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US 9,436,728 B1Granted
Methods and systems for developing an instant messaging network
AssigneeGoogle Inc.
InventorsGeorges Harik, John Piscitello
Life of this patent
Estimating the term…
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.
Claims18
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.
1 more element
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.
1 more element
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.
2 more elements
Dependencies are inferred from the claim text.