Multi-Terminal Search Aggregation via Device Group Coordination
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Solution Overview
Problem
Native search functions in multi-terminal scenarios are inefficient as they can only display search results from the currently operated terminal, failing to utilize search results from other interconnected devices, leading to reduced search efficiency.
Innovation Solution
A method and apparatus for shared data search among multiple interconnected terminals, where a first terminal sends a search instruction to other terminals in the same device group, allowing them to search and share results, enabling the user to view all relevant search results across the group.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Productivity
If the native search function is used in a single terminal, then the search operation is simple and the terminal structure is straightforward, but the search efficiency is reduced because search results are limited to only the currently operated terminal
Solution Approach 1:
The patent merges search capabilities across multiple terminals by establishing a device group where search results from all terminals are aggregated and displayed together. The first terminal sends search instructions to other terminals in the group, collects their search results, and presents a unified result set to the user, effectively combining the search functions of multiple devices into one coordinated system.
Solution Approach 2:
The search system is designed with multi-functionality to operate in different modes: it can perform local search within a single terminal or expand to multi-terminal search depending on user needs. The system universally handles both single-device and multi-device search scenarios, allowing the search function to adapt its scope from one terminal to multiple terminals without requiring separate systems.
2Quantity of substance
If search is limited to the currently operated terminal, then the system operation is simple, but the quantity of search results is insufficient when the key word is not stored in the current terminal
Solution Approach 1:
The patent combines search results from multiple terminals into a unified result set. When a user initiates a search on the first terminal, the system automatically queries other terminals in the device group and merges their results with the local results, providing a comprehensive set of search results that aggregates content from all connected devices.
Solution Approach 2:
The first terminal acts as an intermediary that coordinates the multi-terminal search process. It sends search instructions to other terminals, collects their results, and presents the aggregated results to the user. This intermediary role enables the system to expand search scope across multiple devices while maintaining a simple user interface that resembles traditional single-terminal search.
Data Source
AI summary
A search method includes obtaining, by a first terminal, a first key word from a user; searching, by the first terminal based on the first key word, the first terminal for a first search result associated with the first key word; sending, by the first terminal, a first search instruction to a second terminal (the second terminal is a terminal in a device group to which the first terminal belongs), where the first search instruction carries the first key word, to trigger the second terminal to search the second terminal for a second search result associated with the first key word; obtaining, by the first terminal, the second search result from the second terminal.