Browser Utility for Cross-Site Search Term Highlighting
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Solution Overview
Problem
Current web browsers do not effectively capitalize on the 'search and follow' usage pattern to enhance usability, as they only remember text input fields on a per-site basis and do not efficiently highlight or auto-focus relevant sections of web pages based on recent search terms.
Innovation Solution
A browser enhancement utility that analyzes recent user behavior to store and rank search terms, highlighting and auto-focusing relevant sections of web pages, and pre-selecting matching terms from drop-down boxes or radio buttons, based on temporal relevance and relationships between searches across multiple browser instances.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Adaptability or versatility
If web browsers store remembered fields on a per-site basis, then text input fields are remembered for specific sites, but the system cannot efficiently identify and apply relevant search terms across multiple sites and browser instances
Solution Approach 1:
The patent implements a universal search term management system that operates across multiple websites and browser instances, not limited to site-specific memory. The system ranks and applies search terms universally based on recency and relevance, making the form filling capability adaptable to any site where the search pattern occurs, thereby resolving the contradiction between site-specific limitation and cross-site versatility
Solution Approach 2:
The patent introduces a intermediary ranking system that sits between the user's search actions and the form filling process. This intermediary component analyzes search patterns, ranks terms by relevance and recency, and automatically selects appropriate terms for form fields, eliminating the need for complex manual configuration while enabling cross-site applicability
2Reliability
If web browsers store remembered fields in perpetuity, then user inputs are remembered indefinitely, but the stored fields become inaccurate over time
Solution Approach 1:
The patent implements a dynamic search term ranking system where the importance and applicability of remembered fields change over time based on recency of use. Recently used search terms are ranked higher and more likely to be auto-filled, while older terms naturally fall out of favor. This dynamic approach ensures that the most current and relevant information is automatically applied, maintaining reliability without requiring manual updates
Solution Approach 2:
The patent applies preliminary ranking and selection of search terms based on their recency and relevance before the form filling occurs. By pre-ranking terms according to their likelihood of being correct based on recent usage patterns, the system proactively ensures accuracy is maintained without requiring users to manually update stored fields
3Productivity
If web browsers do not highlight or auto-focus relevant sections, then all content is displayed uniformly, but users cannot rapidly locate sections of interest after searches
Solution Approach 1:
The patent employs visual highlighting techniques where matched search terms and relevant sections of web pages are displayed with distinctive visual markers such as background coloring or text emphasis. This allows users to rapidly identify and locate sections of interest without manual navigation, significantly improving the speed of finding search results while maintaining ease of operation through intuitive visual cues
4Adaptability or versatility
If web browsers treat each search independently, then search processing is simple, but the system cannot leverage patterns across multiple searches to enhance usability
Solution Approach 1:
The patent implements a feedback mechanism where the system continuously monitors and analyzes search patterns across multiple searches and browser instances. By feeding this pattern information back into the form filling process, the system automatically adapts to user behavior and improves usability. The feedback loop enables the system to learn from past searches and proactively apply relevant terms without requiring complex explicit programming
Data Source
AI summary
A method, system and computer program product for enhancing the usability of web browsers by analyzing the recent behavior of an operator while executing a search pattern on a computer network. In particular, a browser enhancement utility provides web browsers with the ability to store (for a limited time period) search terms used in a variety of web search patterns. The browser enhancement utility employs ranking algorithms to identify the relationships between searches and a ranking and matching algorithm to utilize stored search terms to find (text) matches in a web document. When the browser displays web pages after a search has occurred, the browser enhancement utility utilizes these matches in order to take actions to enhance document usability. These actions include: Highlighting terms that have been recently searched for; pre-selecting matching terms from drop down boxes or radio buttons; and focusing a web page to relevant sections of text.