Alphanumeric Search Indexing for Handheld Devices

Solution Overview

Problem

Hand-held devices face challenges in efficiently searching and retrieving alphanumeric data due to the ambiguity of using the same keys for both letters and numbers, leading to increased processing time and power consumption.

Innovation Solution

Implementing an indexing system that maps alphanumeric characters to numeric values, allowing for efficient storage and retrieval by converting alphanumeric inputs to numeric index values, which can be used to quickly match and display relevant data entries.

Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles

VSEngineering Contradiction Analysis

1Adaptability or versatility

If alphanumeric data is stored and searched using the same keypad for both letters and numbers, then the device can be used for multiple purposes, but the search processing time increases and power consumption increases

Engineering Contradiction:

Improvedevice functionalityVSAvoidsearch processing time

Core Design Contradiction:

Adaptability or versatilityVSLoss of time

Solution Approach 1:

The patent segments the search process into two distinct phases: a fast numeric index search phase that quickly identifies candidate entries, followed by a verification phase that checks the full alphanumeric data. This segmentation allows the system to use the simple numeric keypad input for rapid initial filtering without having to process the complete alphanumeric comparison for every possible entry.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #1Segmentation

Solution Approach 2:

The patent performs preliminary action by pre-computing and storing numeric index values for all alphanumeric entries in the database during data entry or indexing operations. These numeric indexes are calculated in advance based on the alphanumeric content, allowing the search function to quickly retrieve candidates using only numeric comparison before verifying the actual alphanumeric match.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #10Preliminary action

2Adaptability or versatility

If alphanumeric data is stored and searched using the same keypad for both letters and numbers, then the device can be used for multiple purposes, but the battery power consumption increases

Engineering Contradiction:

Improvedevice functionalityVSAvoidbattery power consumption

Core Design Contradiction:

Adaptability or versatilityVSUse of energy by moving object

Solution Approach 1:

The patent segments the search process into two distinct phases: a fast numeric index search phase that quickly identifies candidate entries, followed by a verification phase that checks the full alphanumeric data. This segmentation allows the system to use the simple numeric keypad input for rapid initial filtering without having to process the complete alphanumeric comparison for every possible entry.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #1Segmentation

Solution Approach 2:

The patent performs preliminary action by pre-computing and storing numeric index values for all alphanumeric entries in the database during data entry or indexing operations. These numeric indexes are calculated in advance based on the alphanumeric content, allowing the search function to quickly retrieve candidates using only numeric comparison before verifying the actual alphanumeric match.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #10Preliminary action

3Device complexity

If the same input device is used for both numeric and alphabetic data entry, then the device complexity is reduced, but the difficulty of detecting and measuring user intent increases

Engineering Contradiction:

Improveinput device structureVSAvoiduser intent detection

Core Design Contradiction:

Device complexityVSDifficulty of detecting and measuring

Solution Approach 1:

The patent performs preliminary action by pre-computing and storing numeric index values for all alphanumeric entries in the database during data entry or indexing operations. These numeric indexes are calculated in advance based on the alphanumeric content, allowing the search function to quickly retrieve candidates using only numeric comparison before verifying the actual alphanumeric match.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #10Preliminary action

Solution Approach 2:

The patent introduces numeric indexes as an intermediary layer between the simple numeric keypad input and the complex alphanumeric database storage. This intermediary numeric representation serves as a bridge that allows the system to use simple numeric comparisons for initial filtering while maintaining the ability to access and verify the full alphanumeric data when needed.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #24Intermediary (Mediator)

Data Source

PatentUS10437887B1Determining intent of text entry

Publication Date: 2019.10.08 GOOGLE LLC

AI summary

Methods and systems for identifying information based on matching information to a query based on an index value are disclosed. In one aspect, a method for identifying information entered by a user includes computing an numeric index value, receiving input, calculating a query value, comparing the query value to the index value, and displaying items from the dataset.