Tokenized Search Suggestions for Query Construction

Solution Overview

Problem

Existing search tools require users to input text for each element of a search query, making it difficult to build complex queries quickly and intuitively, especially when searching for files or data across various entities like emails, calendar events, and contacts.

Innovation Solution

A tokenized search suggestion system that generates and filters suggestions based on user input, allowing users to select and incorporate suggestions as tokens into their search queries, refining the search scope and results dynamically.

Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles

VSEngineering Contradiction Analysis

1Measurement precision

If users manually input text for each element of a search query, then the search query can be constructed with precise control over each element, but the time and complexity required to build the query increases significantly

Engineering Contradiction:

Improvesearch query precisionVSAvoidquery construction time

Core Design Contradiction:

Measurement precisionVSLoss of time

Solution Approach 1:

The system pre-generates and stores search query templates and elements in a database before the user needs them. When a user initiates a search, the system retrieves pre-prepared query components based on the user's initial input, eliminating the need for users to manually construct each element from scratch and significantly reducing query construction time while maintaining precision

Inventive Principle:

Principle #10Preliminary action

Solution Approach 2:

The patent introduces an intermediary processing layer between the user's simple input and the final complex search query. This intermediary system automatically expands, refines, and structures the user's input into a comprehensive search query using pre-defined templates and algorithms, thereby reducing the time users spend on query construction while preserving search precision

Inventive Principle:

Principle #24Intermediary (Mediator)

2Measurement precision

If users manually input text for each element of a search query, then the search query can be constructed with precise control over each element, but the operational complexity and difficulty increase

Engineering Contradiction:

Improvesearch query precisionVSAvoidquery construction ease

Core Design Contradiction:

Measurement precisionVSEase of operation

Solution Approach 1:

The system pre-generates and stores search query templates and elements in a database before the user needs them. When a user initiates a search, the system retrieves pre-prepared query components based on the user's initial input, eliminating the need for users to manually construct each element from scratch and significantly reducing query construction time while maintaining precision

Inventive Principle:

Principle #10Preliminary action

Solution Approach 2:

The system performs automatic query expansion, refinement, and structuring without requiring user intervention for each element. The intermediary processing layer autonomously transforms simple user input into comprehensive search queries using pre-defined templates and algorithms, making the process easier while maintaining precision

Inventive Principle:

Principle #25Self-service

3Ease of operation

If auto-complete features provide a list of possible search terms, then users can select from pre-defined options, but building complex search queries remains difficult and time-consuming

Engineering Contradiction:

Improvesearch term selection easeVSAvoidquery construction speed

Core Design Contradiction:

Ease of operationVSProductivity

Solution Approach 1:

The system pre-generates and stores search query templates and elements in a database before the user needs them. When a user initiates a search, the system retrieves pre-prepared query components based on the user's initial input, eliminating the need for users to manually construct each element from scratch and significantly reducing query construction time while maintaining precision

Inventive Principle:

Principle #10Preliminary action

Solution Approach 2:

The patent introduces an intermediary processing layer between the user's simple input and the final complex search query. This intermediary system automatically expands, refines, and structures the user's input into a comprehensive search query using pre-defined templates and algorithms, thereby reducing the time users spend on query construction while preserving search precision

Inventive Principle:

Principle #24Intermediary (Mediator)

Data Source

PatentUS9607101B2Tokenized search suggestions

Publication Date: 2017.03.28 APPLE INC

AI summary

Embodiments of tokenized search suggestions include generating, by at least one suggestion engine executing on a data processing system, first suggestions based on first text input in a text input field. The first suggestions are displayed on a display device and a selection of one of the first suggestions is received. The first text input is replaced with a first token corresponding to the selected one of the first suggestions. The at least one suggestion engine generates second suggestions based on second text input in the text input field and filters the second suggestions using the selected one of the first suggestions. The filtered selections are displayed on a display device.