Providing search results using a digital assistant based on a displayed application

Inventors

CHAN, Hiu Yi • PECK, Jessica J. • BOWLES SINCLAIR, Robert S.

Assignees

Apple Inc

Abstract

This relates generally to providing search results using a digital assistant based on a displayed application. An example method includes: while displaying a user interface corresponding to an application, receiving, via the one or more input devices, a user input corresponding to a request to initiate a process to perform a search; in accordance with a determination that the user interface includes a search user interface: performing a first search based on the user input using the application; and providing, via the display generation component, a first set of results corresponding to the first search; and in accordance with a determination that the user interface does not include the search user interface: performing a second search based on the user input using a digital assistant of the computer system; and providing, via the display generation component, a second set of results corresponding to the second search.

Core Innovation

The invention describes a digital assistant search workflow that depends on whether the currently displayed application user interface includes a search user interface, such as a search affordance or search bar. When the search user interface is present, the system performs a first search using the displayed application and shows first results. When the search user interface is absent, such as on a home user interface, the system performs a second search using the digital assistant and shows second results.

The disclosure further describes presenting the second results with a digital assistant indicator when the search UI is not present. It also describes related behaviors for searching based on intent detection, including forgoing search for predefined home automation commands and predefined digital assistant commands. The system can search using application keyword vocabulary or registered keywords associated with the application.

The system provides user-interface affordances to trigger “search in app,” and describes results user-interface behavior including concurrent display, result delineation and ordering. In addition, it describes authorization-based access control in which media that are not authorized for access are shown below authorized results.

Claims Coverage

Not explicitly described in patent.

Not explicitly described in patent.

Stated Advantages

Documented Applications

No documented applications found