Conversational AI for Context-Aware Media Device Voice Control

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Solution Overview

Problem

Users find it difficult and cumbersome to navigate and interact with media devices due to the large amount of available content, channels, applications, settings, and functionalities, especially when using limited input devices like remote controls.

Innovation Solution

Implementing a conversational artificial intelligence system that uses a neural network to process voice inputs, understand user queries, and generate commands to control media devices, providing intelligent assistance and reducing interaction complexity.

Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles

VSEngineering Contradiction Analysis

1Ease of operation

If traditional remote control interfaces are used to navigate media devices, then device functionality is maintained, but user interaction becomes cumbersome and complex

Engineering Contradiction:
Improveuser interactionVSAvoidinteraction complexity
Core Design Contradiction:
Ease of operationVSDevice complexity

Solution Approach 1:

The patent replaces mechanical remote control interfaces with voice-based natural language processing. Users speak commands instead of pressing buttons, substituting physical mechanical interaction with acoustic signal processing and neural network interpretation, thereby simplifying user interaction while maintaining full device functionality

Inventive Principle:
Principle #28Mechanics substitution (Replace mechanical system)

Solution Approach 2:

The patent introduces a conversational AI system with neural networks as an intermediary between the user and the media device. This intermediary translates natural language voice inputs into device commands, bridging the gap between simple user speech and complex device operations, thus reducing interaction complexity

Inventive Principle:
Principle #24Intermediary (Mediator)

2Adaptability or versatility

If more content, channels, applications, and functionalities are added to media devices, then device versatility is improved, but navigation and interaction difficulty increases

Engineering Contradiction:
Improvedevice functionalityVSAvoidnavigation difficulty
Core Design Contradiction:
Adaptability or versatilityVSEase of operation

Solution Approach 1:

The conversational AI system provides self-service by understanding user intent through natural language and automatically executing appropriate commands. The system handles the complexity of navigating through multiple content types, channels, and applications autonomously, allowing users to simply speak their requests without manually navigating complex interfaces

Inventive Principle:
Principle #25Self-service

Solution Approach 2:

The voice-based conversational interface serves as a universal control mechanism that can access and control all device functionalities including content playback, channel switching, application control, and settings adjustment. This single multi-functional interface replaces multiple specialized controls, maintaining versatility while simplifying navigation

Inventive Principle:
Principle #6Universality (Multi-functionality)

Data Source

PatentEP4700766A1Conversational artificial intelligence system for media devices
Publication Date: 2026.02.25 ROKU INC
  • EP4700766A1 patent drawingFigure 1
  • EP4700766A1 patent drawingFigure 2
  • EP4700766A1 patent drawingFigure 3

AI summary

System, apparatus, article of manufacture, method and/or computer program embodiments are provided for using an artificial intelligence system to interact with a device. An example method can include obtaining a transcript of a voice input requesting a task from a media device and recognized using automatic speech recognition; based on the transcript and auxiliary data, generating an input to a neural network, the auxiliary data including context data and/or historical data associated with previous voice interactions with the media device; based on the input, determining, by the neural network, a response to the voice input; generating, by the neural network, an output based on the response; converting the output from the neural network into an executable command configured to trigger the media device to perform an action associated with the response to the voice input; and based on the command, triggering the media device to perform the action.