Automated Assistant Routine Scheduling for Energy-Aware Execution

Resolve Bottlenecks,
Find Innovative SolutionsGenerate Solutions

Solution Overview

Problem

Existing automated assistants are inefficient in managing energy-consuming routines due to fixed execution sequences, leading to increased energy expenses and potential strain on power grids, especially when operations are performed at unfavorable energy rates.

Innovation Solution

An automated assistant that modifies operation sequences based on power data to reduce energy consumption and grid strain by delaying or adjusting operations to align with lower energy rates, offering user confirmation or pre-set preferences.

Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles

VSEngineering Contradiction Analysis

1Loss of energy

If the automated assistant executes routines according to a predetermined sequence, then the routine execution is simple and reliable, but energy consumption increases and power grid strain occurs during high-rate periods

Engineering Contradiction:

Improveenergy consumptionVSAvoidroutine execution complexity

Core Design Contradiction:

Loss of energyVSDevice complexity

Solution Approach 1:

The patent applies dynamics by making the routine execution sequence flexible rather than fixed. The automated assistant dynamically adjusts the execution order of operations based on real-time power data and energy rate conditions. This allows the system to optimize energy consumption by delaying non-critical operations until lower-rate periods while maintaining user-defined priorities, resolving the contradiction between energy efficiency and execution simplicity.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #15Dynamics

Solution Approach 2:

The patent changes the execution parameters of routines based on power data. By monitoring energy rates and adjusting when operations are performed, the system optimizes energy consumption without compromising the essential functionality of the routine. Critical operations maintain their scheduled execution while non-critical operations are shifted to lower-cost periods.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #35Parameter changes

2Loss of energy

If the automated assistant delays energy-consuming operations to reduce energy expenses, then energy consumption costs decrease, but the productivity of the routine decreases

Engineering Contradiction:

Improveenergy expenseVSAvoidroutine completion speed

Core Design Contradiction:

Loss of energyVSProductivity

Solution Approach 1:

The patent segments the routine operations into priority levels. Critical operations that must be completed by a certain time are executed immediately regardless of energy rates, while non-critical operations are delayed to lower-cost periods. This segmentation allows the system to reduce energy expenses without significantly impacting overall productivity, as essential tasks are completed on time.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #1Segmentation

Solution Approach 2:

The system performs preliminary analysis of power data and routine requirements before executing operations. By pre-identifying which operations can be delayed without impacting productivity, the automated assistant can proactively schedule non-critical tasks during low-energy-rate periods, achieving cost savings without sacrificing routine completion speed.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #10Preliminary action

3Loss of energy

If the automated assistant modifies routine sequences based on power data, then energy expenses are reduced, but the ease of operation decreases due to automated modifications

Engineering Contradiction:

Improveenergy expenseVSAvoiduser control over routine

Core Design Contradiction:

Loss of energyVSEase of operation

Solution Approach 1:

The patent implements feedback mechanisms where the automated assistant communicates with users about intended routine modifications. Before executing energy-optimized sequences, the system provides users with information about the proposed changes and seeks confirmation. This feedback loop maintains user control and ease of operation while still enabling energy expense reduction through automated optimization.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #23Feedback

Solution Approach 2:

The system provides self-service capabilities that allow users to configure their preferences for automated routine modification. Users can set up advance permissions and preferences for how their routines should be adjusted based on power data, eliminating the need for manual intervention in each instance while maintaining control over the optimization process.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #25Self-service

Data Source

PatentUS12547308B2Proactive modification or suggestion of assistant routines based on anticipated energy consumption

Publication Date: 2026.02.10 GOOGLE LLC

AI summary

Implementations set forth herein relate to an automated assistant that can control a sequence of operations for a routine according to whether power data indicates that energy expense and/or energy consumption can be preserved by modifying the sequence of operations for the routine. In some implementations, the automated assistant can suggest certain routines, and/or triggering conditions for operations of the routine, to reduce energy expense and/or energy consumption. Alternatively, or additionally, the automated assistant can infer certain operation requests or triggering conditions depending on whether the user has expressed an interest in preserving energy resources and expenses. In this way, the automated assistant can facilitate minimizing energy consumption and/or energy expenses without necessitating that the user exclusively, or manually, schedule all assistant operations with particularity.