Hierarchical Document Search for Faster Manual Section Retrieval
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Solution Overview
Problem
Existing document search systems struggle to efficiently locate desired information due to numerous manuals with overlapping terms, leading to lengthy searches when multiple results are returned.
Innovation Solution
A document search system that utilizes a processor and storage apparatus to organize documents hierarchically, allowing users to input keywords and navigate through hierarchies to find specific information efficiently, aided by a synonym dictionary for term conversion and generative AI for summaries.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Productivity
If full text search is performed without hierarchical classification, then search coverage is comprehensive, but search time increases significantly when multiple results are returned
Solution Approach 1:
The patent segments the document search process into hierarchical levels (chapter, section, clause) and presents results in a structured hierarchy. This allows users to navigate through organized levels rather than reviewing a flat list of all matching documents, significantly reducing the time to locate desired information while maintaining comprehensive search coverage.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent adds a hierarchical dimension to the traditional flat search results list. By organizing results across multiple levels (chapter → section → clause), the system transforms one-dimensional search results into a multi-dimensional structure that enables more efficient navigation and information location.
2Measurement precision
If hierarchical search is implemented with multiple levels, then information location becomes more precise, but user interaction complexity increases
Solution Approach 1:
The patent implements a dynamic search interface that adapts to user needs. The hierarchy can be navigated at different depths depending on user requirements, and the system provides flexible navigation options (e.g., jumping to specific levels, viewing summaries at different hierarchies) to maintain ease of operation while achieving precise information location.
3Ease of manufacture
If documents are organized by hierarchical structure, then search results become more organized, but system complexity increases
Solution Approach 1:
The patent performs preliminary extraction and organization of hierarchical structures from documents during the indexing phase. By pre-processing documents to identify and store hierarchical relationships (chapter, section, clause), the system simplifies the actual search operation, as the hierarchy is already prepared and ready for efficient querying without adding complexity during search execution.
Data Source
AI summary
A document search system stores a document search database indicating a content hierarchical structure of one or more documents. A document search system receives a search keyword input from a user, searches a document search database for items matching the search keyword, and determines a result item to be presented to the user from a plurality of items matching the search keyword by sequentially selecting items from a higher hierarchy to a lower hierarchy according to a content hierarchical structure including the plurality of items. The selection in at least one hierarchy follows selection by the user from a plurality of option items presented to the user.