Database Search Visual Mapping for Reducing Scroll Time
Find Innovative SolutionsGenerate Solutions
Solution Overview
Problem
Current database searching methods for media items, such as images, are inefficient and user-unfriendly, requiring users to scroll through numerous irrelevant results and manually refine searches, which is tedious and time-consuming.
Innovation Solution
A method and system that utilize a reference set of data items to display search results in a manner that visually represents closeness in a descriptor space, allowing users to select reference items and automatically identify and display closest matches, with the option to refine searches interactively and access additional information without cluttering the main display.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Measurement precision
If traditional descriptor-based search methods are used, then comprehensive search results can be obtained, but users must scroll through and individually examine a large number of images which is tiring and tedious
Solution Approach 1:
The patent creates a visual copy or representation of the multi-dimensional descriptor space by mapping data items to spatial positions on the display. Instead of showing raw search results in a traditional list or grid, the system generates a visual map where positions reflect similarity relationships, allowing users to quickly grasp the distribution and relationships of search results without examining each item individually.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent transforms the abstract multi-dimensional descriptor space into a two-dimensional visual representation on the display. By mapping high-dimensional data relationships into a spatial layout that users can visually perceive, the system adds a new dimensional perspective that makes complex similarity relationships immediately apparent without requiring users to manually explore each result.
2Measurement precision
If users manually refine searches by specifying further content descriptor values, then more precise results can be obtained, but the process becomes frustrating and tedious
Solution Approach 1:
The patent enables the search system to automatically refine and adapt based on user interaction with the visual display. Instead of requiring users to manually specify additional descriptors, the system observes user behavior patterns on the visual map and automatically adjusts the search parameters or highlights relevant regions, allowing the search to serve itself and improve without additional user effort.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent implements feedback mechanisms where user interactions with the visual representation (such as hovering, clicking, or selecting regions) provide information back to the search system. This feedback loop allows the system to understand user intent and automatically refine search results, replacing the need for manual descriptor specification with an intuitive visual feedback process.
3Quantity of substance
If traditional search result displays are used, then all search results can be shown, but the display becomes cluttered with text and images requiring constant scrolling
Solution Approach 1:
The patent extracts the essential spatial relationship information from the complete set of search results and presents it in a condensed visual form. By separating the visual mapping function from the detailed result presentation, the system displays only the necessary spatial relationships and allows users to drill down into specific regions only when needed, removing unnecessary clutter while preserving access to all results.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent divides the large set of search results into meaningful spatial regions or clusters based on their similarity relationships in the descriptor space. Instead of presenting all results uniformly, the system segments them into visually distinct groups that users can explore selectively, reducing display complexity while maintaining access to the complete result set through hierarchical navigation.
Data Source
AI summary
A database searching system, method and controller is provided for interactively searching a database of data items in a descriptor space with a user, comprising a display for viewing by the user; a position selector for manipulation and activation by the user; a reference set selector for selecting a reference set (64a-64d) of two or more data items; a reference set coordinate obtainer for obtaining descriptor coordinates for each of the reference data items; a search results identifier for identifying a search results set of data items in the database which are close to or between one or more members of the reference set in the descriptor space; and a search results display controller for displaying the search results set on the display so that closeness on the display between particular data items is generally indicative of closeness in the descriptor space.