Search Result Display Segmentation by Source
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Solution Overview
Problem
Current search result display architectures fail to effectively show the relevance of search results to the user's needs by not distinguishing between sources, leading to valuable results being buried among irrelevant ones, causing inefficiency and increased time spent by users in finding relevant information.
Innovation Solution
A system that organizes search results in a tree structure by source, allowing users to easily select relevant results from applicable sources, and records user interactions to prioritize future search results based on sourcing, improving the display order.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Measurement precision
If search results are displayed in a long list format ordered by relevance criteria (frequency and proximity measurements), then the display system can present results based on mathematical interrelations between search terms, but the user cannot identify the source of indexed documents which may be relevant to their needs
Solution Approach 1:
The patent segments search results by organizing them into groups based on their source (data source, database, or originating party). Each group is visually distinct and labeled with source identification, allowing users to see both the relevance ordering within each source group and the source attribution. This segmentation resolves the contradiction by preserving source information while maintaining relevance-based ordering.
2Quantity of substance
If search results from different sources are comingled in a single long list, then the display can show all results, but valuable results from trusted sources are buried far down in the list beneath results from less useful sources
Solution Approach 1:
By segmenting results into source-based groups, the patent allows users to quickly scan through groups from trusted sources first. Users can identify and focus on results from preferred data sources without having to scroll through entire lists from less useful sources, significantly reducing the time to find relevant information while preserving all results.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent adds a new dimension to result organization by introducing source-based grouping as a primary organizational axis. Instead of a single-dimensional flat list ordered only by relevance score, results are now organized in a two-dimensional structure: first by source (providing source attribution and grouping), then by relevance within each source group. This dimensional change allows users to efficiently navigate results from trusted sources.
3Measurement precision
If search results are ordered exclusively by frequency and proximity criteria, then the display algorithm can effectively present items based on term relevance, but the results may not be relevant to the specific user who created the query
Solution Approach 1:
The patent segments results by source, allowing users to identify and prioritize results from data sources they trust or have previously interacted with. This segmentation enables users to quickly locate results from familiar sources without having to manually adjust search parameters or re-run searches, improving user-specific relevance while maintaining term-based relevance measurements.
Data Source
AI summary
A first search result and a second search result and a second search result are received. The first search result represents data in a first data source, and the second search result represents data in a second data source. A source display structure is presented in a first window. The source display structure includes, at least, a representation of the first data source, and a representation of the second data source. The representation of the first data source includes, at least, a first identifier associated with the first data source, and a preview of the first search result. The representation of the second data source includes, at least, a second identifier associated with the second data source. Responsive to a first indication, the first search result is displayed. The first indication is received via a first control associated with the preview of the first search result.