Context-Based Mobile Search System for Relevance and Bandwidth
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Solution Overview
Problem
Current search methods on mobile devices are cumbersome due to limited screen sizes and network bandwidth, often requiring multiple queries and resulting in irrelevant results, which can lead to missed opportunities for users and businesses.
Innovation Solution
Implementing a context-based search system that allows users to select pre-defined contexts for their search queries, combining them to create customized searches, and aggregating results from specific databases associated with those contexts, thereby focusing searches and reducing processing bandwidth and screen real estate.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Ease of operation
If traditional search methods are used on mobile devices, then search queries can be performed, but the search process becomes cumbersome requiring multiple queries and producing irrelevant results
Solution Approach 1:
The system pre-defines multiple contexts (e.g., shopping, news, education, local) that users can select before performing searches. This preliminary selection of search context narrows the scope of results and reduces the need for multiple iterative queries, directly addressing the cumbersome nature of traditional mobile searches.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent introduces a context selection interface as an intermediary between the user's search intent and the search results. This intermediary layer allows users to specify the desired context of their search, which then filters and directs the search process to return more relevant results from appropriate databases, reducing both time and operational steps.
2Measurement precision
If traditional search methods are used on mobile devices, then searches can be performed, but multiple queries are required to obtain relevant results
Solution Approach 1:
By pre-defining contexts such as shopping, news, education, and local searches, the system establishes search parameters in advance. When a user selects a context and performs a search, the results are immediately filtered to match that context, achieving high precision in a single query without requiring multiple iterative searches or complex user maneuvers.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent segments the search space into distinct contextual categories (shopping, news, education, local, etc.). Each segment has its own optimized search parameters and database sources. This segmentation allows the system to handle different search types independently with simplified processes, improving result relevance while keeping the interface and user interaction simple.
3Loss of information
If searches are performed without context selection, then all databases can be searched, but irrelevant results are returned consuming network bandwidth and screen real estate
Solution Approach 1:
The system extracts and isolates only the relevant databases and information sources based on the user's selected context. For example, if a user selects 'shopping' context, only shopping-related databases are queried. This extraction approach eliminates unnecessary data transmission over the network and prevents irrelevant results from consuming screen real estate, directly addressing both information relevance and energy conservation.
Solution Approach 2:
Instead of searching all databases exhaustively (excessive action), the system performs a partial search limited to only those databases relevant to the selected context. This partial action approach reduces network bandwidth consumption and processing energy while maintaining high information relevance, as only the necessary subset of data sources is accessed.
Data Source
AI summary
Embodiments are directed towards managing mobile searches by enabling a user to indicate a context of a search query to narrow a scope of the search. A user may fine tune a search by selecting from a plurality of pre-defined contexts for which to perform a search query. In one embodiment, the user may combine two or more pre-defined contexts to create more complex contexts for use in customized context search queries. The user also enters one or more search terms. A subset of databases is selected from a plurality of databases associated with different subject categories. The subset of databases is selected as predefined by an operator based on the user's context, and searched based on the user's entered search terms and selected context. Results are then aggregated and provided to the user. Results may be rank ordered based on the given user context or user's previous search behavior.