Search Result Confidence Scoring and Dataset Routing
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Solution Overview
Problem
Traditional search systems face challenges in providing relevant and helpful results, especially when users ask questions that do not have identifiable answers in structured datasets, and unstructured data searches often lack confidence in their results due to the vast number of documents involved.
Innovation Solution
A computing system that determines whether to query structured or unstructured datasets based on the query and user preferences, selectively expanding relevant results and providing alternative queries, with a confidence scoring system to rank and present results effectively.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Measurement precision
If the system queries structured datasets, then the search results have high precision and reliability, but the system cannot handle queries without identifiable answers in structured data
Solution Approach 1:
The system dynamically switches between structured and unstructured dataset querying based on the specific query characteristics and requirements. The query processing module determines whether a query should be routed to structured datasets (for precise, identifiable answers) or unstructured datasets (for broader, exploratory searches), allowing the system to adapt its data source selection to each query's needs.
Solution Approach 2:
The search system is designed to handle both structured and unstructured data queries through a unified architecture. The system can process identical query formats against different data types (structured datasets like databases and unstructured datasets like document collections), making the query processing mechanism universal and versatile across multiple data paradigms.
2Adaptability or versatility
If the system queries unstructured datasets, then the system can handle diverse queries, but the search results lack confidence due to the vast number of documents
Solution Approach 1:
The system introduces an intermediary confidence scoring mechanism that evaluates unstructured search results before presenting them to users. The confidence score, generated by the confidence module, acts as a mediator between the unstructured data retrieval process and the final result presentation, providing users with reliability indicators that help them assess the trustworthiness of results from vast document collections.
Solution Approach 2:
The system replaces traditional mechanical sorting methods (relying solely on keyword matching and document frequency) with a confidence-based scoring system. Instead of simply ranking unstructured search results by occurrence frequency or relevance score, the confidence module computes a reliability metric that substitutes for traditional ranking mechanisms, providing more trustworthy results even from large document sets.
3Loss of information
If the system presents all search results, then users have complete information, but the interface becomes complex and difficult to navigate
Solution Approach 1:
The system segments search results into distinct categories based on their source (structured vs. unstructured datasets) and confidence levels. Results are divided into high-confidence results, low-confidence results, and alternative queries, allowing users to navigate different sections based on their information needs. This segmentation prevents overwhelming users with a single undifferentiated list while maintaining access to complete information.
Solution Approach 2:
The system performs preliminary filtering and organization of search results before presenting them to users. The confidence scoring and result categorization occur automatically in the background, preparing results in advance so users receive pre-organized information that is easier to navigate. Alternative queries are also prepared in advance and presented alongside results, reducing the need for users to perform additional search iterations.
Data Source
AI summary
In general, the subject matter described in this disclosure can be embodied in methods, systems, and program products for receiving, by a computing system, a query that was specified by user input at a computing device. The computing system identifies one or more results to the query. The computing system provides the one or more results for presentation by the computing device. The computing system receives an indication that user input at the computing device provided input to save a user-selected result, of the one or more results, for later presentation. The computing system receives a request to present the computing device with a display of saved results to search queries. The computing device presents the display of saved results to search queries, including a presentation of the user-selected result and a second user-selected result.