Unified Mobile Application Search System
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Solution Overview
Problem
Users face tedious operations when searching for applications on mobile terminals, as they need to input keywords both locally and on webpages to find installed or uninstalled applications, without knowing if the application is locally installed.
Innovation Solution
A method and apparatus for searching applications on mobile terminals that receive a search keyword, search locally for matching applications, and if none are found, send the keyword to an application market search engine, displaying results if received within a preset time period.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Ease of operation
If the user searches for applications using only a local search box, then the search process is simple, but the user cannot find applications that are not installed locally
Solution Approach 1:
The patent merges local application search with application market search into a unified search system. The search box simultaneously queries both locally installed applications and the application market, combining two search functions into one integrated operation, thereby resolving the contradiction between search simplicity and search coverage.
Solution Approach 2:
The search box is designed to perform multiple functions: searching locally installed applications, searching the application market, and displaying differentiated results. This multi-functional design allows a single search interface to handle both installed and non-installed application queries, enhancing versatility while maintaining operational simplicity.
2Loss of information
If the user searches both locally and on webpages to find applications, then complete application information can be obtained, but the operations become tedious
Solution Approach 1:
The system combines local search and webpage search into a single unified search operation. Users input keywords once in the search box, and the system simultaneously performs both local and market searches, eliminating the need for separate search actions and reducing operational complexity while maintaining information completeness.
Solution Approach 2:
The system performs preliminary classification and preparation of search results by marking whether applications are locally installed or available in the market. This preliminary organization of information allows the system to present comprehensive results without requiring users to perform multiple separate search operations.
3Adaptability or versatility
If the system searches both local applications and application market, then search coverage is improved, but the system complexity increases
Solution Approach 1:
The search system is segmented into distinct functional modules: local search module, market search module, result processing module, and display module. Each module handles specific tasks independently, and the results are merged with source identification markers. This segmentation allows comprehensive search coverage while managing system complexity through modular design.
Solution Approach 2:
The search box acts as an intermediary that coordinates between local search and market search systems. It receives user input, distributes queries to appropriate search sources, and consolidates results with source attribution. This intermediary role manages the complexity of multi-source searching while presenting a unified simple interface to users.
4Measurement precision
If the user needs to determine whether an application is installed locally, then accurate information can be provided, but additional search steps are required
Solution Approach 1:
The system performs preliminary checking of application installation status as part of the search process. Local search results are pre-marked with installation status information, and market search results are clearly identified as non-local. This preliminary organization provides accurate installation status information without requiring additional verification steps from users.
Solution Approach 2:
The system merges installation status verification with the search operation itself. By simultaneously querying local and market sources and tagging results with source identification, the system determines installation status as an integrated part of the search process rather than as a separate verification step, thereby saving time while maintaining accuracy.
Data Source
AI summary
A method and an apparatus for searching an application are provided. The method includes: receiving a search keyword of the application inputted in a search box; searching locally in the mobile terminal for the application matching with the search keyword, and if one or more first applications are found, displaying identification information of the one or more first applications, otherwise, sending the search keyword to a search engine of an application market, so as to search in the application market for the application matching with the search keyword; and determining whether identification information of one or more second applications matching with the search keyword and fed back by the search engine of the application market is received within a preset time period, and if yes, displaying the identification information of the one or more second applications. A mobile terminal is further provided.