Integration of instant messaging with internet searching
US7409384B2 · kind B2 · utility
Assignee
Inventors
Key dates
| Filing date | Apr 19, 2004 |
| Grant date | Aug 5, 2008 |
| Priority date | — |
| Expiry date | Mar 9, 2026 |
Classification
- Technology area (CPC Y)Emerging Cross-Sectional Technologies
- CPC primaryY10S707/99945
- WIPO fieldComputer technology
- WIPO sectorElectrical engineering
Abstract
Techniques for integrating instant messaging with Internet search features are provided. An instant messaging (IM) application allows users to launch a search of the Internet or the World Wide Web for information about another IM user or another topic. If an IM user wishes to locate information relating to a friend, a search is performed through a database of registered IM members to locate a user profile for the friend. If the friend's profile is found, the profile is displayed to the IM user. An IM application can also launch a Internet search for information relating to a topic or a friend. The IM application can link to an Internet search engine to search the Internet for web sites relating to the topic or person. Search results from an Internet search can be sorted based on information about a friend that is stored in the friend's user profile.
Source: USPTO / EPO open patent data. Objective bibliographic and citation counts.