Application Operation Search System for Complex User Interfaces
Find Innovative SolutionsGenerate Solutions
Solution Overview
Problem
Users face difficulty in finding and executing operations within software applications, as these operations are often not apparent due to their location within complex user interfaces, leading to a suboptimal user experience.
Innovation Solution
A computer-implemented method and system that allows users to search for and identify operations within applications by entering queries, which are then used to locate and expose corresponding objects in the user interface, potentially highlighting them and even performing the operations automatically without further user input.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Adaptability or versatility
If operations are placed within complex user interfaces to provide comprehensive functionality, then the application's feature set is improved, but the ease of finding and executing operations deteriorates
Solution Approach 1:
A search engine is introduced as an intermediary component between the user and the complex user interface. This search engine indexes all operations and their locations within the application, allowing users to query for specific operations without navigating through the complex interface structure. The search engine mediates by translating user queries into location information and exposing operations through simplified search results.
2Device complexity
If operations are hidden within deep menu structures to maintain interface organization, then the user interface structure is improved, but the time required to locate operations increases
Solution Approach 1:
The search engine performs preliminary action by pre-indexing all operations and their hierarchical locations within the application before the user needs to search. During application initialization or background processing, the search engine crawls through the user interface structure, records operation locations, and builds a searchable database. This preliminary indexing allows instant search queries without traversing the complex menu structure in real-time.
Solution Approach 2:
The search engine creates a virtual copy of the application's operational structure as an indexed database. Instead of physically navigating through the complex user interface hierarchy, users interact with a simplified search interface that queries the indexed copy. This copying approach preserves the complete operational information while presenting it in a time-efficient manner independent of the actual interface complexity.
3Ease of operation
If comprehensive search functionality is added to help users find operations, then the ease of operation is improved, but the device complexity increases
Solution Approach 1:
The search engine is designed with multi-functionality to serve multiple purposes: it indexes operations for search queries, provides location information for exposed operations, and can directly execute operations based on search results. By making the search system universal, the patent reduces the need for separate specialized components. The same indexing infrastructure supports both the search interface and the operation execution mechanisms, thereby managing complexity while enhancing ease of operation.
Data Source
AI summary
A computer-implemented method includes searching resources related to an application in response to receiving a query, identifying an operation in the application that satisfies the query, and exposing an object that provides access to the identified operation, within the application.