Deep Command Search Across Applications
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Solution Overview
Problem
Current application search technologies fail to effectively allow users to discover and access complex commands, features, and functions within and across applications, particularly due to the inability to surface sub-level commands and maintain top-level context, leading to user confusion and inefficiency.
Innovation Solution
The implementation of a system that indexes both top-level and sub-level items and parameters, using a trained machine learning model to rank search results based on user context, allowing for deep command search within and across applications, and recommending the best application or device form factor for task completion.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Adaptability or versatility
If applications provide extensive functionality with multiple commands and options, then the application capabilities improve, but user confusion increases and task completion becomes difficult
Solution Approach 1:
The patent introduces a search intermediary system that sits between the user and the complex application functionality. This search system processes user queries, understands intent, and retrieves relevant commands and features from across the application suite, acting as a mediator that simplifies access to extensive functionality without requiring users to navigate complex menus and interfaces.
Solution Approach 2:
The search system enables users to self-serve by directly querying for the functionality they need without requiring them to understand the application's internal structure or navigate through multiple levels of menus. The system automatically interprets user intent and retrieves appropriate commands, allowing users to access features independently based on their specific needs.
2Adaptability or versatility
If applications include multiple levels of commands and sub-features, then the functionality depth improves, but the difficulty of locating specific features increases
Solution Approach 1:
The patent transitions from traditional hierarchical navigation (vertical/dimensional navigation through menus) to a semantic search dimension. Instead of requiring users to drill down through multiple levels of nested menus, the system allows users to search across all functionality levels simultaneously using natural language queries, effectively adding a new dimensional approach to accessing deep functionality.
Solution Approach 2:
The search system provides a universal access point that works across all application levels and types. A single search interface can retrieve commands from top-level menus, sub-level features, and cross-application functionality, eliminating the need for separate navigation paths for different functionality depths.
3Ease of operation
If help features are provided within applications, then user support improves, but the effectiveness of finding relevant information decreases
Solution Approach 1:
The search system incorporates feedback mechanisms that learn from user interactions and queries. By analyzing search patterns, user intent, and interaction outcomes, the system continuously improves its ability to retrieve relevant information, ensuring that help features become increasingly effective and relevant over time based on actual user needs rather than static help documentation.
Data Source
AI summary
Described herein are mechanisms to allow users to access functionality of applications in a suite of applications. In a first aspect, when a query relating to functionality of an application is received from a user, an index containing both top-level and sub-level functionality is searched. Results are ranked using a trained machine learning model using both context describing user interactions and the search results. A subset of the ranked results are presented to the user as options. In a second aspect the index can comprise entries describing functionality from other applications so that results presented to the user can include cross-application functionality. In a third aspect, the index can be searched using the context prior to receiving a query and adjusting the user interface based on the results. In a fourth aspect, the system can recommend other applications and/or devices that are better suited to a user's intent.