Method and apparatus for pushing applications to a website visitor during co-browsing
Inventors
Michaeli, Daniel • Dipietro, Justin • Paniagua, Carlos • Rodas, David
Assignees
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Publication Number
US-8769119-B2
Publication Date
2014-07-01
Expiration Date
Abstract
Apparatuses, computer readable mediums, and methods for pushing applications to a website visitor during co-browsing are disclosed. The method may include initiating a co-browsing session between an operator and a visitor. The method may include selecting an application to push to the visitor. The method may include configuring the application, and pushing the application to the visitor. The method may include co-browsing the application with the visitor. The configuring may include configuring the application by selecting content from webservers over the Internet. The content from the webservers may be received through a content provider layer.
Core Innovation
The invention relates to methods and apparatus for co-browsing-assisted application pushing to a website visitor during a co-browsing session between an operator and a visitor. The workflow includes initiating the co-browsing session, selecting an application to push to the visitor, configuring the application, pushing the application to the visitor, and co-browsing the application with the visitor. The operator is able to co-browse the application while the visitor participates in the co-browsing session with the application.
The invention further provides selection to edit the application, where the operator edits the application during an editing of the application by the operator and the visitor cannot see changes made to the application during the editing. After the operator ends the editing of the application, edits are sent to the visitor, so the visitor receives the changes after the editing is ended. This supports an operator-controlled editing experience in the co-browsing session.
In addition, the invention describes app lifecycle states and collaboration/program apps associated with the application pushing and co-browsing. The lifecycle includes configure, pushed, held, allocating, silent edit, and setting. A hold button places the application in a hold state and returns the visitor and operator to a previous co-browsing session, followed by pushing the application to the visitor and co-browsing it again.
Claims Coverage
The independent claim is directed to a method for pushing a selected, configured application to a website visitor during co-browsing with operator-controlled editing visibility. The inventive features across the independent claim focus on initiating and managing a co-browsing session, pushing and co-browsing an application, operator editing with visitor-hidden changes, and ending editing by sending edits back to the visitor.
Operator–visitor co-browsing application pushing workflow
Initiating a co-browsing session between an operator and a visitor, selecting an application to push to the visitor, configuring the application, pushing the application to the visitor, and co-browsing the application with the visitor.
Silent edit with visitor cannot see changes during operator editing
Selecting to edit the application; editing the application so that the visitor cannot see changes made to the application during the editing of the application by the operator; ending the editing of the application.
Send edits to visitor after operator ends editing
Sending the edits to the visitor after the editing of the application is ended.
Operator-controlled application availability to the visitor
Making the application only available to the website visitor by an operator of the website pushing the application to the website visitor.
Configuring the application by selecting content from webservers over the Internet
Configuring the application by selecting content from webservers over an Internet.
Receiving configuration content through a content provider layer
Receiving content from web servers through a content provider layer.
Interactive functionality assisting a sale to the visitor
Providing interactive functionality to the visitor for assisting in a sale to the visitor.
Hold-button control to return to a previous co-browsing session and re-push
Selecting a hold button to place the application in a hold state and return the visitor and operator to a previous co-browsing session, then pushing the application to the visitor and co-browsing it.
Overall, the claim coverage centers on pushing a configured application into a co-browsing session, enabling operator editing while preventing the visitor from seeing changes during silent editing, and then sending edits to the visitor. Dependent claim features further constrain operator-controlled availability, configuration content sourcing via webservers and a content provider layer, specific interactive functionality for assisting sales, and a hold-button mechanism that returns participants to a previous co-browsing session before re-pushing.
Stated Advantages
Visitor cannot see changes that are made to the application during the editing of the application by the operator.
Documented Applications
Co-browsing-assisted application pushing during an operator–visitor co-browsing session on a website.
Program/collaborative applications provisioned for co-browsing, including a whiteboard app, calculator app, and furniture builder app (as described in the document summary).
Visitor functionality including uploading a photograph, recording the co-browsing session, and inviting a friend (as described in the document summary).
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