Extended Item Interfaces for Multi-Device Search Navigation

Resolve Bottlenecks,
Find Innovative SolutionsGenerate Solutions

Solution Overview

Problem

Conventional search systems lack the intelligence to optimally present search result items on device interfaces that best suit their characteristics, leading to inefficient user navigation and limited social interaction capabilities, especially when transitioning between different device types.

Innovation Solution

Implementing extended interface configurations that tailor item presentation based on item and device features, allowing items to be displayed on preferred device types and enabling social modes for shared viewing experiences across multiple devices.

Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles

VSEngineering Contradiction Analysis

1Ease of operation

If conventional search systems present search result items using standard interfaces, then device complexity is reduced, but user navigation efficiency and item presentation optimization deteriorate

Engineering Contradiction:

Improveuser navigation efficiencyVSAvoidinterface configuration complexity

Core Design Contradiction:

Ease of operationVSDevice complexity

Solution Approach 1:

The interface configuration is segmented into multiple independent components: device interface configuration, item-specific configuration, and extended interface configuration. Each component can be independently generated and combined, allowing the system to handle complexity through modular organization while presenting a simplified user experience.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #1Segmentation

Solution Approach 2:

The system introduces an intermediary processing layer that automatically generates and manages interface configurations. This intermediary component translates between different device interfaces and item characteristics, handling the complexity of interface adaptation without requiring users to manually configure or understand the underlying complexity.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #24Intermediary (Mediator)

2Adaptability or versatility

If search systems support multiple device types with customized interfaces, then adaptability improves, but device complexity and system overhead increase

Engineering Contradiction:

Improvedevice type compatibilityVSAvoidsystem configuration overhead

Core Design Contradiction:

Adaptability or versatilityVSDevice complexity

Solution Approach 1:

The system creates a universal interface configuration framework that can adapt to multiple device types through a common set of configuration mechanisms. The extended interface configuration serves as a universal adapter that works across different device platforms, allowing the system to maintain versatility without requiring device-specific custom code for each platform.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #6Universality (Multi-functionality)

Solution Approach 2:

The system adapts to different device types by dynamically changing interface parameters such as display layout, interaction modes, and presentation formats. Instead of creating separate systems for each device type, the same core system adjusts its behavior by modifying parameters based on detected device characteristics, reducing overall system complexity while maintaining adaptability.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #35Parameter changes

3Manufacturing precision

If items are presented on preferred device types based on extended interface configurations, then item presentation optimization improves, but loss of time for configuration generation increases

Engineering Contradiction:

Improveitem presentation optimizationVSAvoidconfiguration generation time

Core Design Contradiction:

Manufacturing precisionVSLoss of time

Solution Approach 1:

The system performs preliminary generation of extended interface configurations during the search indexing phase, before the actual search query is executed. By pre-configuring items with their optimal interface presentations, the system eliminates the need for real-time configuration generation during search, significantly reducing user-perceived delay while maintaining high presentation optimization.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #10Preliminary action

Solution Approach 2:

The configuration generation process is made self-service through automated detection of device types and item characteristics. The system automatically matches items with appropriate interface configurations without requiring manual intervention or user input, reducing both the time cost and complexity of configuration management while maintaining optimization quality.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #25Self-service

Data Source

PatentUS20250356405A1Interface extension operations and interfaces in an item listing system

Publication Date: 2025.11.20 EBAY INC

AI summary

Various methods and systems for providing customized-item-specific interfaces of items on extended interface devices in a search system. A plurality of items—each having an extended interface configuration that indicates customized-item-specific interface instructions for extended presentation of items on extended interface devices—are accessed at a primary interface device associated with a set of extended interface devices including a second-user extended interface device that supports a social mode. Based on the first extended interface configuration of a first item, a determination is made that the first item is extendable to a first extended interface device in the set of extended interface devices. Based on determining that the first item is extendable, automatically causing generation of a customized-item-specific interface of the first item on the first extended interface device. Causing generation of the customized-item-specific interface can be based on communicating item extended interface data to the first extended interface device.