Hyperlinked Search Strings in Mobile Messaging Apps
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Solution Overview
Problem
Mobile devices with small displays and keyboards face challenges in typing efficiency and app navigation, requiring processes that reduce typing and facilitate switching between apps for tasks.
Innovation Solution
A processor-implemented method that assigns keyboard characters as control indicators to define search strings in a text messaging app, allowing users to create hyperlinks that invoke searches outside the app, reducing typing and toggling between apps.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Productivity
If users manually type search queries in a search app, then search functionality is available, but typing time and user effort increase significantly
Solution Approach 1:
The system performs preliminary action by automatically extracting the search query from the text message content and preparing it for search execution before the user even opens the search app. The query is pre-processed and ready to be submitted as soon as the user initiates the search function, eliminating the need for manual typing of the entire query.
Solution Approach 2:
The system uses copying by taking the search query text from the message composition field and copying it to the search app's query input field. This allows the user to reference the original message context while performing the search, and the query is automatically transferred without requiring manual re-typing.
2Adaptability or versatility
If users switch between text messaging app and search app to perform related tasks, then comprehensive functionality is achieved, but app toggling steps increase
Solution Approach 1:
The system merges the text messaging app and search app functionalities by establishing a direct integration between them. The search app can be launched directly from the message composition context, and the query is automatically populated from the message text, effectively combining the workflow of both apps into a seamless operation.
Solution Approach 2:
The system uses an intermediary mechanism (the message composition field and the integrated search interface) that bridges the text messaging app and search app. This intermediary automatically handles the query extraction and transfer, serving as a mediator that eliminates the need for manual app switching and query re-entry.
3Ease of operation
If small keyboard is used for data entry, then device mobility is maintained, but typing accuracy and efficiency decrease
Solution Approach 1:
The system performs preliminary action by pre-composing the search query within the message text before the user needs to perform the search. This allows the user to leverage the message composition interface (which may have better input methods or auto-completion) to create the query, and then automatically transfer it to the search app, reducing the need for precise manual typing on the small keyboard.
Data Source
AI summary
A processor-implemented method of creating a hyperlink from a text messaging text entry field in a text messaging app on a user's mobile device includes the app assigning one or more keyboard characters as control characters which designate a start of a text search string and an end of a text search string. The user enters text including the control characters into the text messaging app text entry field. Upon the user activating a send command to send a text message that includes the start and end control characters, displaying the search string as a hyperlinked text in the message thread which is selectable to invoke a search outside of the text messaging app.