Search Dialogue Interface for Threaded History Management
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Solution Overview
Problem
Users face challenges in effectively accessing and managing their search history across multiple search sessions due to the lack of organization and presentation of search history data, leading to a degraded user experience.
Innovation Solution
A search dialogue user interface that organizes search queries and results into threads based on topics, allowing users to visualize and manage their search history hierarchically, temporally, and contextually, with features like prioritization, filtering, and sharing of threads, enabling easier navigation and continuation of previous search sessions.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Ease of operation
If search history data is provided to users, then users can access previous search sessions, but the lack of organization in the search history presentation prevents users from effectively continuing previous sessions or tracing back steps
Solution Approach 1:
The search history is segmented into multiple search threads, where each thread represents a distinct search session or topic. This segmentation organizes the previously unorganized search history data into manageable, contextually-grouped units that users can easily navigate and resume
Solution Approach 2:
The patent introduces a new organizational dimension for search history by creating threaded structures with hierarchical levels (parent threads and child threads). This transforms the flat, chronological list into a multi-dimensional structure that preserves contextual relationships and enables efficient navigation through search history
2Measurement precision
If users revise their submitted queries based on results received, then users can refine their search, but this process is time consuming and may span multiple search sessions
Solution Approach 1:
The system performs preliminary organization of search history into threaded structures with derived criteria messages that summarize search progress. This preliminary action eliminates the need for users to manually trace back through multiple sessions to understand their search journey, significantly reducing the time required to resume and refine searches
Solution Approach 2:
The patent implements feedback mechanisms through derived criteria messages that provide users with summaries of search progress and results. This feedback enables users to quickly assess their search state and make informed decisions about query refinement without investing significant time in reviewing previous search steps
Data Source
AI summary
Methods, systems, and apparatus, including computer programs encoded on a computer storage medium, for a search dialog user interface. In one aspect, a method includes displaying a search using interface, comprising: a search dialog user interface in which a plurality of search threads are initiated, each search thread comprising a plurality of entries, wherein the entries comprise: one or more query messages, each query message being descriptive of one or more search criteria, one or more result messages, each result message being a message describing criteria for a corresponding search and that is responsive to one or more preceding query messages within the search thread; and a search result display location in which search results corresponding to an active result message are displayed.