Document Search Interface Segmentation for Page Navigation

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Solution Overview

Problem

Current document searching systems face challenges in effectively presenting search results, particularly in distinguishing between documents and pages, and in providing a seamless user interface for navigating and viewing matching documents and their pages.

Innovation Solution

A computer-implemented method that receives a search string, performs a search on documents to identify matching documents and pages, and displays a user interface (UI) that allows users to select and view specific documents and pages, with indicators for matching pages and controls for toggling between all and matching pages, facilitating efficient document navigation and viewing.

Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles

VSEngineering Contradiction Analysis

1Ease of operation

If a search system presents all documents and pages in a single interface, then users can access all content, but users cannot efficiently distinguish and navigate to specific matching pages

Engineering Contradiction:
Improveease of navigationVSAvoidclarity of matching content
Core Design Contradiction:
Ease of operationVSLoss of information

Solution Approach 1:

The patent segments the search result interface into multiple hierarchical levels: a first set of user interface objects representing documents, and a second set of user interface objects representing pages within selected documents. This segmentation allows users to first select a document from the first set, then select a specific page from the second set, thereby efficiently navigating to and distinguishing matching content without presenting all content at once.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #1Segmentation

2Loss of information

If the search interface displays detailed information about all matching pages, then users can identify relevant content, but the interface becomes complex and difficult to navigate

Engineering Contradiction:
Improvevisibility of matching contentVSAvoidinterface complexity
Core Design Contradiction:
Loss of informationVSDevice complexity

Solution Approach 1:

The patent implements a dynamic, multi-stage interface where the level of detail displayed adapts based on user selection. Initially, only document-level objects are shown. When a user selects a document, the interface dynamically transitions to display page-level objects for that specific document. This dynamic approach maintains simplicity at each stage while providing detailed information when needed, avoiding the complexity of displaying all details simultaneously.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #15Dynamics

3Productivity

If users can directly access any page of a document, then retrieval speed is improved, but the structured navigation between documents and pages becomes difficult to manage

Engineering Contradiction:
Improvedocument retrieval efficiencyVSAvoidnavigation structure management
Core Design Contradiction:
ProductivityVSDevice complexity

Solution Approach 1:

The patent implements a nested navigation structure where page objects are nested within their parent document objects. The first set of user interface objects represents documents, and the second set of user interface objects represents pages nested within a selected document. This nesting provides a clear hierarchical relationship that simplifies navigation management while allowing users to efficiently access specific pages through the structured path: select document → select page.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #7Nested doll (Nesting)

Data Source

PatentEP4345646A1Document searching systems and methods
Publication Date: 2024.04.03 CANVA PTY LTD
  • EP4345646A1 patent drawingFigure 1~2
  • EP4345646A1 patent drawingFigure 3
  • EP4345646A1 patent drawingFigure 4~5

AI summary

Described herein is a computer implemented method. The method includes receiving input that defines a search string and identifying, based at least in part on the search string, matching documents and matching pages. The method further includes displaying a matching documents user interface (UI) that includes at least one document object corresponding to a matching document; detecting selection of the document object; displaying a document pages user interface (UI) including at least one page object that corresponds to a page of the particular matching document; detecting selection of the page object; and displaying the selected page in a primary user interface (UI).