Search Result Prioritization by Content Source Size
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Solution Overview
Problem
Users face difficulty in efficiently finding relevant information from large volumes of search results due to the overwhelming number of resources from various content sources, making it time-consuming to identify desired resources.
Innovation Solution
Search results are prioritized based on the size of the content sources, with results from smaller sources presented first and those from larger sources appearing lower on the list, assuming that resources from smaller sources are more relevant and sought after by the user.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Quantity of substance
If search results are ranked by traditional relevance and quality measures, then comprehensive resources are provided, but users face difficulty finding relevant information due to the overwhelming number of resources
Solution Approach 1:
The patent segments search results into distinct groups based on content source size categories (e.g., personal devices, cloud storage, web). This segmentation allows users to quickly identify and focus on results from smaller, more relevant sources without being overwhelmed by the entire undifferentiated result set, thereby reducing time to find relevant information while maintaining comprehensive coverage
Solution Approach 2:
The patent introduces a new dimension for organizing search results by grouping them according to content source size rather than solely relying on traditional relevance scoring. This additional organizational dimension helps users navigate large volumes of results more efficiently by providing a structural framework that highlights potentially more relevant sources first
2Adaptability or versatility
If search results from all content sources are presented equally, then comprehensive coverage is achieved, but the presentation becomes overwhelming and difficult to navigate
Solution Approach 1:
The patent divides search results into organized groups based on content source characteristics, particularly size. This segmentation maintains comprehensive coverage by including results from all sources while improving ease of operation through clear visual grouping and hierarchical organization that guides user attention to the most relevant sections first
Solution Approach 2:
The patent applies different presentation qualities to different groups of search results based on their source characteristics. Results from smaller content sources are highlighted or positioned prominently, while results from larger sources are presented with less visual emphasis. This local differentiation maintains versatility of coverage while significantly improving ease of navigation and resource identification
Data Source
AI summary
Search results are prioritized based on the size of the content sources from which the search results were obtained. Such content sources may include, for instance, a user's local sources (e.g., a hard drive associated with a user's computer), a user's online content sources (e.g. a user's cloud storage), and the entire web. Search results which are obtained from smaller content sources (i.e., those containing fewer resources) are presented to the user before search results which are obtained from larger content sources (i.e., those containing a greater number of resources).