Interactive Targeting Rule Editor for Natural Language Search Queries
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Solution Overview
Problem
Current search technologies are inadequate for non-technical users to formulate and execute complex queries against electronically stored information, as they require technical expertise and are not user-friendly.
Innovation Solution
An interactive targeting rule editor that allows users to create natural language text strings, which are then translated into executable queries, enabling users to formulate and execute searches intuitively without needing extensive technical knowledge.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Ease of operation
If traditional search technologies are used, then search functionality is provided, but non-technical users cannot effectively formulate complex queries
Solution Approach 1:
The patent introduces an interactive targeting rule editor as an intermediary between the user and the search system. This editor provides a user-friendly interface that translates simple user inputs into complex executable queries, allowing non-technical users to access advanced search capabilities without needing to learn complex query languages or syntax
Solution Approach 2:
The system automatically generates and executes complex queries based on user-friendly inputs from the targeting rule editor. The translation mechanism works autonomously to convert natural language or simplified inputs into formal query expressions, eliminating the need for users to manually construct complex queries
2Ease of operation
If user-friendly natural language interface is provided, then ease of use improves, but ability to execute complex queries may be limited
Solution Approach 1:
The targeting rule editor serves as a mediator that bridges natural language input and complex query execution. It provides autocomplete suggestions, validates inputs against a grammar framework, and automatically generates formal queries that maintain full search capability while keeping the user interface simple and intuitive
Solution Approach 2:
The system dynamically adjusts the complexity of the interface based on user needs and context. The autocomplete framework adapts to user inputs and provides context-aware suggestions, allowing the system to maintain simplicity for basic queries while enabling complex search operations when needed
3Ease of operation
If interactive targeting rule editor with autocomplete is provided, then query formulation ease improves, but system complexity increases
Solution Approach 1:
The targeting rule editor is divided into distinct functional modules: an autocomplete framework for suggesting query components, a grammar validation system for ensuring syntactic correctness, and a query generation engine for translating inputs into executable queries. This segmentation allows each component to be optimized independently while working together to provide a unified user experience
Data Source
AI summary
A computer-implemented method, system, and computer program product are provided for conducting a search of electronically stored information. The method includes: (a) providing a user with an interactive targeting rule editor to enable the user to formulate a targeting rule to identify desired search results, the targeting rule comprising a natural language text string, the interactive targeting rule editor allowing the user to change one or more designated editable portions of the natural language text string to one of a set of specified alternate portions, delete one or more designated removable portions of the natural language text string, or add one or more of a set of specified insertable portions to form a syntactically valid targeting rule in accordance with a targeting rule grammar; (b) receiving the text string or a representation thereof from the user; (c) translating the text string or a representation thereof into an executable query; and (d) executing the executable query against the electronically stored information to generate search results.