Local Search System with Dynamic Geographic Expansion
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Solution Overview
Problem
Existing user interfaces for conducting local searches over a network, such as the internet, often fail to effectively display geographically relevant information, especially when the number of search results within a selected area is less than a predetermined threshold, leading to incomplete or inaccurate results.
Innovation Solution
A method that transmits a first view from a server computer system to a client computer system, including a search identifier, and in response to user interaction, receives a search request, extracts search results from a data source, and transmits a second view with a subset of results that includes locations outside the selected area if the number of results within the area is less than a threshold, using a map to display geographic locations and allowing for further filtering and interaction.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Measurement precision
If the search system restricts results to a selected geographic area, then the relevance of results to the user's location is improved, but the completeness of results is worsened when few results exist within that area
Solution Approach 1:
The system dynamically adjusts the search area boundary based on the number of results found. When the count of results within the selected area falls below a threshold, the system automatically expands the geographic boundary to include additional areas, thereby adapting the search parameters to maintain result completeness while preserving location relevance.
Solution Approach 2:
The system changes the geographic parameter (search area boundary) from a fixed user-selected region to a variable region that expands when necessary. This parameter change allows the system to transition from a strict local search to a broader regional search when the initial area yields insufficient results, resolving the contradiction between geographic precision and result quantity.
2Quantity of substance
If the search system expands the search area to include more results, then the completeness of results is improved, but the geographic relevance to the user's selected area is worsened
Solution Approach 1:
The system employs dynamic boundary adjustment where the search area expands only when and where necessary. Rather than uniformly expanding the entire search area, the system selectively extends boundaries to include additional geographic regions, maintaining maximum geographic relevance while achieving sufficient result completeness.
3Quantity of substance
If the system automatically expands search area when results are insufficient, then the completeness of results is improved, but the complexity of the search system is worsened
Solution Approach 1:
The system performs self-service by automatically detecting when result completeness is insufficient and autonomously expanding the search area without requiring user intervention. This self-service mechanism handles the complexity internally, presenting a simple interface to users while managing the sophisticated logic of dynamic boundary adjustment behind the scenes.
Solution Approach 2:
The system uses feedback from the result count to trigger boundary expansion. When the number of results falls below a threshold, this feedback initiates the automatic expansion process, creating a closed-loop control system that balances result completeness with geographic relevance without requiring complex user configuration.
4Measurement precision
If the system displays only results within the selected area, then the precision of geographic filtering is improved, but the usefulness of results is worsened when the area contains few relevant results
Solution Approach 1:
The system dynamically adjusts the geographic filtering precision based on result availability. When the selected area yields sufficient results, strict geographic filtering is maintained. When results are insufficient, the system relaxes the geographic constraints by expanding the search area, thereby adapting the filtering precision to maintain result usefulness while preserving geographic relevance where possible.
Data Source
AI summary
The invention also provides a method of interfacing with a client computer system, wherein search results include search results with geographic locations outside the first selected area if the number of the search results that have geographic locations within the selected area are less than a predetermined threshold value.