Deep Link Indexing and Ranking for Native App Launch
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Solution Overview
Problem
Current search technologies fail to effectively index and utilize deep links, leading to suboptimal query results and user experience, as they do not efficiently integrate native applications and rank results based on proximity scoring.
Innovation Solution
A method and apparatus that index deep links in a search index, allowing for the launch of native applications and using an order-based quadratic proximity function to rank query results, along with a federated query result ranking method that combines results from multiple search domains.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Ease of operation
If deep links are indexed and integrated with native applications, then user experience and query result relevance are improved, but system complexity increases
Solution Approach 1:
The system segments the search index into multiple independent components: a traditional web page index and a deep link index. Each index handles specific types of content separately, allowing the system to manage complexity through modular organization while providing integrated search results that improve user experience.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent introduces a deep link resolver as an intermediary component that sits between the search query system and native applications. This resolver translates search results into actionable deep links, mediating the interaction between the search system and various native applications without requiring direct integration between them.
2Measurement precision
If an order-based quadratic proximity function is used to rank query results, then result relevance is improved, but computational requirements increase
Solution Approach 1:
The proximity function applies different weighting schemes to different parts of the query and different fields within documents. Rather than uniformly processing all terms, the system identifies locally important terms and applies quadratic proximity scoring selectively to those regions, improving relevance while reducing overall computational burden.
Solution Approach 2:
The system dynamically adjusts parameters of the proximity function based on query characteristics. For simple queries, a simplified scoring model is used; for complex queries requiring higher precision, the full quadratic proximity function is applied. This adaptive parameter adjustment allows the system to balance computational requirements with result relevance.
3Adaptability or versatility
If multiple search domains are integrated into a federated search system, then query coverage is improved, but result ranking complexity increases
Solution Approach 1:
The patent implements a universal ranking framework that handles multiple search domains (web pages, deep links, local content, media files) through a single unified scoring mechanism. This multi-functional ranking system evaluates results from different domains using consistent criteria, improving query coverage while managing ranking complexity through standardization.
Solution Approach 2:
The system creates a virtual copy of the search index that includes entries from multiple domains, allowing the ranking algorithm to operate on a unified view without permanently merging the underlying data structures. This copying approach enables complex federated search while keeping the original domain-specific indexes intact and manageable.
Data Source
AI summary
A method and apparatus of a device that performs a search using a deep link index is described. In an exemplary embodiment, the device receives a query on a device. The device additionally determines a plurality of results matching the query. The device further determines a subset of the plurality of results that correspond to at least one native application installed on the device. In addition, the device presents a link for each of the results in the subset of the plurality of results with data that launches the corresponding native application if that link is selected, where the link is a deep link that reference a location in the corresponding native application. Upon detecting one of the links corresponding to the subset of the plurality of results is selected, the device launches the corresponding native application with the data for that link.