Visualizable Results List with Hit Pattern Indicators
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Solution Overview
Problem
Current search systems fail to provide users with a visualizable and malleable means to reorder search results according to their desired ranking methodology, lacking sufficient pertinent information to determine relevance effectively.
Innovation Solution
A method and system that group search terms into units, annotate metadata with indicators, and display a visualizable results list with hit patterns, allowing users to interactively rank and visualize search results based on document attributes and term locations.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Extent of automation
If search results are ranked according to automated criteria (date, hits, relevance), then the ranking process is efficient and automated, but the results do not correspond to the researcher's desired ranking methodology
Solution Approach 1:
The system allows dynamic reordering of search results by enabling users to drag and drop result elements to change their positions. The ranking is no longer static but can be adjusted in real-time according to user preferences, resolving the contradiction between automated efficiency and user adaptability.
Solution Approach 2:
The system performs preliminary automated ranking to provide an initial ordered list, then allows users to make adjustments as needed. This combines the efficiency of pre-computed automated ranking with the flexibility of user customization, addressing both concerns.
2Loss of information
If detailed information from each hit is provided in the results list, then users can determine relevance more accurately, but the results list becomes more complex and harder to navigate
Solution Approach 1:
The system segments information presentation by providing structured metadata (titles, abstracts, keywords) for each search result rather than displaying full documents. This segmentation allows users to assess relevance through organized snippets without being overwhelmed by complete content, balancing information completeness with navigability.
Solution Approach 2:
The system adds visual dimensions to the results list by incorporating graphical elements, color coding, and spatial organization. This transforms the flat text-based results into a multi-dimensional visual interface that conveys more information more efficiently, reducing the perceived complexity while maintaining information richness.
3Productivity
If visual indicators and hit patterns are added to search results, then users can quickly assess relevance, but the processing and display complexity increases
Solution Approach 1:
The system uses color coding and visual indicators (such as colored bars, highlights, and graphical elements) to represent different aspects of search results. This visual encoding allows users to quickly grasp relevance and key features at a glance, significantly improving search efficiency without requiring complex processing of text content.
Solution Approach 2:
The system generates simplified visual representations (copies) of the essential features of each search result rather than processing and displaying the full content. These visual copies include metadata summaries, keyword highlights, and graphical indicators that capture relevance information efficiently with minimal processing overhead.
Data Source
AI summary
Systems and methods for displaying a visualizable results list in response to an electronic search request are disclosed. A method includes accessing metadata for each of a plurality of search results that result from a search query, annotating one or more locations in each search result with first and second indicators for each of one or more grouped search terms in first and second units based on the metadata, and displaying a visualizable results list that includes the plurality of search results and a corresponding hit pattern for each search result. The hit pattern includes the first indicator and the second indicator.