2D Scale Axis Search Visualization for Information Retrieval

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Solution Overview

Problem

Existing search techniques often result in zero search results when searching for images or similar content, requiring repeated keyword inputs to find relevant information, which is inefficient.

Innovation Solution

An information processing device and method that sets items displayable by scale axes based on search keywords, allowing users to visualize and narrow search results by scale axis values, enabling efficient searching by displaying the 2D distribution of search hits on a web page.

Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles

VSEngineering Contradiction Analysis

1Productivity

If traditional keyword-based search is used, then search simplicity is maintained, but search efficiency deteriorates due to zero search results requiring repeated keyword inputs

Engineering Contradiction:
Improvesearch efficiencyVSAvoidtime for repeated keyword inputs
Core Design Contradiction:
ProductivityVSLoss of time

Solution Approach 1:

The patent transitions from one-dimensional keyword-based search to two-dimensional scale axis-based search. By introducing scale axes (e.g., time scale, magnitude scale) as an additional dimension, the system enables users to specify search ranges visually rather than through multiple keyword iterations, thereby improving search efficiency and reducing time loss.

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

Solution Approach 2:

The patent introduces scale axes as an intermediary between the user and the search database. Instead of directly inputting multiple keywords, users interact with scale axes that mediate the search process by translating visual range selections into effective search queries, reducing the need for repeated keyword inputs.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #24Intermediary (Mediator)

2Measurement precision

If multiple keywords are input to improve search accuracy, then search precision improves, but operation complexity increases

Engineering Contradiction:
Improvesearch accuracyVSAvoidease of keyword input
Core Design Contradiction:
Measurement precisionVSEase of operation

Solution Approach 1:

The system automatically determines appropriate scale axes and search parameters based on the user's visual selection on the scale axes diagram. The system self-adjusts the search query construction without requiring the user to manually input multiple keywords, thereby maintaining search accuracy while simplifying operation.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #25Self-service

Solution Approach 2:

The patent changes the search interface parameters from keyword-based text input to visual scale axis-based range selection. By transforming the search specification method from discrete keywords to continuous scale ranges, the system achieves both high search accuracy and ease of operation.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #35Parameter changes

3Measurement precision

If detailed search filters are applied to improve search precision, then search accuracy improves, but device complexity increases

Engineering Contradiction:
Improvesearch precisionVSAvoidcomplexity of search interface
Core Design Contradiction:
Measurement precisionVSDevice complexity

Solution Approach 1:

The scale axes diagram serves multiple functions simultaneously: it acts as a visual guide for users, a parameter specification interface, and a search query generator. This multi-functionality eliminates the need for separate filter interfaces while maintaining high search precision, thereby reducing overall system complexity.

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

Data Source

PatentEP2573687B1Information processing device, information processing method, information processing program, and recording medium
Publication Date: 2023.03.29 RAKUTEN GROUP INC
  • EP2573687B1 patent drawingFigure 1
  • EP2573687B1 patent drawingFigure 2
  • EP2573687B1 patent drawingFigure 3

AI summary

Search keywords are acquired (S3), a first item and a second item displayable by scale axes are set in accordance with the search keywords (S4, S5), a search is made by the search keywords and the scale axis values of the items and a presence of search hits is found (S5), and display data for displaying a 2D distribution of the presence of search hits is generated by the scale axis values of the items in a plane with two axes including the scale axis of the first item and the scale axis of the second item (S11).