Locating Text in Computer Documents
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Solution Overview
Problem
Conventional computer search techniques are inefficient for locating text in multiple documents, as they lack spatial visualization and require complex syntax, leading to fragmented search results that are difficult for users to navigate and link together.
Innovation Solution
A graphical user interface and method that allows users to perform searches across multiple files, visually distinguish search hits, and aggregate results from multiple searches, enabling easier navigation and integration of search findings.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Adaptability or versatility
If conventional search techniques are used to search across multiple files, then search coverage is improved, but result navigation and visualization become more difficult
Solution Approach 1:
The patent segments search results by displaying them in a structured list format with distinct visual elements for each file and match location. Each result is broken down into manageable components (file name, line number, match text) that can be easily navigated and understood individually, resolving the contradiction between comprehensive multi-file search coverage and ease of result navigation.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent adds visual dimensions to search results by incorporating color coding, icons, and spatial layout in the results list. This transforms plain text results into a multi-dimensional visual representation that provides immediate context and hierarchy, making it easier to navigate and understand results across multiple files without losing comprehensive search coverage.
2Measurement precision
If complex search syntax with wildcards is used, then search precision is improved, but ease of use deteriorates
Solution Approach 1:
The patent introduces an intermediary layer between the user and the search engine by providing a simplified search interface that automatically translates user-friendly search terms into precise search patterns. This intermediary handles the complexity of syntax and wildcards internally, allowing users to perform precise searches without needing to learn complex search syntax, thus resolving the contradiction between search precision and ease of use.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent uses copying by maintaining a history of previous searches and allowing users to reuse or modify past search terms. This eliminates the need for users to reconstruct complex search syntax from memory, providing precise search capabilities through simple copy-paste or modification of existing search terms, thereby resolving the contradiction between search precision and ease of operation.
3Adaptability or versatility
If multiple independent searches are performed, then search flexibility is improved, but result integration becomes more difficult
Solution Approach 1:
The patent merges multiple independent search results into a single unified results list that maintains the flexibility of separate searches while automatically integrating all results. The system combines results from multiple search operations, applies consistent sorting and filtering, and presents them in a single navigable interface, resolving the contradiction between search flexibility and result integration complexity.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent creates a universal search results interface that can handle and display results from any type of search operation uniformly. This multi-functional results display system can accommodate different search criteria, file types, and search modes while presenting all results through a single consistent interface, eliminating the need for separate result management for each search type and resolving the contradiction between search flexibility and integration complexity.
Data Source
AI summary
Methods and systems of the present disclosure provide techniques to improve the display of and merge the results of one or more searches of a computer document in a simple, user-controlled manner. One method involves receiving a query, and searching files to identify any matches to the query. Another method involves visually marking the matches on the display so that the matches can be easily compared to the matches of subsequent queries. A method is also provided in which a user can pin the results of one query to a viewing pane of the display so that the results can be easily compared to the results of subsequent queries.