User-Defined Database Interfaces for Precise Search Filtering

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Solution Overview

Problem

The challenge lies in efficiently searching and retrieving relevant data from vast and diverse sources on the internet, as existing methods either rely on keyword searches that yield irrelevant results or require specialized interfaces only available on specific websites, leading to poor search quality due to the vastness and variability of data.

Innovation Solution

A system and method for database storage that allows users to create custom, user-defined interfaces based on categories and parameters, enabling efficient search and retrieval by allowing subscribers to define request types, associate parameters, and communicate with suppliers through a supplier link, thereby facilitating targeted searches.

Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles

VSEngineering Contradiction Analysis

1Ease of operation

If keyword search is used to search for data on the internet, then the search process is simple and accessible, but the search results quality deteriorates due to irrelevant results

Engineering Contradiction:
Improvesearch accessibilityVSAvoidsearch results quality
Core Design Contradiction:
Ease of operationVSMeasurement precision

Solution Approach 1:

The patent introduces a specialized search interface as an intermediary between the user's keyword search and the database. This interface includes structured fields for specifying search criteria (e.g., memory size, processor type, price range) that act as a mediator to refine the search, transforming simple keywords into precise search queries that filter out irrelevant results while maintaining ease of use.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #24Intermediary (Mediator)

2Measurement precision

If a specialized search interface is designed for specific products or websites, then the search results quality improves with precise filtering options, but the device complexity increases and limits availability to only certain websites

Engineering Contradiction:
Improvesearch results qualityVSAvoidinterface complexity
Core Design Contradiction:
Measurement precisionVSDevice complexity

Solution Approach 1:

The patent creates a universal search interface that can handle multiple product categories and data types through a standardized structure. The interface uses generic field types (text input, dropdown menus, range sliders) that can be configured for different search criteria, allowing the same interface design to serve electronics, clothing, real estate, and other categories without requiring custom interfaces for each website.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #6Universality (Multi-functionality)

Solution Approach 2:

The patent employs configurable parameters that can be dynamically adjusted based on the search category. The interface structure remains constant, but the specific parameters (e.g., memory size for laptops, square footage for houses) and their valid ranges change based on the selected category, allowing precise filtering without increasing interface complexity.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #35Parameter changes

3Quantity of substance

If data is stored following different standards, file types and layouts across the internet, then the quantity of available data increases, but the difficulty of finding relevant data worsens

Engineering Contradiction:
Improveamount of dataVSAvoiddata retrieval difficulty
Core Design Contradiction:
Quantity of substanceVSDifficulty of detecting and measuring

Solution Approach 1:

The patent segments the search process into distinct, manageable components: category selection, parameter specification, and result filtering. Each component handles a specific aspect of the search, breaking down the complex task of finding relevant data amidst diverse formats into systematic steps that simplify data retrieval while maintaining access to large quantities of data.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #1Segmentation

Data Source

PatentUS8239365B2Flexible request and response communications interfaces
Publication Date: 2012.08.07 SALMAN MOHAMMAD
  • US8239365B2 patent drawing
  • US8239365B2 patent drawing
  • US8239365B2 patent drawing

AI summary

Methods and systems for database storage allowing subscriber entities to create specialized interfaces for storing different classes of information based on subscribed-defined categories and parameters, allowing for efficient search and retrieval of the information by users using the subscriber-defined categories and parameters. The present technology allows users, such as suppliers, administrators, and others, to add inventory to a database through an interface, search for inventory via an interface, and view results of inventory searches. Inventory requests may be processed using local and remote data stores.