Mini Information Center for Reducing Search Time
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Solution Overview
Problem
Information centers with vast amounts of topics and documents overwhelm users, making it time-consuming to find specific information, such as installing an application server, due to the lack of a robust search mechanism.
Innovation Solution
A method to create a 'mini information center' by presenting users with initial questions to identify topics of interest, allowing selection of relevant articles, and storing them in a directory to build a personalized information center with targeted content, mimicking the appearance and feel of a standard information center but with less content.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Quantity of substance
If a comprehensive information center with thousands of topics and documents is provided, then the coverage and completeness of information is improved, but the time required for users to find specific information increases
Solution Approach 1:
The patent segments the large information center into multiple smaller, topic-specific information centers. Each information center focuses on a particular subject area (e.g., Java development, database management), allowing users to quickly navigate to relevant sections without searching through unrelated content. This segmentation maintains comprehensive coverage while reducing search time by organizing information into manageable, focused units.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent introduces an intermediary classification system that acts as a mediator between the user and the comprehensive information center. This intermediary layer provides a structured hierarchy of topics and subtopics that guides users to specific information areas, reducing the time needed to locate desired content while maintaining access to the full range of information available in the comprehensive center.
2Quantity of substance
If a comprehensive information center with thousands of topics and documents is provided, then the coverage and completeness of information is improved, but the complexity of the interface increases
Solution Approach 1:
The interface is segmented into multiple simple, topic-specific interfaces rather than one complex comprehensive interface. Each information center has its own streamlined interface designed for its specific topic area, reducing the cognitive load on users while collectively providing access to thousands of topics and documents through the segmented structure.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent adds a dimensional organization layer to the information center structure, creating a hierarchical arrangement where broad topic categories serve as outer dimensions and specific documents serve as inner dimensions. This dimensional organization allows the interface to remain simple at each level while providing comprehensive access to information across multiple dimensions.
3Quantity of substance
If a comprehensive information center with thousands of topics and documents is provided, then the coverage of information areas is improved, but the ease of operation decreases
Solution Approach 1:
By segmenting the comprehensive information center into focused topic areas, users can easily operate within each segment without being overwhelmed by the full scope of available information. The segmentation allows users to concentrate on specific topics of interest while maintaining easy access to broader categories when needed.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent applies preliminary action by pre-organizing information into logical topic segments and hierarchical categories before users need to search. This pre-structuring of content into focused information centers eliminates the need for users to manually navigate through unrelated topics, significantly improving ease of operation while maintaining comprehensive coverage.
Data Source
AI summary
A method, computer program product and system for creating a mini information center. A user is presented with an initial set of questions to answer. Based on these answers, topics of interests are identified. These topics of interests are presented to the user. Each topic of interest may be associated with one or more articles. The user may then select the articles that are of interest to the user. Upon selection of each article, the user may be presented with a list of options including the option of storing the selected article and associated topic in a directory which will later be used to build a mini information center. Once the user has completed the selection of articles of interest, the mini information center is built using the stored selected articles and associated topics thereby enabling the user to access the desired information in the information center using less time.