Methods and systems for developing an instant messaging network

• US 9,436,728 B1
• Filed: 09/23/2013
• Issued: 09/06/2016
• Est. Priority Date: 09/24/2003
• Status: Active Grant

• Current Assignee: Google LLC (Alphabet Inc.)
• Original Assignee: Google Inc. (Alphabet Inc.)
• Inventors: Harik, Georges, Piscitello, John
• Primary Examiner(s): Maung, Zarni
• Application Number:
  US14/033,641
• Time in Patent Office: 1,079 Days
• Field of Search: 709/203, 709205-207, 709223-229, 709/250
• US Class Current: 1/1
• CPC Class Codes: G06F 16/245 Query processing
• CPC Class Codes: G06Q 10/10 Office automation; Time management
• CPC Class Codes: H04L 51/04 Real-time or near real-time messaging, e.g. instant messaging [IM]
• CPC Class Codes: H04L 51/043 using or handling presence information

Abstract

An instant messaging (IM) system has an IM server connected to a communication network, and logic operable on the IM server enabling a first user to browse contacts associated with a second user. In some cases the first user can add and list contacts accessed by browsing the contacts associated with the second user.

Claims

1. A computer-implemented method comprising:

receiving, from a first computing device associated with a first user of an instant messaging system, search criteria including one or more stored contacts;

automatically searching, by a server of the instant messaging system, for a match between any of the stored contacts and one or more users of the instant messaging system based on data including subscriber information of users of the instant messaging system; and

returning, by the server, an indication of one or more users of the instant messaging system matching the search criteria.

2. The computer-implemented method of claim 1, wherein the search criteria further includes a category of subscriber information.

3. The computer-implemented method of claim 1, further including:

receiving an indication of a second user, the second user being an instant messaging contact of the first user; and

wherein automatically searching the data includes searching subscriber information of users of the instant messaging system that are contacts of the second user.

4. The computer-implemented method of claim 3, wherein

searching subscriber information of contacts of the second user includes searching contacts of the second user being authorized for searching.

5. The computer-implemented method of claim 1, wherein

searching data including subscriber information includes searching a first database of subscriber information;

and

in response to returning an indication of no users matching the search criteria, directing a search query including the search criteria to a different database.

6. The computer-implemented method of claim 1, wherein searching data including subscriber information includes searching subscriber information of contacts of a second user;

and

in response to returning an indication of no users matching the search criteria associated with a first contact of the first user, directing a search query including the search criteria to a second contact of the first user.

7. A non-transitory computer program product comprising a computer readable medium having a plurality of instructions stored thereon, which, when executed by a processor, cause the processor to perform operations comprising:

receiving, from a first user of an instant messaging system, search criteria including one or more stored contacts;

automatically searching, by a server of the instant messaging system, for a match between any of the stored contacts and one or more users of the instant messaging system based on data including subscriber information of users of the instant messaging system; and

returning an indication of one or more users of the instant messaging system matching the search criteria.

8. The non-transitory computer program product of claim 7, wherein the search criteria further includes a category of subscriber information.

9. The non-transitory computer program product of claim 7, further including:

receiving an indication of a second user, the second user being an instant messaging contact of the first user; and

wherein searching the data includes searching subscriber information of contacts of the second user.

10. The non-transitory computer program product of claim 9, wherein searching subscriber information of contacts of the second user includes searching contacts of the second user being authorized for searching.

11. The non-transitory computer program product of claim 7, wherein searching data including subscriber information includes searching a first database of subscriber information;

and

in response to returning an indication of no users matching the search criteria, directing a search query including the search criteria to a different database.

12. The non-transitory computer program product of claim 7, wherein searching data including subscriber information includes searching subscriber information of contacts of a second user;

and

in response to returning an indication of no users matching the search criteria associated with a first contact of the first user, directing a search query including the search criteria to a second contact of the first user.

13. A computing system comprising:

at least one processor device, and at least one memory module coupled with the at least one processor device, the at least one processor device configured for;

receiving, from a first user of an instant messaging system, search criteria including one or more stored contacts;

automatically searching, by a server of the instant messaging system, for a match between any of the stored contacts and one or more users of the instant messaging system based on data including subscriber information of users of the instant messaging system; and

returning an indication of one or more users of the instant messaging system matching the search criteria.

14. The computing system of claim 13, wherein the search criteria further includes a category of subscriber information.

15. The computing system of claim 13, further including:

receiving an indication of a second user, the second user being an instant messaging contact of the first user; and

wherein searching the data includes searching subscriber information of contacts of the second user.

16. The computing system of claim 15, wherein searching subscriber information of contacts of the second user includes searching contacts of the second user being authorized for searching.

17. The computing system of claim 13, wherein searching data including subscriber information includes searching a first database of subscriber information;

and in response to returning an indication of no users matching the search criteria, directing a search query including the search criteria to a different database.

18. The computing system of claim 13, wherein searching data including subscriber information includes searching subscriber information of contacts of a second user;

and

in response to returning an indication of no users matching the search criteria associated with a first contact of the first user, directing a search query including the search criteria to a second contact of the first user.