Search Apparatus Attribute Value Presentation for Input Words

Resolve Bottlenecks,
Find Innovative Solutions
Generate Solutions

Solution Overview

Problem

Conventional search systems face difficulties in presenting attribute values as search conditions when multiple search words are inputted, leading to increased user burden in specifying search conditions.

Innovation Solution

An information processing apparatus that identifies suitable search object divisions and acquires attribute values from a storage system, presenting them as search condition candidates, allowing users to easily specify search conditions by selecting attribute values associated with inputted search words.

Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles

VSEngineering Contradiction Analysis

1Ease of operation

If conventional search systems process multiple search words without presenting attribute values, then the system maintains simple processing logic, but user burden increases and search efficiency decreases

Engineering Contradiction:
Improveuser burdenVSAvoidsystem processing complexity
Core Design Contradiction:
Ease of operationVSDevice complexity

Solution Approach 1:

The system performs preliminary analysis of search words to identify attribute-related terms before the user completes their search query. By proactively presenting relevant attribute values during the input process, the system reduces the user burden of manually specifying search conditions while maintaining manageable processing complexity through staged analysis.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #10Preliminary action

Solution Approach 2:

The system introduces an intermediary processing layer that analyzes search words, identifies attribute-related terms, and presents attribute values as suggestions. This intermediary mechanism bridges the gap between simple search input and complex attribute-based filtering, reducing user burden without requiring the entire system to become overly complex.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #24Intermediary (Mediator)

2Measurement precision

If the system presents attribute values as search condition candidates, then search accuracy improves, but processing time increases

Engineering Contradiction:
Improvesearch accuracyVSAvoidprocessing time
Core Design Contradiction:
Measurement precisionVSLoss of time

Solution Approach 1:

The system applies partial action by selectively presenting attribute values only when attribute-related search words are detected, rather than processing all search queries with full attribute analysis. This approach improves search accuracy for relevant queries while minimizing processing time overhead for queries that don't benefit from attribute suggestions.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #16Partial or excessive action

Solution Approach 2:

The system performs preliminary identification of attribute-related search words and prepares attribute value suggestions in advance, before the user completes their search. This preliminary action reduces the perceived processing time by providing suggestions during input, while the actual filtering accuracy is maintained through subsequent precise matching.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #10Preliminary action

3Adaptability or versatility

If the system analyzes all search words for attribute values, then comprehensive search conditions are provided, but system complexity increases

Engineering Contradiction:
Improvesearch condition coverageVSAvoidanalysis complexity
Core Design Contradiction:
Adaptability or versatilityVSDevice complexity

Solution Approach 1:

The system applies local quality by focusing analysis only on specific portions of search words that indicate attribute requirements, rather than uniformly analyzing all search words. This selective analysis approach provides comprehensive search condition coverage where needed while maintaining simpler processing for standard search queries, thereby reducing overall system complexity.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #3Local quality

Solution Approach 2:

The system segments the search word analysis process into distinct stages: identifying attribute-related terms, retrieving corresponding attribute values, and presenting suggestions. This segmentation allows the system to provide comprehensive search conditions through modular processing, reducing overall complexity by breaking down the analysis into manageable, independent components.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #1Segmentation

Data Source

PatentEP2778959B1Information processing device, information processing method, and information processing program
Publication Date: 2020.04.08 RAKUTEN GROUP INC
  • EP2778959B1 patent drawingFigure 1
  • EP2778959B1 patent drawingFigure 2
  • EP2778959B1 patent drawingFigure 3

AI summary

When a word suitable for an attribute value of a search object is included in search words that are being inputted, the attribute value can be presented as a candidate for a search condition. When there are two or more search words that are being inputted, an information processing apparatus identifies a search object division suitable for a first search word among the search words from a plurality of search object divisions. From a storage unit that stores an attribute name and an attribute value of an attribute corresponding to the search object division in association with each other, the information processing apparatus acquires an attribute value suitable for a second search word different from the first search word among the search words from among attribute values associated with the identified search object division. The information processing apparatus causes the acquired attribute value to be presented as a candidate for a search condition.