Collaborative Search Portal for Group Information Curation
Find Innovative SolutionsGenerate Solutions
Solution Overview
Problem
Current technologies lack an integrated platform for collaboratively finding, organizing, and accessing information, separating the search process from collaboration and not providing a suitable group search space for digital curation.
Innovation Solution
A network-accessible computer system that receives search queries, generates search result data, and creates a collaborative search portal where users can associate, organize, and share information, allowing access and permission control among users, and integrates with social networks for long-term access.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Ease of operation
If traditional web search is used, then information can be found across the web, but the process is solitary and does not allow collaboration or organization
Solution Approach 1:
The patent merges traditional web search functionality with collaborative workspace capabilities into a unified system. Search results are not just displayed but can be saved, organized into projects, and shared among users, combining individual search efficiency with group collaboration features in a single integrated platform
Solution Approach 2:
The system provides multiple functions within a single platform: individual search, collaborative project creation, document organization, user invitation, and shared access. This multi-functional approach allows the same system to serve both individual information retrieval needs and group collaboration requirements
2Adaptability or versatility
If wikis are used for collaborative editing, then collaboration is enabled, but they are not integrated with the search process and require each user to provide their own content
Solution Approach 1:
The system performs preliminary actions by automatically gathering and organizing search results into structured projects before users need to collaborate. Content is pre-collected and organized by the system based on search queries, eliminating the need for users to manually create content from scratch and allowing them to focus on collaboration and analysis
Solution Approach 2:
The system acts as an intermediary between the search engine and the collaborative workspace. It automatically processes search results, organizes them into projects, and makes them available for collaboration, serving as a bridge that eliminates the manual content creation step required by traditional wikis
3Adaptability or versatility
If social technology is used for information sharing, then user sharing is enabled, but it does little to facilitate group interaction within search in a trusted setting
Solution Approach 1:
The system creates localized trusted environments through private projects where specific users are invited and granted controlled access. Unlike open social platforms, each project can have its own access controls and participant list, creating a trusted local space for collaboration while maintaining the ability to share information selectively
4Ease of operation
If digital curation is performed manually, then information can be organized, but the process is lengthy and separates the search process from the collaboration process
Solution Approach 1:
The system performs preliminary organization of search results into structured projects with defined categories and metadata before users begin their work. This pre-organization eliminates the need for manual sorting and categorization, significantly reducing curation time while maintaining systematic information management
Solution Approach 2:
The system merges the search process with the organization and collaboration process into a single workflow. Users can search, save results to projects, organize content, and collaborate all within the same interface and session, eliminating the separation between these previously distinct processes
Data Source
AI summary
Methods, systems, devices and/or apparatus related to finding and sharing information on a large-scale or global computer network such as the Internet, and, specifically, to allow for collaboratively searching for, organizing and/or accessing information. One example provides computer-readable medium(s) having instructions thereon configured to operate a network accessible computer system to: receive a search query; generate search result data from processing the search query through at least one search engine; generate a collaborative search portal associated with the search query; receive one or more instructions for associating at least one of the search result data with the collaborative search portal; associate the at least one of the search result data with the collaborative search portal; store, in one or more storage devices, the collaborative search portal and the associated search result data; and organize the search result data in response to user signals received via the collaborative search portal.