Integrated Image Search System via Native OS Actions
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Solution Overview
Problem
Current content applications and services make it challenging for users to seamlessly transition from viewing a product image online to purchasing the product, requiring multiple steps such as saving images, navigating to content sites, and using text-based searches.
Innovation Solution
An integrated image search system on mobile devices that integrates with the native operating system, allowing image search features to be triggered through custom actions like share image, share URL, copy share URL, and drag and drop, enabling users to search product catalogs directly from external applications.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Ease of operation
If users save images and navigate to content sites manually, then product search can be performed, but the process becomes complex and time-consuming
Solution Approach 1:
The system performs preliminary actions by integrating image search functionality directly into the native operating system. When a user captures or selects an image, the system automatically prepares and executes the search without requiring manual navigation to separate applications or websites, thus saving time while maintaining ease of operation.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent merges image search functionality with the native operating system by integrating custom actions that allow direct access to product catalogs. This consolidation eliminates the need to switch between applications and combines image capture, search, and product display into a unified workflow, reducing both time and operational complexity.
2Adaptability or versatility
If multiple manual steps are required for image-based product search, then comprehensive product catalog access is achieved, but user experience deteriorates
Solution Approach 1:
The system implements universal access to product catalogs through multiple integrated entry points including share image actions, share URL actions, clipboard manager integration, and drag-and-drop functionality. This multi-functional approach allows users to access the same comprehensive product catalog through various convenient methods, enhancing user experience while maintaining full catalog accessibility.
3Ease of operation
If image search feature is integrated with native operating system, then ease of operation improves, but device complexity increases
Solution Approach 1:
The patent introduces intermediary components such as custom actions and a clipboard manager that mediate between the native operating system and the content application. These intermediaries simplify the user interface by providing familiar operating system-level gestures and commands, while the complex image search and product catalog functionality remains encapsulated within the content application, thus improving ease of operation without exposing the underlying system complexity to users.
Data Source
AI summary
In various embodiments, methods and systems for implementing an integrated image search system are provided. The integrated image search system supports an image search feature of a content application on a mobile device. An image identifier is received to execute an image search operation. The image identifier is received via a native operating system action that is customized to support the image search feature. The native operating system action defines an entry point to the image search feature. The entry points can be based on image identifiers identified from a share image action, a share Uniform Resource Locator (URL) action, a copy share URL action, or a drag and drop action. An image of the image identifier is used to execute the image search operation to identify image search results. An image search results page having one or more images search results is caused to be displayed.