Proximity-Initiated Co-Browsing via Central Proxy Server
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Solution Overview
Problem
Current methods for sharing web pages between handheld devices are either insecure, time-consuming, or inconvenient, particularly when multiple pages need to be shared, as they often expose sensitive content and complicate the establishment of screen sharing sessions.
Innovation Solution
A system that detects proximity events between devices to initiate co-browsing sessions, using a central proxy server to connect local browsers and manage updates, ensuring secure and efficient sharing of web pages while maintaining user authorization and allowing background application updates.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Ease of operation
If the device is handed to another person to share the web page, then the other person can view the web page, but security concerns arise because the other person could gain access to other sensitive data and applications on the device
Solution Approach 1:
The patent introduces a co-browsing session as an intermediary mechanism that allows two devices to view the same web page content without direct device access. The session creates a shared viewing experience where Device B can see what Device A displays through a coordinated browsing session, eliminating the need to physically hand over the device while maintaining security boundaries.
2Ease of operation
If a link to the web page is sent to another person, then the web page can be shared, but the process is time-consuming and inconvenient when multiple pages need to be shared
Solution Approach 1:
The co-browsing session enables continuous sharing of multiple web pages without interrupting the browsing flow. Once the session is established, users can navigate through multiple pages sequentially or simultaneously, and the other participant receives updates in real-time, eliminating the repetitive process of sending individual links for each page.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent merges multiple web page viewing actions into a single coordinated session. Instead of treating each page share as a separate operation requiring individual link transmission, the system combines multiple pages into one continuous co-browsing experience where all participants view pages together in real-time.
3Ease of operation
If conventional screen sharing solutions are used to display output of one device on another device, then web pages can be shared, but the establishment of the session is complicated and time-consuming
Solution Approach 1:
The system performs preliminary actions by pre-establishing communication channels and session frameworks before actual browsing begins. The proximity detection and automatic session initialization prepare the sharing environment in advance, so when users want to share a page, the technical infrastructure is already in place, reducing the perceived complexity.
Solution Approach 2:
The co-browsing session utilizes the device's existing browsing capabilities and operating system features to perform the sharing function. Rather than requiring a complex external screen sharing system, the patent makes the browser itself serve the sharing function by coordinating with the other device, leveraging already-available resources to simplify the process.
4Ease of operation
If the person sharing the display output switches to a view having sensitive content, then they can access personal information, but that content may also be displayed on the other person's device, raising security concerns
Solution Approach 1:
The patent applies local quality by differentiating between content types and applying different sharing rules. The co-browsing session is designed to share only web browsing content through controlled updates, while other device content (emails, messages, personal data) remains localized to the originating device and is not transmitted to the other participant, creating security boundaries around different content types.
Data Source
AI summary
Methods and systems of conducting co-browsing sessions may provide for detecting a proximity event between a first device and a second device, and initiating a co-browsing session between the first device and the second device based on the proximity event. In one example, the proximity event is a physical bump between the first and second devices.