Unified Search Across Third-Party Apps via Pre-Prepared Data Files
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Solution Overview
Problem
Existing electronic devices lack an efficient method to search and aggregate data from third-party applications and services in a unified manner, limiting user experience and functionality.
Innovation Solution
A processor-implemented method and electronic device configuration that allows for searching data associated with third-party applications by preparing a search data file in a predetermined format, enabling the search application to receive queries, identify matching data, and generate unified search results from multiple sources, including sandbox environments.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Reliability
If data is stored in third-party applications individually, then data security and application independence are maintained, but data searchability and user accessibility across applications are limited
Solution Approach 1:
The patent introduces a mediator component that sits between third-party applications and the search function. This mediator translates search queries into application-specific data access requests while maintaining security boundaries. The mediator enables cross-application search without requiring applications to expose their data directly, thus preserving data security while improving searchability.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent creates a universal search interface that can query multiple third-party applications through a single unified entry point. This universal search function aggregates data from various applications without requiring users to interact with each application individually, making the system more versatile and easier to use while maintaining individual application independence.
2Reliability
If users access data through individual applications, then data privacy and application-specific security are preserved, but user experience and search efficiency are reduced
Solution Approach 1:
The patent implements preliminary indexing of data from third-party applications into a searchable format that preserves privacy. Data is pre-processed and indexed with metadata that enables efficient querying without exposing the actual data contents. This preliminary action allows fast search efficiency while maintaining data privacy through the use of indexed references rather than direct data exposure.
Solution Approach 2:
The mediator component efficiently translates universal search queries into application-specific data retrieval operations. It manages the complexity of searching across multiple applications while maintaining simple user interaction, thus improving search efficiency without compromising the privacy-preserving architecture.
3Ease of operation
If a unified search system is implemented across multiple applications, then user experience and search comprehensiveness are improved, but system complexity and integration requirements increase
Solution Approach 1:
The patent segments the search system into distinct modular components: a universal search interface, mediator layers for each application, and standardized data indexing mechanisms. This segmentation allows the complex unified search system to be built from independent, manageable modules that can be added or removed without affecting the entire system, thus improving user experience while controlling system complexity.
4Adaptability or versatility
If third-party applications maintain independent data storage, then application autonomy and security are preserved, but data aggregation and unified searching become difficult
Solution Approach 1:
The mediator serves as an intermediary that enables data aggregation from autonomous applications without requiring the applications to lose their independence. It translates unified search requests into application-specific queries and aggregates results while preserving application autonomy and preventing direct data access between applications.
Solution Approach 2:
The universal search interface provides a multi-functional entry point that can query any third-party application through standardized protocols. This universality enables comprehensive data aggregation across autonomous applications without requiring changes to the applications themselves, thus preventing information loss while maintaining application independence.
Data Source
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AI summary
Methods and devices for searching are described. In one aspect, the method includes: receiving a search query; identifying a search data file associated with a third party application, the search data file being prepared according to predetermined format rules by the third party application, and stored, prior to receiving the search query; searching, at least a portion of the search data file using the search query to identify information that matches the search query; using the predetermined format rules to identify associated information in the search data file, the associated information being related to the information that matches the search query; obtaining search results from at least one other source; and generating a display of search results based on both the information matching the search query and the associated information, the display including the search results from the at least one other source.