Digital Assistant Management via Proximity-Based Preference Configuration

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Solution Overview

Problem

Existing digital assistants lack personalized management capabilities, failing to adapt and provide tailored feedback to users based on their preferences in real-time, especially when users are within a specific proximity to the assistant.

Innovation Solution

An apparatus and method for digital assistant management that includes a processor and memory to receive and configure user preferences, providing feedback through audio or video based on user proximity, using a digital assistant management module that receives information from devices carried by users or servers, and removes data when the user is no longer within range or after a predetermined time.

Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles

VSEngineering Contradiction Analysis

1Adaptability or versatility

If the digital assistant continuously stores user preference information, then the personalization capability is improved, but the data security and privacy risk increases

Engineering Contradiction:
Improvepersonalization capabilityVSAvoiddata security risk
Core Design Contradiction:
Adaptability or versatilityVSObject-affected harmful factors

Solution Approach 1:

The patent implements dynamic data retention by configuring the digital assistant to automatically remove user preference information after a predetermined time period or when the user moves beyond a certain distance. This dynamic approach allows the system to maintain personalization capability during active use while automatically eliminating data security risks when the user is no longer present or the session ends.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #15Dynamics

Solution Approach 2:

The system performs preliminary configuration by receiving and storing user preference information only when the user is within a predetermined distance from the digital assistant. This preliminary action ensures data is captured only when necessary for immediate use, preventing unnecessary long-term storage and associated security risks.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #10Preliminary action

2Measurement precision

If the digital assistant receives user preferences from multiple sources, then the personalization accuracy is improved, but the system complexity increases

Engineering Contradiction:
Improvepersonalization accuracyVSAvoidsystem complexity
Core Design Contradiction:
Measurement precisionVSDevice complexity

Solution Approach 1:

The patent implements a universal reception mechanism that can accept user preference information from multiple sources including direct wireless transmission from user devices and remote servers. This multi-functional approach allows the digital assistant to gather comprehensive user preferences without requiring separate specialized systems for each data source, thereby improving personalization accuracy while managing system complexity through a unified interface.

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

3Speed

If the digital assistant processes user information in real-time, then the user experience responsiveness is improved, but the energy consumption increases

Engineering Contradiction:
Improveresponse speedVSAvoidenergy consumption
Core Design Contradiction:
SpeedVSUse of energy by moving object

Solution Approach 1:

The system employs periodic action by configuring the digital assistant to process and provide feedback based on user preferences only during specific conditions - when the user is within the predetermined distance and during active interaction sessions. The system periodically checks for user presence and processes information only when needed, rather than continuously, thereby maintaining responsive user experience while reducing overall energy consumption during idle periods.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #19Periodic action

Data Source

PatentUS10909507B1Apparatus, method, and program product for digital assistant management
Publication Date: 2021.02.02 LENOVO SWITZERLAND INTERNATIONAL GMBH
  • US10909507B1 patent drawing
  • US10909507B1 patent drawing
  • US10909507B1 patent drawing

AI summary

Apparatuses, methods, and program products are disclosed for digital assistant management. One apparatus includes a processor and a memory that stores code executable by the processor. The code is executable by the processor to receive, by use of the processor, information indicating digital assistant user preferences for a user in response to the user being within a predetermined distance from the apparatus. The code is executable by the processor to configure the apparatus based on the information. The code is executable by the processor to provide feedback to the user based on the information.