Search Assistance Component for Precision Refinement
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Solution Overview
Problem
Conventional search tools are limited in their ability to effectively and efficiently search large collections of information, as they rely solely on keyword analysis and do not leverage the search expertise of other users to refine search results.
Innovation Solution
Implementing a search assistance component that monitors and accesses the search activities of other users to identify productive searches and their results, using heuristics to focus the user's search by incorporating related and semantically linked keywords, and providing access to earlier versions of web pages through tools like the WayBack Machine.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Measurement precision
If conventional keyword-search interfaces are used, then search coverage is broad, but search precision and relevance deteriorate
Solution Approach 1:
The patent implements feedback mechanisms by monitoring user search activities, analyzing search patterns, and using this information to refine and improve search results. The system collects data on user interactions with search results and uses this feedback to adjust search algorithms, thereby improving precision while maintaining broad coverage through iterative refinement.
Solution Approach 2:
The system performs self-service by automatically analyzing user behavior patterns and semantically linking keywords without requiring explicit user input for each refinement. The search assistance component autonomously monitors activities, identifies productive searches, and incorporates semantic relationships to enhance search precision while preserving versatility.
2Productivity
If keyword analysis alone is used, then system complexity is low, but search effectiveness deteriorates
Solution Approach 1:
The patent introduces a search assistance component as an intermediary between the user and the search system. This component monitors user activities, analyzes search patterns, and provides refined search results without requiring complete redesign of the underlying search infrastructure. The intermediary layer adds effectiveness while managing complexity through modular architecture.
Solution Approach 2:
The system performs preliminary actions by pre-analyzing user search activities and pre-computing semantic relationships between keywords before actual search queries are executed. This preliminary processing improves search effectiveness by having refined results ready, while the complexity is distributed across pre-computation tasks rather than real-time processing.
3Measurement precision
If user search activities are monitored and analyzed, then search relevance improves, but information processing load increases
Solution Approach 1:
The patent applies partial action by monitoring and analyzing only the most relevant user search activities rather than all possible data. The system selectively focuses on productive searches and key behavioral patterns, achieving improved search relevance without the full processing load of comprehensive analysis. This selective approach balances relevance improvement with manageable processing requirements.
Data Source
AI summary
The invention provides tools and techniques for assisting searches of large information collections, such as the Internet or databases. An initial search from a given user A is used to help identify related productive searches by other users. Those searches (keywords and/or searched portions) are then used to focus the search effort of user A. Activities by other users in response to search results are tracked to help a search assistant automatically identify the results those other users deemed of greatest interest.