Search Equalizer for Query Vertical Segmentation
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Solution Overview
Problem
Search engines do not provide assistance to users while they are formulating queries, leading to inefficient and time-consuming searches, as users often obtain large numbers of irrelevant results when searching the entire web, and existing methods to suggest relevant verticals are static and inaccurate.
Innovation Solution
An interactive search equalizer that categorizes user queries into relevant verticals and provides graphical indicators of relevance, allowing users to navigate through suggested queries and verticals before completing their query, using a query predictor to determine predicted queries based on frequency and temporal relevance.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Quantity of substance
If users search the entire Web without verticals, then they obtain a large number of hits, but most results are irrelevant and users must spend significant time reviewing them
Solution Approach 1:
The patent segments the monolithic Web search into multiple verticals (news, shopping, images, video, etc.), each handling specific types of content. This segmentation allows users to automatically receive results from the most relevant vertical for their query without manually browsing through irrelevant results from unrelated verticals, thus reducing time spent reviewing irrelevant content while maintaining high result volume.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent introduces an intermediary component that analyzes user queries and automatically routes them to appropriate verticals. This intermediary acts as a mediator between the user and the multiple verticals, determining which verticals are most relevant to each query and presenting results in a prioritized manner, thereby eliminating the need for users to manually filter through irrelevant results.
2Reliability
If search engines wait for users to complete and issue queries, then they provide accurate search results, but users receive no assistance during query formulation and must spend more time formulating queries
Solution Approach 1:
The patent implements preliminary action by analyzing user queries in real-time as they are being formulated, rather than waiting for complete query submission. The system performs vertical relevance analysis and provides suggestions during the query formulation process, allowing users to receive assistance and potentially refine their queries before final submission, thus reducing query formulation time while maintaining result accuracy.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent incorporates feedback mechanisms that provide users with information about which verticals are most relevant to their query during the formulation process. This feedback loop allows users to adjust their queries or understand the system's interpretation of their information needs, improving both the speed of query formulation and the accuracy of final results.
3Reliability
If users manually reformulate queries when dissatisfied with results, then they can obtain more relevant results, but the process is time-consuming and consumes additional networking and computational resources
Solution Approach 1:
The patent performs preliminary vertical analysis and result filtering before users have to manually reformulate queries. By automatically routing queries to appropriate verticals and presenting prioritized results, the system preemptively addresses relevance issues that would otherwise require manual query reformulation, thereby improving search efficiency while maintaining result relevance.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent enables the search system to serve itself by automatically analyzing queries, determining relevant verticals, and presenting optimized results without requiring user intervention for query reformulation. This self-service capability eliminates the need for users to manually reformulate queries, improving productivity while maintaining high result relevance through automated vertical routing.
4Adaptability or versatility
If multiple verticals are made available to users, then users can focus their searches more precisely, but users are unaware of these features and unsure which verticals to use
Solution Approach 1:
The patent makes the vertical system self-service by automatically determining which verticals are most relevant to each user query and presenting results from those verticals without requiring users to manually select or understand vertical categories. The system serves users based on their query content alone, eliminating the need for user education about verticals while maintaining precise search focus capability.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent introduces an intermediary that translates user queries into appropriate vertical selections automatically. This intermediary component bridges the gap between user intent and vertical categories, determining the most relevant verticals based on query analysis and presenting results without requiring users to have knowledge of or make decisions about vertical categories, thus maintaining ease of operation while enabling precise search focus.
Data Source
AI summary
A method for processing query data is described that includes receiving a query portion from a client over a network. For each of multiple search contexts, a relevance score is determined, based on the query portion. Each search context corresponds to a different set of information against which queries can be executed. Indication of the relevance scores is provided to the client over the network. Determining the relevance score and providing indication are performed prior to an input indicating a complete query or in response thereto. The method may also include associating shortcuts with search contexts, selecting a set of shortcuts based, at least in part, on the relevance scores for the search contexts and the association between the shortcuts and search contexts, and sending the set of shortcuts to the client. The shortcuts include links for accessing a content location associated with the shortcut.