Unified Search Interface with Mode-Specific Result Segmentation
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Solution Overview
Problem
General-purpose search engines often provide overwhelming search results that are not specific to the user's query, requiring users to revise their search criteria or switch between subject-specific engines, which can be inconvenient and inefficient.
Innovation Solution
A method that allows users to select from multiple search modes based on their query, providing mode-specific search results and user interface elements that refine and present results relevant to the chosen subject matter, allowing for consistent and unified searching across various subjects.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Quantity of substance
If a general-purpose search engine provides comprehensive search results, then the quantity of search results increases, but the precision and relevance of results deteriorates
Solution Approach 1:
The patent segments the search results into multiple distinct modes (e.g., news, images, videos, scholarly articles) based on the user's query intent. Each mode presents results tailored to specific information needs, allowing the system to maintain both comprehensive coverage and high precision by organizing diverse results into categorized groups rather than presenting them as a single undifferentiated list.
2Measurement precision
If users revise search criteria to refine results, then the precision of search results improves, but the time and complexity of operation increases
Solution Approach 1:
The system performs preliminary action by automatically analyzing the user's query and pre-organizing search results into multiple relevant modes before the user even submits the search. This eliminates the need for users to iteratively revise their search criteria, as the refined, mode-specific results are already prepared and presented immediately, significantly reducing operational complexity while maintaining high precision.
3Measurement precision
If users switch between subject-specific search engines, then the precision of search results improves, but the convenience and time of operation deteriorates
Solution Approach 1:
The patent merges the functionality of multiple subject-specific search engines into a single unified interface. By integrating various search modes (news, images, videos, scholarly articles, etc.) within one system, users can access precision-tailored results for different subjects without needing to switch between separate engines, thereby eliminating time loss while maintaining high precision through mode-specific result presentation.
4Measurement precision
If subject-specific search engines provide specialized options, then the precision of search results improves, but the complexity of the user interface increases
Solution Approach 1:
The user interface dynamically adapts its complexity based on the user's query and selected mode. When a user searches with specific intent, the system activates only the relevant search modes and interface elements, keeping the UI simple and focused. The full range of specialized options remains available but is selectively displayed only when needed, maintaining precision while avoiding unnecessary interface complexity through dynamic showing and hiding of mode-specific elements.
Data Source
AI summary
Methods, systems, and computer program products feature determining a plurality of search result items responsive to a search query. A plurality of search modes are identified based on the query or the plurality of search result items or both. Each search mode is associated with a respective collection of records. The plurality of search result items are provided to a user with an indication of each search mode in the plurality of search modes. User input selecting a first search mode is received, where the first search mode is one of the plurality of search modes. One or more mode-specific search result items are determined based on the search query, where each mode-specific search result item is from the collection of records that is associated with the first search mode. The one or more mode-specific search result items are provided to the user.