Automated Assistant Intervention in Chat Sessions

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Solution Overview

Problem

Existing computing systems lack the ability to seamlessly integrate automated assistants into chat sessions between multiple user devices, limiting the potential for enhanced user experiences and efficient query handling.

Innovation Solution

A system that identifies queries in messaging sessions, selects appropriate automated assistants based on context signals, and provides intervention requests to allow these assistants to join and contribute to the chat sessions, thereby enhancing query handling and user experience.

Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles

VSEngineering Contradiction Analysis

1Productivity

If automated assistants are integrated into chat sessions, then query handling capability is improved, but system complexity increases

Engineering Contradiction:
Improvequery handling capabilityVSAvoidsystem complexity
Core Design Contradiction:
ProductivityVSDevice complexity

Solution Approach 1:

The patent introduces an automated assistant as an intermediary entity that mediates between users and information sources. The assistant joins chat sessions, understands user queries through natural language processing, and retrieves information from various sources, thereby improving query handling without requiring direct complex integrations between user systems and information sources.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #24Intermediary (Mediator)

Solution Approach 2:

The automated assistant is designed as a universal system capable of performing multiple functions: joining different chat sessions, understanding various types of queries, searching multiple information sources, and providing responses in different formats. This multi-functionality consolidates what would otherwise require multiple specialized systems into a single versatile assistant.

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

2Adaptability or versatility

If multiple automated assistants are available for selection, then query handling versatility is improved, but selection complexity increases

Engineering Contradiction:
Improvequery handling versatilityVSAvoidassistant selection complexity
Core Design Contradiction:
Adaptability or versatilityVSDevice complexity

Solution Approach 1:

The system implements feedback mechanisms where the automated assistant evaluates user queries, assesses its own capabilities against available information sources, and selects the most appropriate assistant or combination of assistants. This feedback loop ensures that the selection process is dynamic and adaptive rather than static and complex.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #23Feedback

Solution Approach 2:

The patent changes the selection parameter from manual user choice to automated evaluation based on query characteristics, assistant capabilities, and information source relevance. This parameter change simplifies the user experience while maintaining versatility through intelligent automated selection.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #35Parameter changes

3Ease of operation

If automated assistants intervene in messaging sessions, then user experience is improved, but privacy and security risks increase

Engineering Contradiction:
Improveuser experienceVSAvoidprivacy and security risks
Core Design Contradiction:
Ease of operationVSObject-affected harmful factors

Solution Approach 1:

The system performs preliminary actions by obtaining user consent before the automated assistant joins a chat session. The user is notified and given the opportunity to approve or decline the assistant's participation. This preliminary action establishes privacy boundaries before any data processing occurs.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #10Preliminary action

Solution Approach 2:

The patent segments the automated assistant's functionality into distinct modules: query processing, information retrieval, and response generation. Each module operates with specific access permissions, and the assistant only accesses information necessary for its function. This segmentation limits exposure to potential security risks while maintaining user experience benefits.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #1Segmentation

Data Source

PatentEP3566155B1Shared experiences
Publication Date: 2025.04.30 GOOGLE LLC
  • EP3566155B1 patent drawingFigure 1
  • EP3566155B1 patent drawingFigure 2
  • EP3566155B1 patent drawingFigure 3A

AI summary

An example method includes identifying a query in a message between a first user device and a second user device within a computer-implemented messaging session. The method further includes receiving one or more context signals. The method also includes selecting, based on the one or more context signals, an automated assistant from a plurality of automated assistants to handle the query. The method additionally includes providing for display of an intervention request to allow the selected automated assistant to intervene in the computer-implemented messaging session.