Searching based on messages

US7730081B2 · kind B2 · utility

Assignee

• Microsoft Corporation · US

Inventors

• Kristin Bromm · Mountain View, US
• Denise Hui · San Mateo, US
• Joshua T. Goodman · Redmond, US
• Omar H. Shahine · Menlo Park, US
• Ethan Nelson Ray · Lynnwood, US
• Matthew S. Carr · Seattle, US
• Thomas Leung · Seattle, US
• Wende Copfer · Woodinville, US
• Aly Valli · Seattle, US
• Ewa Dominowska · Kirkland, US
• Ying Li · Reston, US
• Chun Yu Wong · Cupertino, US
• Paul R. Weber · Seattle, US

Key dates

• Filing date: Oct 18, 2005
• Grant date: Jun 1, 2010
• Expiry date: Jul 19, 2027

Classification

• Technology area (CPC G): Physics
• CPC primary: G06F16/3334
• WIPO field: Computer technology
• WIPO sector: Electrical engineering

Abstract

While interacting with a messaging interface, keywords or other search criteria are automatically identified and used to perform a search. Search results and sponsored links (or advertisements) are displayed to the user within the messaging interface. To alleviate privacy concerns, this process will not be performed unless the user has explicitly opted-in to the search feature. In another embodiment, the user can highlight keywords in an outbound or inbound message to trigger a search without leaving the messaging interface. In another embodiment, the user can input a search keyword or phrase to trigger a search without leaving the messaging interface.