Guided Search Query Construction System for E-Commerce
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Solution Overview
Problem
Users face difficulties in constructing effective search queries in electronic commerce environments due to ambiguity and lack of guidance, leading to overbroad search results and information overload, making it challenging to find relevant information without prior knowledge of suitable search terms.
Innovation Solution
A system and method that provides guided construction of search queries by identifying component search terms, generating alternative terms based on relevancy criteria such as descriptions, colors, and properties, and allowing users to modify their queries through a user interface, enabling the addition, removal, or substitution of terms to refine search results.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Ease of operation
If users construct search queries without guidance using conventional search engines, then users can perform searches independently, but search results become overbroad and users experience information overload
Solution Approach 1:
The patent introduces an intermediary system that acts as a mediator between the user and the search engine. This system analyzes the user's initial search query, identifies component search terms, generates alternative search terms based on relevancy criteria, and presents these alternatives to the user. The intermediary processing layer refines the search query before submitting it to the search engine, thereby preventing information overload while maintaining user independence in constructing queries.
2Measurement precision
If users rely on prior knowledge of search terms to construct effective queries, then search results become more relevant, but the system becomes less accessible to users without such knowledge
Solution Approach 1:
The patent implements a self-service mechanism where the system automatically analyzes the user's search query and generates relevant alternative search terms without requiring user expertise. The system identifies component search terms, applies relevancy criteria to generate alternatives, and presents these options to the user. This allows users without prior knowledge of effective search terms to still achieve precise search results through the system's automated assistance.
3Measurement precision
If the system generates multiple alternative search terms to guide users, then search query precision improves, but system complexity increases
Solution Approach 1:
The patent applies segmentation by breaking down the search query into component search terms. The system identifies individual terms within the user's query, analyzes each component separately, and generates alternative search terms for each component based on relevancy criteria. This segmented approach allows the system to manage complexity by processing queries in discrete parts rather than as a monolithic unit, while still achieving improved query precision.
Data Source
AI summary
A computer-implemented method includes receiving a search query from a user through a user interface of a user computing device, identifying a search term within the search query, the search term including at least a portion of the search query, generating, based at least in part on the search term, one or more alternative search terms that are each different from the search term, and sending, over the communication network, the one or more alternative search terms to the user computing device.