Communication-Powered Search

Abstract

A communication-powered searching system provides real-time personalized search assistance to a user by integrating search functionality with real-time communication. Upon submitting a query and receiving search results from the communication-powered searching system, the user may select a communication link included in the search results to activate communication with an entity associated with the communication link. The communication-powered searching system may then refine search results displayed to the user based on information exchanged between the user and the entity. The refinements may be made in real time or substantially in real time.

1 - 20 . (canceled) 
     
     
         21 . A method comprising:
 receiving, by a server, information exchanged between a first device and a second device;   analyzing, by the server, the information exchanged between the first device and the second device;   retrieving, by the server, search results that are based at least in part on analyzing of the information; and   sending, by the server, the search results to the first device.   
     
     
         22 . The method as recited in  claim 21 , wherein receiving the information comprises receiving, by the server, the information from one or more communications exchanged between the first device and the second device. 
     
     
         23 . The method as recited in  claim 22 , wherein a communication of the one or more communications includes an instant messaging communication, a video communication, an audio communication, or an email communication. 
     
     
         24 . The method as recited in  claim 21 , wherein receiving the information comprises receiving, by the server, the information from a chat room that the first device and the second device use to exchange messages. 
     
     
         25 . The method as recited in  claim 21 , wherein analyzing the information comprises determining a context associated with the information exchanged between the first device and the second device, and wherein the search results are based at least in part on the context. 
     
     
         26 . The method as recited in  claim 21 , wherein analyzing the information comprises extracting one or more words from the information exchanged between the first device and the second device, and wherein the search results are based at least in part on the one or more words. 
     
     
         27 . The method as recited in  claim 21 , further comprising establishing, by the server, a communication channel between the first device and the second device, and wherein the information is exchanged between the first device and the second device through the communication channel. 
     
     
         28 . A server, comprising:
 one or more processors; and   one or more computer-readable storage media storing executable instructions that, when executed by the one or more processors, cause the server to perform acts comprising:
 obtaining one or more communications that are exchanged between a first device and a second device; 
 analyzing information included in the one or more communications between the first device and the second device; 
 sending, to the first device, search results that are based at least in part on analyzing the information. 
   
     
     
         29 . The server as  claim 28  recites, the acts further comprising retrieving, based at least in part on analyzing the information, the search results. 
     
     
         30 . The server as  claim 28  recites, wherein a communication of the one or more communications includes an instant messaging communication, a video communication, an audio communication, or an email communication. 
     
     
         31 . The server as  claim 28  recites, wherein the obtaining the one or more communications comprises receiving the one or more communications from a chat room that the first device and the second device use to exchange the one or more communications. 
     
     
         32 . The server as  claim 28  recites, wherein the analyzing the information comprises determining a context associated with the information, and wherein the search results are based at least in part on the context. 
     
     
         33 . The server as  claim 28  recites, wherein the analyzing the information comprises extracting one or more words from the information, and wherein the search results are based at least in part on the one or more words. 
     
     
         34 . The server as  claim 28  recites, the acts further comprising establishing a communication channel between the first device and the second device, and wherein the one or more communications are obtained via the communication channel. 
     
     
         35 . An electronic device comprising:
 one or more processors;   a display communicatively coupled to the one or more processors; and   one or more computer-readable storage media storing executable instructions that, when executed by the one or more processors, cause the electronic device to perform acts comprising:
 exchanging information with another electronic device; 
 based at least in part on exchanging the information, receiving, from a server, search results that are related to the information exchanged with other electronic device; and 
 causing presentation of the search results via the display. 
   
     
     
         36 . The device as recited in  claim 35 , wherein exchanging the information comprises exchanging the information using one or more substantially real-time communications, the one or more real-time communications including at least one of an instance messaging communication, a video communication, or an audio communication. 
     
     
         37 . The device as recited in  claim 35 , wherein exchanging the information comprises exchanging the information using one or more email communications. 
     
     
         38 . The device as recited in  claim 35 , the acts further comprising joining a chat room that includes the electronic device, and wherein exchanging the information comprises exchanging one or more messages via the chat room. 
     
     
         39 . The device as recited in  claim 35 , the acts further comprising:
 receiving, from the server, a communication link for activing a communication with the electronic device;   receiving a selection of a communication link; and   enabling the communication with the electronic device through a communication channel.   
     
     
         40 . The device as recited in  claim 39 , wherein exchanging the information comprises exchanging the information with the electronic device through the communication channel.