Context-Based User Agent Interaction Modes
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Solution Overview
Problem
Intelligent user assistants (IUAs) often disrupt users' activities by requiring attention and screen presence, especially during tasks like gaming or video consumption, as they lack adaptive interaction modes based on context and user intent.
Innovation Solution
A flexible operating system for IUAs that adjusts interaction modes based on user context, such as audio-only output during focused activities and visual interfaces only when necessary, using an experience manager to customize interactions with various platforms like Xbox and HoloLens, allowing non-obtrusive communication without interrupting primary tasks.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Ease of operation
If the IUA provides full visual and interactive interface, then the user can access all IUA functions, but it distracts users from primary tasks like gaming or video consumption
Solution Approach 1:
The IUA interface dynamically adapts its interaction mode based on the detected context. During focused activities like gaming or video consumption, the system switches to audio-only or minimal visual overlay mode. When the user is not engaged in such activities, the full visual interface becomes available. This dynamic adaptation resolves the contradiction by making the interface both accessible when needed and non-distracting during focused tasks.
Solution Approach 2:
The system applies different interaction qualities to different contexts. Instead of a uniform interface behavior, the IUA provides localized interaction styles: audio-focused interaction during gaming/video consumption, and full visual interaction during other times. This local differentiation allows the IUA to be helpful without being universally distracting.
2Object-affected harmful factors
If the IUA remains invisible and inactive, then user focus is maintained, but the user cannot access IUA assistance when needed
Solution Approach 1:
The IUA operates in periodic cycles of visibility and invisibility based on contextual triggers. It remains hidden during focused activities and becomes visible or more accessible when the user transitions to other tasks. This periodic activation pattern ensures the IUA is available when needed while maintaining user focus during critical tasks.
Solution Approach 2:
The system continuously monitors user context and activity state to determine the appropriate IUA visibility level. This feedback mechanism allows the IUA to automatically adjust its presence based on whether the user is engaged in gaming, video consumption, or other activities, thereby balancing availability with non-intrusiveness.
3Object-affected harmful factors
If the IUA uses audio-only output during focused activities, then user distraction is reduced, but information delivery is limited compared to full visual interface
Solution Approach 1:
The audio interface acts as an intermediary that conveys essential IUA information without requiring visual attention. During gaming or video consumption, audio responses provide sufficient information for common queries and commands. When visual information becomes necessary, the system transitions to full visual interface mode, ensuring information completeness is maintained when the user is not in a focused state.
Data Source
AI summary
Techniques and architectures may be used to provide an environment for a speech-based intelligent user assistant (IUA) having a flexible operating system that is based, at least in part, on the context of interaction of a user of a computing system with the computing system. Such a flexible operating system may allow for non-obtrusive communication of the IUA with the user. Thus, for example, a user may communicate with the IUA without interrupting their other activities on the computer, such as playing a video game.