HK1106592B - Conducting internet search from an instant messenging applicaition - Google Patents

Description

Techniques for inline searching in an instant messaging environment

CROSS-REFERENCE TO RELATED APPLICATIONS

Priority of pending U.S. patent application No.10/827,910 entitled "techiniques forrinine SEARCHING IN AN INSTANT MES SENGER environnment" filed on 19/4/2004, this application is hereby incorporated by reference as if fully set forth herein.

Background

The present invention provides a technique for inline searching in an instant messaging environment, and more particularly, to a technique for inline web searching in an instant messaging environment and inline displaying search results in an instant messaging environment.

The internet provides users with a variety of ways to communicate with other users. For example, Instant Messaging (IM) provides communication between internet users within a closed community. Only registered users may send or receive messages through the instant messaging service. The user is required to log on to the same system (or perhaps the same server) with a previously selected username and password before sending the instant message.

Typically, IM users wish to search the internet to obtain information. For example, an IM user may want to search the internet for information about topics related to a current (active) IM session. Current IM applications do not allow users to link directly to the world wide web to conduct searches, nor do they allow users to easily share search results.

IM users must manually open a separate web browser window to link to a web site of an internet search engine. After typing the search criteria into an internet search web site, IM users manually browse the search results to identify relevant web sites and then link to those web sites. To share search results, a user must copy and paste the URL of a web site into an IM session and send the URL.

Accordingly, there is a need to provide techniques for conducting web searches in an instant messaging environment.

Disclosure of Invention

The present invention provides a technique for inline searching in an instant messaging environment. In particular, a user may conduct a web search inline in an instant messaging window. The user may simply enter a search query in the same manner as typing and sending an instant message. The user may also type a predetermined search trigger (trigger) to identify the text as a search query.

In a preferred embodiment of the present invention, an Instant Messaging (IM) server issues a search request in response to receiving a search query following a predetermined search trigger. In another embodiment of the present invention, an instant messaging client issues a search request. The search request is sent to an internet search server, which processes the search request and generates search results. The search results are sent to the sender and recipient to be displayed inline in the instant message window.

The search results may be displayed in a standard format or a shortcut (shortcut) format. The search results may be in XML format or HTML format. The search results may include graphics and hyperlinks. The following detailed description, taken in conjunction with the accompanying drawings, will provide a better understanding of the nature and advantages of the present invention.

Drawings

1-3 illustrate examples of instant messaging display windows that allow a user to perform inline web searches in accordance with the present invention;

FIG. 4 is a diagram of a system in which inline IM search features of the present invention may be implemented; and

5-7 are flow diagrams that illustrate processes for requesting inline IM searches and displaying inline IM search results according to various embodiments of the present invention.

Detailed Description

FIG. 1 illustrates a window 100 displayed using an Instant Messaging (IM) software application that provides inline search features of the present invention. Display window 100 illustrates an example of how a user in an instant messaging environment may perform inline web searches in accordance with the present invention. The user may send an instant message to a friend by typing the message into area 101 and then selecting send option 102.

Instant messages sent to and received from other users are displayed in the conversation area 110 of the window 100. A user may request that a web search be performed by entering a search trigger and a search query in area 101. The search trigger is a predetermined string that initiates a web search. The IM application recognizes the particular string as a search trigger indicating that the user is attempting to initiate a web search. The search trigger typically precedes the search query.

For example, user Justin enters a search request 106 "s: defineonomatopoeia ". In this example, the character "s: "defines a search trigger. When the user inputs "s: "and the additional characters following it, the IM application recognizes that a search request is in progress. The IM application will "s: "the character after" as a search query.

In one embodiment, the instant message is configured such that the search trigger can only be recognized if it precedes all other characters entered into the area 101 as part of the instant message. For example, the instant message "Did you knock you can search by typing: something? "is not considered a search request because the character" s: "preceded by other characters.

The search trigger may be any string of characters. The character "s: "is merely one example of a search trigger and is not intended to limit the scope of the present invention. Preferably, the search trigger is a string that is infrequently entered by the user during a conventional IM session so that the IM user does not unintentionally enter the search trigger. Furthermore, requiring that the search trigger be the first character in an instant message helps limit situations where a string unintentionally triggers a search request.

