Enterprise Search Repository Selection Interface
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Solution Overview
Problem
Users face challenges in enterprise searches due to extensive search results that often bury relevant information, requiring users to manually refine searches with additional keywords, which can be time-consuming and ineffective, especially when they are unsure of the correct search terms or repository sources.
Innovation Solution
A system and method that allows users to select from multiple administrator-specified repositories, display search results categorized by source, and refine searches through a graphical user interface, enabling users to tailor their searches by selecting or de-selecting repositories and data types, assisting in formulating initial search requests and revising results.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Measurement precision
If automated algorithms are used to rank-order search results, then the most relevant results are highlighted at the top, but desired information may still end up on later pages or be missed entirely due to extensive results
Solution Approach 1:
The patent segments search results by repository source, presenting results in organized sections rather than a single mixed list. This allows users to quickly identify and navigate to results from specific repositories, reducing time to find desired information while maintaining relevance through source-based organization.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent adds a new dimension to search results by including repository source information alongside relevance ranking. Results are organized in sections that display both the relevance score and the source repository, creating a multi-dimensional view that helps users quickly locate desired information from specific sources.
2Measurement precision
If users manually refine searches by typing additional keywords, then search results can be narrowed down, but this raises a perceptible barrier for users pressed for time
Solution Approach 1:
The patent enables self-service search refinement by allowing users to automatically select repositories and data types through simple interface interactions. Users can click to select/deselect repositories and choose data types without typing keywords, making refinement accessible to users pressed for time while maintaining precision.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent implements dynamic search refinement where users can easily adjust repository selections and data type filters during the search process. The interface allows real-time modification of search parameters through clickable options, enabling users to adapt their search criteria without leaving the search interface or typing new keywords.
3Adaptability or versatility
If users are given options to select among multiple repositories, then searches can be tailored to specific data sources, but the interface complexity increases
Solution Approach 1:
The patent segments repository selection into organized sections with clear labels and checkboxes. Each repository is presented as a distinct, selectable option within structured groups, making the interface manageable despite multiple available repositories. This segmentation maintains adaptability while reducing perceived complexity.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent applies local quality by providing different interface treatments for different repositories based on their characteristics. Frequently used or important repositories may be highlighted or positioned prominently, while less critical ones are organized in standard lists. Data type selections are also customized per repository, providing locally optimized interfaces that enhance versatility without uniformly increasing complexity.
Data Source
AI summary
A method can include receiving a search request from a user interface (UI), selecting one or more repositories in response to the search request, and displaying, on a display device, search results corresponding to the selected repositories. The selected repositories are a subset of a plurality of available repositories, as specified by an administrator. By selecting or de-selecting the available repositories, a user can define or refine a search of the available repositories. In various implementations, the method includes interface elements that assist a user in previewing revised search results based on revised selections of repositories, and/or selections of subcategories of information available in one or more of the repositories.