Application-Specific Search Scope Filtering
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Solution Overview
Problem
Existing system-wide search applications on electronic devices often return irrelevant results by searching across the entire device, making it difficult for users to find specific information within a particular application, such as a social networking app, without the ability to limit the search scope.
Innovation Solution
The system allows users to limit the search scope to the content of a specified application by receiving user input, determining the corresponding application, and sending a search request to that application to filter results, providing completion suggestions and search results only from the selected application's content.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Adaptability or versatility
If system-wide search searches across the entire device, then the search coverage is comprehensive, but the search results contain irrelevant information and reduce accuracy
Solution Approach 1:
The patent segments the search scope by introducing application-specific search spaces. Instead of a single unified search across the entire device, the system divides the search into multiple application-specific segments (e.g., messaging app content, photo library, documents). Users can select which application segment to search, thereby maintaining comprehensive coverage within the selected scope while eliminating irrelevant results from other applications.
2Adaptability or versatility
If system-wide search searches all applications, then the search capability is versatile, but it is difficult to find specific information within a particular application
Solution Approach 1:
The search interface is segmented into application-specific search spaces. Each application (messaging, photos, documents, etc.) has its own dedicated search area. Users can easily navigate to and select the specific application they want to search, making information retrieval efficient without sacrificing the versatility of being able to search any application.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent introduces an intermediary layer between the user and the search results. This intermediary is the application selection interface that mediates between the user's search intent and the actual search execution. By selecting the target application first, the system filters and directs the search to the appropriate data source, making it easier to find specific information within particular applications.
3Measurement precision
If search scope is limited to a specific application, then the search result relevance is improved, but the search coverage is reduced
Solution Approach 1:
The search scope is made dynamic rather than fixed. The system allows users to dynamically adjust the search coverage by selecting different application-specific search spaces. When a user wants comprehensive results, they can select multiple applications or use the global search. When they need focused results, they can limit the search to a single application. This dynamic adjustment maintains relevance while preserving adaptability.
Solution Approach 2:
The search system is designed with multi-functionality to serve both narrow and broad search needs. The same search interface can function as both an application-specific search tool (when a particular app is selected) and a system-wide search tool (when global search is activated). This universal design ensures that limiting the scope to improve relevance does not permanently reduce coverage, as users can switch between different search modes.
Data Source
AI summary
A device implementing a system for limiting the scope of a search includes a processor configured to, receive, by a first application, first user input including at least a portion of a first search term, and to determine that a second application corresponds to the first search term. The processor is further configured to display a graphical element for activating a search filter that limits search results to content of the second application, and to receive second user input including selection of the graphical element. The processor is further configured to send, to the second application, a search request including at least one of the first search term or a second search term, to receive, from the second application, a completion suggestion or search result based on a search performed on the content of the second application, and to provide the completion suggestion or search result.