TECHNIQUE FOR INLINE SEARCHING IN AN INSTANT MESSENGER ENVIRONMENT
First Claim
1. A method for searching the Internet in an instant messaging environment, the method comprising:
- recognizing at least a portion of an instant message entered into an instant messaging window on a first client computer as a search query, wherein the search query is communicated to a second client computer for display inline in an instant messaging window on the second client computer; and
causing display of at least one search result inline in the instant messaging window on the first client computer and inline in the instant messaging window on the second client computer, the at least one search result from a search based on the search query.
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Accused Products
Abstract
Techniques for performing inline searches in an instant messaging environment are provided. A user can implement a web search in an instant messaging window by entering a search query. A search query can be preceded by a predefined search trigger to identify the associated text as the search query. The search query is sent to an Internet search server, which processes the query and gathers search results. One or more of the search results is displayed inline in the instant messaging window to the sender and the recipient. The search result can be in XML or HTML format and can include graphics and hyperlinks.
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Citations
26 Claims
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1. A method for searching the Internet in an instant messaging environment, the method comprising:
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recognizing at least a portion of an instant message entered into an instant messaging window on a first client computer as a search query, wherein the search query is communicated to a second client computer for display inline in an instant messaging window on the second client computer; and causing display of at least one search result inline in the instant messaging window on the first client computer and inline in the instant messaging window on the second client computer, the at least one search result from a search based on the search query. - View Dependent Claims (2, 3, 4, 5, 6, 7)
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8. A computer system for searching the Internet in an instant messaging environment, the computer system comprising:
an instant messaging (IM) server operable for; receiving an instant message from a first instant messaging (IM) client, wherein the instant message includes an inline search query entered into a first instant messaging window; communicating the search query received from the first IM client to a second IM client for display inline in a second instant messaging window on the second IM client, and causing a search based on the search query, the search returning search results, wherein at least one of the search results is communicated to the first IM client for display inline in the first instant messaging window and to the second IM client for display inline in the second instant messaging window. - View Dependent Claims (9, 10, 11, 12, 13, 14, 15)
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16. A computer-readable medium encoded with instructions for causing web searches in an instant messaging environment, the instructions comprising:
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code for recognizing that an instant message entered by a first user into a first instant messaging window on a first client computer includes a search query; code for causing communication of the search query to a second client computer for display of the search query inline in a second instant messaging window on the second client; and code for causing the display of at least one search result inline in the first instant messaging window on the first client computer and inline in the second instant messaging window on the second client, the at least one search result based on the recognized search query. - View Dependent Claims (17, 18, 19)
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20. Apparatus for facilitating searching in an instant messaging environment, the apparatus comprising:
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logic for identifying a search query from a first instant messaging (IM) client, the search query entered inline in an instant message conversion with a second user of a second instant messaging (IM) client; and logic for causing display of at least one search result inline in a first window of the first IM client and inline in a second window of a second IM client, the at least one search result from a search based on the search query. - View Dependent Claims (21, 22, 23, 24, 25, 26)
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Specification