Item-Specific Search Controls for Hierarchical Result Refinement
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Solution Overview
Problem
Conventional search systems provide overly inclusive category options that do not adequately identify refinement attributes related to a specific item, requiring special knowledge from users to effectively filter search results, leading to inefficient search refinement.
Innovation Solution
Implementing an item-specific control with embedded selectable hierarchical category classifications and attributes that allow users to refine search results efficiently by selecting specific categories and attributes directly associated with each item.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Adaptability or versatility
If standard search refinement features with all categories are provided, then search coverage is comprehensive, but user interface complexity increases and ease of operation deteriorates
Solution Approach 1:
The patent applies local quality by transitioning from a global category list to item-specific category options. Each item in the search results displays only the category options relevant to that specific item, making the interface easier to operate while maintaining comprehensive search coverage through the hierarchical category structure.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent segments the category options based on individual items rather than presenting a monolithic list of all categories. Each item's control object contains only the applicable category options for that item, dividing the overall category space into item-specific segments that are easier to navigate and operate.
2Reliability
If overly inclusive category options are provided, then search system completeness is maintained, but device complexity increases
Solution Approach 1:
The patent reduces device complexity by implementing item-specific category options rather than a universal category list. Each item's control object contains only the relevant category options for that item, maintaining search system completeness while reducing the complexity of the user interface and data structures.
3Measurement precision
If specialized category knowledge is required from users, then search precision can be maintained, but ease of operation deteriorates
Solution Approach 1:
The patent implements self-service by automatically providing item-specific category options based on the item's metadata and hierarchical classification. The system determines and presents relevant category options without requiring users to have specialized knowledge, maintaining search precision while significantly improving ease of operation.
Data Source
AI summary
Methods, systems, and computer storage media for processing search queries using item-based search refinement are provided. In response to a search query, search result items are displayed on a search interface. The search result items each have an associated item-specific control having embedded selectable hierarchical category classifications. Upon selecting an item-specific control, the item-specific control is displayed. A selection of an embedded hierarchical category classification is received to cause execution of an embedded-item search operation. An embedded-item search operation is executed to identify a subset of the items using the selected hierarchical category classification. The associated item-specific control further has embedded selectable attributes. A selection of an embedded attribute is further received to cause execution of the embedded-item search operation. The embedded-item search operation is executed to identify a subset of the items using the selected hierarchical category classification and the selected attribute.