Search Answer Box Triggering via Topic Analysis

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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

VSEngineering 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

Engineering Contradiction:
Improveuser experienceVSAvoidsystem complexity
Core Design Contradiction:
Ease of operationVSDevice complexity

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.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #1Segmentation

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.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #24Intermediary (Mediator)

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

Engineering Contradiction:
Improveanswer coverageVSAvoidanswer relevance
Core Design Contradiction:
Quantity of substanceVSMeasurement precision

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.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #16Partial or excessive action

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.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #10Preliminary action

3Measurement precision

If the system analyzes search results in real-time, then the answer box triggering accuracy improves, but the search response time increases

Engineering Contradiction:
Improvetriggering accuracyVSAvoidsearch response time
Core Design Contradiction:
Measurement precisionVSLoss of time

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.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #10Preliminary action

4Measurement precision

If the system uses multiple techniques to determine answer box topics, then the topic detection accuracy improves, but the processing complexity increases

Engineering Contradiction:
Improvetopic detection accuracyVSAvoidprocessing complexity
Core Design Contradiction:
Measurement precisionVSDevice complexity

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.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #1Segmentation

Data Source

PatentUS10146849B2Triggering answer boxes
Publication Date: 2018.12.04 GOOGLE LLC
  • US10146849B2 patent drawing
  • US10146849B2 patent drawing
  • US10146849B2 patent drawing

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.