in the co-browser panel. A link may be activated in the feed from the master user or other user provided on the computing device of the user desiring to rejoin the master user or to join the other user in viewing the same content. A browser or co-browser of the user may be synchronized with the browser or co-browser of the other user in response to clicking-on the feed from the master user or other user or by operating a link to view the same content as the master user or other user. 
     In block  124 , a notification may be sent to other users or participants in the co-browsing session in response to the master user selecting or operating a feature, icon or menu item to checkout or end the co-browser session. The feature, icon or menu item may be selected or operated using a computer pointing device similar to that known in the computing arts. In another aspect of the invention, a notification may be sent to the other users or participants in the co-browsing session in response to any user or participant in the co-browsing session selecting or operating a feature to checkout. 
     In block  126 , an option may be provided to the users to either rejoin the master user to checkout or end the co-browsing session or to continue browsing or co-browsing. For example, the notification sent in block  124  may include a selectable button or other mechanism that may be operated to rejoin the master user and another selectable button or other mechanism to continue browsing. 
     In another aspect of the invention, a user may be joined to another user selecting to checkout in response to the user selecting or operating a feature, icon or menu item to join the user that is checking out. For example, the user may operate or click-on the notification that the other user is checking out in order to be joined with the other user. The notification may include a selectable button or other mechanism that may be operated to join the other user and another selectable button or other mechanism to continue browsing. 
       FIG. 2  is a flowchart of an example of a co-browsing session  200  illustrating integrating a user browsing feed into the co-browsing session in accordance with an embodiment of the present invention. The co-browsing session  200  may include or may be performed by the method  100 . A user A  202  or master user may begin a browsing or a co-browsing session  204 . The co-browsing session  204  may be initiated by user A  202  accessing a shopping web site  206  on a network, such as the Internet, World Wide Web or other network. The user A  202  may access the shopping web site  206  using a computing device, communications device or any other device capable of accessing the shopping web site  206  over a network. An example of a computing device or computer system that may be used to access web sites will be described with reference to  FIG. 4 . 
     User A  202  may invite a user B  208  to join the browsing or co-browsing session in operation  210 . If user B  208  joins the session, both users  202  and  208  can view the web page as is typical in a co-browsing session. An example of screen shots or GUI&#39;s of a master user browser  300  and another user&#39;s browser  302  in a co-browsing session will be described with reference to  FIGS. 3A and 3B . 
     In operation  212 , user A  202  may navigate the web site as the master user. In operation  214 , user A  202  may click-on a link or other feature on the web site  206  to navigate to a particular area of the web site  206 . Referring also to  FIGS. 3A and 3B , user A  202  may click-on “Appliances”  304   a  under the menu “Shop by Department”  306   a  in the shopping web site  308   a  on user A&#39;s browser window  300 . In operation  216 , user B&#39;s feed may be updated that user A  202  has navigated to appliances. Similar to that previously described, an indication may be provided in user B&#39;s browser  302  ( FIG. 3B ) that user A  202  has navigated to a location on the shopping web site  308   b,  in this example, to appliances  304   b.  As illustrated in the example of  FIG. 3B  a co-browsing panel  310   b  in user B&#39;s browser  302  may include a user A feed  312   b  to provide an indication to user B  208  that user A  202  has navigated to an appliances location  304   b  on the web site  308   b  and is likely viewing content related to appliances. If user B  208  is still following user A  202  and has not begun to independently browse or navigate, the content provided by user B&#39;s browser  302  in another portion  314   b  of the screen or GUI of user B&#39;s browser  302  may provide the same content being viewed by user A  202  in a similar portion  314   a  of user A&#39;s browser  300 . A “Follow Me” feature  316   a  or tab or similar feature may be operated by the master user or user A  202  for user B  208  to view the same content as user A  202 , as user A  202  navigates or browses the shopping web site  206  ( FIGS. 2 ) or  308   a  and  308   b  ( FIGS. 3A and 3B  respectively). 
     In operation  218  in  FIG. 2 , user B  208  may navigate to another location on the web site  206 . In the example illustrated in  FIG. 2  user B has navigated to flooring. In operation  220 , user A&#39;s feed is updated to provide an indication that user B has navigated to flooring. In  FIG. 3A , user A&#39;s co-browser panel  310   a  provides a feed  312   a  indicating that user B  208  has navigated to flooring. The content being provided in user B&#39;s main browser portion  314   b  may then present content related to flooring. 
     In operation  222 , in the exemplary co-browsing session illustrated in  FIG. 2 , user A  202  may click-on or navigate to a specific dishwasher. The main browser portion  314   a  of user B&#39;s browser  300  may then present content related to the specific dishwasher. In operation  224  ( FIG. 2 ), User B&#39;s feed  312   b  ( FIG. 3B ) may then provide an indication  318  that user A  202  has navigated to dishwashers and may be viewing content related to dishwashers. 
     In operation  226  ( FIG. 2 ), user B  208  may click-on the feed  318  or activate a link associated with the feed  318  to update user B′ browser  302  with the dishwasher content being viewed by user A  202 . In operation  226  ( FIG. 2 ), the web site content provided in user B&#39;s main browser portion  314   b  may be synchronized with user A&#39;s browser  300  so that user B  208  may view the same content in co-browser portion  314   b  as user A  202  in user A&#39;s co-browser portion  314   a.  In operations  228   a  and  228   b,  both users may view specifications on the dishwasher and other information. 