In one embodiment of the invention, when a user enters an instant message, the instant message is sent to an IM server. The IM server analyzes the instant message to determine whether the message contains a search trigger. If the message contains a search trigger, the IM server sends the search query to an Internet search server. In another embodiment, the IM client analyzes the sent and received instant messages to determine if the messages contain a search trigger. If the message contains a search trigger, the IM server sends the search query to an Internet search server.

An internet search server searches the internet using a search query and returns a set of search results (e.g., web sites). The search results are returned to the client or IM server in a data format, for example as XML fields. The IM application formats one of the search results and displays the search inline in the conversation area 110 of the IM window. For example, in FIG. 1, the IM application displays the search results 107, which provide a definition of the word onomatopoeia. Search results 107 may be obtained from a dictionary database or an internet web page.

The IM application displays one of the search results identified by the search server. The search results are displayed to the two IM users involved in the IM conversation that occurs in the conversation area 110.

The search request and search results are formatted and displayed inline, as shown in FIG. 1. Inline display of search requests or search results means that search requests or search results are displayed in one row of an instant message window, just like conventional instant messages. Preferably, the inline display of search results should not have a complex format. The search results may be displayed as free-form lines of text and small pictures that can wrap around automatically and fit into any message window of arbitrary width.

For example, the search request 106 is displayed in a row of the conversation area 110 in the same format as other instant messages. Also, the search results 107 are displayed in 4 lines of the area 110 in the same format as the instant message.

The inline search feature of the present invention allows a user to conduct a web search within an instant messaging window without the need to open another web browser window. Moreover, both the sender and the receiver of inline IM search query messages can see the search results, creating a shared collaborative search experience in the IM window. The search request may be entered in the same manner as the instant message is entered. The search request and search results are formatted in the same format as the instant message and displayed inline in the instant message window.

FIG. 2 illustrates a second example of a window 200 displayed using an Instant Messaging (IM) software application that provides inline search features of the present invention. The user Justin types a search request 201 "s" inline in the window 200: weather 95054 ". The character string "s: "is identified as a search trigger.

The search query "weather 95054" is sent to an internet search server. The internet search server returns one or more search results. One of these results is selected, formatted, and displayed inline in window 200. In FIG. 2, search results 202 provide textual weather forecasts for Santa, Clara California.

The search query may be sent to the search server by the IM server or the IM client. The advantage of using a server implementation is that backward compatibility can be more easily achieved and platform independence is more easily achieved. For example, a search may be performed and sent to the mobile device without the client on the mobile device needing to update any content. Also, there are fewer requests to reach the (hit against) search server.

In addition to plain text, inline search results of the present invention can include graphics and HTML. For example, the search results 202 also include a partially cloudy pattern and an HTML hyperlink to a forecast of 5 days of Santa Clara, CA.

Search results in an instant messaging environment may be displayed in a variety of formats. According to one embodiment of the invention, the search results are displayed in a shortcut format. Search results 107 and 202 are examples of search results displayed in a shortcut format. Search results 107 and 202 have special formats, images, and/or hyperlinks. The shortcut format is specific to a particular type of search. For example, search result data such as weather, definitions, stock quotes, etc. may be displayed in a particular manner that is more useful than ordinary search results.

According to another embodiment of the invention, the IM application displays the sponsored search results if any. The sponsored search results are typically the advertiser's web site.

The search server classifies the search results according to their relevance to the search query terms. The first search result is the most relevant hit. The present invention may preferably display sponsored search results. If the search server does not find sponsored search results, the first non-sponsored search result in the sorted list is displayed in the IM window. The sponsored search results are links to web sites of a particular organization. These organizations pay search providers to display their web site links.

FIG. 3 illustrates an example of inline display of sponsored search results. User Justin will search for request 301 "s: mercedes slk "is entered into one row of the IM window 300. In response to the search request 301, the search results 302 are displayed. Search results 302 are sponsored search results obtained from a sponsor's web site. Search results 302 contain hyperlinks to the sponsor's web sites.

Search results 302 also include a hyperlink for "more search results". When the user clicks on the "more search results" link, the IM application opens a web browser to display the entire list of search results. Alternatively, when the user selects "more search results," one or more additional search results may be displayed inline in the conversation region of the IM window 300.

