Cross-Device Task Routing for Intelligent Voice Assistants
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Solution Overview
Problem
Existing intelligent automated assistants struggle to efficiently perform tasks across multiple devices without requiring users to provide specific instructions, leading to inefficient interactions and increased power consumption.
Innovation Solution
A method where a first user device determines if an application is available to perform a task, and if not, transfers the task to a second user device for execution, receiving and providing the task result as an audio output, leveraging the capabilities of different devices in a multiple device environment.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Measurement precision
If the intelligent automated assistant requires users to provide specific instructions for each device, then the task execution accuracy improves, but the ease of operation deteriorates and interaction time increases
Solution Approach 1:
The system automatically determines which device should execute the task by checking application availability on each device without requiring user input. The intelligent automated assistant self-services by autonomously routing tasks to appropriate devices based on installed applications, eliminating the need for users to specify device capabilities or provide detailed instructions.
Solution Approach 2:
The system pre-establishes a mapping between applications and devices, and pre-determines task routing paths by checking application availability before task execution. This preliminary preparation allows the system to quickly route tasks to the correct device without requiring real-time user decisions or detailed user instructions during task execution.
2Adaptability or versatility
If the system checks application availability and transfers tasks between devices, then the adaptability improves, but the device complexity increases
Solution Approach 1:
The intelligent automated assistant acts as an intermediary layer between the user and multiple devices. It manages the complexity of application availability checking and task routing by centralizing this logic in the assistant rather than requiring complex peer-to-peer device communication or user-managed device configurations. The intermediary handles device capability discovery and task distribution transparently.
Solution Approach 2:
The intelligent automated assistant provides a universal interface that works across multiple different device types and applications. Rather than requiring device-specific configurations or user knowledge of individual device capabilities, the assistant offers a unified method for task execution that adapts to any device in the environment, making the system versatile without increasing user-facing complexity.
3Measurement precision
If the user interacts with each individual device to understand capabilities, then the measurement precision of device selection improves, but the loss of time increases and productivity decreases
Solution Approach 1:
The system automatically performs device capability assessment by checking application availability on each device without requiring user intervention. The intelligent automated assistant self-services by autonomously determining which device has the required application and should execute the task, eliminating the time-consuming process of user-led device evaluation while maintaining precise device selection.
Solution Approach 2:
The system pre-checks application availability on devices before task execution is requested. By performing this capability assessment in advance and maintaining knowledge of which applications are available on which devices, the system can quickly route tasks to the appropriate device without requiring users to spend time evaluating device capabilities at the moment of task execution, thereby improving productivity.
Data Source
AI summary
Systems and processes for operating an intelligent automated assistant are provided. An exemplary process includes, at a first user device with one or more processors and memory: receiving an audio input including a task and an application for performing the task; in response to a determination that the application is available to the first user device, performing the task with the application at the first user device; in response to a determination that the application is not available to the first user device: causing performance of the task with the application at a second user device; receiving the result of the task from the second user device; and providing the result of the task as an audio output.