Chatbot Handover System with Conversation Style Modification

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Solution Overview

Problem

Chatbot systems in medical domains often lead to patient dissatisfaction due to premature conversation termination and lack of effective handover from chatbot to human expert, resulting in discontinuity in conversation styles.

Innovation Solution

A chatbot system capable of intercepting conversation inputs from human experts, modifying them based on earlier conversations with patients, and relaying the modified inputs to ensure a seamless transition and maintain patient comfort.

Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles

VSEngineering Contradiction Analysis

1Device complexity

If chatbot uses simple keyword scanning and if/then logic to formulate replies, then device complexity is reduced, but conversation quality and patient satisfaction deteriorate

Engineering Contradiction:
Improvechatbot system complexityVSAvoidconversation quality
Core Design Contradiction:
Device complexityVSReliability

Solution Approach 1:

The patent introduces a human expert as an intermediary to take over conversations when the chatbot detects patient dissatisfaction or conversation breakdown. This mediator approach allows the simple chatbot system to maintain high conversation quality by transferring complex interactions to human experts, resolving the contradiction between simplicity and reliability.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #24Intermediary (Mediator)

2Ease of operation

If chatbot hands over to human expert without modifying input, then ease of operation is improved, but conversation style continuity deteriorates

Engineering Contradiction:
Improvehandover process simplicityVSAvoidconversation style consistency
Core Design Contradiction:
Ease of operationVSStability of the object's composition

Solution Approach 1:

The patent applies preliminary action by having the chatbot modify the human expert's input messages before they are sent to the patient. This advance modification ensures conversation style continuity is maintained while keeping the handover process simple, as the chatbot automatically adjusts the messaging style without requiring complex manual coordination.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #10Preliminary action

3Productivity

If chatbot maintains autonomous conversation without handover, then productivity is improved, but patient satisfaction deteriorates due to conversation breakdowns

Engineering Contradiction:
Improveconversation throughputVSAvoidpatient satisfaction
Core Design Contradiction:
ProductivityVSReliability

Solution Approach 1:

The patent implements feedback mechanisms where the chatbot monitors conversation quality indicators and patient satisfaction metrics in real-time. When dissatisfaction or breakdown signs are detected, the system triggers handover to human experts. This feedback loop allows the system to maintain high productivity during successful conversations while ensuring patient satisfaction by intervening when problems arise.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #23Feedback

Data Source

PatentEP4568224A1A method and system for controlling chatbot behavior in a conversation between requester and domain expert
Publication Date: 2025.06.11 KONINKLIJKE PHILIPS NV
  • EP4568224A1 patent drawingFigure 1~1A
  • EP4568224A1 patent drawingFigure 2
  • EP4568224A1 patent drawingFigure 3

AI summary

System (CBS) and related methods. The chatbot system (CBS) is capable, on a handover signal, to hand over an earlier conversation with a human requester (P) to a conversation of requester with a human expert (DE). The system (CBS) intercept a conversation input issued by the human expert. The system modifies, based on the, or an earlier, conversation between the chatbot system and the requester, the intercepted conversation input. The system relays the so modified conversation input to the requester. The system may facilitate a conversation between requester and human expert.