FIG. 4 shows an example of a system implementing an embodiment of the invention. The system includes an Instant Messaging (IM) server 412 and instant messaging clients, such as IM clients 410 and 411. For simplicity, only two IM clients are shown in fig. 4. However, the server 412 may communicate with more IM clients. An IM client launches an IM application to communicate with IM applications on other IM clients through IM server 412. IM server 412 sends instant messages between IM clients.

IM server 412 also communicates with internet searcher 413. Internet search server 413 may include any suitable Internet search technology, such as Google's web search technology. Internet search server 413 performs a search over the internet 414 (e.g., the world wide web) for information related to the search query.

Internet search server 413 identifies one or more search results 415 that match the search query using web search techniques. Internet search server 413 sorts the search results according to their relevance to the search query. The sponsor's web site may be given a higher ranking than the non-sponsor's web site. One or more of the search results are selected and displayed inline to the IM user in the IM window, as shown in fig. 1-3.

FIG. 5 is a flowchart outlining a process for requesting inline IM searches and displaying search results in accordance with an embodiment of the present invention. In step 501, a search request is received from an IM user in an IM environment. The search request includes a search query and typically includes a search trigger. In step 502, the search request is displayed inline in an instant messaging window on the client computer.

In step 503, the search query is sent to the search server. The search server performs a search of the web using the search query and obtains search results. In step 504, one or more of the search results are selected. In step 505, the selected search results are displayed inline in an instant messaging window on the client computer.

FIG. 6 is a flow diagram illustrating another process for requesting inline IM searches and displaying the search results according to another embodiment of the present invention. In step 601, a first user (e.g., Alice) types an inline IM search query into an IM window and sends the search query as a message. In step 602, Alice's IM client application recognizes that the message includes an inline IM search query (e.g., by identifying a search trigger in the message). The IM client then requests a search and sends the search query to the search server. In step 603, Alice's IM client displays Alice's message in the conversation area of the IM window. In step 604, the search server receives the search query, executes the query, and returns search results to the requestor.

In step 605, a second IM client (e.g., Bob's IM client) receives Alice's message. At step 606, the IM client application on Bob's IM client computer recognizes Alice's message as including an inline IM search query. Upon identifying the message as a search query, Bob's IM client requests a search. In step 604, the search server receives and executes the query and then returns search results.

In step 608, Alice's IM client receives the search results from the search server. In step 609, Alice's IM client displays one or more of the inline IM search results in an IM window. In step 610, Bob's IM client receives the search results from the search server. In step 611, Bob's IM client displays one or more of the inline IM search results in an IM window.

FIG. 7 is a flow diagram illustrating another process for requesting inline IM searches and displaying the search results according to another embodiment of the present invention. In step 701, a first user (Alice) types an inline search query into an IM application window and sends the query as a message. In step 702, Alice's IM client application displays the message sent by Alice. In step 703, the IM server identifies the message as an IM inline search query. In step 704, the IM server transmits the message to the recipient IM client.

In step 705, the recipient IM client application receives the message sent from Alice's IM application. Bob is a second user on the recipient IM application. In step 706, Bob's IM client application displays the message received from Alice inline in the IM window.

In step 707, the IM server requests a search and sends the query to the search server. In step 708, the search server receives the search query, performs the search, and returns the search results to the requestor. The IM server receives the search results from the search server.

In step 709, the IM server transmits the search results to both IM clients. In step 710, Alice's IM client receives the search results. In step 711, Alice's IM client displays one or more of the inline IM search results in the IM window. In step 712, Bob's IM client receives the search results. At step 712, Bob's IM client displays one or more of the inline IM search results in an IM window.

Although the invention has been described with respect to specific embodiments, those skilled in the art will appreciate that many modifications are possible. The various components of the instant messaging system may be implemented using hardware components, a programmable device such as a microprocessor executing software instructions, and any combination thereof. As used herein, "instant messaging" is not limited to any particular protocol, format, delivery method, or form factor (form factor) and includes messages delivered according to any protocol that enables communication between authorized users of a closed community. Therefore, while the invention has been described with respect to specific embodiments, it will be understood that the invention is intended to cover all modifications and equivalents falling within the scope of the appended claims.

