Search Answer Box Triggering via Topic Analysis
Find Innovative SolutionsGenerate Solutions
Solution Overview
Problem
Conventional search engines often present users with lists of resources rather than direct answers to their queries, failing to effectively trigger answer boxes that provide formatted responses relevant to the user's search intent.
Innovation Solution
A search system that analyzes search results to determine associations with answer box topics, using techniques such as parsing, machine learning, and entity extraction to select and provide relevant answer boxes alongside search results, ensuring that answer boxes are triggered based on the user's query intent and search history.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Ease of operation
If the search system presents only lists of resources, then the system complexity remains low, but the user experience and answer relevance deteriorate
Solution Approach 1:
The search result presentation is segmented into different components: traditional resource lists and answer boxes. The system divides the information delivery into structured segments (entities, attributes, relationships) that can be independently processed and presented, allowing answer boxes to be triggered selectively without completely redesigning the entire search system.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent introduces an intermediary layer (answer box precursor and triggering mechanism) between the search query and the final answer box. This intermediary processes search results, identifies answer box topics, and conditionally triggers answer boxes, thereby improving user experience without requiring complete system reconstruction.
2Quantity of substance
If the system triggers answer boxes for all search results, then the answer coverage increases, but the information accuracy and relevance may deteriorate
Solution Approach 1:
The system applies partial action by triggering answer boxes selectively rather than for all search results. It uses answer box precursors that contain metadata about potential answer box topics, allowing the system to evaluate and trigger only those answer boxes that are most relevant to the query, thus maintaining accuracy while providing comprehensive coverage where applicable.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent implements preliminary action by pre-processing search results to identify answer box precursors and topics before final answer box generation. This preliminary analysis allows the system to prepare potential answer boxes in advance, evaluate their relevance, and trigger only the most appropriate ones, ensuring both coverage and precision.
3Measurement precision
If the system analyzes search results in real-time, then the answer box triggering accuracy improves, but the search response time increases
Solution Approach 1:
The system performs preliminary action by pre-processing search results to identify answer box precursors, topics, and associations before the final answer box triggering decision. This advance preparation allows the system to have analysis results ready, reducing the computational burden during real-time query processing and minimizing response time while maintaining high triggering accuracy.
4Measurement precision
If the system uses multiple techniques to determine answer box topics, then the topic detection accuracy improves, but the processing complexity increases
Solution Approach 1:
The patent segments the topic detection process into distinct techniques: parsing resources according to publisher information, using machine learning classifiers, and applying entity extraction. Each technique processes specific aspects of the search results independently, allowing the system to achieve high topic detection accuracy through multiple specialized methods rather than one monolithic complex system.
Data Source
AI summary
Methods, systems, and apparatus, including computer programs encoded on a computer storage medium, for enhancing search results. In one aspect, a method includes receiving a query. A plurality of search results responsive to the query are identified. The search results are analyzed to determine that at least a first search result is associated with a first answer box topic. The search results are provided along with an answer box precursor for the first answer box topic.


