Server-Side Browsing Session Synchronization Across Devices
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Solution Overview
Problem
Users face inconvenience when trying to continue a browsing session on a different electronic device without access to their previous search history and interactions, as existing technologies do not effectively synchronize search session data across devices.
Innovation Solution
A method and system for synchronizing a first browsing session with a second browsing session on a different device, where a server receives a request to display the second session, including server-side history of user interactions from the first session, allowing seamless continuation of browsing sessions across devices for subscribers.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Adaptability or versatility
If search session data is stored locally on each electronic device, then device complexity is reduced and data access is faster, but the user cannot continue browsing sessions on different devices without access to previous search history
Solution Approach 1:
The patent introduces a server as an intermediary component that receives search session data from a first electronic device and transmits it to a second electronic device. This server-based mediator enables cross-device browsing continuity without requiring direct peer-to-peer communication or complex client-side synchronization logic, thus resolving the contradiction between adaptability and device complexity.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent transitions from local storage (single-device dimension) to cloud-based server storage (network dimension). By moving search session data to a remote server accessible via communication network, the system enables access from multiple electronic devices without increasing local device complexity, as the server handles data management centrally.
2Ease of operation
If search session data is synchronized across multiple devices, then user flexibility and convenience are improved, but data transmission time and network dependency increase
Solution Approach 1:
The patent performs preliminary action by storing search session data on the server during the first browsing session before the user switches devices. When the user initiates a second browsing session on a different device, the data is already available on the server, eliminating the need for real-time synchronization during device switching and reducing perceived wait time.
Solution Approach 2:
The server creates a copy of the search session data that can be accessed by multiple electronic devices simultaneously. This copying mechanism allows the data to be transmitted to the second device without affecting the original data on the first device, enabling fast access while minimizing transmission impact on ongoing browsing operations.
3Measurement precision
If the system stores and transmits complete browsing history, then search result relevance is improved, but data transmission volume and processing requirements increase
Solution Approach 1:
The patent extracts only the essential search session data (queries, results, user interactions) from the complete browsing history and stores it on the server. This extracted data is sufficient for generating relevant search results on the second device without requiring transmission of entire browsing histories, thus reducing data volume while maintaining search relevance.
Solution Approach 2:
The server processes and stores only the necessary portions of browsing data locally (in its database) rather than transmitting all data to every device. This allows the system to maintain high search result relevance by processing data centrally while reducing the quantity of data transmitted to individual electronic devices.
Data Source
AI summary
There is provided a method of synchronizing a first browsing session and a second browsing session for a user, the first browsing session having been executed on a first electronic device. The method comprises receiving, by a server via a communication network, a request for the second browsing session from one of the first electronic device and a second electronic device at a point of time after initiation of the first browsing session; responsive to the user being a subscriber of a synchronization feature, causing by the server via the communication network the second browsing session to be displayed on the one of the first electronic device and the second electronic device, the second browsing session including a server-side history associated with user interactions within the first browsing session performed prior to said receiving.