Browser Application Surfacing via Browsing Activity Analysis
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Solution Overview
Problem
Users face difficulty in discovering relevant applications amidst the vast number of apps available, as conventional search methods require explicit searches, leading to many potentially useful apps going unnoticed.
Innovation Solution
Surfacing applications to users based on the network address entered into the browser's address bar or the content of the web page being viewed, without requiring a specific search query, by constructing a search query from the entered address or page content and comparing it against an application manifest to identify relevant apps.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Loss of information
If conventional search protocols are used to surface applications, then search results can be returned for explicit queries, but user awareness of potentially useful applications is reduced due to the requirement of explicit search
Solution Approach 1:
The system performs preliminary action by proactively surfacing applications to users based on their browsing activity before users explicitly search for them. The application matching engine continuously monitors browsing activity and pre-identifies relevant applications, presenting them to users in context without requiring users to initiate a search query.
Solution Approach 2:
The system enables self-service by automatically matching applications to user browsing activity without requiring user initiation. The application manifest and matching engine autonomously analyze browsing patterns, extract relevant terms, and surface appropriate applications, allowing the system to serve itself in identifying and presenting relevant apps.
2Adaptability or versatility
If the number of available applications increases to fulfill user tasks, then more user needs can be met, but difficulty in discovering relevant applications increases
Solution Approach 1:
The system implements feedback by continuously monitoring user browsing activity and using it to dynamically surface relevant applications. The application matching engine analyzes browsing patterns in real-time, extracts relevant terms from visited pages, and adjusts application recommendations based on this feedback loop, making application discovery adaptive to user needs.
Solution Approach 2:
The system applies local quality by surfacing applications in context-specific locations within the browser interface. Rather than presenting a generic list of all available applications, the system integrates application suggestions directly within the browsing context, such as near the address bar or in side panels, making relevant applications locally accessible where users are already focused.
3Loss of information
If applications are surfaced based on browsing activity without explicit search, then user awareness of applications increases, but system complexity increases due to monitoring and matching processes
Solution Approach 1:
The system achieves universality by designing the application matching engine to handle multiple functions through a single integrated architecture. The same engine that monitors browsing activity also extracts terms, queries the application manifest, ranks results, and surfaces applications, eliminating the need for separate specialized components for each function.
Solution Approach 2:
The system uses an intermediary approach by introducing the application manifest as a中介 layer between browsing activity and application recommendations. The manifest serves as a pre-compiled database of applications with their metadata and categories, allowing the matching engine to efficiently query and match applications without complex real-time analysis, simplifying the overall system architecture.
Data Source
AI summary
Applications are surfaced to a user during browsing without requiring a specific search by the user. The applications can be selected for surfacing to the user based on the network address entered into the address bar of a browser, the content of the page corresponding to the network address, or a combination thereof. Applications may be selected for surfacing based on a partial address entered into the address bar and/or based on the web page content that is currently visible in the browser display.