Patent ID: 7730081

Claim:
A machine implemented method for providing search capability, comprising: providing a messaging user interface, said messaging user interface provides interaction with messages, said messaging user interface including a review pane and a search pane separate from the review pane, the search pane can be opened and closed; providing a user with an option to consent to automatic searching while using said messaging user interface, said automatic searching is based on search criteria determined from one or more messages currently presented in the review pane; presenting a first message of the messages in the review pane; determining whether said search pane is open while said first message is being presented and whether said user has consented to said automatic searching; automatically determining search criteria based on said first message while said first message is being presented in said review pane if said search pane is open and if said user consents to automatic searching, said automatically determining search criteria is performed without said user submitting a request that specifies search criteria; causing a search based on said search criteria if, and only if, said search pane is open and said user has consented to automatic searching; and providing results from said search in said search pane while presenting said first message in said review pane if, and only if, said search pane is open and said user has consented to automatic searching.