Data sharing

Abstract

A technique for sharing data is disclosed. The technique comprises performing a search in a first application to obtain a first search result, transferring search data associated with the search to a second application, and providing, in the second application, a second search result based on the search data.

1 . A method of performing a search, said method comprising: 
 receiving user input that specifies: 
 a) a search context; and  
 b) a search query;  
   based on the search context, selecting which server of a plurality of available servers to send the search query to; and    sending the search query to the selected server.    
   
   
       2 . The method of  claim 1 , 
 further comprising presenting an instant messaging user interface; and    wherein the step of receiving user input includes receiving the user input through controls on said user interface.    
   
   
       3 . The method of  claim 2 , further comprising: 
 receiving search results for the search query; and    presenting the search results in the instant messaging user interface.    
   
   
       4 . The method of  claim 3 , further comprising: 
 presenting a control in the instant messaging user interface, wherein the instant messaging user interface is on a first client; and wherein the control, which when selected, shares the search results with an instant messaging user interface on a second client.    
   
   
       5 . The method of  claim 2 , further comprising displaying a user conversation in a user conversation area of the instant messaging user interface.  
   
   
       6 . The method of  claim 3 , 
 in response to a selection of one of the search results, sending a message to the selected server indicating which of the search results was selected.    
   
   
       7 . The method of  claim 6 , wherein the message further indicates that the selected search result is to be put into a shopping cart.  
   
   
       8 . The method of  claim 1 , wherein the search context relates to shopping.  
   
   
       9 . The method of  claim 1 , wherein the search context relates to auctions.  
   
   
       10 . The method of  claim 1 , wherein the search context relates to stocks.  
   
   
       11 . A method comprising: 
 presenting an instant messaging user interface comprising a plurality of controls for selecting different search contexts;    receiving, in the user interface, a selection of a particular context;    receiving a search query in the user interface;    based on the particular context, selecting a server of a plurality of available servers to send the search query to;    sending the search query to the selected server;    receiving a search result from the selected server; and    presenting the search result in the instant messaging user interface.    
   
   
       12 . The method of  claim 11 , further comprising presenting a control in the instant messaging user interface, wherein the instant messaging user interface is on a first client; and wherein the control, which when selected, shares the search results with an instant messaging user interface on a second client.  
   
   
       13 . The method of  claim 11 , further comprising presenting a control in the instant messaging user interface, wherein the instant messaging user interface is on a first client; and wherein the control, which when selected, shares the search query with an instant messaging user interface on a second client.  
   
   
       14 . The method of  claim 13 , wherein the second client is able to obtain a search result based on the search query that is approximately the same as the search result presented in the instant messaging user interface at the first client.  
   
   
       15 . The method of  claim 14 , further comprising sending the particular context from the first client to the second client to allow the second client to obtain approximately the same search result based on the search query and the particular context.