Digital Assistant Spatial Audio Positioning

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Solution Overview

Problem

Current digital assistants face limitations in effectively communicating with users due to loss of content and sound effects during audio message transmission, leading to misinterpretation and longer understanding times for users.

Innovation Solution

A computer-implemented method for a digital assistant to generate output data using audio with a three-dimensional effect, utilizing at least two audio emitters to simulate the digital assistant's position and incorporate binaural hearing techniques, ensuring complete and clear message transmission.

Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles

VSEngineering Contradiction Analysis

1Loss of information

If audio messages are transmitted to the user, then the digital assistant can communicate responses, but part of the content and sound effects are lost during transmission

Engineering Contradiction:
Improvecontent and sound effectsVSAvoidmessage transmission
Core Design Contradiction:
Loss of informationVSReliability

Solution Approach 1:

The patent applies spatial audio positioning by assigning different virtual positions to audio sources in a three-dimensional space around the user. This dimensional approach allows the digital assistant to communicate from a specific location (e.g., left or right side) rather than from a single central point, preventing confusion when multiple audio sources are present and preserving message clarity without losing content or sound effects.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #17Another dimension (Dimensionality change)

2Loss of time

If audio messages are transmitted to the user, then the digital assistant can respond, but the user takes longer to understand the message

Engineering Contradiction:
Improveunderstanding timeVSAvoidmessage comprehension
Core Design Contradiction:
Loss of timeVSEase of operation

Solution Approach 1:

The patent uses spatial positioning as a distinguishing characteristic for different audio sources, analogous to using color for identification. By assigning specific virtual positions (directions in 3D space) to different audio emitters, the user can immediately identify which direction a message is coming from, reducing confusion and accelerating comprehension without requiring additional processing time.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #32Color changes

3Device complexity

If the digital assistant emits responses from a single position, then the system is simple, but the user cannot distinguish the assistant's position relative to other people

Engineering Contradiction:
Improveaudio emission systemVSAvoidspatial position information
Core Design Contradiction:
Device complexityVSLoss of information

Solution Approach 1:

The patent extends the audio emission system from a single fixed position to multiple virtual positions arranged in three-dimensional space around the user. This allows the digital assistant to emit responses from different directions (left, right, front, back) corresponding to the actual spatial arrangement of people, providing spatial position information without significantly increasing system complexity through software-based virtual positioning.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #17Another dimension (Dimensionality change)

Data Source

PatentEP3561660B1Digital assistant
Publication Date: 2023.09.27 SHERPA EURO SL
  • EP3561660B1 patent drawingFigure 1
  • EP3561660B1 patent drawingFigure 2
  • EP3561660B1 patent drawingFigure 3

AI summary

The present invention relates to a method for a digital assistant to generate output data, said method being implemented by a computer. Additionally, the invention also relates to a computer program and an electronic device.