Flexible Autocomplete Menu for Search Query Modification
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Solution Overview
Problem
Existing search systems provide limited flexibility in autocomplete suggestions, as they typically offer to complete the entire search query without allowing easy modification of search parameters, and only provide a few suggested options, restricting the ability to provide robust autocomplete suggestions.
Innovation Solution
The system identifies multiple portions of a search query corresponding to different attributes or search parameters, generates user interface elements displaying original text with selectable alternate texts, and constructs a new search query based on user selections, allowing for flexible modification of search parameters and retrieval of relevant results.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Ease of operation
If existing search systems provide autocomplete suggestions that complete the entire search query, then the user can quickly get search results, but the user cannot easily modify individual search parameters without manually deleting and re-entering terms
Solution Approach 1:
The search query is divided into multiple discrete portions or tokens, each representing a separate search parameter or term. This segmentation allows users to interact with individual portions independently, selecting alternate texts for specific parameters without affecting others, thereby enabling easy modification of individual search parameters while maintaining overall query structure.
Solution Approach 2:
The system adds a new dimension to the autocomplete interface by providing alternate text options above and below each query portion rather than just completing the entire query. This dimensional expansion allows users to select from multiple alternate texts for each parameter, transforming the traditional single-line autocomplete into a multi-dimensional selection interface.
2Adaptability or versatility
If existing search systems provide only a small number of suggested completed search queries, then the system remains simple to implement, but the ability to provide robust autocomplete suggestions is greatly limited
Solution Approach 1:
The system segments the autocomplete suggestion generation into portion-level operations, where each query portion can have its own set of alternate texts generated and displayed. This allows the system to provide comprehensive autocomplete suggestions for each parameter independently, significantly increasing the robustness and versatility of autocomplete without requiring complete query-level processing.
Solution Approach 2:
The system generates alternate texts for each individual query portion rather than generating complete query suggestions, which is a partial action approach. This allows the system to provide extensive autocomplete options locally at each portion level, achieving robust autocomplete functionality without the complexity of generating and managing complete query-level suggestions.
3Adaptability or versatility
If the system displays multiple suggested alternate texts for each query portion, then users have more options to refine their search, but the user interface becomes more complex
Solution Approach 1:
The user interface is segmented into discrete portions, with alternate texts displayed in organized groups above and below each portion. This segmentation prevents the interface from becoming overwhelming by localizing multiple options to specific query portions rather than presenting all options simultaneously, maintaining interface simplicity while providing extensive choices.
Solution Approach 2:
The system displays alternate texts in a spatial arrangement above and below query portions, utilizing vertical space as an additional dimension. This dimensional organization allows multiple alternate texts to be presented clearly without cluttering the horizontal interface space, providing numerous options while maintaining interface simplicity.
Data Source
AI summary
Systems and methods are described herein for generating a search query using flexible autocomplete suggestions. A text input is received, and a plurality of portions of the text input, each corresponding to a different search parameter, are identified. For each of the identified portions, at least one suggested alternate text is retrieved based on the corresponding attribute, and a user interface element is generated for display in which the original text of the respective portion is displayed, along with the suggested alternate texts for that portion, which are selectable by the user. Upon receiving selection of a suggested alternate text in at least one user interface element, a search query is generated based on each portion for which no alternate has been selected, and each selected alternate text. Search request are retrieved in response to the search query, and the results are generated for display to the user.