Search Unit Input Mode Selection for Response Time Optimization
Find Innovative SolutionsGenerate Solutions
Solution Overview
Problem
Conventional search mechanisms in information processing apparatuses lead to inefficiencies, particularly when searching large storage devices over networks, as repeated refine searches can result in wasted processes due to long response times, and users may face inconvenience with multi-step input processes for searches within the same apparatus.
Innovation Solution
The apparatus employs an input unit for initial character input and a search unit that performs first and second searches based on selected modes, allowing independent initiation of the first search regardless of the second character input, or waiting for confirmation of no second character input, to optimize search processes and reduce unnecessary operations.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Quantity of substance
If a search is performed for information stored in an external storage device via network, then the search can access large amounts of data, but it takes long time for the search result to return due to network transmission
Solution Approach 1:
The system performs a preliminary test search before the actual user-initiated search to pre-fetch and cache search results. When a user inputs search characters, the system has already performed a test search with those characters and stored the results locally, so the user immediately receives cached results without waiting for network transmission during the actual search operation.
2Measurement precision
If refine searches are performed repeatedly for every character input by user, then the search results become more accurate, but wasted search processes occur when searches are cancelled due to long response times
Solution Approach 1:
The system performs test searches in advance to cache results, so when users perform actual searches, the results are already available locally. This eliminates the need to execute actual search requests for every user input, preventing wasted search processes when users cancel searches due to impatience or changing minds.
Solution Approach 2:
The system creates copies of search results by performing test searches and caching the results locally. Instead of repeatedly executing actual searches that consume network resources, the system uses cached copies of results from test searches to satisfy user search requests, eliminating energy waste from repeated search executions.
3Loss of energy
If a search execution instruction is waited for after character input, then unnecessary searches are prevented, but the operation becomes troublesome for users
Solution Approach 1:
The system automatically performs test searches without requiring explicit user confirmation. The test search mechanism operates autonomously, detecting user input and automatically executing test searches to cache results, eliminating the need for users to press separate search buttons while still preventing unnecessary searches through intelligent detection of user intent.
Data Source
AI summary
An apparatus performs a first search for first information that contains a first character input through an operation, and performs a second search for second information that contains both of the first character and a second character when the second character is input after the first search is started. Before the searches are performed, either a first search mode or a second search mode is selected: in the first search mode, a search is started for the first information independently of an input of the second character after the input of the first character; and in the second search mode, a determination is made whether or not there is an input of the second character after the input of the first character, and a search is started for the first information when there is no input of the second character is selected.