Query intent expression for search in an embedded application context

Abstract

Systems, methods, computer storage media, and user interfaces are provided for intent expression for search in an embedded application context. A search interaction is received from a user. The search interaction may comprise an interaction with a device or application or a learned intent based on a previous interaction. Remote data from a remote data source is received. Local data is received from each available device or embedded application. The remote data and/or local data may provide one or more intent suggestions based on the search interaction. The remote data is merged with the local data to personalize a result set comprising one or more entity identifications associated with the one or more intent suggestions. The result set may be prioritized based on a set of rules associated with each available device or embedded application. The result set is provided to the user.

What is claimed is: 
     
         1 . Computer storage media having computer-executable instructions embodied thereon that, when executed by one or more computing devices, cause the one or more computing devices to perform a method of query intent expression for search in an embedded application context, the method comprising:
 receiving a search interaction from a user, the search interaction comprising an interaction with a device or application or a learned intent based on a previous interaction;   receiving remote data from a remote data source, the remote data providing one or more intent suggestions based on the search interaction;   receiving local data from each available device or embedded application, the local data providing one or more intent suggestions based on the search interaction;   merging the remote data with the local data to personalize a result set comprising one or more entity identifications associated with the one or more intent suggestions;   prioritizing the result set based on a set of rules associated with each available device or embedded application; and   providing the result set to the user, the result set including an aggregated intent preview comprising metadata corresponding to one or more entities associated with at least one of the one or more entity identifications.   
     
     
         2 . The media of  claim 1 , wherein the interaction includes a search prefix comprising one or more characters associated with a search query. 
     
     
         3 . The media of  claim 1 , further comprising receiving a refinement request from the user, the refinement request comprising an indication that the user has selected an item of metadata associated with the one or more entities, the item of metadata corresponding to a subentity. 
     
     
         4 . The media of  claim 3 , further comprising providing a refined intent preview comprising metadata corresponding to the subentity. 
     
     
         5 . The media of  claim 1 , further comprising identifying a host application. 
     
     
         6 . The media of  claim 5 , further comprising determining a nature of the host application. 
     
     
         7 . The media of  claim 6 , further comprising generating the set of rules based on the host application and the nature of the host application. 
     
     
         8 . Computer storage media having computer-executable instructions embodied thereon that, when executed by one or more computing devices, cause the one or more computing devices to produce a graphical user interface (GUI) for intent expression for search in an embedded application context, the GUI comprising:
 an interaction display area for receiving, from a user, a search interaction corresponding to a search;   an autosuggest display area that displays, without executing the search, one or more intent suggestions to the user, the one or more intent suggestions comprising remote data and local data based on the search interaction; and   an entity display area that displays, without executing the search, an aggregated intent preview comprising metadata associated with at least one entity corresponding to entity identifications associated with the one or more intent suggestions, the aggregated intent preview being prioritized in accordance with a set of rules associated with each available device or embedded application.   
     
     
         9 . The GUI of  claim 8 , wherein the local data is received from each available device or embedded application. 
     
     
         10 . The GUI of  claim 8 , wherein the remote data is received from a remote data source. 
     
     
         11 . The GUI of  claim 8 , wherein the set of rules is generated based on a host application and a nature of the host application. 
     
     
         12 . The GUI of  claim 5 , further comprising a learned intent display area that displays, prior to receiving the search interaction from the user, at least a portion of the result set. 
     
     
         13 . The GUI of  claim 12 , wherein the at least a portion of the result set displayed in the learned intent display area is based on a previous interaction. 
     
     
         14 . The GUI of  claim 8 , further comprising a flyout surface display area that displays a secondary canvas or surface area for content in response to the user interaction. 
     
     
         15 . The GUI of  claim 14 , wherein the flyout surface is an entry point for intent expression inside an application. 
     
     
         16 . The GUI of  claim 12 , further comprising a source display area that identifies a data source of the one or more intent suggestions. 
     
     
         17 . A system for providing intent expression for search in an embedded application context comprising:
 one or more processors coupled to a computer storage medium, the computer storage medium having stored thereon a plurality of computer software components executable by the processor, the computer software components comprising:   an interaction component that receives a search interaction from a user, the search interaction comprising an interaction with a device or application or a learned intent based on a previous interaction;   a merge component that merges remote data with local data to personalize a result set comprising one or more entity identifications associated with the one or more intent suggestions;   a priority component that prioritizes the result set based on a set of rules associated with each available device or embedded application; and   a preview component that provides the result set to the user, the result set including an aggregated intent preview comprising metadata corresponding to one or more entities associated with at least one of the one or more entity identifications.   
     
     
         18 . The system of  claim 17  further comprising a remote data component that receives the remote data from a remote data source, the remote data providing one or more intent suggestions based on the search interaction. 
     
     
         19 . The system of  claim 18  further comprising a local data component that receives the local data from each available device or embedded application, the local data providing one or more intent suggestions based on the search interaction. 
     
     
         20 . The system of  claim 17  further comprising a rule component that generates the set of rules based on an identification of a host application and a nature of the host application.