Context-Aware Search Integration in Applications

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Solution Overview

Problem

Conventional systems require users to exit applications to search for solutions to errors, which is inefficient and time-consuming, and often relies on internal IT contacts to resolve issues.

Innovation Solution

Integrating a search engine, such as Google, within the application to perform searches for solutions using context-specific information, allowing users to find answers without leaving the application, and enabling IT contacts to resolve issues more quickly.

Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles

VSEngineering Contradiction Analysis

1Reliability

If users exit the application to search for solutions to errors, then they can access external search engines and find solutions, but the time needed to resolve problems increases and user efficiency decreases

Engineering Contradiction:

Improveability to find solutionVSAvoidtime to resolve problem

Core Design Contradiction:

ReliabilityVSLoss of time

Solution Approach 1:

The patent merges the search engine functionality with the application by embedding a search box and search results directly within the application interface. When an error occurs, the system automatically performs a search using the error message as the query and displays results within the application window, eliminating the need for users to exit the application to search for solutions.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #5Merging (Combining)

Solution Approach 2:

The system performs preliminary actions by automatically detecting errors and initiating search operations without requiring user intervention. The search engine is pre-integrated and configured to automatically search for solutions using error messages, and results are pre-loaded and displayed within the application before the user needs to view them.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #10Preliminary action

2Loss of information

If conventional error message systems are used, then users receive basic error information, but users cannot find solutions efficiently and must rely on internal IT contacts

Engineering Contradiction:

Improveerror information availabilityVSAvoidproblem resolution efficiency

Core Design Contradiction:

Loss of informationVSProductivity

Solution Approach 1:

The system implements feedback by automatically searching for and displaying solution information in response to error messages. When an error occurs, the system uses the error message as a query, retrieves relevant solutions from search engines, and presents them to the user within the application, creating a closed-loop feedback system that provides immediate actionable information.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #23Feedback

Solution Approach 2:

The system enables self-service by empowering users to independently resolve errors through automatically provided search results. The integrated search functionality allows users to find and implement solutions without needing to contact internal IT contacts, making the system self-sufficient for common error resolution.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #25Self-service

Data Source

PatentUS10990639B2Search techniques using context

Publication Date: 2021.04.27 SAP SE

AI summary

Computer-implemented systems and computer-implemented methods include the following. A request is received to perform a search for solutions corresponding to a topic. The request includes the topic and a context associated with the topic for which solutions are to be searched. The context is associated with a current state of an application in use by a user. The search is performed using the context and the topic. Results of the search are provided for presentation to the user. The results are presented in an application of the application without requiring the user to exit the application.