In-Context Search Result Exploration via Correlator

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Solution Overview

Problem

Current search systems require users to wait for a new search to complete after selecting suggested searches, making it inefficient to determine if refinements help or hinder the search results.

Innovation Solution

Interlinking search suggestions with search results to provide instant feedback by correlating suggested searches with search results, allowing users to see which results correspond to the suggested queries through highlighting or other visual cues, implemented using a correlator that interacts with the user interface to provide in-context exploration.

Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles

VSEngineering Contradiction Analysis

1Reliability

If a new search is performed after selecting suggested searches, then the search results can be refined, but the user has to wait for the new search to complete which reduces search efficiency

Engineering Contradiction:

Improvesearch refinement accuracyVSAvoidsearch execution time

Core Design Contradiction:

ReliabilityVSLoss of time

Solution Approach 1:

The system pre-computes and caches search results for suggested searches before the user actually selects them. When a user hovers over or views suggested searches, the results are already prepared and can be instantly displayed without waiting for full search execution, thus resolving the contradiction between obtaining refined results and avoiding time loss.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #10Preliminary action

Solution Approach 2:

Instead of waiting for complete search results, the system displays partial results or preview information immediately when suggested searches are shown. This allows users to see some refinement benefits instantly while the full search continues in the background, balancing the need for accuracy with the need for speed.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #16Partial or excessive action

2Adaptability or versatility

If suggested searches are provided with search results, then users can explore refinement options, but the lack of instant feedback makes it difficult to determine if refinements help or hurt

Engineering Contradiction:

Improvesearch exploration capabilityVSAvoidfeedback information

Core Design Contradiction:

Adaptability or versatilityVSLoss of information

Solution Approach 1:

The system provides immediate visual feedback by highlighting or annotating which search results are relevant to each suggested search. When users view suggested searches, they simultaneously see which results would be returned, allowing them to instantly assess whether the refinement is helpful without waiting for separate search executions.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #23Feedback

Solution Approach 2:

The system introduces an intermediary visual layer (such as highlights, annotations, or side panels) that connects suggested searches with their potential results. This intermediary provides the missing feedback information by showing the relationship between suggested refinements and actual results without requiring full search execution.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #24Intermediary (Mediator)

Data Source

PatentUS9317602B2System and method for in-context exploration of search results

Publication Date: 2016.04.19 R2 SOLUTIONS LLC

AI summary

A method of providing in-context exploration of a query results web page, wherein the web page has at least one element and a plurality of query results, receives an indication of interest in the at least one element, and in response to the indication, emphasizes at least one query result relative to the plurality of query results.