Interactive Agent Control via Dual Engine Switching

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Solution Overview

Problem

Existing interactive agent systems face challenges in efficiently processing user requests through a combination of voice and gesture recognition, particularly in varying communication states and environments, leading to suboptimal user interaction and information transmission.

Innovation Solution

The interactive agent system employs a dual interaction engine approach, utilizing both local and cloud interaction engines based on communication state, allowing seamless switching between them to ensure effective request processing and information transmission, and incorporates advanced gaze detection and message management to enhance user interaction.

Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles

VSEngineering Contradiction Analysis

1Adaptability or versatility

If a single interaction engine is used for processing user requests, then the device complexity is reduced, but the adaptability to varying communication states and environments deteriorates

Engineering Contradiction:
Improveadaptability to communication statesVSAvoiddevice complexity
Core Design Contradiction:
Adaptability or versatilityVSDevice complexity

Solution Approach 1:

The patent implements a dual interaction engine architecture where both local and cloud interaction engines can process user requests. The system selectively switches between these engines based on communication states and environmental conditions, enabling the system to handle multiple scenarios (good network connectivity, poor network connectivity, offline mode) with a unified multi-functional framework that adapts to varying requirements.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #6Universality (Multi-functionality)

2Productivity

If cloud interaction engine is always used, then the processing capability is improved, but the reliability in poor communication states deteriorates

Engineering Contradiction:
Improverequest processing capabilityVSAvoidreliability in poor communication states
Core Design Contradiction:
ProductivityVSReliability

Solution Approach 1:

The patent implements dynamic switching between local and cloud interaction engines based on real-time communication state assessment. When communication conditions are good, the system utilizes the cloud interaction engine for enhanced processing capability. When communication conditions deteriorate, the system dynamically transitions to the local interaction engine, ensuring continuous reliable operation. This dynamic adaptation resolves the contradiction by making the system's processing capability flexible rather than fixed.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #15Dynamics

3Adaptability or versatility

If dual interaction engines are implemented, then the adaptability to communication states is improved, but the device complexity increases

Engineering Contradiction:
Improveadaptability to environmentsVSAvoiddevice complexity
Core Design Contradiction:
Adaptability or versatilityVSDevice complexity

Solution Approach 1:

The patent introduces a communication state detection module and a response control module as intermediaries that manage the interaction between the dual engines and the user interface. These intermediary components assess communication conditions and automatically select the appropriate engine, shielding the user from the underlying complexity. This mediation approach enables the system to maintain high adaptability while managing device complexity through automated decision-making logic.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #24Intermediary (Mediator)

4Ease of operation

If advanced gaze detection and message management are incorporated, then the user interaction quality is improved, but the device complexity increases

Engineering Contradiction:
Improveuser interaction qualityVSAvoiddevice complexity
Core Design Contradiction:
Ease of operationVSDevice complexity

Solution Approach 1:

The patent implements gaze detection functionality that automatically tracks user attention and determines when to activate or deactivate the interaction engine based on user gaze direction. The system also includes automatic message management features that handle information transmission without requiring explicit user commands for each action. These self-service mechanisms improve ease of operation by making the system responsive to implicit user intentions, while the automated nature of these features helps manage the added complexity through reduction of manual intervention requirements.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #25Self-service

Data Source

PatentUS11468888B2Control apparatus, control method agent apparatus, and computer readable storage medium
Publication Date: 2022.10.11 HONDA MOTOR CO LTD
  • US11468888B2 patent drawing
  • US11468888B2 patent drawing
  • US11468888B2 patent drawing

AI summary

A control apparatus controls an agent apparatus functioning as a user interface of a request processing apparatus that acquires a request indicated by at least one of a voice and a gesture of a user and performs a process corresponding to the request. The control apparatus includes a feature information acquiring section that acquires feature information indicating a feature of a state of the user when the user transmits the request, and a mode determining section that determines a mode of an agent to be used to provide information with the agent apparatus, based on the feature indicated by the feature information acquired by the feature information acquiring section.