Search Engine User Interface With Active Query Box And Word-Wheeling
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Solution Overview
Problem
Existing search engine user interfaces require explicit search rules, are limited to specific data stores, and do not provide immediate feedback, making it difficult for users to efficiently search across multiple types of data and file formats, leading to user frustration and inefficiency.
Innovation Solution
A search engine user interface that reduces the need for explicit search rules, provides immediate feedback, and supports multiple search engines by using a graphical user interface with features like Active Query Box, query editing, word-wheeling, and integrated custom tagging, allowing for multiple independent search parameters and filtering across various file metadata and content types.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Productivity
If a formal query language with strict rules is used to enable complex searches, then search capability is improved, but user ease of operation deteriorates because users struggle to compose and modify queries
Solution Approach 1:
The patent introduces an intermediary layer between the user and the search engine that translates natural language input into formal search queries. This intermediary handles the complexity of query composition automatically, allowing users to search using everyday language while the system manages the formal query language requirements in the background.
Solution Approach 2:
The search system provides self-service by automatically interpreting and refining user input without requiring manual query construction. The system adapts to user intent and performs search operations based on natural language input, eliminating the need for users to learn or apply formal query language rules.
2Adaptability or versatility
If multiple search engines are supported to increase versatility, then adaptability is improved, but device complexity increases due to coordinating multiple search interfaces
Solution Approach 1:
The patent implements a universal search interface that can interact with multiple different search engines through a single unified mechanism. This universal interface handles various search engine protocols and formats internally, presenting a consistent experience to users while supporting diverse backend systems without requiring separate interfaces for each search engine.
3Speed
If immediate feedback is provided during search to improve user experience, then responsiveness is improved, but processing overhead increases
Solution Approach 1:
The system implements periodic feedback mechanisms where search results are presented in stages or updates rather than requiring complete processing before any feedback is given. This allows the system to provide incremental results that improve perceived responsiveness while managing processing loads through staged execution and update cycles.
Data Source
AI summary
A search engine user interface that reduces the need for explicit search rules; dynamically responds as user input is entered to give immediate feedback to a user; is not limited to searching data residing in a single store; and may be used with a plurality of search engines, is provided. The search engine user interface provides search functions for a plurality of types of file metadata and types of file content. The search engine user interface provides an active query box, query editing, word-wheeling, and query narrowing and broadening. The user interface provides accordion behavior for visual elements of the user interface, integrated custom tagging, multiple independent search parameters, and filtering and integrated custom tagging in a common file dialog box.