Assistant Extension Device Audio Bridge
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Solution Overview
Problem
Some devices or systems lack the capability to enable user communication with computational assistants, limiting their functionality and user interaction.
Innovation Solution
An assistant extension device facilitates user communication with a computational assistant by receiving audio input from a user through microphones and outputting responses via speakers, using a wireless link between the device and a mobile computing device, allowing interaction with non-assistant devices that may have better audio components.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Adaptability or versatility
If a device lacks computational assistant capability, then device complexity is reduced, but user interaction capability with intelligent assistants is lost
Solution Approach 1:
The patent employs an intermediary approach by using a mobile computing device as a mediator between the non-assistant device and the computational assistant. The non-assistant device captures audio input and outputs audio responses, while the mobile computing device processes the assistant's logic and communication, allowing the simple device to gain intelligent assistant capabilities without adding complexity to its core architecture
Solution Approach 2:
The solution makes the non-assistant device universally compatible with computational assistants by implementing a standard audio interface that can work with any mobile computing device running an assistant. This allows a single simple device to provide assistant functionality across multiple platforms and scenarios without requiring device-specific intelligence
2Reliability
If a device uses basic audio components, then manufacturing cost is reduced, but communication quality with computational assistant deteriorates
Solution Approach 1:
The system segments the audio functionality into two parts: high-quality audio capture and playback components in the non-assistant device, and audio processing and assistant logic in the mobile computing device. This allows the simple device to use excellent audio hardware without needing to manufacture or integrate complex processing systems, maintaining manufacturing simplicity while achieving high communication quality
Solution Approach 2:
The mobile computing device acts as an intermediary that bridges the high-quality audio components of the non-assistant device with the computational assistant's processing capabilities. This mediator handles the complex tasks of speech recognition, natural language processing, and response generation, allowing the simple device to focus solely on providing superior audio input and output
Data Source
AI summary
An example method includes receiving, by a computational assistant executing at one or more processors of a mobile computing device and via a wireless link between the mobile computing device and an external device, a representation of audio data generated by a microphone of the external device, the audio data representing a spoken utterance detected by the external device; determining, by the computational assistant and based on the audio data, a response to the spoken utterance; and sending, by the mobile computing device, to the external device, and via the wireless link between the mobile computing device and the external device, a command to output, for playback by one or more speakers connected to the external device via a hardwired analog removable connector of the external device or a wireless link between the external device and the one or more speakers, audio data representing the response to the spoken utterance.