Attribute Category Enhanced Search for Vague Queries
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Solution Overview
Problem
Conventional search systems are inefficient when searching for objects with vague descriptions, as they return large lists of results, requiring users to scroll through multiple pages, leading to a cumbersome and time-consuming process, especially when exact images or descriptions are not available.
Innovation Solution
A system that constructs a category tree based on attribute values of objects, using images and descriptions to guide users through a streamlined search process, allowing for quick navigation and reduction of the search space by categorizing objects into groups, enabling users to find desired products in fewer steps.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Reliability
If conventional search systems return all matching objects for a vague search query, then the search results are comprehensive, but the user must scroll through multiple pages making the process cumbersome and time-consuming
Solution Approach 1:
The patent segments the search results by constructing a category tree based on attribute values. Instead of presenting a flat list of all matching objects, the system divides them into hierarchical categories (e.g., type, color, size attributes), allowing users to navigate through organized groups rather than scrolling through hundreds of individual items.
2Measurement precision
If the system provides detailed attribute categories for search, then the search precision improves, but the device complexity increases due to the need to construct and manage category trees
Solution Approach 1:
The system performs preliminary action by automatically constructing the category tree based on object attributes before the user conducts the search. The category tree is built in advance using the available attribute data, so when a user performs a search, the results are already organized into navigable categories rather than requiring real-time organization during the search process.
3Ease of operation
If the search system organizes results into category trees, then the ease of operation improves by reducing scrolling, but the difficulty of detecting and measuring increases due to the need to interpret attribute categories
Solution Approach 1:
The patent uses visual copying by displaying thumbnail images that represent each category node in the category tree. Instead of relying solely on text-based attribute labels that users must interpret, the system provides visual copies (images) of objects within each category, making it easier for users to understand and navigate the categories through visual recognition rather than text analysis.
Data Source
AI summary
Performing a user initiated search query is disclosed and comprises receiving user input comprising description details of at least one desired object, retrieving a plurality of objects from a database sharing one or more of the description details of the user input, constructing a tree data structure based on the description details of the plurality of objects, the tree data structure comprising one or more attributes related to each of the plurality of objects retrieved, displaying visual images associated with the retrieved plurality of objects, the visual images matching at least one of the attributes related to the plurality of objects, and receiving a user selection of one or more of the visual images.