Web Page Search Tool for Hidden Content Elements
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Solution Overview
Problem
Conventional search and navigation tools, such as the 'Find' tool, are unable to identify and highlight instances of a search term in hidden content elements of documents, leading to incomplete query results and a poor user experience, as they only search within the currently loaded and visible content.
Innovation Solution
A method and system that enhance search functionality by identifying and highlighting instances of a search term within hidden content elements by determining a content element for exposing the hidden content, allowing users to interact with UI elements to reveal the hidden content, thereby expanding the search scope to the entire document, including dynamically created or collapsed content.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Measurement precision
If the search tool only searches within currently loaded and visible content, then the search operation is fast and simple, but the search results are incomplete and miss instances in hidden content elements
Solution Approach 1:
The search tool performs preliminary actions by identifying and highlighting UI elements that can expose hidden content before the user actually views the hidden content. This allows the search to prepare and mark all potential matches across the entire document structure, not just currently visible portions, thereby improving completeness without requiring full document loading.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent introduces an intermediary mechanism (the highlighted UI element) that mediates between the search term and the hidden content. Instead of directly searching hidden content or requiring full exposure, the system uses the UI element as an intermediary that, when interacted with, will reveal the hidden content containing the search term.
2Loss of information
If the search tool searches the entire document including hidden content, then all instances of the search term are found, but the user interface becomes complex and requires additional interaction steps
Solution Approach 1:
The patent employs visual highlighting (color changes) of UI elements to indicate they contain search term instances. This visual cue system allows users to quickly identify which UI elements to interact with, reducing the perceived complexity despite the enhanced search capability. The highlighted UI element acts as a visual guide that simplifies user interaction.
3Measurement precision
If hidden content elements are automatically exposed to show all search instances, then complete search results are displayed, but the document structure and user control are compromised
Solution Approach 1:
Instead of automatically exposing hidden content to show search results, the patent inverts the approach by highlighting the UI elements that control content exposure. This allows the document structure to remain intact and stable while still providing complete search information through the highlighted indicators, letting users maintain control over when hidden content is actually exposed.
Data Source
AI summary
A system, method and computer program product for a search tool is provided. A user-input search term is received in a search tool for finding instances of the search term in a document currently presented to the user. An instance of the search term in a hidden content element of the document is identified. A content element is determined for exposing the hidden content element. The determined content element is presented to the user and highlighted, to prompt user interaction therewith so as to expose the hidden content element.