Multimodal Search Interface with Automatic Query Type Switching
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Solution Overview
Problem
Current information search methods in computing environments rely primarily on text-based queries, which become inadequate with the diversification and increased volume of information, necessitating the integration of multiple query modalities such as audio, image, and sketch to enhance search efficiency.
Innovation Solution
A device and method that receive a single or multimodal query, automatically switching between query types such as text, audio, or image, and display corresponding input windows to combine and generate a search query, allowing for a more comprehensive search result based on multiple query inputs.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Adaptability or versatility
If text-based search is used, then search implementation is simple, but search capability becomes insufficient with diversified information
Solution Approach 1:
The search device is designed to accept multiple types of queries including text queries, audio queries, and image queries through a unified interface. The controller integrates processing of different query types to perform comprehensive searches, allowing the same device to handle diverse information types without requiring separate search systems for each modality.
2Adaptability or versatility
If multiple query modalities are integrated, then search capability is enhanced, but device complexity increases
Solution Approach 1:
The device combines multiple input mechanisms (text input interface, audio input interface with microphone, image input interface with camera) into a single integrated search system. The controller merges processing of text queries, audio queries, and image queries into one unified search operation, reducing the need for separate systems while maintaining enhanced search capabilities.
Solution Approach 2:
A single query input window serves multiple functions by accepting different types of queries (text, audio, image) based on user selection. The same input interface adapts to handle various query modalities, eliminating the need for completely separate input systems for each query type.
3Ease of operation
If automatic switching between query types is implemented, then ease of operation is improved, but control complexity increases
Solution Approach 1:
The query input window dynamically adapts its functionality based on the selected query type. When the user selects text query, the window displays text input fields; when audio query is selected, it activates microphone input; when image query is selected, it activates camera input. This dynamic reconfiguration allows easy operation while managing control complexity through programmed state transitions.
Solution Approach 2:
The system automatically configures the appropriate input interface and activates relevant components (microphone, camera) based on the user's query type selection, without requiring manual setup or complex user configuration. The controller automatically manages the switching between different input modes.
Data Source
AI summary
Provided are a method and an apparatus for searching for and acquiring information under a computing environment. The apparatus includes: at least one input device configured to receive a first query input of a first query type and a second query input of a second query type; and a controller configured to output a query input window including a first display item corresponding to the first query input and a second display item corresponding to the second query input, to automatically switch, in response to receiving the first query input, the apparatus from a first state to receive the first query input of the first query type to a second state to receive the second query input of the second query type, and to obtain a search result according to a query based on the first query input and the second query input.