Query Character Generation With Selective Synonym Conversion

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Solution Overview

Problem

Existing content search techniques, such as those described in Japanese Patent Laid-Open No. 2011-053781, face the challenge of converting user-input keywords into synonyms that may not accurately reflect the user's intended meaning, leading to unintended search results.

Innovation Solution

A method for generating a query character string that includes both a first keyword selected from candidates and a manually input second keyword, with the first keyword being converted into a synonym, to enhance search accuracy by aligning with the user's intended meaning.

Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles

VSEngineering Contradiction Analysis

1Productivity

If a freely described keyword is converted into a synonym, then the search can retrieve more contents, but the search results may not accurately reflect the user's intended meaning

Engineering Contradiction:

Improvesearch result quantityVSAvoiduser intent accuracy

Core Design Contradiction:

ProductivityVSMeasurement precision

Solution Approach 1:

The keyword input is segmented into two distinct types: selected keywords from candidate lists and freely described keywords. Each type is processed differently - selected keywords are converted to synonyms while freely described keywords are used as-is, thereby segmenting the keyword processing pathway to balance search coverage and accuracy.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #1Segmentation

Solution Approach 2:

Different processing qualities are applied to different keyword types. Selected keywords receive synonym conversion (higher transformation) while freely described keywords maintain their original form (lower transformation), creating local quality differences in the keyword processing to optimize both search breadth and precision.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #3Local quality

2Measurement precision

If only selected keywords from candidates are used, then search accuracy is improved, but the flexibility and user intent expression are reduced

Engineering Contradiction:

Improvesearch accuracyVSAvoiduser intent expression flexibility

Core Design Contradiction:

Measurement precisionVSAdaptability or versatility

Solution Approach 1:

The system merges two keyword input methods (selected keywords and freely described keywords) into a unified search query. This combination allows the system to leverage both the structured accuracy of pre-defined candidates and the flexible intent expression of user-generated terms.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #5Merging (Combining)

Solution Approach 2:

The search system achieves multi-functionality by supporting both keyword selection from candidates and free-text input within the same interface. This universal approach allows users to switch between structured and unstructured input modes depending on their needs, enhancing both accuracy and flexibility.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #6Universality (Multi-functionality)

3Adaptability or versatility

If synonym conversion is applied to all keywords, then search coverage is increased, but the risk of retrieving unintended results increases

Engineering Contradiction:

Improvesearch coverageVSAvoidresult relevance

Core Design Contradiction:

Adaptability or versatilityVSReliability

Solution Approach 1:

The synonym conversion is made dynamic and conditional rather than universal. The system dynamically determines whether to apply synonym conversion based on the keyword type - applying it to selected keywords while excluding freely described keywords, thereby adapting the processing intensity to the specific input context.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #15Dynamics

Solution Approach 2:

The system incorporates user feedback mechanisms where users can select from candidate keywords that are presumably relevant to their search intent. This feedback loop ensures that when synonym conversion is applied to selected keywords, the base keywords themselves are already validated by user choice, maintaining result reliability while still expanding coverage through synonyms.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #23Feedback

Data Source

PatentUS12436980B2Method, server, information processing apparatus, and storage medium for generating query character string

Publication Date: 2025.10.07 CANON KK

AI summary

The information processing apparatus obtains a search result desired by a user by performing: receiving a first keyword selected by the user from among a plurality of keyword candidates and a second keyword input manually by the user; generating a query character string including a first synonym, which is generated by converting the first keyword, and the second keyword; and outputting the query character string for searching for contents.