Browser Synchronization via DOM Event Replication
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Solution Overview
Problem
Traditional web browsers on different devices operate independently, requiring users to manually replicate browsing sessions across devices, which is inconvenient and lacks selective control over synchronized actions.
Innovation Solution
A system and method for synchronizing web browsers across devices by generating synchronization data for DOM events in a synchronization tab, allowing users to selectively replicate actions across registered devices through a synchronization server or direct communication.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Ease of operation
If web browsers on different devices operate independently, then each device maintains its own browsing session and configurations, but users cannot continue browsing sessions across devices and must manually replicate actions
Solution Approach 1:
The patent creates a copy of the browsing session state (DOM events, tab configurations, bookmark data) from a first device and transmits it to a second device. This allows the user to continue the same browsing session on a different device without manually replicating actions, directly resolving the contradiction between ease of operation and time loss.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent introduces a synchronization server as an intermediary that receives browsing session data from one device and distributes it to other devices. This mediator enables seamless cross-device browsing continuity by handling the complex data transmission and synchronization processes, eliminating the need for manual replication.
2Ease of operation
If all browser actions are synchronized across devices, then browsing continuity is improved, but unnecessary actions clutter the user experience on each device
Solution Approach 1:
The patent applies different synchronization qualities to different browser elements. Synchronization tabs and DOM events are synchronized across devices, while non-synchronization tabs remain local to each device. This selective approach ensures that only relevant browsing actions are replicated, preventing clutter from unnecessary synchronized content.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent segments the browsing session into synchronization tabs and non-synchronization tabs. By dividing the browser window into distinct functional segments, the system can synchronize only the necessary portions (synchronization tabs) while leaving others (non-synchronization tabs) device-specific, thus avoiding harmful clutter.
3Productivity
If web browsers synchronize all data across devices, then browsing continuity is achieved, but device complexity and data management overhead increase
Solution Approach 1:
The patent extracts only the essential browsing session data (DOM events from synchronization tabs, tab configurations, bookmark information) needed for continuity, leaving non-essential data on each device. This extraction approach achieves browsing continuity while minimizing the complexity of data management by synchronizing only what is necessary.
Data Source
AI summary
Systems and methods for synchronizing web browsers using synchronization windows are disclosed. A user action performed in a synchronization window, such as a popup window or tab of a web browser, may cause synchronization data to be generated. The synchronization data may be provided to one or more other devices having web browsers and cause the user action to be replicated on the one or more other devices. A synchronization server may be used to coordinate the synchronization process.