Embedded Search Field for Unified Application Interface

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Solution Overview

Problem

The integration of searching functions across different applications is inefficient, requiring users to learn and adapt to various search functionalities, which is time-consuming and inconvenient, and there is a need for a unified searching solution compatible with all applications.

Innovation Solution

An embedded searching system that utilizes the default registry information of an operating system to generate a search field within an application's interface, comprising a database, registry table searching module, updating module, embedding module, receiving module, and searching module, allowing for consistent search functionality across applications.

Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles

VSEngineering Contradiction Analysis

1Adaptability or versatility

If independent searching functions are provided by individual applications, then each application has its own search capability, but users have to learn and adapt to different searching functions for each application, which is time-consuming and inconvenient

Engineering Contradiction:

Improvesearching function compatibilityVSAvoiduser learning time

Core Design Contradiction:

Adaptability or versatilityVSEase of operation

Solution Approach 1:

The patent creates a universal search field that can be embedded in any application interface, allowing a single search function to serve multiple applications. The search field is designed to be application-agnostic, accepting search criteria and comparing them against document contents across different applications without requiring application-specific search knowledge.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #6Universality (Multi-functionality)

Solution Approach 2:

The patent introduces an intermediary search field component that mediates between the user and various application contents. This search field acts as a universal interface layer that translates user search requests into application-specific search operations, eliminating the need for users to learn multiple search functions while maintaining compatibility with different applications.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #24Intermediary (Mediator)

2Adaptability or versatility

If a unified independent searching program is created to replace individual application search functions, then searching function integration is achieved, but the search field needs to be embedded into various application interfaces which increases system complexity

Engineering Contradiction:

Improvesearching function integrationVSAvoidsystem structure

Core Design Contradiction:

Adaptability or versatilityVSDevice complexity

Solution Approach 1:

The patent implements a nested structure where the universal search field is embedded within existing application interfaces. The search field is designed as a self-contained module that can be inserted into different application windows without disrupting the host application's structure. This nesting approach allows integration across applications while maintaining the simplicity of both the host applications and the search function.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #7Nested doll (Nesting)

Solution Approach 2:

The patent segments the searching function into a separate, independent search field module that can be independently developed, maintained, and embedded. This segmentation allows the search functionality to be created once and then reused across multiple applications, reducing overall system complexity compared to implementing separate search functions in each application.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #1Segmentation

3Reliability

If application-specific search functions are used, then search functionality is available in each application, but the quality of searching functions varies significantly across different applications

Engineering Contradiction:

Improvesearching function qualityVSAvoidsearching function consistency

Core Design Contradiction:

ReliabilityVSAdaptability or versatility

Solution Approach 1:

The patent creates a universal search field with consistent quality standards that can be deployed across all applications. The search field implements a standardized search algorithm and interface that ensures reliable and consistent search results regardless of which application is hosting the search field, eliminating quality variations between application-specific search functions.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #6Universality (Multi-functionality)

Data Source

PatentUS8255415B2Embedded searching system and the method thereof

Publication Date: 2012.08.28 ZHIGU HLDG

AI summary

An embedded searching system uses an application name to search for the interface specifications for the application. The interface specifications are used to update default registry information of the operating system. Different applications can thus be embedded with a search field. This increases the convenience of searching for the applications. The mechanism also produces a corresponding method.