Personalized Search Environment Using Graph-Based Aggregation

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Solution Overview

Problem

Consumer-type users without access to enterprise environments cannot utilize personalized search services efficiently due to the lack of underlying architecture, limiting their ability to perform searches using graph-based aggregation services.

Innovation Solution

A personalized search environment is created for users through their personal accounts, utilizing a service that authenticates users with a tenant identifier and aggregates data from various sources like personal email, social networks, and online storage services, enabling relevant search results without requiring enterprise environment access.

Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles

VSEngineering Contradiction Analysis

1Productivity

If personalized search services use enterprise graph-based aggregation services, then search efficiency and relevance are improved, but accessibility is limited to enterprise environments only

Engineering Contradiction:
Improvesearch efficiencyVSAvoidenvironment accessibility
Core Design Contradiction:
ProductivityVSAdaptability or versatility

Solution Approach 1:

The patent applies universality by enabling the graph-based aggregation service to function in both enterprise and personal environments. The service is designed to work with personal accounts instead of enterprise credentials, allowing the same search infrastructure to serve multiple user types and environments through a unified interface.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #6Universality (Multi-functionality)

Solution Approach 2:

The patent introduces an intermediary layer that translates personal account credentials into a form compatible with the graph-based aggregation service. This intermediary authentication mechanism allows personal users to access enterprise-grade search capabilities without requiring enterprise environment access, bridging the gap between different access models.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #24Intermediary (Mediator)

2Quantity of substance

If personalized search services require enterprise environment access, then data aggregation capabilities are improved, but device complexity for users increases

Engineering Contradiction:
Improvedata aggregation capabilityVSAvoiduser access complexity
Core Design Contradiction:
Quantity of substanceVSDevice complexity

Solution Approach 1:

The patent implements self-service by allowing the graph-based aggregation service to automatically authenticate and aggregate data using personal account credentials. The service independently manages the authentication process and data collection without requiring users to manually configure enterprise access or understand complex authentication protocols.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #25Self-service

Solution Approach 2:

The patent creates a simplified copy of the enterprise authentication model adapted for personal use. Instead of requiring full enterprise environment access, the service uses personal account credentials that replicate the necessary authentication functionality, reducing complexity while maintaining data aggregation capabilities.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #26Copying

3Adaptability or versatility

If conventional search engines are used by consumer users, then accessibility is improved, but search relevance and personalization are reduced

Engineering Contradiction:
Improveuser accessibilityVSAvoidsearch relevance
Core Design Contradiction:
Adaptability or versatilityVSMeasurement precision

Solution Approach 1:

The patent adds a new dimension to conventional search by integrating graph-based aggregation capabilities into personal search. This dimensional enhancement allows the search system to process and analyze data relationships in ways that improve relevance and personalization while maintaining the accessibility of standard search interfaces.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #17Another dimension (Dimensionality change)

Data Source

PatentEP3513316B1Personalized search environment
Publication Date: 2023.10.25 MICROSOFT TECHNOLOGY LICENSING LLC
  • EP3513316B1 patent drawingFigure 1
  • EP3513316B1 patent drawingFigure 2
  • EP3513316B1 patent drawingFigure 3

AI summary

Technologies are described to provide a personalized search environment to users without requiring enterprise environment access. Upon access of a personal service account such as one in a productivity service, a user's personal environment may be created by an aggregation service using graph based data infrastructure. Sources of information may include personal email accounts, calendars, social / professional networks, task list applications, online data storage services, health applications, gaming applications, and communication applications associated with the user. A personalized search application may then use the data from the aggregation service and/or (if available) user's enterprise account information to perform personalized searches with relevant results for the user.