Interactive Word Lattice for Text Editing and Query Formulation
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Solution Overview
Problem
Existing interfaces for suggesting corrections and query formulations are inflexible and do not provide an intuitive way to combine multiple alternatives, limiting user creativity and understanding of complex query syntax.
Innovation Solution
An Interactive Word Lattice that uses a contextual semantic similarity generation module to provide a user-modifiable graphical representation of alternative text segments, allowing users to select and modify paths through a lattice-based interface for text editing and query formulation.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Adaptability or versatility
If a dropdown graphical user interface is used to present suggested corrections, then the interface is simple to implement, but it is inflexible and presents only a small subset of available alternatives
Solution Approach 1:
The interface is segmented into multiple hierarchical levels: the initial dropdown menu provides quick access to common alternatives, while the lattice diagram provides access to the complete set of alternatives. This segmentation allows the system to present only the necessary subset of alternatives at each interaction level, maintaining simplicity while providing comprehensive options when needed.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent transitions from a one-dimensional dropdown list to a two-dimensional lattice diagram that visually represents multiple alternative paths simultaneously. This dimensional change allows users to see and compare many more alternatives (hundreds or thousands) in a spatial arrangement that is intuitive to navigate, resolving the contradiction between presenting comprehensive alternatives and maintaining interface simplicity.
2Adaptability or versatility
If search engines provide a simple list of alternative queries, then the implementation is straightforward, but users cannot intuitively combine multiple queries or search terms
Solution Approach 1:
The patent transforms the flat, linear list of alternative queries into a two-dimensional lattice diagram where each node represents a search term or query element and edges represent valid combinations. This spatial representation allows users to intuitively understand how to combine multiple queries by visually tracing paths through the lattice, making complex query syntax accessible without requiring users to learn specialized syntax rules.
Solution Approach 2:
The lattice diagram acts as an intermediary between the search engine's complex query capabilities and the user's intuitive understanding. It translates complex query syntax requirements into a visual language that users can naturally interpret, allowing them to combine search terms and queries intuitively without needing to know the underlying syntax rules.
3Ease of operation
If proofing tools provide suggested corrections in a dropdown menu, then the interface is simple, but it limits user creativity and understanding of complex alternatives
Solution Approach 1:
The interface segments alternatives into commonly used options (in the dropdown) and less common but more creative options (in the lattice diagram). This segmentation maintains ease of operation for standard corrections while providing access to creative alternatives when users explore the lattice, resolving the contradiction between simplicity and creativity.
Solution Approach 2:
By adding the spatial dimension of the lattice diagram, the system preserves the simplicity of the dropdown for routine tasks while enabling creative exploration through visual navigation of alternative paths. Users can creatively combine and modify search terms by tracing different paths through the lattice, enhancing creativity without complicating the basic interface.
Data Source
AI summary
An “Interactive Word Lattice” provides a user interface for interacting with and selecting user-modifiable paths through a lattice-based representation of alternative suggested text segments in response to a user's text segment input, such as phrases, sentences, paragraphs, entire documents, etc. More specifically, the user input is provided to a trained paraphrase generation model that returns a plurality of alternative text segments having the same or similar meaning as the original user input. An interactive graphical lattice-based representation of the alternative text segments is then presented to the user. One or more words of each alternative text segment represents a “node” of the lattice, while each connection between nodes represents a lattice “edge. Both nodes and edges are user modifiable. Each possible path through the lattice corresponds to a different alternative text segment. Users select a path through the lattice to select an alternative text to the original input.