Real-Time Query Expansion Phrase Builder for Handheld Devices
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Solution Overview
Problem
Existing real-time query expansion (RTQE) interfaces on handheld devices are inefficient due to limited memory space and usability issues, leading to cumbersome text entry processes and reduced search accuracy.
Innovation Solution
A method that enhances RTQE by presenting users with a list of predetermined terms based on user input, allowing for focused selection and expansion of terms, using a placeholder for undisplayed terms to conserve display space, and adjusting lists dynamically based on user input and context, enabling flexible phrase construction with reduced keystrokes.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Measurement precision
If all terms are displayed in the list, then user selection accuracy is improved, but display space is exceeded and memory requirements increase
Solution Approach 1:
The patent segments the term list into multiple pages, with each page displaying a subset of terms (e.g., 10 terms per page). Users can navigate between pages to access additional terms, thereby maintaining display space constraints while providing comprehensive term access for accurate selection.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent introduces a pagination dimension to the term display system. Instead of expanding the display area horizontally or vertically to show all terms, the system adds a page navigation dimension, allowing users to access terms across multiple pages while keeping each individual display within space constraints.
2Measurement precision
If more terms are pre-loaded into memory, then phrase construction accuracy is improved, but memory space requirements increase
Solution Approach 1:
The system pre-loads and organizes terms in a database structure that enables efficient retrieval based on user input patterns. Terms are prepared and indexed in advance, allowing the system to quickly provide relevant terms without loading entire phrase dictionaries into memory, thus balancing accuracy with memory efficiency.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent extracts only the necessary terms from the complete database based on user input context and display constraints. Instead of loading all possible terms into memory, the system extracts and displays only those terms relevant to the current user input and pagination state, reducing memory requirements while maintaining phrase construction accuracy.
3Reliability
If traditional RTQE interface is used, then search functionality is provided, but text entry efficiency is reduced due to cumbersome navigation
Solution Approach 1:
The patent implements a dynamic term list that automatically updates and re-ranks terms based on user input changes. As users type additional characters, the system dynamically filters and reorders the term list to match the new input, providing real-time updates without requiring manual navigation through static lists, thereby improving text entry efficiency while maintaining search functionality.
Data Source
AI summary
Real-time query expansion (RTQE) is a process of supplementing an original query with additional terms or expansion choices that are ranked according to some figure of merit and presented while users are still formulating their queries. Individual terms may be combined and submitted as a phrase into a query. By building the phase term-by-term, users can compositionally formulate queries while maintaining the same benefits that other RTQE interfaces offer. The benefits include, reducing the number of keystrokes and improving retrieval performance. To promote greater flexibility in its working environment, the number of terms that are presented on a display may be reduced. In place of some terms, placeholders may be used and expanded by the user when necessary. This allows phrases to be readily presented on small displays (e.g., hand-held devices).