Digital Assistant Query Modification for Nearby Device Detection
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Solution Overview
Problem
Public-safety officers face challenges in accessing information from unknown or inaccessible devices during investigations, as they often lack awareness of nearby devices and may not have physical access to them.
Innovation Solution
A digital assistant that listens for device announcements, modifies search queries based on detected device identifiers, and provides results to users without requiring prior knowledge of device IDs, using a personal-area network and natural language processing to identify and communicate with nearby devices.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Measurement precision
If a digital assistant requires users to manually input device identifiers to search for information, then the search query can be precise, but the ease of operation deteriorates because users must know and input device IDs beforehand
Solution Approach 1:
The digital assistant automatically detects nearby devices and retrieves their identifiers without requiring manual input from the user. The system performs self-service by autonomously scanning for devices, extracting their IDs, and incorporating them into search queries, thereby maintaining precision while improving ease of operation
Solution Approach 2:
The digital assistant performs preliminary actions by detecting and identifying nearby devices before the user needs to search for information. The system proactively gathers device identifiers and prepares search queries in advance, eliminating the need for users to manually input device IDs when they need information
2Productivity
If a digital assistant proactively provides information based on context triggers, then productivity improves, but device complexity increases due to the need for context detection and query modification mechanisms
Solution Approach 1:
The digital assistant uses a universal approach by detecting multiple types of devices (cameras, sensors, communication devices) through a single mechanism. The system employs multi-functionality by handling various device types with the same automated detection and query modification process, thereby improving productivity without proportionally increasing complexity
Solution Approach 2:
The digital assistant acts as an intermediary between the user and nearby devices. It mediates the interaction by automatically detecting devices, extracting their identifiers, and formulating search queries on behalf of the user, thereby improving productivity while keeping the user interface simple
3Reliability
If physical access to devices is required for information retrieval, then reliability of information access is improved, but ease of operation deteriorates when devices are located in hard-to-reach places
Solution Approach 1:
The digital assistant replaces the mechanical requirement of physical access to devices with an automated detection system. Instead of requiring users to physically reach devices located on utility poles or in hard-to-access places, the system uses acoustic or wireless detection mechanisms to identify devices and retrieve information remotely, thereby maintaining reliability while dramatically improving ease of operation
Data Source
AI summary
A method and apparatus for formulating a query by a digital assistant is provided herein. During operation a digital assistant will receive a query from a user. The query will have a type of device mentioned within the query. In response, the digital assistant will listen for any nearby device to announce itself. The query will then be modified by the digital assistant to include a device identification heard in the announcement. Results from the modified query will be provided to the user.