Patent · US Active

Integration of instant messaging with internet searching

US8001102B2 · kind B2 · utility

7Cited by
2References
20Claims
0Family size

Assignee

Inventors

Key dates

Filing dateJul 2, 2008
Grant dateAug 16, 2011
Priority date
Expiry dateNov 9, 2029

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 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.