Multi-prefix Interactive Mobile Search System
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Solution Overview
Problem
The limitations of human interface and navigation on mobile phones, including small displays, reduced keyboards, and less effective pointers, make it difficult for users to interact with web pages and use HTML forms efficiently, leading to cumbersome navigation and input challenges.
Innovation Solution
A system providing multi-prefix, multi-tier, and interactive search capabilities on mobile devices, allowing users to input prefixes separated by spaces or other delimiters, with immediate feedback and result updates, enabling faster and more efficient search results without needing to enter the entire search term.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Measurement precision
If users type complete search terms using traditional keyboards on mobile phones, then search accuracy is improved, but the number of keystrokes and time required increases significantly
Solution Approach 1:
The system performs preliminary actions by automatically generating and displaying predictive search results as the user types each keystroke. The search engine pre-computes and displays multiple possible search completions based on the partial input, allowing users to select from predefined options rather than typing complete terms. This resolves the contradiction by maintaining search accuracy through predictive matching while dramatically reducing the time and keystrokes required.
Solution Approach 2:
The system applies partial action by allowing users to input only a portion of the complete search term (a prefix or few characters) rather than requiring the full term. The search engine processes this partial input and returns relevant results, eliminating the need for complete typing. This approach maintains sufficient search accuracy for most queries while significantly reducing input time and keystroke count.
2Measurement precision
If users navigate through multiple input fields on HTML forms using pointers or directional pads, then form completion accuracy is improved, but navigation complexity and effort increase
Solution Approach 1:
The system merges the navigation function into the keyboard input process itself. When users press the submit button or continue key, the system automatically advances to the next relevant input field or form element, combining the navigation action with the existing keyboard interaction model. This eliminates the need for separate pointer-based navigation while maintaining accurate form completion, thereby reducing navigation effort and improving ease of operation.
3Weight of moving object
If mobile phone displays are made smaller for portability, then device portability is improved, but the area available for displaying content and menus decreases
Solution Approach 1:
The system segments the display content into hierarchical levels: a compact main display area showing current input field and immediate options, with additional content (such as predictive search results, form field labels, and navigation hints) organized in collapsible sections or on-demand panels. This segmentation allows the small display to efficiently present essential information while maintaining access to additional content, resolving the contradiction between small display size and adequate information presentation area.
Data Source
AI summary
A system and a method are disclosed for multi-prefix, interactive search capability on a mobile communications device. A keystroke is input into a search query field of a landing page and a multi-prefix search is performed. The landing page is refreshed to display the results. The landing page displays a first tier of search results, which can include channels or links to web pages associated with the user input. If the search result that is selected is a channel, the channel is displayed. If the search result that is selected is a web page, the web page is displayed. The landing page corresponding to the selected channel, or to the web page, may then be searched or explored. If the desired channel is not displayed within the first tier of search results, another keystroke may be input. The landing page refreshes accordingly and additional keystrokes may be entered.