Automated Communication Channel Transition System

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Solution Overview

Problem

Conventional communication technologies require manual and often abrupt transitions between direct and indirect conversation channels, leading to distractions and perceptible differences in conversation continuity.

Innovation Solution

A computer-implemented method and system that automatically and smoothly transitions conversations between different communication channels by detecting human-perceivable differences and compensating for them, using simultaneous localization and mapping data and environmental acoustic processing to ensure seamless transitions between direct and indirect communication channels.

Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles

VSEngineering Contradiction Analysis

1Ease of operation

If manual transitions between direct and indirect communication channels are used, then users can control the switching between communication modes, but the transitions become abrupt and distracting to conversation participants

Engineering Contradiction:

Improvemanual control of communication channel switchingVSAvoidabrupt transitions causing distraction

Core Design Contradiction:

Ease of operationVSObject-affected harmful factors

Solution Approach 1:

The system dynamically adjusts communication channel transitions by detecting environmental conditions (such as participant proximity via sensors) and automatically switching between direct and indirect communication modes. This dynamic adaptation eliminates abrupt manual transitions while maintaining user control through automated decision-making based on real-time context.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #15Dynamics

Solution Approach 2:

The system incorporates feedback mechanisms by continuously monitoring conversation context, participant locations, and communication quality metrics. This feedback loop enables the system to detect when a transition between communication channels is appropriate and execute it smoothly, preventing distracting abrupt changes while preserving user intent.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #23Feedback

2Stability of the object's composition

If indirect communication channels are established while direct communication is still occurring, then conversation continuity is maintained, but noticeable delays distract participants from direct communication

Engineering Contradiction:

Improveconversation continuityVSAvoidcommunication delay

Core Design Contradiction:

Stability of the object's compositionVSLoss of time

Solution Approach 1:

The system performs preliminary actions by pre-establishing indirect communication channels before direct communication becomes necessary, and pre-detecting environmental conditions that would trigger channel switching. This allows seamless transitions without noticeable delays, as the system is already prepared with communication pathways in place before they are needed.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #10Preliminary action

Solution Approach 2:

The system uses an intermediary mechanism that manages multiple communication channels simultaneously, acting as a mediator between direct and indirect communication modes. This intermediary coordinates channel switching and timing to maintain conversation continuity while minimizing perceptible delays, ensuring smooth transitions that participants do not notice.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #24Intermediary (Mediator)

3Object-affected harmful factors

If automatic transition systems are implemented, then abrupt transitions are eliminated, but the system complexity increases

Engineering Contradiction:

Improveabrupt transitionsVSAvoidautomatic transition system complexity

Core Design Contradiction:

Object-affected harmful factorsVSDevice complexity

Solution Approach 1:

The system implements self-service by using environmental sensors and context detection to automatically determine when transitions between communication channels are appropriate. This self-service capability eliminates the need for complex user interfaces or manual control mechanisms, reducing perceived system complexity while maintaining automated smooth transitions.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #25Self-service

Solution Approach 2:

The system manages complexity by changing parameters such as participant proximity thresholds, communication quality metrics, and transition timing based on detected environmental conditions. These parameter adjustments allow the system to adapt to different scenarios without requiring complex structural changes, simplifying the overall system architecture while maintaining automatic smooth transitions.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #35Parameter changes

Data Source

PatentUS10979236B1Systems and methods for smoothly transitioning conversations between communication channels

Publication Date: 2021.04.13 META PLATFORMS TECHNOLOGIES LLC

AI summary

The disclosed computer-implemented method may include (1) establishing a communication channel to indirectly convey a conversation, (2) receiving, via the communication channel, a portion of the conversation, (3) presenting the portion of the conversation to a user, (4) receiving, via the communication channel, an additional portion of the conversation, (5) detecting an additional communication channel capable of conveying the conversation, (6) determining a human-perceivable difference between how the conversation has been conveyed via the communication channel and how the conversation will be conveyed via the additional communication channel, and (7) compensating for the human-perceivable difference when presenting the additional portion of the conversation to the user in order to smoothly transition the conversation from the communication channel to the additional communication channel. Various other methods, systems, and computer-readable media are also disclosed.