Assistant Routine Sequencing Based on Anticipated Energy Use
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Solution Overview
Problem
Existing automated assistants lack the ability to dynamically modify routines to optimize energy consumption, leading to inefficiencies in energy usage and increased costs, especially when controlling costly energy devices.
Innovation Solution
An automated assistant that can modify the sequence of operations in a routine based on power data to reduce energy consumption, such as delaying energy-intensive tasks to take advantage of lower energy rates, while optionally notifying the user of the changes.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Use of energy by moving object
If the automated assistant executes routines according to a predetermined sequence of operations, then the routine execution is simple and reliable, but energy consumption increases and energy costs rise
Solution Approach 1:
The patent applies dynamics by transforming the static, predetermined routine execution into a dynamic process that adapts to real-time energy conditions. The system continuously monitors energy consumption data and power availability, then dynamically reorders operations within routines to optimize energy usage. This allows the automated assistant to flexibly adjust execution sequences based on current energy states while maintaining reliable routine completion.
Solution Approach 2:
The system changes the parameter of operation sequence ordering based on energy consumption parameters. By analyzing energy consumption data for different operations and real-time power availability, the system recalculates and reorders the sequence of operations to minimize total energy consumption. This parameter change approach allows optimization of energy usage without fundamentally altering the routine's purpose or outcome.
2Use of energy by stationary object
If energy-intensive operations are executed immediately according to the default routine sequence, then the routine completes faster in terms of operation count, but energy expenses increase and power grid strain increases
Solution Approach 1:
The system performs preliminary analysis of energy consumption patterns and power availability forecasts before executing routines. By predicting future power availability and identifying energy-intensive operations in advance, the system can proactively reorder operations to execute them during periods of lower energy cost or higher power availability. This preliminary planning enables energy optimization without significantly delaying routine completion.
3Productivity
If the automated assistant modifies routine sequences based on energy data, then energy efficiency improves, but the system complexity and processing requirements increase
Solution Approach 1:
The automated assistant performs self-service by autonomously analyzing its own energy consumption patterns and independently reordering its operation sequences. The system uses its existing access to energy data and processing capabilities to optimize its own execution without requiring external intervention or additional complex infrastructure. This self-service approach improves energy efficiency while limiting the increase in overall system complexity.
Data Source
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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.