Search Filter Optimization for Reducing Client-Server Network Traffic
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Solution Overview
Problem
Users often encounter null search results when using overly specific search filters on the internet, leading to increased client-server network traffic as they revise and resubmit queries to obtain relevant results.
Innovation Solution
An optimized filter is generated by selecting a higher-ranked search filter from a hierarchical tree structure and combining it with frequently co-searched filters, reducing the number of search filters in the query to ensure non-null search results without requiring users to resubmit new queries.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Measurement precision
If users use specific search filters to narrow down results, then search precision is improved, but client-server network traffic increases due to multiple query resubmissions
Solution Approach 1:
The system performs preliminary analysis of the original search query to detect overly specific filters before the user resubmits. By proactively identifying filters that would return null results and automatically adjusting them, the system prevents unnecessary query resubmissions and reduces network traffic while maintaining search precision.
Solution Approach 2:
The system acts as an intermediary between the user and the database by automatically modifying search queries. It mediates between the user's specific search criteria and the database's available data by adjusting filters to ensure non-null results, thereby reducing the need for multiple client-server interactions.
2Reliability
If users revise search filters to obtain results, then search results availability is improved, but time consumption increases
Solution Approach 1:
The system provides self-service by automatically detecting and correcting overly specific search filters without requiring user intervention. When a query is likely to return null results, the system autonomously adjusts the filters and informs the user, eliminating the time users would otherwise spend manually revising searches to obtain results.
Solution Approach 2:
The system implements feedback by notifying users when their search query has been automatically modified to prevent null results. This feedback mechanism allows users to understand why changes were made and maintains trust while reducing the time needed to obtain search results.
3Quantity of substance
If automatic query transformation is implemented, then network traffic is reduced, but system complexity increases
Solution Approach 1:
The system extracts and analyzes individual search filters from the user's query to identify which ones are overly specific. By isolating and evaluating each filter against database availability, the system can selectively adjust only the problematic filters rather than redesigning the entire query processing architecture, thus managing complexity.
Solution Approach 2:
The system changes parameters of search filters dynamically based on database availability. By adjusting filter criteria to match available data while preserving the user's search intent, the system reduces network traffic without requiring complex restructuring of the search infrastructure.
Data Source
AI summary
Methods and systems are described herein for improvements for reducing client-server network traffic. For example, methods and systems allow for the reduction of client-server network traffic by altering search filters based on their respective rank and/or frequencies of being searched with other search filters included in a search query. In this way, users do not have to resubmit queries that are illogical or would return a null set of search results. For example, a first query may be received. A first search may be performed based on the first query. A first search filter may be selected based on a hierarchical tree structure of search filters. A second query may be generated comprising the first search filter and one or more other search filters, wherein the second query comprises fewer search filters than the first query, and a second search may be performed based on the second query.