Browser State Transfer Across Devices Using Scroll Position Heuristics

Resolve Bottlenecks,
Find Innovative SolutionsGenerate Solutions

Solution Overview

Problem

Conventional systems that transfer web browser state information between devices lose scroll position, session information, and form data, leading to an incomplete browsing experience due to differences in screen sizes and web content layouts between devices.

Innovation Solution

A method and apparatus that transfer browser state information, including the URL, scroll position of context text closest to the top-left corner of the viewing rectangle, session information using cookies, and form data, using a heuristic approach to restore the browser state accurately across different devices and screen sizes.

Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles

VSEngineering Contradiction Analysis

1Loss of information

If only URL is transferred between devices, then the transfer is simple and fast, but scroll position, session information, and form data are lost

Engineering Contradiction:

Improvebrowser state informationVSAvoidinformation transfer complexity

Core Design Contradiction:

Loss of informationVSDevice complexity

Solution Approach 1:

The patent segments browser state information into distinct components: scroll position data, session information (cookies), and form data. Each component is independently captured and transferred, allowing comprehensive state restoration without requiring transfer of the entire browser state, thus balancing completeness with efficiency.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #1Segmentation

Solution Approach 2:

The system performs preliminary identification and capture of browser state information before the actual transfer. The browser detects the transfer event, pre-extracts relevant state data (scroll positions, session cookies, form inputs), and prepares this information for transmission, ensuring no critical data is lost during the transition.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #10Preliminary action

2Measurement precision

If scroll position information is transferred accurately, then the browsing experience is seamless, but the system must handle different screen sizes and layouts

Engineering Contradiction:

Improvescroll position accuracyVSAvoidcross-device compatibility

Core Design Contradiction:

Measurement precisionVSAdaptability or versatility

Solution Approach 1:

The patent applies local quality by identifying specific elements (text nodes, images) within the viewport and capturing their positions relative to the document structure. This element-based approach allows accurate scroll position restoration on different devices, as the system focuses on preserving the position of specific content elements rather than relying on absolute coordinates that would be device-dependent.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #3Local quality

Solution Approach 2:

The system transforms scroll position from absolute pixel coordinates (device-specific dimension) to relative positions within the document structure (content-independent dimension). By expressing scroll position in terms of element offsets and document fragment positions, the system achieves cross-device compatibility while maintaining precision.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #17Another dimension (Dimensionality change)

3Reliability

If session information and form data are preserved, then the user experience is maintained, but more data must be transferred and processed

Engineering Contradiction:

Improvesession continuityVSAvoiddata transfer volume

Core Design Contradiction:

ReliabilityVSQuantity of substance

Solution Approach 1:

The patent extracts only the necessary session information and form data from the complete browser state. Instead of transferring everything, the system selectively captures cookies, authentication tokens, and form input values that are essential for maintaining session continuity, thereby reducing data transfer volume while preserving reliability.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #2Taking out (Extraction)

Solution Approach 2:

The system discards redundant or unnecessary browser state information that does not contribute to session continuity, while recovering and preserving only the critical data elements (session cookies, form data) needed for maintaining user experience across devices.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #34Discarding and recovering

4Ease of operation

If the system transfers comprehensive browser state information, then the browsing experience is seamless, but the transfer time and processing overhead increase

Engineering Contradiction:

Improvebrowsing experience continuityVSAvoidtransfer time

Core Design Contradiction:

Ease of operationVSLoss of time

Solution Approach 1:

The patent applies partial action by transferring only the essential browser state information needed for seamless continuation (scroll positions of visible elements, session cookies, form data), rather than attempting to transfer the complete browser state. This selective transfer approach maintains ease of operation while minimizing transfer time.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #16Partial or excessive action

Data Source

PatentUS10447758B2System and method for sharing web browser state information between user devices

Publication Date: 2019.10.15 SAMSUNG ELECTRONICS CO LTD

AI summary

A user device comprising: i) a memory configured to store a browser application; and ii) a processor configured to execute the browser application, identify browser state information, and transfer the browser state information to a second user device. The browser state information comprises: a) a URL of a current webpage; and b) scroll position information associated with a current viewing rectangle in the current webpage, wherein the scroll position information comprises a scroll position of context text closest to a top-left corner of the current viewing rectangle. The scroll position information further comprises a scroll position of an image element closest to a top-left corner of the current viewing rectangle.