Contextual Conversation Mode for Digital Assistants
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Solution Overview
Problem
Conventional digital assistants require a 'wakeup word' to be repeated before each vocal command, which can be burdensome and lead to missed commands if forgotten, limiting hands-free voice control convenience.
Innovation Solution
A method to initiate a contextual session that allows digital assistants to receive and process vocal context inputs without the need for subsequent wake-up words, extending the session duration until an interruption occurs, enabling continuous command execution within a specific context.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Reliability
If a wakeup word is required before each vocal command, then the digital assistant can reliably identify commands, but user convenience deteriorates due to repeated burden and potential missed commands
Solution Approach 1:
The system performs preliminary action by initiating a contextual session that pre-establishes the assistant's readiness to receive commands. Instead of requiring a wakeup word before each command, the session initiation creates a sustained state where the assistant is already active and listening, eliminating the need for repeated wakeup words and improving user convenience while maintaining reliability through structured session management
2Ease of operation
If the digital assistant remains in a listening state continuously, then user convenience improves by allowing multiple commands without wake-up words, but energy consumption increases
Solution Approach 1:
The system implements periodic action through defined contextual sessions with explicit start and end points. The assistant enters an active listening state only during these bounded sessions rather than continuously, allowing multiple commands to be processed without wakeup words while consuming energy only during the session duration. The session can be terminated by interruption or timeout, ensuring energy is not wasted during extended periods of inactivity
Solution Approach 2:
The system applies dynamics by transitioning the assistant between different operational states - from inactive to active during a contextual session, and back to inactive when the session ends. This dynamic state management allows the assistant to be highly responsive during sessions while conserving energy between sessions, resolving the contradiction between continuous availability and energy efficiency
Data Source
AI summary
One embodiment provides a method, including: receiving, at an information handling device, an indication to initiate a contextual session associated with a context; receiving, at the device, at least one context input during a duration of the contextual session; and responsive to receiving the at least one context input, extending the duration of the contextual session, wherein the extended duration does not require receipt of subsequent indications. Other aspects are described and claimed.