Companion Device for Virtual Assistant Command Activation
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Solution Overview
Problem
Voice-based virtual assistants require users to remember specific commands to perform tasks, which can be cumbersome and lead to recognition failures due to accent variations or limited language support.
Innovation Solution
A device that stores pre-recorded or dynamically generates voice commands to activate a voice-based virtual assistant, allowing users to initiate tasks without speaking specific commands, using a companion device that can produce sound and respond to non-speech inputs.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Reliability
If users speak specific commands to activate virtual assistant tasks, then task initiation can be performed, but user memory burden increases and recognition failures occur due to accent variations or language limitations
Solution Approach 1:
The patent introduces a companion device as an intermediary between the user and the voice-based virtual assistant. The companion device receives non-speech inputs from the user (such as button presses or simple gestures) and automatically generates and plays the corresponding voice commands that the virtual assistant requires. This mediator eliminates the need for users to remember specific commands while ensuring reliable task initiation, as the companion device handles the command generation and playback with high accuracy.
2Adaptability or versatility
If voice-based virtual assistant requires specific commands, then task performance can be achieved, but accessibility decreases for users with accent issues or language limitations
Solution Approach 1:
The companion device creates accurate copies of the voice commands that the virtual assistant needs to recognize. Instead of relying on users to produce potentially misrecognized speech due to accents or language limitations, the companion device records or generates precise audio copies of the required commands and plays them back. This ensures that the virtual assistant receives the exact command format it expects, significantly improving voice recognition accuracy while enhancing accessibility for users with various speech characteristics.
3Ease of operation
If users must remember specific commands, then direct interaction with virtual assistant is maintained, but user convenience decreases
Solution Approach 1:
The companion device provides self-service functionality by automatically generating and playing the voice commands that the virtual assistant requires. When a user interacts with the companion device through simple non-speech inputs, the companion device independently handles the entire process of command generation, audio playback, and task initiation without requiring the user to learn or remember complex command structures. This self-service approach dramatically improves user convenience while the modular design keeps the added system complexity manageable.
Data Source
AI summary
In some aspects, disclosed herein is a device that stores one or more pre-recorded or dynamically generated voice commands that are capable of activating a virtual assistant via a voice-based user interface and causing the virtual assistant to perform a specific task. The device may be activated manually, e.g., by pushing a button. In some aspects, the device relieves a user of a virtual assistant of the need to speak a specific command in order to cause a virtual assistant to perform a specific task.