Contextual Search Interface for Enterprise Data
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Solution Overview
Problem
Conventional search interfaces in enterprises yield mostly unrelated results, forcing users to review long lists and undergo multiple rounds of refinement to find relevant information, as they do not tailor searches to the user's current context or activities.
Innovation Solution
A computer-implemented method providing a user interface that combines keyword searching and browsing, with a contextual search feature that restricts the search range to the active context, allowing direct access to object classes, favorites, and recently used instances, and offering guided navigation and advanced filters for refining search results.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Measurement precision
If conventional search interfaces are used, then the search coverage is comprehensive, but the search results are mostly unrelated to user needs requiring multiple refinement rounds
Solution Approach 1:
The system performs preliminary actions by automatically detecting the user's current context (such as open documents, active applications, or recent operations) and pre-filtering search results based on this context before the user completes their search query. This preliminary contextual analysis ensures that search results are pre-aligned with user needs, reducing the time required for review and refinement.
Solution Approach 2:
The system incorporates feedback mechanisms where the search interface continuously monitors and adapts to user behavior patterns, contextual information, and interaction history. This feedback loop enables the system to refine search results in real-time based on actual user needs, improving relevance without requiring multiple manual refinement rounds.
2Adaptability or versatility
If comprehensive search coverage is provided, then all business objects are searchable, but the interface complexity increases
Solution Approach 1:
The search interface is segmented into multiple contextual views or panels, each dedicated to specific business objects or data types relevant to the user's current context. Instead of presenting a monolithic complex interface, the system divides the search functionality into organized segments that are dynamically displayed based on user needs, maintaining comprehensive coverage while reducing perceived complexity.
Solution Approach 2:
The search interface is designed with multi-functionality, where a single unified search mechanism can access and query multiple types of business objects (documents, emails, databases, etc.) through a consistent interaction model. This universal approach maintains comprehensive search coverage across all business objects while simplifying the user interface by eliminating the need for separate specialized interfaces for each object type.
3Measurement precision
If search results are tailored to user context, then search precision improves, but the system complexity increases
Solution Approach 1:
The system performs self-service by automatically detecting and utilizing the user's current context (such as open documents, active applications, or recent operations) to filter and prioritize search results without requiring explicit user input or configuration. This self-service mechanism improves search precision through contextual relevance while avoiding the complexity of manual user profile management or complex configuration systems.
Data Source
AI summary
A computer implemented method for providing a user interface, the method including: providing an interface generator for generating a user interface, the user interface allowing a user to perform a search within a business object or within business objects in a business situation, using a combination of searching using one or more key words and browsing in accordance with predefined options.