Claims (17)

1. A method for searching the internet in an instant messaging environment, comprising:

identifying at least a portion of an instant message from a first user to a second user and entered into an instant messaging application on a first client computer as a search query, wherein identifying an instant message entered by the first user as a search query comprises identifying a string of characters in the instant message as a search trigger;

causing the search query to be displayed inline in an instant messaging window on the first client computer and in a second instant messaging window on a second client computer;

causing a web search based on the search query to be performed in response to identifying a search trigger in the instant message, the web search obtaining search results; and

causing at least one of the search results to be displayed inline in the instant message window on the first client computer and in the second instant message window on the second client computer.

2. The method of claim 1, wherein the search results comprise images.

3. The method of claim 1, wherein the search results include hyperlinks to web pages.

4. The method of claim 1, wherein displaying the at least one search result further comprises:

selecting one of the search results obtained in the web search that is most relevant to the search query, and displaying the selected search result.

5. The method of claim 1, wherein displaying the at least one search result further comprises:

links to the sponsor's web site are selected from search results obtained in the web search and the selected search results are displayed.

6. A computer system configured to search the internet in an instant messaging environment, the computer system comprising:

an instant messaging server to:

receiving an instant message from a first instant messaging client to a second instant messaging client, wherein the instant message comprises a search query;

identifying that the instant message includes a search query by identifying a search trigger in the instant message;

transmitting the received search query from the first instant messaging client to the second instant messaging client for display inline in a second instant messaging window on the second instant messaging client; and

causing a search based on the search query to be performed in response to identifying a search trigger in the instant message, the search returning search results, wherein at least one of the search results is sent to the first instant messaging client to be displayed inline in the first instant messaging window and sent to the second instant messaging client to be displayed inline in the second instant messaging window.

7. The computer system of claim 6, wherein the instant messaging server selects a sponsor's web site from the search results and sends the selected search results to the first and second client computers.

8. The computer system of claim 6, wherein the at least one search result comprises an image.

9. The computer system of claim 6, wherein the at least one search result comprises a hyperlink.

10. The computer system of claim 6, wherein the instant messaging server receives the search query from the first instant messaging client, sends the search query to a search server, and transmits the at least one search result to the first and second instant messaging clients.

11. The computer system of claim 6, wherein the first instant messaging client sends the search query to a search server and receives the at least one search result directly from the search server.

12. The computer system of claim 6, wherein the second instant messaging client sends the search query to a search server and receives the at least one search result directly from the search server.

13. An apparatus for performing a web search in an instant messaging environment, the apparatus comprising:

means for identifying that an instant message input by a first user into a first instant messaging application on a first client computer includes a search query, the instant message being destined for a second user on a second client computer, wherein identifying that the instant message input by the first user includes a search query comprises identifying a character string in the instant message as a search trigger;

means for displaying the search query inline in a first instant messaging window on the first client computer and in a second instant messaging window on the second client computer;

means for sending the search query to a search server in response to identifying the search trigger, wherein the search server performs a web search based on the search query and returns search results; and

means for inline displaying one or more of the search results in the first instant messaging window on the first client computer and in the second instant messaging window on the second client computer.

14. The apparatus of claim 13, wherein the means for sending the search query to the search server further comprises means for causing an instant messaging server to receive the search query and send the search query to the search server.

15. The apparatus of claim 13, wherein the means for sending the search query to the search server further comprises means for sending the search query to the search server on the first client computer.

16. The apparatus of claim 13, further comprising:

means for selecting a sponsor's web site from the search results, wherein the sponsor's web site is displayed inline in the first instant message window.

17. An apparatus for facilitating a search in an instant messaging environment, the apparatus comprising:

means for identifying a search query in an instant message from a first user of a first instant messaging client to a second user of a second instant messaging client, wherein the means for identifying a search query in an instant message is based on a search trigger in the instant message;

means for causing a search based on the search query to be performed in response to identifying the search trigger, the search producing at least one search result; and

means for causing at least one of the search results to be displayed inline in a first window of the first instant messaging client and in a second window of the second instant messaging client.