     The co-browser GUI  300  and  302  illustrated in the example in  FIGS. 3A and 3B  may include a “Grant Control” feature  320   a  and  320   b.  The “Grant Control” feature  320   a  may be operated by the master user  202  to allow user B to independently browse or navigate during a co-browsing session. 
     In accordance with an aspect of the invention, feeds of other users may represented in the co-browser panel  310   a  and  310   b  or feeds of other users may each be provided in a separate co-browser panel  322  as illustrated in  FIG. 3A . Each user may be allowed to configure the co-browser panel or panels for providing the indication of content being viewed by each of the other users in the co-browsing session. 
       FIG. 4  is a block schematic diagram of an example of a system  400  for integrating a user browsing feed into a co-browsing session in accordance with an embodiment of the present invention. The method  100  of  FIGS. 1A and 1B  may be embodied in or performed by the system  400 . The operations and features described with reference  FIGS. 2 and 3A  and  3 B may also be embodied in or performed by the system  400 . The system  400  may include a processing device  402 . The processing device  402  may be a server or similar processing device. The server may host a web site  404 , such as a shopping web site or other web site. The processing device  402  or sever may include a co-browsing module  406 . The co-browsing module  406  may be embodied in or associated with the web site  404 . The co-browsing module  406  may perform some or all of the features and operations described herein with respect to integrating a user browsing feed into a co-browsing session in addition to any other operations that may be associated with providing a co-browsing session. 
     The system  400  may also include a client computer system  408  usable by an operator or user  410 . The client computer system  408  may be any sort of computing device or processing device and may include a communications device such as a mobile or handheld computer or communications device. The method  100  may be embodied in and performed, completely or in part, by the computer system  408  or processing device. The operations and features described with respect to  FIGS. 2 and 3A  and  3 B may also be embodied in and performed, completely or in part, by the computer system  408 . 
     The computer system  408  may include a processor  412  to control operation of the computer system  408  and a file system  414 , memory or similar data storage device. An operating system  416 , applications  418  and other programs may be stored on the file system  414  for running or operating on the processor  412 . A web or Internet browser  420  may also be stored on the file system  414  for accessing the processing device  402  or server via a network  422 . The network  422  may be the Internet, an intranet or other private or proprietary network. 
     A co-browsing module  424  may be embodied in the browser  420  or may a separate module associated with the browser  420 . The method  100  described with reference to  FIGS. 1A and 1B  may be embodied in the module  224 . The features and operations described with reference to  FIGS. 2 and 3A  and  3 B may also be embodied in and performed completely or in part by the co-browser module  424 . The co-browsing module  424  may perform some or all of the features and operations described herein with respect to integrating a user browsing feed into a co-browsing session in addition to any other operations that may be associated with providing a co-browsing session. System  400  may include only co-browser module  406 , only co-browser module  424  or both to perform the operations and provide the features described herein. If both co-browser modules  406  and  424  are provided, the different operations and features described herein may be coordinated between the two modules. 
     The computer system  408  may also include a display  428 , a speaker system  430 , and a microphone  432  for voice communications. The computer system  408  may also include one or more input devices, output devices or combination input/output devices, collectively I/O devices  434 . The I/O devices  434  may include a keyboard or keypad, pointing device, such as a mouse, disk drives and any other devices to permit a user, such as user  410 , to interface with and control operation of the computer system  408 . 
     The flowcharts and block diagrams in the Figures illustrate the architecture, functionality, and operation of possible implementations of systems, methods and computer program products according to various embodiments of the present invention. In this regard, each block in the flowchart or block diagrams may represent a module, segment, or portion of code, which comprises one or more executable instructions for implementing the specified logical function(s). It should also be noted that, in some alternative implementations, the functions noted in the block may occur out of the order noted in the figures. For example, two blocks shown in succession may, in fact, be executed substantially concurrently, or the blocks may sometimes be executed in the reverse order, depending upon the functionality involved. It will also be noted that each block of the block diagrams and/or flowchart illustration, and combinations of blocks in the block diagrams and/or flowchart illustration, can be implemented by special purpose hardware-based systems which perform the specified functions or acts, or combinations of special purpose hardware and computer instructions. 
     The terminology used herein is for the purpose of describing particular embodiments only and is not intended to be limiting of embodiments of the invention. As used herein, the singular forms “a”, “an” and “the” are intended to include the plural forms as well, unless the context clearly indicates otherwise. It will be further understood that the terms “comprises” and/or “comprising,” when used in this specification, specify the presence of stated features, integers, steps, operations, elements, and/or components, but do not preclude the presence or addition of one or more other features, integers, steps, operations, elements, components, and/or groups thereof. 
     The corresponding structures, materials, acts, and equivalents of all means or step plus function elements in the claims below are intended to include any structure, material, or act for performing the function in combination with other claimed elements as specifically claimed. The description of the present invention has been presented for purposes of illustration and description, but is not intended to be exhaustive or limited to embodiments of the invention in the form disclosed. Many modifications and variations will be apparent to those of ordinary skill in the art without departing from the scope and spirit of embodiments of the invention. The embodiment was chosen and described in order to best explain the principles of embodiments of the invention and the practical application, and to enable others of ordinary skill in the art to understand embodiments of the invention for various embodiments with various modifications as are suited to the particular use contemplated. 
     Although specific embodiments have been illustrated and described herein, those of ordinary skill in the art appreciate that any arrangement which is calculated to achieve the same purpose may be substituted for the specific embodiments shown and that embodiments of the invention have other applications in other environments. This application is intended to cover any adaptations or variations of the present invention. The following claims are in no way intended to limit the scope of embodiments of the invention to the specific embodiments described herein.